2018 HATCH Big Sky Bios (team)

Justin is a freelance architectural designer currently residing in Santa Barbara. He focuses on design, documentation and fabrication of the projects he works on. Originally from Lavina, Montana, Justin has worked on notable projects such as the SkyPark at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore and the United States Institute of Peace in Washington D.C. Currently he is developing the design for a variety of residential projects with a focus on contemporary minimalist design.

Grant is an award-winning VJ ranked among the top visual performers worldwide. He gave up his collegiate ideals of working with deaf children when he first experienced a live VJ environment in Black Rock City in the late 90's. As a Communications Disorder Specialist, he found visuals to be a unique way to interpret music for the deaf. Since then, under the name VJ Culture, Grant has provided sight and sound for audiences around the world.
As VJ Culture Grant has worked or toured with Tiesto, Beck, Mary J Blige, P-Diddy, Dash Berlin, Common, Eryka Badu, Jazzy Jeff, Paul Oakenfold and many more.

There is no story or title I hold that would impress your attention so I will tell you that I was first a daughter and sister, a creative being, a student, a singer and dancer, an athlete, friend, lover, wife, mother, clothing designer, spiritual seeker, outdoor enthusiast, costume designer, wardrobe consultant, artist and cowgirl. But of all the expressions I share with the world the most desired for me is when I am doing whatever I am doing from my most authentic place.

Chris Bruha retired Firefighter/EMT, Owner of Bruha Electric in Livingston MT, March 5, 2016 struck a building at a very high rate of speed while flying a Paraglider in Honolulu leaving him with two prothetic feet and some nerve damage 2 years later. The decisions that he alone had to make to move forward with Osseointegration or suffer would change the direction of life but also create some new opportunities to help inspire others.
He is learning that life may plant you in a place where you feel like you are fighting from the bottom but try and fight with grace.

Becca Stevens is passionate about kids and education. She believes all kids have something to say and something to share with the world. Becca has been teaching for 20 years in subject areas such as English, social studies, reading, art and drama.

Sean grew up just outside of Boston, MA and was active in sports, music, art, faith, and his community from a young age. Weeks each summer spent off-the-grid along the remote coast of Maine established his passions for the natural world and alternative sustainable living. Sean graduated from SeattleU in 2015 with degrees in Environmental Studies and Ecosystem Biology and credits his study and work with old growth forests, whales, glaciers, young people, and indigenous peoples to be most formative and life-giving. Sean will soon begin his 4th winter ski instructing at the Yellowstone Club.

Actor and voice talent, King of Westech, Lord of fashion, and an essential part of the HATCH family since its inception in 2004.

Born in Boston, Massachusetts and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Myles Kramer is a bicoastal filmmaker with a diverse creative background. At 11 years old, Myles was making Lego stop-motion movies on the weekends. In middle school, Myles started a band and released an album a few years later. After graduating from Emerson College with a bachelor's degree in Film Production, Myles moved to Los Angeles in 2015. Currently, Myles is a freelance filmmaker who specializes in directing for documentary. In his spare time, Myles enjoys traveling, attending concerts, and learning to become a jazz drummer.

Home grown in Indiana, Josie followed a lifelong calling to the mountains of Montana. Along the way she logged over 1000 days as a guide of backcountry expeditions and studied community based conservation and ecotourism around the world. Josie is passionate about people, awed by nature, and has come to believe in the powers of inquiry and adventure to empower the human spirit. Josie currently creates transformative experiences through her work as a ski instructor, guide, facilitator, and director, and is thankful for the opportunity to be part of the inspirational energy of HATCH.

Brendan grew up loving the mountains around Chattanooga, Tennessee. In high school, he interned at Lamp Post Group, a local venture capital incubator. This inspired him to co-found a pressure washing company. Brendan then decided to follow his dream of living out west by attending Montana State University. He worked at the Blackstone Launchpad and was the President of LaunchCats, an entrepreneurial club at MSU. This past summer he worked at a fly fishing shop in Ennis, MT. He is currently a junior, majoring in computer science with hopes of studying aboard in New Zealand next semester.

An MFA graduate student at Montana State University, Nick has an extensive background in broadcast television, starting in various positions with Klamath Community Television before moving to Montana, and as a Technical Director with TEDxBozeman since 2014. Additionally, Nick works as a freelance video producer and as the assistant coordinator for his graduate program.

Amber lives a storied life at the end of a road near the top of a mountain in Montana where she carves trees in a “luminous gesture of love toward nature and humankind.” TEDx speaker, writer and adventurer, she is currently keen to create healing sculptural sanctuaries for hospitals. Declared by WOOD magazine as one of “America’s Woodworking Greats,” Amber recently became the first woman to carve in the country of Bhutan when the Prime Minister asked her to create an artwork in a palace for their king. Ice climbing, rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking, river trips and travel fuel her spirit

Nicholas is a co-founder of The Artery Collective, a creative community center and artistic workspace in Bozeman, Montana. As a class of 2018 Montana State University graduate from the School of Film & Photography, Nicholas is now cultivating a focused community of creative individuals who aim to bring their artistic perspective to all aspects of life. His photographic work taps into topics such as mythology, psychology, and human consciousness.

Julia is a creative entrepreneur with a passion for social impact and economic development. She is the founder of NeoVox Communications, a boutique consulting firm focusing on revitalizing digital strategy and PR to optimize engagement. Julia is empowered by being a part of any team and learning as much as she can from teachers that present themselves. Travel, family, and spontaneous adventures with her three-year-old spitfire keep her inspired.

Anson is a builder and a tinkerer. He applies that inherent problem-solving and stripped-down ingenuity to his musical endeavors, banding together with other Bozeman musicians to expand his own songs and to dwell within the lengthy jam-pieces of The Allman Brothers Band and The Grateful Dead, among others. He spent his summer on a Ranch near Mahattan, Montana, tending horses, fixing equipment and fences, and running his dog ragged. In this season he can be found in the classroom at MSU, continuing his engineering studies.

Jachiike Madubuko is a programmer with interests in AI and UX Design who is working on HATCH team for the first time.

Jachiike knows the power that exists between two people united through a common goal is immeasurable and strives to connect people together to create pools of positive energy wherever he goes.

He has been honored as a Keynote Speaker for a University Event where he led a workshop on Emotional Intelligence.

Jachiike is working towards a Computer Science Degree in Bozeman, MT.

Raymond has a MS degree in Land Reclamation, and recently retired from a hobby of Rodeo Cowboy Protection. Both have allowed him to continue his love and interaction with people, animals, and Mother Earth. He is driven by the necessity created by both to take quick and decisive actions and the willingness of the sacrifices and rewards that may be present. His love for food and desire to be part of the movement that helps to ensure that healthy meals are available to all has created a new fire in him.

Erin is a passionate educator and advocate for community-based, sustainable food systems. She has been working to propel the Farm to School movement for almost a decade, including as a FoodCorps Service Member and in her current position as Education Director for Bozeman-based nonprofit Gallatin Valley Farm to School. She develops experiential garden/food-based curriculum for pre-K through college students and teachers and cultivates resilient edible garden landscapes to promote environmental, community and human health. Erin holds an M.Ed and science teacher certification from Montana State.

Rachel Hicks is a lover of color, visual storyteller & creator of experiences. She has an eye for detail & innovative design paired with a passion for strategy, fundraising & supporting the arts. Throughout her career, she has consulted with many nonprofits & businesses such as HATCH, Mountain Time Arts & the Bozeman Film Celebration to integrate powerful design into their experience planning. For over a decade she was the Director of Comm. at the Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts in Helena, MT, playing an integral role in fostering an artistic community around the globe.

Above all things I am curious. Whether the topic is books, spices, or auto mechanics, I strive to understand, because that is the best way I have found to connect with the world around me. My curiosity has led me to found two youth empowerment programs for high schoolers, teach English in a rural Nepali village, seek out internships with local conservation organizations, and most importantly become a part of HATCH.

Robert is the founder of several companies focused on community revitalization and redevelopment. "People are more creative and innovative when they have a clean, safe and inspiring places to live. Provide these and peace and happiness will follow, I want to be part of making that happen."
Investor and real estate developer focused on historic preservation and revitalization of blighted communities.
Capital manager specializing in tax advantaged Opportunity Zone projects and businesses.
Inventor creating better ways to bring locally grown food into every community.

Izzac grew up in the mountains of Southwest Colorado doing various extreme outdoor activities. He developed a passion for filming all of the fun things he was doing which drove him to study film at Montana State University. He recently interned at Matchstick Productions who specializes in filming skiing across the world. Izzac is a fun loving guy who wants to spread happiness throughout the world.

Jason is a musician, an entrepreneur, an amatuer Philosopher, and as a former Army Paratrooper, a general force multiplier. Thriving in the serenity of chaos, Jason is currently working on a project utilizing Veterans to cultivate and distribute organic food staples to areas with food insecurities.

Claire is a Directed Interdisciplinary Studies degree candidate combining chemical engineering, economics, and microbiology at Montana State University. As part of her thesis, Claire is leading a research project tackling the carbon footprint of refrigerants within her university. Additionally, she is an Advocate at HAVEN, empowering survivors of domestic violence. In her free time, you can find Claire among the mountains, enjoying quality chocolate.

I am a storyteller new to Bozeman via New York City. Using the written word and the live experience as my mediums of choice, I find fun in the creative challenge. Besides building the “event infrastructure” or production process for the Bozeman Film Festival, I produce events for multiple companies across the US. After turning 30 in NYC, I decided the next chapter of my life would be back in nature. Hence, Bozeman. Now, between spending a winter gathering & cutting wood, and the fact that I managed two Professional Bull Riding events, I can confidently say I’m becoming a Montanan.

Josh enjoys balancing a high caliber profession with a fun and active lifestyle. He works for a Bozeman based firm that specializes in business development strategy for leading professional services companies. Outside of work, Josh has completed a handful of 100-mile mountain bike races, stumbled his way up some rock in South America, and has generally been known to possess a fierce loyalty to Bridger Bowl, regardless of conditions. Josh knows the greatest asset along his journey has been the innumerable talented individuals that he's been able to call his friends and colleagues.

Kaito Irizarry is a music management coordinator. Raised in Bozeman, MT Kaito grew up with a passion for the music industry. He was a featured performer at TEDx Bozeman in 2015 and served a term as the Vice President of Public Relations for Montana DECA from 2015-2016. He currently lives in Los Angeles, CA where he is the Promotions and Operations Coordinator for Grammy-nominated film composer and cellist Philip Sheppard #Becauseof HATCH and is actively learning, discovering, and experiencing new things while pursuing to become a talent/tour manager in the music industry.

Shannon is the CEO of Spur Studio, a strategic marketing agency proudly based in Bozeman, Montana, and the Founder of TrybThrive, an online community to better connect single parents with each other and supportive resources. Because we all need a tribe to thrive in this world.

I am an MSU student who is so excited to be on the HATCH team! I study Nutrition Science in hope of pursuing holistic and alternative medicine. I love good food and I am a strong believer that a happy healthy lifestyle can manifest better relationships with oneself, others and the planet.

Alexa is an adventurous graphic designer born in Germany. She came to the states to learn her passion and as she grew into the Bozeman community, she began getting recognized for her beautifully clean design and keen eye for design trends. Her favorite things are her boyfriend, pet fish, and microbrews. She is a natural explorer, enjoying the outdoors. Her curious adventure mindset also influences her design, pushing limits and finding perfect styles for any brand or task.

Dani Daley considers herself a cultivator, leader, & woman of the wild. Studying Economics and Political Science at Montana State University, she is intensely grateful to have been raised in Bozeman, Montana. Outside of school, Dani serves as the Senior Associate of the MSU Leadership Institute (LI), where she's ridden in elevators with Sir Ken Robinson and ice climbed with Conrad Anker. Gender equality, entrepreneurship, and mountain biking center her. When she settles down can find her practing photography from the back of her partner's truck and buying expensive toys for her dog.

A self-described serial participator and organizer, Dee Fretwell can't stop, won't stop. Driven by the desire to leave a powerfully positive change on the world, Dee works with organizations empowering shift through the awesome eyes and efforts of our upcoming generations.

Enthusiastic learner who loves building with her hands and also loves working toward building communities within various spaces. Catch her in machine shops, cultural geography seminars, kickstarting the Bounty of the Bridgers community, and exercising to her heart's content. Challenges have helped to form her while experiences have helped define her identity.

HATCH Executive Coordinator. Founder SMV Management.
Avid adventurer, outdoor enthusiast.