Our Talented Contributors
C. Claude Basler, D.C., Family chiropractor, allowing you to express your true potential
Erin Blair, Licensed esthetician and owner of Skin Therapy Studio
Specializing in the effective treatment of acne and aging. Erin helps people have skin they can be proud of. She has trained with the best acne specialists in the country, and now brings world class acne therapy home to the Flathead Valley. Erin resides in Whitefish with her husband and daughter, where they enjoy nine months of winter and three months of company every year. For help with problems of skin, visit www.skintherapystudio.com.
Kay Burt
My roots run generations deep in the Flathead, with several sets of great grandparents having homesteaded the area. I grew up on a small farm in the Lower Valley, graduated from Flathead High and then from MSU (go Bobcats!) After college, there was an exciting interlude in Washington DC, where I worked as an aide on the staff of our Montana Congressman. I returned home in 1972 and met my husband, Gary Burt, and together we celebrated 33 years of marriage. During those years I was a wife and mother, but I also worked at varied and interesting part-time positions. I took a long break to care for Gary after he was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease in 1995. After his death in 2005, I returned to work as a legal assistant with the firm of Moore, Cockrell, Goicoechea & Axleberg in Kalispell, a job that I love. My life has been a rich one, defined by my Christian faith, my family and some incredible friends. I have been blessed with three precious children—Justin, Brandon and Courtenay—and further blessed in the spouses they chose plus 11 amazing grandchildren.
Cris Marie Campbell, Coach, Consultant, and Partner Thrive! Inc.
A coach and consultant who works with business teams that are in conflict, underperforming, or stuck in politics. She helps them become cohesive, aligned and produce great business results. Her love is also helping women in leadership confidently find their voice, create relationships that work, and do what matters most to them. CrisMarie has a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering, and an MBA from the University of Washington, a Diploma in Counseling from The Haven, and international training center in BC, Canada., is an Endorsed Mind-Body Coach, and a Master Certified Martha Beck Coach. She is on the faculty at Martha Beck and The Haven.
Susan B Clarke, Coach, Consultant, and Partner at Thrive! Inc.
A coach and consultant who works with business teams that are in conflict, underperforming, or stuck in politics. She helps them become cohesive, aligned and produce great business results. Her journey through a life-threatening illness has given her a depth of experience and commitment to living life full out.
Known for her no-nonsense, straight-shooter style, Susan is committed to helping her clients create the most from their businesses and lives. She has an MA in Applied Behavioral Sciences, BS from the University of Virginia and a Diploma in Counseling from The Haven Institute, and international training center in BC, Canada. She is on the faculty at The Haven, and a Certified Martha Beck Coach.
Brian D'Ambrosio, Accomplished writer and author
Jen Ewell, Program director for the Women's Foundation of Montana
Jen is a native Montanan and a long-time advocate for women and girls in Montana. She is the co-founder of the GUTS! (Girls Using Their Strengths) leadership project, and the former Program Director of the YWCA Missoula. In this position, Jen grew the GUTS! program from one that served 10 girls per year; to a program that now serves more than 250 girls per year. Jen is the Program Director of the Women's Foundation of Montana and is passionate about its mission to build economic self-sufficiency for Montana women and a brighter future for Montana girls. When not working towards this passion, Jen enjoys spending time with her husband John, daughter Amelia and their two dogs hiking in the woods near their home in Missoula.
Kari Gabriel, Executive Director of Flathead CARE, wildlife rehabilitator & educator
Kari Gabriel became the Executive Director of Flathead CARE in April 2008. CARE, which stands for Community Awareness Responsive Education, is a non-profit organization that works with the school system, law enforcement and the community, providing drug, alcohol and tobacco prevention/awareness with local youth and parents. Kari is accredited in public relations, and holds an M.Ed. in Technology in Education from Lesley University, and a B.S. in Political Science from Northern State University.
Kari lives in Kalispell with her husband, daughter, 2 dogs, 2 cats, 2 horses and 1 falcon. Locally, she serves as a Kalispell city council member, as a board member for the Center for Restorative Youth Justice, and as a member of the Glacier High School parent council. She also volunteers as a wildlife rehabilitator and educator.
Kalispell OB/GYN Doctors & Practitioners
Board certified OB/GYN professionals offering expert advice
Nancy Kimball, Marketing communications specialist at Kalispell Regional Healthcare
Nancy Kimball parlayed her degree in journalism and mass communication from Iowa State University for a career in print journalism across Iowa and in northwest Montana, and now is on to Phase 2 in marketing communications at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. After a long run in the news business she works to get out the word on health care. When she can extract herself from flower beds and the vegetable garden, she just might be found hiking a mountain trail, two-wheeling down a back road, skinny-skiing and snowshoeing through the woods, paddling on a river or reading a good book. She’s been in Columbia Falls 23 years.
Marti Kurth, Public relations and marketing expert for organizations in the arts and music
Marti Ebbert Kurth arrived in the Flathead Valley in 2000, after spending her life in Oregon and seeing no reasonable reason to leave it (ocean anyone?). But adventure lured and her husband prevailed and now, 13 years later she can't imagine living anywhere else. She has always been in love with the arts, starting out with music, (playing oboe) and theater (from childhood into her mid-adult years,)was a professional belly dancer and is now an instructor of middle eastern doumbek and she frequently holds women's drum and dance circles. Over time she gravitated to writing and now focuses on helping artists and organizations such as the Glacier Symphony and Chorale and the Crown of the Continent Guitar Foundation with marketing and publicity. Mostly, she loves hearing people's stories and sharing their passion for life.
Kelly O'Brien, Esq., Business law specialist with Measure Law Office, P.C.
Kelly is licensed to practice law in Oregon and Montana, and focuses on estate planning, probate, business, real estate and natural resources law. Kelly earned her J.D. at Lewis & Clark School of Law in Portland, with a certificate in natural resource law. She also has a B.S. in Business Administration & International Business from the University of Montana, and a minor in German. Kelly is originally from Kalispell and recently returned to the area to work with Measure Law Office. Prior to returning, Kelly worked in private practice and law firms based in Portland & Bend, OR. She now lives in Whitefish with her husband and son where she enjoys a multitude of outdoor activities. Contact Kelly at ko@measurelaw.com or 406-752-6373.
Brianne B. Perleberg, Marketing Manager at Phoenix International Raceway & Owner of IWantHerJob.com
Brianne was born and raised in Montana and is the founder of IWantHerJob.com, an award winning website empowering women in their career search. She also is senior consumer marketing manager at NASCAR track Phoenix International Raceway. You can follow her on Twitter @iwantherjob.
Kristen Pulsifer, Owner Whitefish Study Center
Kristen started the business three and a half years ago when the desire to start teaching and working with kids again, hit hard! the center focuses on tutoring students in all subject areas, helping students with college applications, and preparing students for the SAT and ACT. Kristen grew up north of Chicago, and received her BA in English from the University of Colorado, Boulder. She then went on to complete her secondary teacher certification and her masters degree at Colorado College, in Colorado Springs, CO. While working on her masters, she continued teaching. She taught for ten years, at the high school level, in various private and public schools in Colorado Springs. Kristen looks forward to expanding her business into more of an education center to further assist students with various learning challenges and create better learning strategies.
Karen Sanderson, Wine expert and owner of Brix Bottleshop in Kalispell
Karen is a 5th generation Flathead Resident who spent 12 years traveling the world before landing back in the Flathead. During that time, she built a career around great food and wine. She and her husband moved to Kalispell with their 5 year old daughter to enjoy everything the Flathead has to offer.
Miriam Singer, Talented writer and songstress, promoting music as Singer & Simpson Productions
Miriam writes to express her soul. The way words flow and find meaning makes her happy. Like writing, cooking can also be a meditation. And both activities result in being fed. Miriam started writing many years ago as a way of capturing her life’s journey. She learned to cook from her very talented mother and from her own love of creative experimentation while playing with food. She grew up in New York City and went to Brooklyn College. Her journey took her across the country and to homes in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Seattle, Washington, Santa Fe, New Mexico and the Flathead Valley of Montana. Miriam Singer lives in Whitefish, Montana with her partner in life John Simpson who manages Don “K” Subaru. Together they promote music as Singer & Simpson Productions. Miriam sings for the same reason she writes. By the way, Miriam drives a Subaru.
Lucy Smith, Executive Director of the Flathead Community Foundation
Erin Blair, Licensed esthetician and owner of Skin Therapy Studio
Specializing in the effective treatment of acne and aging. Erin helps people have skin they can be proud of. She has trained with the best acne specialists in the country, and now brings world class acne therapy home to the Flathead Valley. Erin resides in Whitefish with her husband and daughter, where they enjoy nine months of winter and three months of company every year. For help with problems of skin, visit www.skintherapystudio.com.
Kay Burt
My roots run generations deep in the Flathead, with several sets of great grandparents having homesteaded the area. I grew up on a small farm in the Lower Valley, graduated from Flathead High and then from MSU (go Bobcats!) After college, there was an exciting interlude in Washington DC, where I worked as an aide on the staff of our Montana Congressman. I returned home in 1972 and met my husband, Gary Burt, and together we celebrated 33 years of marriage. During those years I was a wife and mother, but I also worked at varied and interesting part-time positions. I took a long break to care for Gary after he was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease in 1995. After his death in 2005, I returned to work as a legal assistant with the firm of Moore, Cockrell, Goicoechea & Axleberg in Kalispell, a job that I love. My life has been a rich one, defined by my Christian faith, my family and some incredible friends. I have been blessed with three precious children—Justin, Brandon and Courtenay—and further blessed in the spouses they chose plus 11 amazing grandchildren.
Cris Marie Campbell, Coach, Consultant, and Partner Thrive! Inc.
A coach and consultant who works with business teams that are in conflict, underperforming, or stuck in politics. She helps them become cohesive, aligned and produce great business results. Her love is also helping women in leadership confidently find their voice, create relationships that work, and do what matters most to them. CrisMarie has a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering, and an MBA from the University of Washington, a Diploma in Counseling from The Haven, and international training center in BC, Canada., is an Endorsed Mind-Body Coach, and a Master Certified Martha Beck Coach. She is on the faculty at Martha Beck and The Haven.
Susan B Clarke, Coach, Consultant, and Partner at Thrive! Inc.
A coach and consultant who works with business teams that are in conflict, underperforming, or stuck in politics. She helps them become cohesive, aligned and produce great business results. Her journey through a life-threatening illness has given her a depth of experience and commitment to living life full out.
Known for her no-nonsense, straight-shooter style, Susan is committed to helping her clients create the most from their businesses and lives. She has an MA in Applied Behavioral Sciences, BS from the University of Virginia and a Diploma in Counseling from The Haven Institute, and international training center in BC, Canada. She is on the faculty at The Haven, and a Certified Martha Beck Coach.
Brian D'Ambrosio, Accomplished writer and author
Jen Ewell, Program director for the Women's Foundation of Montana
Jen is a native Montanan and a long-time advocate for women and girls in Montana. She is the co-founder of the GUTS! (Girls Using Their Strengths) leadership project, and the former Program Director of the YWCA Missoula. In this position, Jen grew the GUTS! program from one that served 10 girls per year; to a program that now serves more than 250 girls per year. Jen is the Program Director of the Women's Foundation of Montana and is passionate about its mission to build economic self-sufficiency for Montana women and a brighter future for Montana girls. When not working towards this passion, Jen enjoys spending time with her husband John, daughter Amelia and their two dogs hiking in the woods near their home in Missoula.
Kari Gabriel, Executive Director of Flathead CARE, wildlife rehabilitator & educator
Kari Gabriel became the Executive Director of Flathead CARE in April 2008. CARE, which stands for Community Awareness Responsive Education, is a non-profit organization that works with the school system, law enforcement and the community, providing drug, alcohol and tobacco prevention/awareness with local youth and parents. Kari is accredited in public relations, and holds an M.Ed. in Technology in Education from Lesley University, and a B.S. in Political Science from Northern State University.
Kari lives in Kalispell with her husband, daughter, 2 dogs, 2 cats, 2 horses and 1 falcon. Locally, she serves as a Kalispell city council member, as a board member for the Center for Restorative Youth Justice, and as a member of the Glacier High School parent council. She also volunteers as a wildlife rehabilitator and educator.
Kalispell OB/GYN Doctors & Practitioners
Board certified OB/GYN professionals offering expert advice
Nancy Kimball, Marketing communications specialist at Kalispell Regional Healthcare
Nancy Kimball parlayed her degree in journalism and mass communication from Iowa State University for a career in print journalism across Iowa and in northwest Montana, and now is on to Phase 2 in marketing communications at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. After a long run in the news business she works to get out the word on health care. When she can extract herself from flower beds and the vegetable garden, she just might be found hiking a mountain trail, two-wheeling down a back road, skinny-skiing and snowshoeing through the woods, paddling on a river or reading a good book. She’s been in Columbia Falls 23 years.
Marti Kurth, Public relations and marketing expert for organizations in the arts and music
Marti Ebbert Kurth arrived in the Flathead Valley in 2000, after spending her life in Oregon and seeing no reasonable reason to leave it (ocean anyone?). But adventure lured and her husband prevailed and now, 13 years later she can't imagine living anywhere else. She has always been in love with the arts, starting out with music, (playing oboe) and theater (from childhood into her mid-adult years,)was a professional belly dancer and is now an instructor of middle eastern doumbek and she frequently holds women's drum and dance circles. Over time she gravitated to writing and now focuses on helping artists and organizations such as the Glacier Symphony and Chorale and the Crown of the Continent Guitar Foundation with marketing and publicity. Mostly, she loves hearing people's stories and sharing their passion for life.
Kelly O'Brien, Esq., Business law specialist with Measure Law Office, P.C.
Kelly is licensed to practice law in Oregon and Montana, and focuses on estate planning, probate, business, real estate and natural resources law. Kelly earned her J.D. at Lewis & Clark School of Law in Portland, with a certificate in natural resource law. She also has a B.S. in Business Administration & International Business from the University of Montana, and a minor in German. Kelly is originally from Kalispell and recently returned to the area to work with Measure Law Office. Prior to returning, Kelly worked in private practice and law firms based in Portland & Bend, OR. She now lives in Whitefish with her husband and son where she enjoys a multitude of outdoor activities. Contact Kelly at ko@measurelaw.com or 406-752-6373.
Brianne B. Perleberg, Marketing Manager at Phoenix International Raceway & Owner of IWantHerJob.com
Brianne was born and raised in Montana and is the founder of IWantHerJob.com, an award winning website empowering women in their career search. She also is senior consumer marketing manager at NASCAR track Phoenix International Raceway. You can follow her on Twitter @iwantherjob.
Kristen Pulsifer, Owner Whitefish Study Center
Kristen started the business three and a half years ago when the desire to start teaching and working with kids again, hit hard! the center focuses on tutoring students in all subject areas, helping students with college applications, and preparing students for the SAT and ACT. Kristen grew up north of Chicago, and received her BA in English from the University of Colorado, Boulder. She then went on to complete her secondary teacher certification and her masters degree at Colorado College, in Colorado Springs, CO. While working on her masters, she continued teaching. She taught for ten years, at the high school level, in various private and public schools in Colorado Springs. Kristen looks forward to expanding her business into more of an education center to further assist students with various learning challenges and create better learning strategies.
Karen Sanderson, Wine expert and owner of Brix Bottleshop in Kalispell
Karen is a 5th generation Flathead Resident who spent 12 years traveling the world before landing back in the Flathead. During that time, she built a career around great food and wine. She and her husband moved to Kalispell with their 5 year old daughter to enjoy everything the Flathead has to offer.
Miriam Singer, Talented writer and songstress, promoting music as Singer & Simpson Productions
Miriam writes to express her soul. The way words flow and find meaning makes her happy. Like writing, cooking can also be a meditation. And both activities result in being fed. Miriam started writing many years ago as a way of capturing her life’s journey. She learned to cook from her very talented mother and from her own love of creative experimentation while playing with food. She grew up in New York City and went to Brooklyn College. Her journey took her across the country and to homes in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Seattle, Washington, Santa Fe, New Mexico and the Flathead Valley of Montana. Miriam Singer lives in Whitefish, Montana with her partner in life John Simpson who manages Don “K” Subaru. Together they promote music as Singer & Simpson Productions. Miriam sings for the same reason she writes. By the way, Miriam drives a Subaru.
Lucy Smith, Executive Director of the Flathead Community Foundation
