A short introduction to our staff and Thrive’s board of directors.
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Staff and directors
Board of Directors
Colee Wingo
Secretary
Colee works as the Director of Sales and Marketing at the Hilton Garden Inn Bozeman/Lone Peak Hospitality. Colee graduated from Converse College, in Spartanburg, South Carolina, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. She lives in Bozeman, Montana with her [...]
Debra Gebhart
President
Debra Gebhart is a Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist with MetLife Home Loans. She has most recently joined the Thrive Board of Directors. Debra and her family relocated to Bozeman over 10 years ago and have fallen in love with this [...]
James Paton
Treasurer
James Paton is a Branch Manager for Sterling Savings Bank. He enjoys spending time with his lovely wife Kristen and two children.
Jen Perry
Board Member
Jen Perry is a Stay-at-Home Mom and Professional Recreationalist. When not goofing off, she volunteers her time at various locations in Bozeman, and also oversees the management of a guest ranch in Trego, Montana. Jen graduated from the University of [...]
Josh Cormany
Board Member
Josh Cormany, Branch Manager with MetLife Home Loans joined the board in the spring of 2010. Josh was raised in Spokane Washington and spent 11 years in Arizona before he and his wife Nicole moved back to the Northwest. Josh [...]
Kayla Matson Gerrity
Board Member
Kayla, an MSU alumni returned to Bozeman in 1997. She is a self-employed business consultant and has been a CAP mentor since 2008. Kayla enjoys all things outdoors and is an avid traveler. Kayla lives with her partner of 30 [...]
Mike Elliott
Board Member
Mike Elliot is an owner of Catalyst Real Estate Solutions, LLC, and Grubb and Ellis, catalyst. Mike graduated from the University of Denver where he received his Masters in Real Estate and Construction Management as well as his Bachelors in Business Administration. [...]
Penny Hatten
Board Member
Penny Hatten came to Bozeman in 1992; she is the owner of Tri-H Stables and enjoys riding, skiing and scuba diving.
Tiffany Waldron
Board Member
Tiffany was born and raised in Havre, Montana and attended Carroll College in Helena. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations and Business Management. Tiffany is currently an insurance agent with HUB International and has been a [...]
Troy Berquist
Board Member
Troy Bergquist has been a member of the Thrive Board of Directors since August 2007. Troy became a CAP mentor in 1995 while attending MSU. Upon returning to Bozeman in 2004 as a Sales Representative for Biomet Orthopedics, Troy sought [...]
Zach Schmidt
Board Member
Administration
Deborah Neuman
Executive Director
Love this place! Been around for ages! Laughs every day – mostly at my co-workers!
Marissa Sweeney
Administrative Assistant
Marissa grew up in Northern Virginia and moved to Washington after getting out of the Air Force. As a new resident of Montana, Marissa enjoys cooking, gardening, hiking, skiing, and spending time with friends and family.
Megan Johnson
Program Assistant
I am a recent graduate of MSU where I received a Bachelor of Science in Family Consumer Sciences and a minor in Psychology. I am so excited to be involved in this great organization and for the opportunity to stay [...]
Vanessa Skelton
Special Events/ Marketing/Office Manager/Girls for a Change Program Manager
I was born and raised in small town Oklahoma. I graduated from University of Oklahoma with a dual degree in International Studies and French. I have an architect-to-be husband and we love to travel, cook and eat great food, snowboard/ski, [...]
Development
Chantel McCormick Schieffer
Development Director
Chantel grew up in Montana’s beautiful Flathead Valley and graduated from Montana State University with a degree in Political Science. She has spent the last fifteen years cultivating an exciting career in public relations, fundraising, and public service. Chantel has [...]
Child Advancement Project
Brittany Hoose
CAP Coordinator Sacajawea Middle School and Emily Dickinson Elementary
I graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a degree in psychology with an emphasis on counseling and family dynamics. I have worked with various mentoring programs for the past six years. I enjoy reading, movies, and spending time outside.
Joy Dewell
CAP Coordinator Whittier Elementary and Hyalite Elementary
Graduated from MSU with a degree in Psychology. I have worked for Thrive for the nine years and love it almost everyday! I am married with two children and two dogs and I love Halloween and the Chicago Bears!
Kimberly Fournier
CAP Coordinator Chief Joseph Middle School
I have a Masters Degree in Education from MSU. I Love to play outside! I enjoy travel and any adventure near or far from home!
Lynne Greenlee
Bozeman High School Volunteer Coordinator
I am a native of the Mountain Time Zone and have called Bozeman home for the last 10 years. I have a B.S. in Secondary Education, Social Studies Broadfield, from MSU and many degrees from the School of Life. I [...]
Mary Ellerd
CAP Coordinator Hawthorne Elementary
I have a Masters Degree in Adult & Community Education. I am a Montana native – born in Butte to immigrants from Montenegro. My immediate family consists of husband, horses, cats & dogs.
Robin Kelley
CAP Coordinator Morningstar and Longfellow Elementary
I graduated from MSU with a degree in English Education and a Minor in History. I am an avid baseball fan. GO CUBS! I have been fortunate to be able to travel to 16 countries… mostly in Asia.
Sarah Stiff
CAP Coordinator Irving School and CAP Program Manager
I first got to know Thrive and the CAP Program 17 years ago as a CAP mentor. I am now in my 11th year as a CAP Coordinator, and 3rd year as CAP Program Manager. I have 2 kids – [...]
Parent Place
Kathy Rich
Parent Place Manager
I have a Master’s degree in Social Work and a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies. I love traveling anywhere! I have two kids and a husband and a sweet yellow lab named Shamus.
Shaina Chepulis
Parent Educator
A Montana native- Go Bobcats! Love spending time with my 2 boys & husband. Just being outside camping, taking photos or playing with friends (eventually the girls will win at cards more often! we’re just practicing!).
Parent Liaison
Ashley Mares Jones
Parent Liaison Sacajawea Middle School
I have a social work background-GO GRIZ I have a new baby and a new (old) farm in Churchill. I love to hike/backpack with our llamas.
Heidi Makoutz
Parent Liaison Irving Elementary and Girls for a Change Facilitator
I grew up in the farmlands of western New York State. I came to Montana in 2003 to work summer camps and fell in love – with the mountains and a wonderful man! We enjoy raising our family (one daughter, [...]
Libby Michaud
PARENT LIAISON Morningstar and Hawthorne Elementaries
I was born and raised in New Jersey, but have lived on the East Coast since college. With my husband Steve and our two energetic Australian Shepherds (Jesse and Jacob) we have realized our dream of living in Montana. Hiking, [...]
Lori Van Vleet
Parent Liaison Whittier Elementary and Chief Joseph Middle School
Lori works as a Parent Liaison at Whittier Elementary School and Chief Joseph Middle School. Lori graduated from the University of Wyoming (Go Pokes!) with a Masters in Social Work. She lives in Three Forks, Montana with her rockin’ husband [...]
Stacey Tompkins
Parent Liaison Hyalite Elementary
I have only had the pleasure of living in Bozeman since summer of 2008. I’ve had the great fortune to live in lots of great places, and Bozeman is truly a gem of a spot. Thrilled to be here with [...]
Steven Wellington
I grew up in rural New England, and worked throughout the country at adolescent treatment programs, teaching in alternative schools, and as a carpenter. My wife and I settled in Bozeman in the summer of 2010. In addition to the wonderful community, Bozeman’s [...]
Girls for a Change
Heidi Makoutz
Parent Liaison Irving Elementary and Girls for a Change Facilitator
I grew up in the farmlands of western New York State. I came to Montana in 2003 to work summer camps and fell in love – with the mountains and a wonderful man! We enjoy raising our family (one daughter, [...]
Vanessa Skelton
Special Events/ Marketing/Office Manager/Girls for a Change Program Manager
I was born and raised in small town Oklahoma. I graduated from University of Oklahoma with a dual degree in International Studies and French. I have an architect-to-be husband and we love to travel, cook and eat great food, snowboard/ski, [...]
Partnership Project
Carrie Hook
Family Support
I was born and raised in Montana. Graduated from Montana State University with degree in Criminal Justice. Go Bobcats! My family consists of one husband, three children, eight chickens, one lizard, two dogs, two frogs, and one turtle.
Maria Mallory
Family Support Worker
In a nutshell… I was born and raised in Baltimore, MD, went to school in Arizona for Social Work, met a boy, got married, and then moved to Montana. I have a wonderfully cute son, another baby on the way, [...]
