Meet the 2021 HYP Board!

HYP’s board is changing for the upcoming year! Meet our new board members, new president, and our continuing board members. Haley, Grace, Kyle, and Kellie are new board members.

Grace McGrath, Social Media Chair

Grace is a New York State native who recently moved to Helena for AmeriCorps. She received a BS in Business Administration with a minor in Education from the University at Albany. Currently, she is an AmeriCorps VISTA working for the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education on college student mental health. Additionally, she is a Consultant and a City Council Member on the Lewis & Clark County Heritage Preservation and Tourism Development Council. She is passionate about the environment, prison reform, and gender equity. Grace loves Helena so far, especially the hiking trails and small businesses.

Haley McKnight, Marketing Chair

Haley hails from the hot, humid heart of the Appalachian mountains. She moved to Butte in 2017 as an AmeriCorps VISTA and quickly became an honorary Montanan. Haley is currently an Advertising Assistant with the Independent Record, as well as a freelance designer, copy editor, and art teacher. Most nights you can find her making art at the Holter, hiking Black Sandy, putting her cat in outfits, or deep frying something.

Kyle Joyner, Secretary

While having lived in several places around the US, Kyle previously lived in Wyoming prior to moving to Helena in early 2020. Kyle obtained a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Wyoming in 2016 and since then has been working as a clinical mental health therapist in non-profit community mental health. Kyle greatly enjoys the outdoors and has avidly engaged in the many hiking opportunities that both Montana and the Helena area has to offer. He also enjoys reading, cultivating balance and brewing wine.

Kellie Ashby, Business Outreach Chair

Indiana born (over the bridge) Kentucky raised, Kellie was ecstatic to move to Helena August 2020! After two trips in Alaska and four summers in Florida she knew somewhere with mountains, snow, and the internet was where she wanted to be. When her partner Kegan got offered a position with the state August 6th, by August 31st they had moved and began to call Helena, MT home. She loves meeting new people, volunteering for events, and getting involved with the community. Due to her outgoing and recreation major background at Western Kentucky University she quickly immersed herself in groups such as Women Leadership Networking, Girls Thrive, 3 Lewis and Clark book clubs, and Rocky Mountain Development Center Telephone Connector. Don't be surprised as well if you catch her at White Knight playing D&D or at Lewis and Clark Brewery participating in Wednesday Trivia. When she is free her partner Kegan and her are hammock camping or finding a place to overland. Since she loves new friends feel free to reach out and introduce yourself to HYP's 2021 Business Outreach Chair.

We also have a change in leadership for 2021! Carissa Beckwith, previously serving as Vice President and Recreation Chair, will be serving as President this coming year.

Carissa Beckwith, President

Carissa grew up in northern Minnesota and attended St. Olaf College. Graduate school drew her out west, and since earning her MA in Environmental Humanities from the University of Utah, she hasn’t left the region. A newcomer to Montana, Carissa is the Recreation Trails Program Manager at Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. She loves grants—and she enjoys balancing her work with outdoor recreation. Backpacking, fly-fishing, hiking, and canoeing are her frequent pursuits.

The rest of the board is continuing on for another year of service! Learn more about our continuing board members below.

Eric Diedrich, Treasurer

Eric has lived in Montana for more than a decade, originally moving to the state from his native Oregon to study civil engineering at Montana State University in Bozeman. After graduation there, he spun a professional 180 and decided to take a stab at a career in journalism. Following reporting stints in Great Falls, Bozeman and Missoula, he now works in Helena as a staff writer at the nonprofit Montana Free Press, covering Montana policy and politics with a particular focus on economic development.

Breena Buettner, Public Relations Chair

Breena moved to Montana in the summer of 2015 to pursue her work as a ceramic artist in the thriving art community of Helena. Having planned to work in the area for only a year, she quickly fell in love with the community and surrounding landscape, deciding to make Helena her home. Breena has worked in the non profit sector at both the Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts and Prickly Pear Land Trust. She is currently pursuing her real estate license to help other people make Helena their home. When she is not working on studio projects or house projects, she enjoys hiking, biking, backpacking, floating, fishing, baking, gardening, and learning all forms of skiing.

Jillian Deitle, Recreation Chair

Jillian hails from the great state of Wisconsin and after completing her undergraduate degree in Public Relations and Marketing from Columbia College, Chicago she took a job opportunity in Austin, TX. Her love for the mountains drew her to move out west to Denver, CO, and then finally to Montana in 2010. She has since fallen in love with the outdoor lifestyle, trail running, and the community of Helena. Jillian enjoys her career in software sales and sells all over the country. When she is not traveling for work, she and her husband enjoy exploring Montana, traveling, and really anything that involves being outside and adventurous. She is excited to be apart of the HYP Board this year as the Recreation Chair to bring other people together doing these fun outdoor activities and to enjoy this great state of Montana.

Chandler Rowling, Public Service Chair

Chandler is a Helena transplant who moved from Indiana. She works at Good Samaritan Ministries as their Housing Navigator. She attended Purdue Northwest University and has a bachelors in Sociology. She has been building her career through non-profit and federal work. She is passionate about giving back to the community and helping the homeless. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, sketching, and plotting pranks on her co-workers.

Matt Paulsen, Professional Development Chair

Matt is a 6th generation Montanan and 4th generation Helena native. He graduated from Capital High School and attended the University of Montana. He has been a small business owner and is currently a Marketing and Promotional Product Specialist for Allegra Marketing Print & Mail in downtown Helena. Matt enjoys the great outdoors that Montana offers -- camping, hiking, golfing, kayaking and downhill skiing. And you’ll usually find him hanging out or going on adventures with his golden puppy, Asuna (or Sunny).

Emily Kittelson, Social Chair

Emily is a native of Helena and graduated from Capital High School. She recently earned her AAS in Business Technology from Helena College and will be pursuing her bachelor’s degree online in Management and Public Relations from MSU-Billings. She has also been building a career with the State of Montana since 2013. Through working for the State of Montana she has gained extensive background knowledge in accounting procedures. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, showing off Helena and the surrounding areas, reading and playing board games.

Alyssa Sorenson, Past President

A Wyoming native, Alyssa was delighted to move to Helena in 2016 after a two year stint in the south completing her Master of Public Administration at the University of Georgia. She loves the Montana mountains, snow, dry air, and lack of flying cockroaches. She's now putting her degree to work as a program evaluator for the Montana Legislature. In her spare time, she enjoys snow shoeing, cross-country skiing, strategy board games, and brunching. She has served four enjoyable years on the HYP board and is excited to support the 2021 board as past president.