Our Staff

  • 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 Swank has been serving as Hopa Mountain's Development Coordinator since 2024. Elizabeth graduated in the spring of 2026 from Montana State University with a doctorate degree in the Indigenous and Rural Health program with a focus on food access. 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.

    When not working, Elizabeth enjoys gardening, hiking, beading, pow-wows, and being with her family.

Development Coordinator

  • Lucy is a National College Attainment Network (NCAN)-certified advisor who joined Hopa Mountain in 2022 after previously working as a college and career advisor at three public high schools in Pennsylvania. Through this work, she developed a strong passion for helping students navigate the college search and application process. Lucy holds a bachelor’s degree from Franklin & Marshall College.

    A lifelong Montanan, Lucy is excited to be back in Big Sky Country supporting students across the state through Hopa Mountain’s Scholars of Promise program. In her free time, she enjoys fly fishing and watching documentaries.

Scholars of Promise Coordinator

Scholars of Promise College Coach

  • 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.

  • Abbi joined Hopa Mountain as a scholar in Hopa Mountain’s Scholars of Promise program her sophomore year of high school. In 2026, she was integrated onto Hopa Mountain staff as a program coordinator for the Scholars of Promise program. In college, Abbi worked as a peer advisor for Indigenous students, encouraging personal wellness and providing STEM mentorship.

    Throughout her life, she has firmly believed in the importance of universal access to education and wellbeing. Abbi holds a bachelor of arts degree from Dartmouth College and a bachelor of science degree from Thayer School of Engineering.

    Reflecting on her time as a student with Hopa Mountain, Abbi is excited to support Montana students through Hopa Mountain’s Scholars of Promise program. In her free time, she enjoys being outside and performing improv.

Scholars of Promise Coordinator 

  • Madalyn joined Hopa Mountain in 2025 and is originally from Belgrade, Montana. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and Sustainability from Oregon State University and has a strong interest in local food systems, land stewardship, and community centered work. Madalyn is passionate about using storytelling and accessible digital tools and strategies to help organizations share their mission and connect with their communities. She is excited to support Hopa Mountain's partners and programs through thoughtful, creative social media and marketing work. Outside of the office, you can find her snowboarding, traveling, enjoying time in nature, and writing about the people and places that inspire her. 

Local Food Outreach Coordinator