Navigator Network
We don’t heal alone.
We inherently need one another, at a basic biological level.
The Need that Sparked the Movement
Be Well Big Sky was launched at a time when mental health outcomes in our rural mountain town were deeply concerning, and clinical providers were few and far between. A 2023 Big Sky Community Health Needs Assessment revealed:
%
of respondents named mental health as the community’s top health concern; 31% cited depression or anxiety.
%
said they have no one they could turn to for support at any time. Focus groups reported barriers such as discrimination, language access, and lack of trust.
%
knew but didn’t qualify for programs that help with healthcare costs, 28.4% were unaware, 16% were unsure, and only 11.1% had used them.
Residents described a culture where substance use is seen as a normal part of daily life and socializing. Combined with limited local recovery resources, this makes it harder for people to cut back or seek help (Big Sky Behavioral Health Initiative Report, 2020)
A group of local residents came together to build on one of Big Sky’s greatest strengths—its social capital—and the belief that healing is not just individual, but collective. Together, we are creating a culture that moves from isolation to connection.
Our Impact
The Navigator Network trains community volunteers to offer in‑the‑moment support and connect people to resources, and helping Big Sky move from isolation to connection.
Volunteer navigators
offer compassionate, peer-based support, listening without judgment, sharing resources, and helping reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and substance use.
Outreach activities
20+ outreach activities hosted annually to increase awareness of existing resources.
Community members
gained resilience skills through 57 Holistic Emotional First Aid trainings delivered to over 17 local businesses, schools, first responders, and more.
Who we are
We are your neighbors and friends, and Big Sky’s bartenders, custodians, non-profit leaders, administrators, ski patrollers, teachers, event and HR directors, small business owners, teachers, grocery and hospitality workers, housekeepers, chaplains, chefs, and beyond.
What We Do
We are not mental health experts, but when you need someone to turn to and you’re not sure where to start, we are here for it.
*We are not a substitute for professional mental health support and should not be used in place of a professional. If you are in crisis, call 988 or 911.
Why It Matters
We are here to disrupt the status quo by building a culture of care in Big Sky. Together, let’s shift a culture that’s been deeply rooted in, “Don’t show weakness; I can do this on my own”, to a culture of reciprocity and mutual aid.
Meet the Navigators
Though you can’t call or email us directly, if you see us in the community, don’t hesitate to reach out!
Ally Wold
Ally Wold
Andy Nagel
Andy Nagel
Danielle Muilenburg
Danielle Muilenburg
Danielle moved to Big Sky in 2018 with the intention of checking it out for just a winter or two. Six years later she can now be found hiking the summer trails, skiing the winter slopes, and simply enjoying quality time with the wonderful people of this community. She works at Yellowstone Club in the Outdoor Pursuits department year around, reinforcing a love and appreciation for the outdoors every day. She is a strong believer in the power of connection, the resiliency found within all of us, and each person’s capacity for growth and renewal.
Gladys Guerrero-Wangsgard
Gladys Guerrero-Wangsgard
Gladys was born and raised in Jalisco, Mexico. She had been in Big Sky for two years and is co-owner of Beehive Cleaning and Maintenance services with her husband Travis Wangsgard. Her background is in politics and public management since 2011. Holding a degree in Communication Sciences, she believes in equal human rights and committed with the 2030 Agenda. Her interest as a community navigator is to advocate for the people that need it, particularly to the Latinx population in Big Sky.
Heather Rapp
Heather Rapp
Heather is an artist & painter inspired by the magic of nature and mountains that surround us. Having lived in Montana most her life, she has always been drawn to the grounding nature of life in the mountains. As a small business owner, you can find her selling her art at the Big Sky Farmers Market, teaching paint parties to creatively curious guests, and her artwork on the walls of various businesses around town. She is drawn to sharing her love of nature, art and color through creativity and connection within the human experience. She believes that tapping into our own unique creative expression can help us access joy and find solutions among the struggles we face within our community and on a deeper level as humans. When not creating, Heather enjoys being outside snowboarding, hiking, mountain biking, and listening to live music.
Jeremy Harder
Jeremy Harder
Formerly, the 4th Grade Head Learner at Big Sky School District since 2000, he has since graduated from 4th grade and also worked as the middle and high school Lead Facilitator of Creativity and Innovation. Jeremy is currently the head of school at the new Big Sky Community School. When not in the classroom, he coaches various athletic teams, consults with local summer camps, and hopes to continue to advocate for Big Sky’s youth and the larger community through Be Well Big Sky.
John Allen
John Allen
Originally from Atlanta Georgia, John has lived in Montana since 2003 having moved here from Park City, Utah. After working as a river guide for six years after college John spent his professional career in hospitality management, specifically hotels and resorts. He feels especially connected to Big Sky having spent the last 20 years working for various hospitality companies in the community. “Becoming involved in the Wellness Navigators program provides an opportunity to give back to the Big Sky community that has given so much to me.” When not working in Big Sky, John enjoys traveling and floating Montana’s rivers with his wife and two children.
John Loomis
John Loomis
Formerly from Minnesota, John has been a Big Sky resident since 2011. John retired and is involved in many elements throughout the Big Sky Community including being a CAP mentor at Ophir Elementary School, and is also involved in other nonprofit organizations throughout the community.
Jonathan Gans
Jonathan Gans
school where he was the lead teacher in the Gifted and Talented program. He became certified by the National Board for Professional Standards. He moved to Montana after the youngest of his five children was accepted at MSU, and began raising
livestock—quarter horses for arena events, and Bison. He has most recently stepped away from an additional 7 years as the lead fifth grade teacher at Ophir Elementary here in Big Sky. In 2024 he began working for Lone Mountain Land Company on the Cold Smoke Affordable Community Housing Development, in partnership with the Big Sky Community Housing Trust. He lives in and loves Big Sky year round and can be found on the slopes in winter and the trails in the summer, playing a new part in the annual Big Sky Community Theater productions at the WMPAC, serving up Bison Burgers in his Rancho Picante Burger Hut at all the summer markets and events, and all around town sharing all the love in this unique mountain town.
Kelly Kern
Kent Sullivan
Michelle Nierling
Michelle Nierling
Miriam Schmidt
Miriam Schmidt
Miriam Schmidt is the pastor/priest at All Saints in Big Sky, a shared ministry of the Episcopal and Lutheran (ELCA) churches that meets at Big Sky Chapel. She also serves as on-call chaplain at Big Sky Medical Center. She cares deeply about the spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical health of people in this community, so is glad to be part of the Navigator Team. A native of NYC, Miriam is now happy to call the Montana mountains home and tries to backpack in the summer and Nordic ski in the winter as much as possible!
MJ Matute
MJ Matute
MJ Matute is the Director of Talent & Culture for the Food & Beverage department at Big Sky Resort. Originally from Peru, she has been living in the Big Sky community for over 15 years. In her role, she found herself providing resources to people in need and wanted to have a greater impact through the Wellness Navigator Network. An avid traveler, silversmith and foodie, you can generally find MJ on resort property or out walking her dogs.
Nelson VanTassel
Nelson VanTassel
Nelson is a Colorado native but has been living in Montana the last 6 years. He works as a Ski Patroller at Big Sky Ski Resort and is passionate about the mental health and wellbeing of his community. He is stoked to be a part of the Wellness Navigator Network and to be better equipped to support his community. Nelson has created a lifestyle around being able to ski, ride, or tour everyday in the winters. He cherishes the opportunity to support his community in the highs and lows of life and wants to be a resource for the people around him. He sees every new connection as an opportunity to love on people and bring light to whatever situation someone finds themselves in. In the summers he bikes, runs rivers, fishes, explores, and generally plays outside.
Nielsen Greiner
Nielsen Greiner
Nielsen works for Kissell Construction and Property Services. After hopping around in his twenties–from traveling around the world to completing a BA in anthropology to spending a year in Asia–he moved to Big Sky over six years ago and loves calling Montana home. When he’s not working you’ll probably find him mountain biking, hiking, or truck camping in the summer, then traveling in the fall. Winters are for snowboarding and touring. He also loves a good book, and has a passion for writing. Nielsen wants to make a difference in Big Sky, and is excited about all of the existing and developing resources and volunteer opportunities available to our community.
Robert McCormick
Robert McCormick
Robert McCormick is the Culinary Director of the Yellowstone Club. Robert believes that community & human connection are keys to thriving in modern times. During the 30-year span of Robert’s professional journey, he found himself seeking resources to help make small improvements in all aspects of his life. The Navigator Network has proven to be a way to share these resources with the greater Big Sky community. Robert has been married for 10 years and has three children. Endurance sports, travel and family time are a few things that keep Robert grounded.
Ruthi Solari
Ruthi Solari
With 20+ years of experience leading social and environmental impact across nonprofit, private, and public sectors, Ruthi specializes in mobilizing resources and people to achieve transformative, measurable outcomes. As an advisor to Be Well Big Sky, Ruthi supports leadership development, coalition building and strategic planning.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead.
Sarah Gaither-Bivins
Sarah Gaither-Bivins
In October 2013, Sarah answered an ad in the Lone Peak Lookout and became the first and only employee of the Big Sky Community Food Bank. It was a part-time gig, so she supplemented by working for Big Sky Resort’s front desk and ski school, Wildwood Nursery, All Saints in Big Sky and a refugee support non-profit called USA Hello. Sarah also serves on several committees including the Big Sky Chamber, the Big Sky Housing Trust, the Big Sky Chapel, SNO, Navigator Network and Gallatin Refugee Connections. After 6 years in Big Sky condo hopping, Sarah now lives in Bozeman with her husband, Kurt. They love to travel, camp, float, stomp along to live music and play on the Smokey Bear Softball team.
Shannon Steele
Shannon Steele
Shannon’s roots are in South Dakota and received her B.S. in Psychology from Black Hills State University, and moved west to complete her M.S. in Community Health and Prevention Sciences at the University of Montana. You can find Shannon adventuring with her griffon, Greta, and also volunteering with search and rescue.
Trish Loomis
Trish Loomis
Trish moved to Big Sky in 2011 after retiring from 30 years in the furniture industry. She discovered that winter is not the only season in Montana and that she can also kayak the rivers, hike the trails, and nordic ski the mountains. She also believes that giving back to her community strengthens that community.
Ben Keefe
Do you want to be a referral source for your community? Find out how to become a navigator!