BOARD

Kim moved from Wisconsin to Helena in 2008 as an AmeriCorps*VISTA and has been proud to call Helena home ever since. She holds a Bachelors of Science Degree in Urban Studies and a Masters of Science degree in Environmental Studies. Kim currently works for St. Peter’s Health as the “Harvest of the Month” Coordinator. She previously worked for Office of Public Instruction in School Nutrition and prior to that  in Health Education for the WIC (Women, Infants & Children) Supplemental Nutrition Program at Montana DPHHS (Department of Public Health and Human Services). Before that she worked for four years as a SNAP-Ed (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) Educator providing nutrition education for families receiving SNAP Benefits – formerly Food Stamps. She served on the Helena Community Gardens Board from 2014-2017, two years as Board Co-Chair. Kim and her husband Dan are active foster parents and live in South Central Helena close to the trails where they can hike with their dog, enjoy the history and art of the downtown area, and support local area non-profits and businesses.

Jeannie is a fourth generation Montanan from a well-known and respected sheep and cattle ranching family in Northeastern Montana.  Born in Billings, Jeannie‘s family moved to Helena shortly after and she went on to attend Ray Bjork and Hawthorne Elementary Schools, C.R. Anderson Middle School and graduated from Capital High School in 2002.  She then attended the University of Notre Dame, graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 2006.  Upon graduating from Notre Dame, Jeannie moved to Washington, DC where she held multiple political, event-planning and fundraising positions including at The White House, United States Senate and The Prince of Wales Foundation. 

In December 2015, Jeannie, moved back to Helena to help care for her ailing parents. She always knew she wanted to return to her beloved Montana and is happy to be back to her roots and a part of the wonderful and thriving Helena community.  Jeannie enjoys many of the things Helena and the surrounding areas have to offer such as skiing, rafting, hiking Mount Helena, and visiting many of the local establishments downtown and on the Walking Mall.  She is also a generous contributor to various local causes and businesses such as the Lewis & Clark Humane Society, Prickly Pear Land Trust and Carroll College. 

Jeannie is excited to be a part of the Helena Area Community Foundation and is anxious to help benefit the many non-profit organizations in Helena and the surrounding areas through its work.

Sara Stanton Berg was born and raised in Big Rapids, Michigan.  She attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and graduated in 1997 with a degree in Social Studies Secondary Education.  She moved to Montana and started law school at the University of Montana in 1997, landing a position at the Missoula County Attorney’s Office as a law student.  She was hired by BKBH, PC during her third year of school. Sara’s worked in BKBH’s Helena office for 23 years.  She has recently joined the law firm of Laird Cowley, PLLC and heads the firm’s Helena office with a focus on Family Law.   A busy mother of three, Sara enjoys running, Montana’s beautiful outdoors and watching her kids’ various sporting activities. 

Jan Brown

Jan was born in Roundup MT, raised in Helena, graduated from Helena High School, attended Montana State University, graduated from Carroll College with a major in Sociology and minor in Political Science, and earned a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Montana while working for the Montana Dept. of Environmental Quality writing air quality administrative rules. She worked as a nurses’ aide in the summers during high school, worked as a secretary in the governor’s office, was the first executive director of Helena Food Share, lobbied for the Montana Association of Churches, served on the State Tax Appeal Board, and spent several years working with her late husband Bill at Jorud Photo Shop in downtown Helena.

In addition to contributing to a variety of local non-profit groups, Jan has served on many local and statewide boards over the years, including United Way, St. Peter’s Hospital, Helena Citizens’ Council, Mt. Assn. of Churches, Helena Food Share, Helena Housing Authority, Rocky Mountain Development Council, and one year on the Helena City Commission filling  an unexpired term. Jan’s third and final term on the Assn. of  Mt. Retired Public Employees ended Dec. 31, 2021, and she actively sought election to the HACF board as it encompasses her interests in continuing to support local non-profits in a new way.