WIA’s HISTORY IN BIG SKY
Wellness in Action (WIA) was called Women in Action until 2022. The name was changed to be more inclusive and signal to the community that our services are for everyone who lives and works in Big Sky, and, we need everyone’s support!
Women In Action was founded in 2005 to address the concerns of children and families missing out on opportunities for quality education and health and human services.
Comprised of nine women who lived and worked in Big Sky, the founding board of directors established WIA as a grassroots nonprofit organization to help address those concerns.
Over the years, WIA has provided a broad range of social programs that include counseling services, education programs and scholarship opportunities for summer and winter camps.
Currently, WIA provides free and sliding scale counseling, education and support groups focused on substance abuse and suicide prevention, and well-being opportunities such as camp scholarships so that people may participate in educational, recreational, and cultural events.
WIA collaborates with our local schools, health care providers, law enforcement, local businesses, the Big Sky Resort Tax District, our local foundations and nonprofits, and Big Sky residents.
Thank you for being part of our story
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world;
indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” - Margaret Mead
MEET THE TEAM
Board of Directors
Michelle Kendziorski
President
Michelle is the Executive Administrative Assistant at Big Sky Resort. Prior to this position, Michelle worked in the non-profit world for over 20 years. She is currently a volunteer member of the Lone Peak High School Booster Club and a member of the BSCO Gala Committee. Michelle holds an AA in Travel in Tourism from SUNY- Morrisville and BS in Sociology from Montana State University. Michelle is passionate about WIA because it is an organization that has been able to provide much-needed services to our dynamic community. In her words, “It (WIA) was the first group to recognize the needs and provide affordable and accessible options. WIA continues to bridge the gap by providing access to much-needed resources. As someone who has utilized the programs and services you see firsthand how essential this is for our community.”
Betsy McFadden
Vice President
Betsy is the Vice-President of WIA. She has a background in office administration, event planning and fundraising. She has been involved with many children’s foundations and causes. After working almost 25 years in New York City, she and her husband retired to Big Sky in 2007. Betsy has been on several Big Sky community committees and non-profit boards. She volunteers with Eagle Mount, Friends of the Big Sky Library, Gallatin River Task Force and Big Sky Mountain Hosts. In her free time she can be found Nordic or Alpine skiing, hiking, or playing golf.
Katie Grice
Treasurer
Katie Grice has been a resident of Big Sky since 2007, she currently serves as the Vice President of Sales for Boyne Resorts. Her education includes a Bachelor of Science (Political Science, Central Michigan University), a Master’s in Business Administration (University of Montana) and she has held a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation since 2013. Katie strongly believes in giving back to the community and initiatives that support living in Big Sky. She also serves on the Montana Governor’s appointed Tourism Advisory Council, and as the current chair of the Big Sky Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Katie has a passion for the programming WIA offers, behavioral health in particular. Katie enjoys the best Big Sky offers through skiing and mountain biking with family and friends, and her loyal Golden Retriever companion, Watson.
Stacey Chapman
Co-Secretary
Stacey is the WIA Board President. In addition to the WIA Board, Stacey serves on the Board of the Gallatin Canyon Women’s Club and has volunteered with several organizations in and around Big Sky including Eagle Mount and the Big Sky Library. Following a career in nursing and nurse management, Stacey retired to focus on her family and community service. She and her husband first visited Big Sky in 1998 and became seasonal residents in 2006. Enjoying the beauty of Big Sky and the strong sense of community they moved from their home in North Carolina and have been year-round residents since 2016. Stacey is passionate about the well-being of those around her and WIA’s commitment to its mission.
Judy Katany
Co-Secretary
Judy has been coming to Big Sky since 2004 and has been a full-time resident since 2013. She holds a BS in Computer Science from the University of Pittsburgh and certifications in project and process management. While still running her own consulting firm, Judy serves as an Advisory Committee Member for Spanish Peaks Mountain Club and on the Membership Committee Member for Big Sky Chamber of Commerce and was previously a Board Member for Warren Miller Performing Arts Center. She is committed to helping address the behavioral and mental health needs of our residents and workers as the pressures of expansive growth continue to weigh heavily on our community.
Shelly Bermont
Director
Shelly Bermont became a seasonal Big Sky resident in 1998, moving here full-time in 2008. She has spent the last 25 years in the jewelry business as a designer and goldsmith, opening Shelly Bermont Fine Jewelry in Big Sky's Meadow Village five years ago. A Miami resident for 30 years prior, Shelly was involved with fundraising for the Junior League of Miami, Project: New Born, Adopt-a-Pet and many other organizations. Her Big Sky community involvement includes creating the successful Parks & Trails Gala annual fundraiser for BSCO and contributing her designs and donations to many local fundraising efforts throughout the year. When she isn't in her workshop or store, Shelly and her fiance Clay Lorinsky enjoy traveling and golf. A strong supporter of access to wellness services for all, she is excited to be a part of WIA.
Durbin Emerson
Director
Durbin and her husband, Trux, were cofounders of what ultimately became Fisher House Charleston, something similar to a Ronald McDonald House, but for Veterans and or their families where they could stay without charge for as long as necessary while the patients were undergoing treatment at the Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center in Charleston, SC. Durbin and Trux are members of the Board of the Arts Council of Big Sky and serve on the Public Arts Committee.
Durbin holds a BA in Psychology from Hollins College and has held numerous jobs over the years including the opening of what is now Montana Trails Gallery in Bozeman.
Durbin states “Recently, I have become painfully aware of the depth and range of the mental health and substance abuse issues afflicting too many members of the Big Sky community. However, the fact that I can contribute to helping to alleviate these problems is the motivating factor in my desire to join the WIA Board. I am grateful for the opportunity.”
Krista Boersma
Director
Krista moved to Big Sky in 2001, where she raised her two now college-aged daughters and helped her husband build Lone Peak Physical Therapy. She has a Master’s degree in Education from National University and a Transitional Life Coaching certification through Western Seminary. Krista was one of the founding board members of WIA in 2005 and is excited to be working with WIA once again. Her passion for education, young moms, children, and teens aligns perfectly with WIA’s mission.
Jahnel Knippling
Director
Jahnel moved to Big Sky in December of 2006 to enjoy a winter of skiing and has called it home ever since. She currently works for Lone Peak Physical Therapy as a Patient Coordinator. She also manages the Yeti Dogs Softball team in the summer and the Sweeping with the Enemy Curling team in the winter. Jahnel’s passion for the well-being of the Big Sky Community brought her to WIA and she is looking forward to helping spread awareness of WIA’s services to the community.
Staff
Kiernan McCarthy
Mental & Behavioral Programs Manager
Kiernan moved to Big Sky in November of 2021 to enjoy the slopes of Lone Peak. She holds a BA in Psychology and a minor in Spanish, from Geneseo. During college, she worked at DOROT, a non-profit in New York City that aided socially isolated older adults. As a community services intern, she would help social workers with local outreach events, meet with clients during home visits, and assist them with daily tasks such as grocery shopping or getting to appointments. After working seasonal jobs post-college, she has first-hand experience with the workforce and the needs of that population. She is deeply interested in contributing to the community and building connections to further local access to resources. In her free time, she can be found hiking, camping, or skiing
Natalie Studt
Operations Manager
Natalie Studt is the Operations Manager for WIA. She moved to Big Sky from NYC in May of 2019 and fell in love with Montana. After graduating from The City College of New York with a B.A. in Economics and a B.A. in Philosophy, she worked in the New York City service industry for a couple of years before moving west. Natalie worked at Big Sky Resort for her first summer in Big Sky, followed by the Hungry Moose Market & Deli. Natalie has a long held passion for community welfare and public service. Her desire to help the people of Big Sky led her to WIA, where she can implement her varied skills and training for a cause she wholeheartedly believes in.
WIA’s 5 PROGRAMMING PRINCIPALS
