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
Stacey Chapman
President
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.
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.
Sue Arneson
Treasurer
Sue is the Treasurer for WIA. She is a proud graduate of the University of Wisconsin, earning a BBA in accounting from the Wisconsin School of Business. As a “retired” CPA, Sue has spent years volunteering her accounting expertise for numerous non-profits. In addition to WIA, Sue is the Treasurer for the Friends of the Big Sky Community Library and spent nine years in that position for the Gallatin Canyon Women’s Club. By providing financial oversight and accounting knowledge, Sue is happy to support all the necessary work and programing provided by Wellness in Action in our Big Sky Community.
Katie Grice
Co-Secretary
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.
Michelle Kendziorski
Co-Secretary
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.”
Laura MacPherson
Director
Laura brings over a decade of Leadership in Early Education to the WIA board. She founded her own Montessori Preschool, worked as a Preschool-5th grade Director, and taught in a multitude of experiential and outdoor education programs. She is currently the Center Director for Morningstar Learning Center and is committed to providing quality early learning experiences for the families of Big Sky. Laura has a BS in Recreation Management and Nature-Based Tourism from the University of Montana and a Montessori Early Childhood Teaching Credential from the American Montessori Society. Laura is passionate about making wellness opportunities accessible for individuals in our community and is honored to be a part of WIA’s efforts.
Marne Hayes
Director
Marne has called Big Sky home since 1993 when a few summers working in Yellowstone National Park sold her on making Montana her permanent place. With over 2 decades of non-profit and executive leadership experience, Marne has found that some of the best work comes through community collaboration and a vision for bringing the right people together to find the best solutions. She holds a BA in English from the University of Maryland and a non-profit leadership certification through the Institute for Organizational Management, a program offered by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Running her own consulting business focused on advocacy and business engagement in the outdoor, conservation and economic development space fills most of her time, coupled with her role as communications manager for the local watershed group, Gallatin River Task Force, and a spot on the local Sustainability Network Organization (SNO) board of directors. Marne’s drive for critical community work is second only to her love of spending time on the trails with her husband and their two crazy Vizslas.
Staff
MaryBeth Morand
Executive Director
MaryBeth is the Executive Director of WIA. She holds a Post-Graduate certificate in Expressive Art Therapy (European Graduate School), an MBA (Thunderbird/Arizona State University), a BA in Studio Art (Lake Forest College) and a Montana teaching certificate with an endorsement in art. MaryBeth worked as an advisor and evaluator of refugee mental health and psychosocial projects for the UN Refugee Agency all over the world.
She is the author of numerous publications on these projects as well as the relatively recent phenomenon of refugees migrating to urban spaces. MaryBeth is deeply committed to developing behavioral health programs that are appropriate to the specific needs of the community and addressing the psychosocial needs of transitory populations.
marybeth@wiabigsky.org | 406-598-6522
WIA’s 5 PROGRAMMING PRINCIPALS
