OUR STAFF
Heidi Barrett
Executive Director
Heidi Barrett comes to ASPEN with over 31 years of experience working with non-profits in and around Park County, Montana. She began her non-profit career as the sole employee of a small grass-roots organization, the Beartooth Alliance, in Silver Gate, Montana in the early 90’s. This group was formed to stop an industrial sized gold mine on the border of Yellowstone National Park. She then worked for the Greater Yellowstone Coalition for 17.5 years in the development department. She directed the Park County Senior Center for nearly two years before joining the ASPEN team.
Heidi’s passion has always been about creating healthy communities. She enjoys people from all walks of life and is energized when making a positive difference for those around her. Heidi has BFA from the University of Nebraska, with a teaching endorsement for K-12 in Art Education.
You can reach Heidi at Heidi@aspenmt.org or call
406-222-5902, ext. 2.
Rebecca Ruhd
ASPEN Program Advocate
Rebecca Ruhd comes to ASPEN with a background in public school transportation and self- employment. She is grateful for the opportunity to help those who are hurting through relevant services to empower them through the healing process; and to work with the volunteers and professionals who are building a stronger, healthier community.
She believes in the power of storytelling to build compassion, empathy and human connection; and in the value of active listening. She and her husband have been blessed to raise their family in the same beautiful town where she was born. Rebecca is excited to join the ASPEN team and work closely with the community to further its mission.
You can reach Rebecca at rebecca@aspenmt.org or by calling 406-222-5902, ext. 3.
Kelly Miller
ASPEN Part-Time Weekend Advocate
Kelly Miller comes to ASPEN with a law enforcement and military background. She has worked for the City of Billings as a 911 dispatcher and the Park County Sheriff’s Department as a detention officer. Her training with sexual harassment/assault response and prevention through the Montana Army National Guard shifted her interest into helping survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Trained in crisis intervention and advocacy support, Kelly is dedicated to empowering survivors and linking clients to local resources.
She hopes to continue her education and strengthen her skills in order to serve the community and ASPEN. Kelly enjoys being involved in the community and volunteering her time to several local organizations.
You can reach Kelly at kelly@aspenmt.org
Val Newton
Val comes to ASPEN after what she thought was her official retirement. She worked for 30 years for the Department of Public Health Human Services followed by 12 years with Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch. When her daughter was in high school, she got Val involved in a youth empowerment non-profit, Center for Adolescent Development. Val enjoyed it so much, she continued to volunteer there for several years. Val’s desire to make a difference for children and families, also brought her to providing foster care for several years.
Val’s has extensive experience working with children and families who have experienced trauma and the tools to allow healing within those families. After retiring she missed the interaction with people in the community and being a part of a team environment providing for a healthier community. When the part time position at ASPEN became available, Val thought it would be a great fit - and it is!
Val grew up and raised her family in Livingston. She is grateful to have her children and four grandchildren living in the area, so she can spend time with them. Val has done some traveling with her family and looks forward to many more adventures with them and her friends.
You can reach Val at val@aspenmt.org
Stella Newman
Stella was born and raised in Paradise Valley, Montana and graduated from Park High School and Studied at York University in York, Nebraska and received her bachelors of science in psychology with a minor in biology in April of 2020. Stella has always had a strong drive to support her community so when she moved back to Montana, she started an internship with ASPEN where she received support advocacy training and learned how to teach violence prevention curriculum in the schools and to organize outreach events for the community.
Stella wholeheartedly enjoys helping students develop their minds to think critically about their environment. Stella says, “I believe that prevention education is a wonderful tool to begin the conversation about healthy relationships and compassion while allowing students to practice what they learn. My passion is to support survivors of human trafficking and sexual violence and I hope to further my education to gain the skills and knowledge to do so".
You can reach Stella at stella@aspenmt.org
Emily Jones
Emily Jones believes in order to teach, we must first learn, and she is excited to learn all she can at ASPEN so she can support our community through her work here. Emily brings her experience in event coordination, writing and communications to the team. She has worked and volunteered in nonprofits, education, small businesses, media and performing arts, and her constant goal is to build stronger relationships through communication, service and empathy.
Emily studied theater, film, journalism and history at MSU and the University of Nebraska. She enjoys watching baseball and movies and boating, hiking, camping and skiing with her family.
Emily can be reached at emily@aspenmt.org
Jeannine Ortiz
Jeannine comes to Aspen with a background in management and team development. She has inspired others to be their best selves through movement and community and she brings that same commitment to empowering victims and survivors. Jeannine has always worked to improve processes and systems and that skill helps ensure the security and safety of our safe-house and its participants.
She volunteers her time as a CrossFit coach to an organization that builds sober active communities for people in recovery from substance use. She believes that people make good choices when provided with the knowledge and tools they need to be successful. Jeannine is grateful for the opportunity to serve the community on a larger scale through supporting survivors in seeking a non-violent and healthy life.
You can reach Jeannine at jeannine@aspenmt.org
Bear Mays
Bear worked for his family’s cleaning business prior to becoming a member of ASPEN's Queer Straight Alliance (QSA), officially becoming its peer leader in January of 2022
He finds fulfillment in providing support to the queer youth of our area, seeing them truly be themselves in a judgement free space.
Watching them learn about healthy relationships and boundaries with his co-worker and primary facilitator at ASPEN is very rewarding.
Bear can be reached at bear@aspenmt.org