BOARD
DarAnne Dunning - President
DarAnne grew up on her family’s ranch in southeastern Montana, where her family has raised horses and cattle since the 1880s. After attending the University of Montana for undergrad (Philosophy and Communication Studies-Rhetoric) and law school, DarAnne and her husband moved to Helena in 2010.
DarAnne has worked in private practice at several firms in Helena, and currently works at the Drake Law Firm, primarily as an estate planning lawyer. She also represents small business owners with business formation and development and does transactional real estate work.
DarAnne, her husband Corbin, and identical twin daughters Marin and Treva love Helena’s thriving arts community and access to the trails with their two dogs.
Michael Hale - Treasurer
Michael and his husband transplanted into the Helena community in 2019 after living most of their lives in the Southeast. For most of his career, Michael expressed his love of community and youth through the classroom—having served as a high school mathematics teacher for 17 years. During that time, he spent most of his summers doing camping ministry with Camp Tekoa and three summers in Romania with Livada Orphan Care. The move to Montana prompted a needed change, and Michael now is the Accounting and Grants Manager with Montana Nonprofit Association where he works with a dynamic team to promote a sustainable, networked, and influential sector.
Michael originally graduated from the University of North Carolina Asheville with a BA in Mathematics but added a few credentials along the way: Masters of Education from Cumberlands University, an Associates of Applied Science in Accounting from AB Tech in Asheville, and a BS in Business with Accounting Studies from Southern New Hampshire University.
Michael is grateful for the opportunity to serve with the HACF Board to support the work being done throughout the Helena area.
John Moore
John Moore was born in mid-Montana’s Harlowton and grew up in Great Falls. Coming from a musical family, he started his first garage band at age 13. After graduating Great Falls Central High School, he attended the University of Notre Dame. In his sophomore year, he studied abroad in Innsbruck, Austria; in this program, he met Ann Waickman.
Upon graduation, John returned to Montana. He began his career with Montana state government in 1976, training direct-care staff at the facility for developmentally disabled in Boulder. In 1984, he transferred to the Department of Administration in Helena, where he led management, communication, and legal training with the Professional Development Center until his retirement in 2013.
In the meantime, he raised a family of four children. He also continued sideline occupations as a musician and political cartoonist. In 1995, he gathered a small group of Helena musicians and founded the Lost & Foundation, a small nonprofit that helps individuals and families cope with medical expenses.
John served on the Helena Public Art Committee for six years, helping to establish several installations in Helena. He sits on the executive board of the local musicians’ union. He is excited to help the Helena Area Community Foundation continue its support of local nonprofit organizations. And he is pleased that his four children have blessed him with 13 grandchildren.
Wes Feist
Wes serves as a Business Operations Analyst with the Department of Administration at the State of Montana. Within the General Services Division, Wes defines and builds new business operations processes that optimize efficiency and effectiveness for state government and public and private stakeholders. In addition, he actively engages in strategic planning, content management, and client success management. He has proudly served his hometown community of East Helena as a city council member since 2020. In this role, he focuses on responsible development, solutions to constituent needs, and collaborative budgeting for community benefit. Wes earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from Johnson & Wales University and a Master of Arts degree in Higher Education and Public Policy from the University of Denver. His career has spanned compliance oversight for an international wealth management firm; career and technical education development, student support services through public and private post-secondary education, workforce development leadership, and program and process efficiency improvement.
Wes’ passion is connecting workforce and economic development solutions through community partnerships. Wes was awarded the Helena Area Chamber of Commerce – Helena WINS Driver of Change Award in 2023 and named to the Helena Independent Record’s 2021 20 Under 40 awardee list. Wes serves on the boards of the Helena Area Chamber of Commerce, Montana Business Assistance Connection, the Helena Area Community Foundation, and as the current chair of the Lewis & Clark Metro Region Opioid Governance Committee.
In his personal time, Wes enjoys spending time with his wife, sons, and family outdoors and traveling for kids’ sports throughout Big Sky Country.
Joyce Day - Vice President
Joyce Day was born into a military family and traveled the United States extensively during her growing years. Joyce’s family settled in Billings, Montana. Joyce has strong roots in Montana. Her family immigrated from Ireland in the 1800’s and settled in the Helmville valley. She graduated from Carroll College with a Major in Business Management and Gonzaga University with a master’s in organizational leadership. While working for the Student Assistance Foundation (SAF) in Helena, Joyce was privileged to attend Leadership Montana in 2011. Leadership Montana had a profound impact on Joyce, and she strives to emulate this collaborative leadership model in her day to day interactions. After retiring from SAF, Joyce joined the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis in Helena, Montana. Joyce has two grown sons. She keeps busy in her spare time attending her grandchildren’s extracurricular activities and traveling.
Jalena Johnson - Secretary
Jalena is a dedicated leader who has supported the Helena community since relocating here in 2012. With over 20 years of experience in leadership positions, she has developed a deep commitment to enhancing the lives of those around her.
In addition to her community work, Jalena brings a wealth of experience to the table with 12 years in the banking industry, including 7 years at Opportunity Bank of Montana where she serves as VP, Regional Retail Manager; honing her skills in community engagement and financial services. She is excited to serve on the board of HACF, contributing to the wonderful mission and furthering her commitment to the well-being of the community.
In her free time, Jalena enjoys spending quality time with her two kiddos, travelling, practicing yoga or unwinding with a good book.
Brian Nelson
Brian K. Nelson moved to Helena Montana in 2016 to join Sullivan Financial Group* as a Financial Planner. He has been in the investment and financial planning industry for 23 years. His Great-Grandfather Nels Nelson immigrated to Helena Montana in the 1880s and his grandfather was born and raised here. After his father was born and raised in Pocatello, Idaho, Brian is happy to be back in Helena where his Nelson roots in America started.
Brian is married to Alisa, his high-school sweetheart, and they have four children. Brian enjoys mountain biking Helena’s South Hills, hiking, Nordic skiing, kayaking and being with family. He and Alisa enjoy service in their church congregation and serving in the area. Brian obtained his Bachelor’s Degree from Utah State University in Business Information Systems and continues to enjoy new technologies, feeding his tech-nerd side. Brian and Alisa enjoy Helena and are grateful to be part of the community.
*Securities and advisory services are offered through Cetera Advisor Networks LLC, member FINRA/SIPC, a broker-dealer and registered investment adviser. Cetera is under separate ownership from any other named entity
111 N Last Chance Gulch, Ste 3C, Helena, MT 59601
Tommy Williams
Tommy Williams was born and raised in East Tennessee. After graduating from Vanderbilt University with a BA in English, he began his career in software development at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he also met his wife, Dawn. Over the course of more than three decades, Tommy has built his career in software engineering, systems design, and technology management, solving problems across a range of industries.
He and his wife have lived in Helena for eight years and share their home with their German Shepherd dog, Coco, adopted from the Lewis and Clark Humane Society. Together, they enjoy exploring Helena’s natural beauty and expressing their creativity through various art mediums. Tommy is honored to serve on the Helena Area Community Foundation Board and looks forward to supporting its mission of strengthening the local nonprofit community.
Hallee Frandsen
Hallee was born and raised in metro Detroit. She attended Eastern Michigan University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 2015. She moved to Montana in 2017 and started law school at the University of Montana, where she graduated with a Juris Doctor and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration.
After clerking for the Montana Supreme Court, Hallee and her husband chose to make Helena their home and community. Hallee has worked with BKBH since 2021 and focuses on water and natural resources law.
Hallee coaches soccer for the Helena Youth Soccer Association and participates in Helena’s Art Walks as an artist. She enjoys getting outside whenever she can with her husband and Bernese mountain dogs.
For more information on becoming a board or committee members, email [email protected] or fill out this form.