Board of Directors
chance cooke | board President
Designer at Union Fabrication. Chance has been a volunteer with BAP for 8 years. He initially worked as a “Costco buyer” in the early years, and transitioned to a Board of Directors role in 2018. “I have three kids in the Whitefish School system and have seen the positive impact of a program that directly addresses food insecurity for our school age community members. My wife and I are vested in the health and wellbeing of the Flathead Valley. We feel fortunate to be a part of a community that is ready to roll up their sleeves and lean into the challenges at hand.”
kellie cahill | board vice president
Employee of Whitefish Lake Restaurant. Kellie has been with BAP for almost 6 years, as well as previous involvement with the Whitefish Community School and Whitefish Lacrosse Club. A resident of Whitefish for 23 years, Kellie first moved to the Flathead Valley to work in Glacier National Park and on Big Mountain. After raising two children in Whitefish, she is excited to be a GrizCat mom next year! “I absolutely love my Whitefish community and being part of it in so many capacities.”
Amy ridgeway | board secretary
Private Pilates Instructor, helping individuals improve strength and mobility. “Throughout my training and completion of my pilates education in 2014 I worked alongside my dear friend and fellow instructor, Traci Stolte, who was also the director of the Backpack Assistance Program. She asked me to join her in volunteer work and I eventually joined the Board of Directors. Having raised three children in the Whitefish School District, over the course of the last 15 years, I have spent numerous hours in the schools and classrooms volunteering my time and getting to know many of the children. This inside perspective brought me so much awareness of the food insecurities present in our community. Putting faces to the statistics and getting to know all the families is invaluable. It is an honor for me to be part of a group of people willing to be supportive of all the faces of the community.”
michael jaffe | board Treasurer & DEI advocate
EVP of Business Development at Clarus Merchant Services. Michael is raising a teenager in Whitefish, which has informed his contribution to BAP: “Growing up is a combination of many aspects of life. Education, activity, involvement, health, and so much more. By working with our community’s youth on education and health, I am involved in assisting the foundation development of Whitefish.” Along with his involvement in the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce, Whitefish Community School, and North Valley Music School, Michael enjoys hiking, biking, canoeing, skiing, camping, music, and is a self-taught hack chef.
Kirsten Sabin | Board Member
Kirsten is the most recent addition to the BAP board. She and her husband Reid have lived in Whitefish since 1994, and they knew instantly this was a community they would love to call ‘home’. They co-owned and operated Stillwater Nordic Center for a decade, and loved providing a place for the community to cross country ski and gather.
“I am passionate about health and wellness. I began teaching yoga in 2014, and soon after started volunteering in the middle school to teach yoga to 6th graders. This direct involvement in the schools, in addition to volunteering throughout our son and daughter’s school years, gave me a glimpse into the needs many children in our community face. When a board position opened up for BAP, I felt it was time for me to contribute to this important organization.” Kirsten served on the Whitefish Community School board while her 2 children were attending, and loved contributing to an organization that involved the care and well-being of kids.