MISSION & VISION
HYP is shaping the future of Helena by empowering young professionals to connect with the community, develop personally and professionally, and build life-long relationships.
Our vision is a vibrant community in which young professionals invest in and support the Helena community.
Meet the Board of Directors
Dan Lambson, Board President
Hailing from the New Jersey suburbs of Philadelphia, Dan picked up his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in structural engineering from Northwestern University and UT Austin, respectively. He then lived on an island in southeast Alaska for several years before taking a bridge engineering position in Helena with Morrison-Maierle in 2019. Dan is still thrilled to be back on the road system and enjoys doing just about anything outdoors (especially backpacking and peakbagging), making a racket on piano and guitar, and cooking curry.
Haley McKnight, Vice President
Haley hails from the heart of the Appalachian mountains. They moved to Butte in 2017 as an AmeriCorps VISTA and quickly became an honorary Montanan. Haley is the shop goblin at Sage & Oats Trading Post, as well as a freelance designer and editor. Most nights you can find them on the Gulch, hiking Black Sandy, putting their cat in outfits, or deep frying something.
Chiara Cipriano, Public Service Chair
Chiara Cipriano (she/her) moved to Helena in 2020 to run the communications and community engagement program for the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest. Prior to moving to Montana she worked as a public affairs specialist for the Forest Service in Eugene, Oregon. Chiara has also worked for environmental NGOs in Boston, MA and Fernie, British Columbia and completed two AmeriCorps terms in Manchester, New Hampshire and Everett, Washington. She holds a Master of Science degree in Integrated Water Resources Management and a Bachelor of Arts and Science from McGill University in Montreal. When not at work, you can catch her up on Macdonald Pass cross-country skiing, running on the extensive Helena trail system, working on a colorful puzzle, or hunting down a perfectly ripe avocado.
Ben Slakey, Treasurer
Originally from Elk Grove, CA, Ben moved to Helena in 2021 after graduating from the University of Portland with a degree in civil engineering and deciding the big city was not for him. Since moving to Helena, Ben has worked as a transportation design engineer for Morrison Maierle, helping create new roads and improve the ones we already have. In his spare time, Ben loves the outdoors, and competes across the state and country in professional disc golf tournaments. He also loves spending time with friends and family and trying new craft beers.
Matt Schmidt, Professional Development Chair
Matt and his dog Kate arrived in Helena from Lewistown, MT in May 2023 looking for a city with local mountain biking, skiing, and sailing.
As a professional environmental scientist, musician, and DJ, Matt has developed his own multidisciplinary career throughout public, private, nonprofit, and small-business sectors. He’s here to support his peers as they develop their own personal and professional journeys, and is always looking for ways to learn and grow together.
Wade Schneider, Recreation Chair
Wade comes from the small town of Hogeland, MT, 12 miles from the Canadian border. Growing up in the farming/ranching industry, he wanted to try something different and enrolled in the Plumbing and Welding programs at MSU Northern. He landed in Helena in May 2019 for a plumbing internship and has been here since. In his free time, you can find him hiking, biking, canoe/kayaking, hunting, huckleberry picking, leathercrafting, or running home to help.
Kara Paul, Secretary
Kara, the "Girl Who Left Paradise for the Last Best Place," relocated to Helena, Montana, from Hilo, Hawai'i, on New Year's Eve in 2019. She moved to Montana to be the Senior Executive Assistant to the President at Carroll College and now works for the Montana Department of Transportation as a Strategic Project Specialist. Kara holds a double Bachelor's Degree in English and Communications from the University of Hawai'i at Hilo, complemented by an Associate of the Arts in Liberal Arts AA Degree from Hawai'i Community College. Outside of her professional pursuits, Kara enjoys spending time with her husband and two cats, reading, sipping lattes, and exploring Montana and beyond for her Instagram and Blog, "Roaming Near and Far."
Perrie Frydenlund, Marketing Chair
Hailing from Shelby, MT, Perrie combines creativity and strategy with a delightful flair. She holds an Associate of Dramatic Arts and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Montana Western, blending the best of both worlds. By day, she dazzles as the Digital Marketing Specialist at Intrepid Credit Union, crafting campaigns that captivate and convert. Outside the professional hustle, Perrie is all about pop music, fashion, and vibrant outings. Whether she's curating her next playlist, styling the latest trends, or mastering deception board games, she brings a spirited and joyful energy to everything she does.
Lexi Newcomer, Public Relations Chair
Originally from Great Falls, Lexi came to Helena in 2021 after a few years around the Pacific Northwest. She has spent her career in the nonprofit sector and in recent years has taken on roles in the State of Montana government and currently works in Human Resources. Because Lexi did not take a traditional educational and career path, she champions others to find ways to make their career work for them. When Lexi isn’t hiring people or processing paychecks, she can be found hiking with her husband Dane and dog Ferdinand, paddle boarding, sewing, practicing yoga or following a cooking video.
Kyle Joyner, Membership and Business Outreach Chair
While having lived in several places around the United States, Kyle has been in Helena since 2020. He obtained a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Wyoming in 2016 and while having moved to Helena to serve as a clinical mental health therapist with a local non-profit community mental health agency, Kyle has since transitioned into a new career as a social scientist for another organization in Helena. Kyle greatly enjoys the outdoors and has avidly engaged in the many hiking opportunities that both Montana and the local area has to offer. He also enjoys reading, cooking, cultivating balance and making (while also sharing with others the magic of) mead.
David Singer, Social Chair
David was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico and moved to Madison, Wisconsin when he was nine. He received his Bachelor’s in economics and Master of Public Affairs from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. After graduate school, David moved to Helena and began working as a program analyst for the Montana Legislature. In his free time, David enjoys the outdoor activities Helena has to offer, especially hiking and downhill skiing. He also enjoys cooking, creative writing, and board games.
Matthew Paulsen, Social Media Chair
Matthew is a Helena native, and graduated from Capital High School. He has spent the better part of his career in business ownership and management. Matthew is currently the Marketing Coordinator for Advocate Physical Therapy, and also the owner of Design Labs of Montana, a custom product design and creation business in Downtown Helena. His passion, however, lies in photography and poetry as he spends all of his free time exploring every corner of Montana with his partner, Chandler; hiking with camera in-hand, and with his faithful golden retriever companion, Sunny, leading the way.
If you are interested in getting more involved with Helena Young Professionals by joining our Board of Directors, reach out to us!
HYP’s board is changing for the upcoming year! Meet our new board members, new president, and our continuing board members. Haley, Grace, Kyle, and Kellie are new board members.