Bonnie Sachatello-Sawyer is the co-founder and executive director of Hopa Mountain, a position she has served in for the past 18 years. She formerly served as the director of Native Waters at Montana State University and the division head for public programs at the Museum of the Rockies. She received her Ed.D. from Montana State University in Adult and Community Education and completed her M.A. in Political Science at the University of Richmond. Her undergraduate degree in Political Science is from Vanderbilt University. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and reading.

Executive Director

Teri attended Montana State University for her undergraduate and master’s degrees. Her undergraduate degree is in Business with a Finance Emphasis and later received her Master of Professional Accountancy. She serves as the Finance Manager for Hopa Mountain and supports others nonprofits through our capacity-building initiatives too. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, hiking and spending time with her husband and animals on their small homestead.

Finance Manager

Elizabeth joined Hopa Mountain in April 2024. Elizabeth is a doctorate student at Montana State University in the Indigenous and Rural Health program. She has a background in Community Health and a masters in Sustainable Food Systems. Elizabeth is an enrolled member of the Apsáalooke Nation (Crow) and was raised in Garryowen. Growing up on the Crow reservation allowed Elizabeth to know the importance of being connected to one’s family and community. Supporting community needs is an area that Elizabeth is passionate about. She is working towards supporting elders in the community so they can stay in their home as long as possible. When not in school or working with communities, Elizabeth enjoys gardening, hiking, beading, pow-wows, and being with her family.

Development Coordinator

Lucy joined Hopa Mountain in May 2022 after serving as a college and career advisor for three alternative public high schools in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. It was in this role that she realized her passion for supporting students throughout the college search/application process. Lucy is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Environmental Studies at Franklin & Marshall college in Lancaster, PA. A lifelong Montanan, Lucy is thrilled to be back in Big Sky Country working with students across the state in Hopa Mountain's Scholars of Promise program. In her free time, she enjoys fly fishing, watching documentaries, and curating her Spotify playlists.

Scholars of Promise Coordinator

Joe Jessepe is an enrolled member of the Blackfeet Tribe and has spent his entire life on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. He attended college at Flathead Valley Community College, University of Montana, and was a member of the first cohort of the Native Americans in Natural Resources at Humboldt State University at Arcata, California and majored in Natural Resource Conservation. Joe has served on the Board of Directors of: The Glacier Natural History Association, Opportunities Incorporated, and the Cook Scholarship for St. Paul's School in New Hampshire. Joe is currently the President of CIRCLE, a Non-Profit Indian Education consulting group. He was also a founding member of the Badger-Two Medicine Alliance. Joe has been the driving force behind Scholars of Promise for the past 15 years, supporting students apply to and graduate from college.

Scholars of Promise College Coach

Ali joined Hopa Mountain's team in early 2024. She is passionate about creating equitable, sustainable food systems for all. She has her M.S from Montana State University in Sustainable Food Systems and her BSBA in Sustainable Business. She is the co-founder of a specialty cultivated mushroom farm located in Bozeman, MT. In and outside of her work at Hopa Mountain, she focuses on connecting food and agriculture businesses with funding opportunities. Outside of work, you can find Ali foraging, gardening, and cooking food with friends.

Local Food Outreach Coordinator

Our Staff