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About Our Staff

Executive Director

Kevin Sylvester

Originally from Connecticut, Kevin led recreation and conservation programs throughout the U.S. When he moved to Montana over a decade ago, he became a ski volunteer at the Eagle Mount program in Billings. He has served as Program Manager at Montana Conservation Corps and Executive Director of Family Promise of Gallatin Valley. At Eagle Mount, Kevin works with the board and staff to forward all aspects of the organization’s mission. Kevin holds a BS in Business Administration from the University of Connecticut and a Masters in Public Administration from MSU. Kevin loves spending time with his partner Carolynn and their daughter Ruth, fixing up their home and exploring Montana.

ksylvester@eaglemount.org | (406) 586-1781 ext. 103

Director of Finance and Operations

Pearl Nixon

Eagle Mount has been a part of Pearl’s life since she started volunteering with the Horsemanship Program as a teenager, where she discovered that helping others enjoy something you love is truly rewarding. However, her passion for supporting friends and neighbors with disabilities started when she was lucky enough to have inclusive classrooms in the Bozeman schools. Pearl joined the staff in 2013, and has a special place in her heart for activities that offer adults with developmental disabilities lifelong recreation.

pnixon@eaglemount.org | (406) 586-1781 ext. 121

Director of Programs

Bruce Anderson

Bruce is a fourth generation Montanan who happily returned to Montana after serving 30 years in the Navy as a helicopter pilot and naval officer. After living in a variety of locations around the states and Europe, he and his wife Kristi realized there is nowhere quite like Bozeman and returned in 2015. Since then he has volunteered at Eagle Mount in the winter programs and cycling in the summer. The prospect of becoming involved at Eagle Mount in a full time capacity was too much to pass up and he happily welcomed the opportunity to get involved as

Director of Programs. Before his time in the navy, he worked as a hired hand on a ranch and for the Forest Service as a Missoula Smokejumper. He enjoys fishing, hunting, hiking, gardening, and half ironman triathlons.

banderson@eaglemount.org | 406-586-1781 ext. 107

Operations Manager

Trevor Olson

Born and raised in Bozeman, Trevor learned about Eagle Mount while obtaining his degrees in Physics and Mathematics at Montana State University. After college, Trevor spent several years fixing wind turbines by rappelling off of them and spending his winters as an adaptive snow sports assistant for Eagle Mount. During that time he obtained his Level 1 Alpine and Level 2 Adaptive PSIA certifications, and helped lead the Eagle Mount Bridger and Big Sky programs. The love of Eagle Mount kept pulling at Trevor and in the winter of 2020 he accepted the position of Director of Operations. In his free time, Trevor enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, and spending time in the outdoors, be it rock climbing, skiing, camping, or any of the other plethora of outdoor opportunities that we get to enjoy by living in the treasure state.

tolson@eaglemount.org | (406) 586-1781 ext. 109

Sponsorship and Events Manager

Aidan Young

Aidan moved to Bozeman from the beautiful Coeur d’Alene, Idaho in 2015 to pursue higher education at Montana State University. While working towards her B.S. in Business Marketing, she fell in love with Bozeman and all the community has to offer. Through volunteer hours at Eagle Mount, Thrive, and the HRDC, she quickly found her place in the nonprofit world. In May of 2022, Aidan obtained a Master of Science Degree in Public Administration at MSU. When not in the office, you can find her on the golf course, on the river, roaming some of the many local trails, or inside baking up a storm and crushing crossword puzzles.

ayoung@eaglemount.org | (406) 586-1781 ext. 110

Grants Administrator

Anna Smoot

After growing up in Colorado, Anna earned BAs in English and Secondary Education from the University of Wyoming and completed her Certified Fundraising Executive, CFRE, in 2017. Anna has spent her career raising support for causes from education to mental health and substance abuse, spending eight years in healthcare philanthropy at UCHealth in northern Colorado and Bozeman Health Foundation prior to joining the Eagle Mount team. Anna, her husband Doug, and their three young sons live in south Bozeman with their energetic lab mix, Ginger, and spend their free time hiking, skiing, camping, grilling in the back yard, gardening, and enjoying all that Montana has to offer.

asmoot@eaglemount.org | (406) 586-1781 ext. 101

Development Coordinator

Emma Ferrie

Growing up in the Brainerd Lakes Area of Minnesota, Emma learned early on how important community was. During her time at Minnesota State University Moorhead studying Entertainment Industry Business, she got the opportunity to work with multiple non-profits in her hometown before moving to Bozeman in July of 2021. She began volunteering with Eagle Mount in the spring of 2022 and fell in love with the organization, going on to join the staff in September of that same year. In her free time, Emma enjoys exploring Montana, going to see a show, and walking around town with her reservation dog Freyja.

eferrie@eaglemount.org | (406) 586 - 1981 ext.122

Marketing and Engagement Manager

Max Rabidue

Originally from Minneapolis, Max moved out to Montana to study at Montana State, getting a degree in Political Science. Max spent a lot of his time in college volunteering for a variety of organizations including the Cancer Support Community and various other causes. He then transitioned to work in the field of one of his favorite things: craft beer. Max spent five years at Bridger Brewing in a variety of roles, culminating as their Marketing Director. He first got introduced to Eagle Mount through his role at Bridger Brewing and fell in love with the organization solely based on his interactions with the mini horses. Just kidding on that one, he knew he wanted to work at Eagle Mount after touring campus for the first time and seeing all of the amazing things that Eagle Mount does for the community, not just the mini horses. In his free time, you can find him hanging out with his cat Pygmalion, playing many games of Dungeons and Dragons, or trying tasty new beers around the world.

mrabidue@eaglemount.org | (406) 586-1781 ext.104

Adaptive Horsemanship Director

Claire Brunner

Claire, a Midwesterner, moved to Livingston, MT with her husband in 2013. Being a PATH International Certified Horsemanship Instructor, she was immediately welcomed by Eagle Mount and started as a volunteer instructor. In 2019 her dream job was realized and she became a full time staff member. She loves making Adaptive riding fun and spending time with her favorite horse, Wilbur.

cbrunner@eaglemount.org | (406) 586-1781 ext. 116

Adaptive Horsemanship Assistant

Nikki Lorton

Nikki is originally from Arizona. She moved to Bozeman in 2010. Nikki began volunteering at Eagle Mount with adaptive horsemanship, aquatics, and summer programs. Nikki is a certified Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning. Her love of teaching and helping others be their best selves has been fulfilled in her 25 years in education in Arizona and Montana. It’s a new and exciting chapter for her. In Nikki’s time off, she loves being with her husband, two dogs, a cat, and a horse.

nlorton@eaglemount.org | (406) 586-1781 ext. 122

Adaptive Horsemanship Barn Manager

Joanna Rodgers-Liston

Joanna grew up in central Connecticut but quickly fell in love with the mountains after moving to Montana for college in 2011. While gaining a BS in Animal Science with an equine emphasis at MSU, Joanna was a part of the IHSA team and horse driving club, in addition to volunteering and interning at Eagle Mount in the adaptive horsemanship program. After graduating, Joanna gained valuable horse experience at various barns in the valley before returning to Eagle Mount to join the horsemanship staff in November 2019. She is currently on track to be a PATH instructor and enjoys spending time with her cats, llamas, and her own retired Eagle Mount horse, Harley.

jrodgers-liston@eaglemount.org | (406) 586-1781 ext. 116

Adaptive Horsemanship Program Assistant

Kate Johnston

Kate is originally from Memphis, TN and grew up spending time in Montana each summer where she fell in love with the mountains. She volunteered at an adaptive horsemanship program in high school, and decided that is what she wanted to do. After finishing college in Santa Barbara, CA, she became a PATH Intl. certified CTRI and worked at a program there before moving to Bozeman in 2023. Kate spends her free time with her dog hiking, camping, biking, climbing, making art, and exploring everything the area has to offer!

kjohnston@eaglemount.org | (406) 586-1781 ext. 119

Seasonal Horsemanship Program Assistant

Emma Burleigh

Originating from Ohio, Emma moved west in 2019. Hopping between Colorado and Montana during that time, she landed on Bozeman in the Spring of 2023. As a PATH International Certified Horsemanship Instructor, she was immediately drawn to Eagle Mount and the vast array of programs that they offer. She is passionate about creating an environment in which dreams can become a reality, especially when it involves horses and the outdoors. When she isn’t in the barn, you will most likely find her on the river hoping to land a fish or in the kitchen cooking and baking something new.

eburleigh@eaglemount.org | (406) 586-1781 ext. 119

Adaptive Aquatics Director

Ryan Maruyama

Ryan was born and raised in Denver Colorado and moved to Bozeman in 2019 to pursue his degree in Psychology. He discovered Eagle Mount that winter and started teaching all abilities swim lessons. Ryan then began helping with more tasks in the Eagle Mount aquatics center the following year. When Ryan is not at school or work he enjoys climbing, skiing, kayaking and being outside!

rmaruyama@eaglemount.org | (406) 586-1781 ext. 120

Adaptive Aquatics Program Assistant

Maddie Erickson

Originally from St. Paul, Minnesota, Maddie moved to Bozeman in 2019 to study at Montana State University. She graduated in the summer of 2023 with a degree in Community Health. From her education and internship at Eagle Mount with the Adventure Days program, she became passionate about adaptive recreation. Maddie would describe herself as a jack of all trades as she continues her journey to collecting as many hobbies as possible. She absolutely adores adventure and loves to go rock climbing, skiing, and pretty much any outdoor activity that is new or exciting. When she not out outside she enjoys crocheting, cooking, and banjo playing (just to name a few hobbies.)

merickson@eaglemount.org | 406-602-4422

BIG SKY KIDS DIRECTOR

​Erika Driver

Originally from northern California, Erika developed a love of mountains, snow and outdoor recreation at an early age. The concept of inclusive and adaptive recreational opportunities led her to pursue her undergraduate work at San Jose’s State University’s Recreational Therapy program. As a certified therapeutic recreation specialist Erika has had experience working with an adaptive snow sport program, a camp for youths with physical impairments, and nature-based therapies for local youth and adolescents experiencing mental health disturbances. As a cancer survivor herself, Erika is thrilled to have the role as Program Director of Big Sky Kids oncology camps. When not at summer camp, you can find Erika with her snowmobile and snowboard, deep in the backcountry.

edriver@eaglemount.org |

Young at Heart Aquatics Instructor

Pat Whitlock

Pat Whitlock was born in Montana, grew up in the midwest, and received degrees in Phys. Ed in Iowa and later a Masters in Health and Human Development here at MSU. Pat was teaching at MSU when she fortuitously met Greta Mathis in a water aerobics class in Romney Pool. Her relationship with Greta and Bob Mathis, Eagle Mount founders, developed into a 25+ year friendship. When the Bob and Greta traveled during their retirement from military service, Pat would regularly dog sit for Tuffy and Trooper. Eagle Mount’s early aquatics programming rotated locations across Bozeman, including hotel pools and even the Mathis’ pool at their home. As Eagle Mount’s aquatics programming developed, Greta brought her friend Pat along. Pat still jokes that Greta wanted the Barnard Pool for Pat to share her talents and loving approach with our many participants. Pat served as the Aquatics Program Director until semi-retiring in 2014. Now, 30 years after diving in with Eagle Mount, Pat still teaches Young at Heart water aerobics five days a week.

(406) 586-1781

Adaptive Fitness Instructor

Liz Ann Kudrna

Liz Ann was originally introduced to Eagle Mount in 2008 after she sustained a spinal cord injury. She participated in the Swim Program, with the Horses, Skiing, and Cycling programs. Liz Ann started working for Eagle Mount 2012-2017 as an Assistant in the Nordic Program and developed and set up the wheelchair accessible gym. She is excited to be back working in the gym and helping people be as functional as possible in their body. Liz Ann has taught Pilates, breathwork and movement out of her own studio in Bozeman since she moved here in 1999. Previous to that she worked as a Physical Therapist Assistant using Pilates as a modality. After her injury she became even more passionate about human movement and working with those with disability or mobility issues. She is thrilled to reinvigorate the gym at Eagle Mount! She looks forward to meeting you!

lkudrna@eaglemount.org | (406) 586-1781 ext. 123

Adaptive Recreation Assistant Director (Bridger)

Colleen Smith

Colleen is a licensed Occupational Therapist whose heart is in community-based programming and outdoor recreation. Before joining Eagle Mount, Colleen spent her time balancing her educational pursuits and her love of adventure. Her excursions include cross-country road trips, long distance backpacking, bike touring, and spending time hiking and organic farming in the mountains of Argentina. Colleen has volunteered and worked in several adaptive sports programs and camps across the US, serving a wide variety of participants, which has prepared her for her journey with Eagle Mount. Colleen is excited to be in a position to create year-round opportunities for people to have access to the outdoors and enjoy the place she loves the most, Montana.

csmith@eaglemount.org | (406) 586-1781 ext. 115

Adaptive Recreation Assistant Director (Big Sky)

Beth Wilson

Beth is originally from Michigan, but lived in Colorado for 11 years before coming to Montana in 2016. Her teaching background is working with children with autism in both public schools, and in an Autism Center. While earning her BA degree in Special Education, she volunteered for the STARS adaptive ski program in Steamboat Springs, CO. In the summer of 2010, she was a backcountry/wilderness therapy guide in Utah where she discovered her passion for teaching outdoors. Since Beth’s arrival in Big Sky, she has supervised the locals Skiwees program at Big Sky Resort, but has spent most of her time raising her two boys. Beth is grateful for the opportunity to combine her passion for outdoors and her passion for supporting those with special needs at Eagle Mount. Beth has a husband (Chad) and two boys (TJ and Levon), and a German Shorthaired Pointer (Emerald). They can be found doing a variety of outdoor activities including skiing in the winter, and mountain biking or rafting in the summer.

bwilson@eaglemount.org | (406) 586-1781

Snowsports Instructor

Susan Nickelson

Born and raised in Bozeman, Susan has been skiing since she was five years old at Bridger Bowl and cross-country skiing since middle school. She has worked for Bozeman Public Schools for the last 20 years, most of those years were in various special needs environments. She is excited to coordinate the nordic program and get more people out skiing and to share her passion for outdoor recreation. Susan and her husband, James have three grown children and two grandchildren that all live in Bozeman. She also has two cats, and a Border Collie dog that loves to hike with her. She also likes to canoe, paddleboard and competes in Dragon Boat racing.

snickelson@eaglemount.org | 406-602-3655

Snow Sports Volunteer Coordinator

Hailie Richardson

Minnesota’s lost treasure who found her way to the Rockies in 2017, Hailie holds a degree in Cell Biology and Neuroscience from MSU and a master’s in plant science. When not hunting for wild mushrooms and skiing down slopes, you’ll find her concocting gluten-free magic in the kitchen. She’s also the world’s biggest fan of prebiotic soda (seriously, don’t challenge her on it!).

But Hailie’s heart belongs to Eagle Mount, where she has volunteered for six years and counting. She loves the mission this organization has and all those who choose to be a part of it. When she’s not adventuring outdoors or whipping up gluten-free delights, she likes helping others spread their wings. Let’s just say, Hailie can turn any outdoor excursion into a wild, yet gluten-free, adventure!

hrichardson@eaglemount.org |

Family Engagement & Adaptive Arts Director

Maggie Lowry

Maggie has been with Eagle Mount since 2013, first as Assistant Aquatic Director and then hosting Saturday Night Out, Kids’ Night Out and Sibling Night Out, and founded the Parent Support Group with SEPTA in 2015. Maggie has enjoyed growing the family support offerings into a full-fledged program, and feels the future holds endless opportunities! In her free time, Maggie is an artist creating sculptural paintings, enjoys spending time with her husband and dog, and is an enthusiastic cyclist.

mlowry@eaglemount.org | (406) 586-1781 ext. 102

Arts and Family Engagement Assistant

Emma Connors

Emma grew up hiking, fly fishing, and skiing in the Gallatin Valley. After receiving their degree in Visual Communication Design, Emma moved back home and jumped into opportunities to reconnect with the community, serving as a leader for the MT Conservation Corps Youth Programs, maintaining city parks, and volunteering with GVLT. Walking into the Eagle Mount campus for Snow Sports volunteer orientation, Emma immediately felt at home. They volunteered with downhill skiing at Bridger Bowl, and then Adventure Days, Horticulture, and Horsemanship. Their role leading Eagle Mount’s Adaptive Arts program is the perfect way to combine their skills in art with their passion for building community.

econnors@eaglemount.org | 406-602-4421

Administrative Assistant

Andrew Flakker

Andrew is a native of Glendive, Montana and attended several universities throughout state before coming to work at Eagle Mount in January of 2020. As a child, Andrew was treated by the Shriners Hospital for Children in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is overjoyed to add his experience of disability self-advocacy and disability community support to Eagle Mount’s already decades long commitment to adaptive recreation.

aflakker@eaglemount.org | (406) 586-1781

Facilities Manager

Sailor Neale

Sailor grew up in Vancouver B.C. mountain biking, snowboarding, and sailing. Upon moving to Bozeman 10 years ago, Sailor immediately discovered Eagle Mount and began volunteering with Bridger Ski Program alongside the ice skating program. Sailor is excited to be keeping all the buildings and equipment running at top notch, ensuring the Eagle Mount programs can run effortlessly for all.

Sailor spends his free time herding his two cats, Shuri and Katara, and also enjoys mountain biking, four wheeling, and making metal art.

sneale@eaglemount.org |