About Us

The Yellowstone Club Community Foundation provides philanthropic leadership in the greater Big Sky region through the award of grants and sponsorships to nonprofit organizations, student scholarships, and the coordination of collaborative responses to the region’s complex needs. With the generous support of Yellowstone Club Members and guests as well as local community members, the Foundation has awarded more than $30 million since 2010.

YCCF Mission & Vision

Our Vision: Thriving communities in the greater Big Sky region.

Our Mission: Foster philanthropy, volunteerism, and capacity for local organizations that are addressing the greatest needs in the areas of livability, health & wellness, environment, arts and culture, and education.

Foundation Leadership

Board of Directors

The Yellowstone Club Community Foundation board of directors is made up of Yellowstone Club members who are passionate about philanthropy and the Big Sky community. This team helps lead the strategic vision of the Foundation. 

    • Sam Byrne, President
    • Loren Bough, Vice President
    • Charlie Callander, Secretary
    • Maud Welles, Treasurer
    • Joëlle Kayden
    • Leslie Kittlaus
    • Wendy Johnson
    • Joanie Hall
    • Neale Attenborough
    • Matt Kidd
    • Josh Cohen

      Yellowstone Club Advisory Team

      The Foundation receives tremendous support from members of the Yellowstone Club operations team.

        • Hans Williamson, Chief Operation Officer
        • Frank Acito, Chief Financial Officer
        • Mike Bourret, Accounting
        • Amy Arneson, Assistant Controller
        • Melanie Dale, Senior GL Accountant
        • K. Casey Schwartz, YCCF Founding Director

          Foundation Staff

          Ciara Wolfe, Vice President of Philanthropy
          [email protected]

          As Vice President of Philanthropy, Ciara is responsible for the strategic vision of the Foundation and oversees its several initiatives. She works with the Foundation’s Board of Directors and  Advisors, along with leaders of other Big Sky Foundations, the Resort Area Tax District, and local business and community leaders, to identify and address immediate and long-term community needs. With more than 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Ciara has been with the Foundation since 2020. 

          Ciara has spent her entire career creating partnerships that cultivate community impact, alongside a successful business track record of scaling both small and large-scale national nonprofit organizations into healthy and sustainable organizations. Most recently,  Ciara served as the CEO for the Big Sky Community Organization, leading them to accomplish a $20 million capital campaign and the community’s largest project, BASE- a Community Center.

          Ciara holds a B.S. in Earth Science from Montana State University, an M.S. in Not-for-Profit Management from Regis University, a Certified Fundraising Executive Certification, and  Organizational Leadership Certification. Ciara has also served on several not-for-profit boards.

          Ciara resides in Big Sky, MT, with her husband and two children and has called Southwest Montana home for 13 years.

          Mandy Patriarche, Director of Operations
          [email protected]

          As Director of Operations, Mandy oversees the day-to-day operations of the Foundation. She works closely with staff to implement efficient systems to maximize the Foundations productivity and performance. 

          A career-long nonprofit veteran, Mandy has enjoyed a variety of roles from fundraising, marketing and communications, outreach, and operations at Special Olympics Montana and the Montana State University Athletic Department. She also serves as a board member for the Montana Raptor Conservation Center.

          Mandy received her bachelor’s degree in Communications and Sports Management from Heidelberg University in Tiffin, Ohio. She also holds a Certificate in Nonprofit Administration from the University of Montana. 

          During her summers in college, she worked in Yellowstone National Park and fell in love with the surrounding area. Mandy has called the Gallatin Valley home for more than 15 years. She enjoys hiking, skiing, camping and birding with her husband Jeff and their dog Ember.

          Anne Martin, Associate Director of Donor Relations
          [email protected]

          Anne Martin joined the Foundation team in 2023 as the Associate Director of Donor Relations. In her role, Anne supports and cultivates donor and fundraising events for the Foundation.

          Anne is excited to be back working in the Big Sky community, coming full circle from her time as a lifty at Big Sky Resort during the summer of 2014. Since her time at Swifty Lift, Anne has spent the last eight years in the nonprofit sector in operations and development for both local and national NPOs.

          Originally from Whitefish, Montana, Anne is passionate about community and having a positive impact on her home (and favorite) state. She is a proud alumna of the University of New Hampshire, with a degree in Recreation Management and Policy, and a former UNH Wildcat Nordic Ski Team member.

          Anne lives in Bozeman with her husband, Alex, and their adventure pups, Vinny the Vizsla and Wylie the Weimaraner.

          Tanya Andreasen, Program Officer
          [email protected]

          As Program Officer at the Foundation, Tanya manages a portfolio of grantmaking programs that align with the Foundation’s vision to cultivate thriving communities in the greater Big Sky area.  

          Passionate about leveraging the collective impact of diverse partners to address community issues, Tanya has worked more than 20 years in nonprofits and local governments as a community engagement specialist, a direct service provider, and community leader.  

          Tanya holds B.A.s in Rural Development and Spanish from the University of Wyoming, an Adult English as a Foreign Language Education certificate from Seattle University, and a Master of Public Administration from Montana State University.  

          Having grown up in Bozeman and Big Timber, Tanya brings to her work a deep understanding of this beautiful place and the people who live, work, and play here.  

          Emily Burke, Associate Director of Big Sky Thrift
          [email protected]

          Emily joined the Foundation in 2022 to develop and open Big Sky Thrift, a nonprofit thrift store serving the needs of the community and providing funding to local nonprofits from revenue generated by sales.

          Emily brought over 10 years of retail buying experience within the ski industry in Aspen and at the Yellowstone Club. Emily got her start at Aspen Thrift shop volunteer from 2014-2018 where she saw first-hand how impactful a community thrift store can be.  

          Emily holds a B.A. in Public Health from the University of Colorado Denver. She was born and raised in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho and has called Big Sky home since 2018.

          Lindsey Putnam, Administrative Coordinator
          [email protected]

          As Administrative Coordinator, Lindsey is responsible for assisting the team to reach the Foundation’s goals, which includes supporting donor relations, community partnerships &scholarships, and Foundation programming.

          Prior to joining the Foundation, Lindsey spent two years running Thrive’s CAP mentorship program in the Big Sky School District, overseeing positive relationship building between community members and students. Lindsey worked at the Lone Peak Playhouse for eight seasons and spent a year abroad in Germany as an au pair.

          With an extensive background in childcare, Lindsey hopes to create a better future for children and families living in the Big Sky community. Lindsey received her bachelor’s degree in Community Health and Human Development from Montana State University.

          In 2010, Lindsey came to Big Sky to spend a winter in the snow and ended up making it home. In her free time, Lindsey enjoys spending time with her family, skiing, and reading.

          Yellowstone Club Employee Ambassadors

          The Yellowstone Club Community Foundation Ambassadors represent the Foundation among employees, Members and the community with an eagerness to share the Foundation's mission and impact on the community.

            • Casey Salestrom, YC Sales Assistant
            • Geoff Unger, YC Director of Outdoor Pursuits
            • Dylan Thornton, YC Ski Instructor
            • Jake Messer, YC Valet Manager
            • Erin Allison, YC Billing Coordinator
            • David Hoefer, YC Director of Housekeeping
              • Zac Bush, YC Engineer III
              • Beth Behr, YC Director of Accounting & Finance
              • Jen Ford, YC F&B Manager
              • Mike O'Brien, YC Retail/Rental/Repair Manager
              • Tracy Herdman, YC Insurance Coordinator
              • Alexandra McCluskey, YC Golf Merchandiser

              Together, We Can Make a Difference

              Sign

              There are several ways to support the Foundation  including annual giving, special gifts, campaigns and events.