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Our Staff
Meet the people working to end homelessness in your community!
Christel is a Bozeman native and graduate of Montana State University. Upon graduating with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Management, Christel received her Masters of Nonprofit Management and Leadership from Walden University. After a decade of experience in the nonprofit industry, Christel went on to receive her CFRE, which is an internationally recognized fundraising certification. She has served as Program Coordinator for HRDC Head Start, Early Learning Director for the Gallatin Valley YMCA, Development Director for Central Asia Institute, and Executive Director of Befrienders. Christel and her husband were married in 2008, and are the parents of two wonderful boys aged 11 and 12. In her spare time, she enjoys mentoring individuals who are just starting their nonprofit careers, serving on local nonprofit boards, enjoying the outdoors, and spending her weekends cheering on her two sons on the pool deck.
Christel Chvilicek, CFRE
Executive Director
Michelle has lived in the Gallatin Valley for over 20 years. She attended Concordia College-Moorhead, MN where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational Communications. She has worked in a variety of organizations, including doing case management in a group home setting; advertising and marketing for a community newspaper; communications for a large financial company; and working in the Belgrade, MT. elementary and middle schools. Michelle has also volunteered with a number of non-profits across the Valley. She has two sons who attend Montana State University and a daughter who attends high school in Belgrade. She and her family like to enjoy all of the outdoor activities and quality of life that Bozeman has to offer.
Michelle Thorn
HR and Operations Director
I have always had a love for young children going all the way back to my childhood where I would make my younger siblings be students in my very imaginary classroom. I attended John Brown University in Siloam Springs, AR where I earned a degree in Family and Human Services. I have built and led children programming, taught in preschool environments, and helped care for infants and toddlers in weekday programs. I am excited to be a part of Rising Stars and am looking forward to serving many families in the valley. My husband Doug and I have three young children. We love calling Bozeman home and enjoy spending time outside together, cheering for kids at endless youth sport events, and drinking coffee and tea all day long to help stay warm in the long winters.
Danae Castle
Early Learning Center Co-Director
Robin is a Bozeman native and graduate of Montana State University. Robin has a passion for making an impact in our community through engagement, relationship building, and effective communications strategies. Prior to joining Family Promise, Robin worked as HRDC's Outreach and Events Coordinator for 7 years. Her responsibilities included marketing and fundraising for 7 service areas. Robin is an avid volunteer with Reach, the Help Center INC, and the Orchid Club. In her spare time, Robin enjoys reading, spending time with her family and two pups, and being outdoors and near water.
Robin Mayer
Development Director
Carrie is native to Montana and has a deep love for this valley. Carrie graduated from Montana State University with a degree in Criminal Justice and has spent the last 25 years working in the nonprofit sector in Bozeman.
Carrie is passionate about understanding the dynamics of homelessness in our communities and working to improve the lives of the kids and families that call the Gallatin Valley home. Carrie lives in Three Forks with her husband and an excessive amount of animals.
Carrie Gilbertson
Director of Family Services
Catherine has been a part of Family Promise’s Early Learning Center since its opening in January of 2022. First, as a lead teacher for the young 1’s room, and recently transitioned to the assistant director of the evening program. Since 2018, Catherine has professionally been a part of the early childhood field working in multiple facilities. She absolutely loves working with kids and their families to help accomplish their developmental and educational goals. As a teacher, she also wants to create a safe environment for kids to have the ability to set them up for success. Our kids are our future, and they need to continue to have the right education and right resources for success.
Catherine Purcell
Early Learning Center Co-Director
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