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
Haley McKnight, Board President
Haley grew up in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, a town most people recognize from cigarette packaging. They moved to Butte in 2017 as an AmeriCorps VISTA after graduating from UNC Greensboro, and quickly became an honorary Montanan. Haley is store manager at Sage & Oats Trading Post, owner of Morningstar Design LLC, and serves as communications coordinator for 406 Compost. They have been a HYP board member since relocating in 2020. Most nights you can find them on the Gulch, hiking Rodney Ridge, putting their cat in outfits, or deep frying something.
Kara Paul, Vice President
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, Public Service 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.
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.
Dan Lambson, Past 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.
Ashley-Ann Goddard, Public Relations Chair
Originally from Lewistown, Montana, Ashley-Ann fell in love with Helena while attending Carroll College. She graduated in 2017 with Bachelor’s Degrees in Business Management and Spanish, and a minor in Theology. After graduating, she moved to A Coruña, Spain, to teach English and travel the EU for a few years. Aside from serving on the HYP Board, she works as an IT Systems Analyst for the State of Montana. Knowing the impact that community has on one’s life, Ashley-Ann loves being involved in the community, giving back, and providing an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome. She fills her time drinking iced coffee (even in winter), traveling, serving as VP of the Capital City Kiwanis Club, and keeping it “cool” on a curling team.
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.