Board of Directors
chance cooke | board President
Designer at Union Fabrication. Chance has been a volunteer with BAP for 8 years. He initially worked as a “Costco buyer” in the early years, and transitioned to a Board of Directors role in 2018. “I have three kids in the Whitefish School system and have seen the positive impact of a program that directly addresses food insecurity for our school age community members. My wife and I are vested in the health and wellbeing of the Flathead Valley. We feel fortunate to be a part of a community that is ready to roll up their sleeves and lean into the challenges at hand.”
kellie cahill | board vice president
Employee of Whitefish Lake Restaurant. Kellie has been with BAP for almost 6 years, as well as previous involvement with the Whitefish Community School and Whitefish Lacrosse Club. A resident of Whitefish for 23 years, Kellie first moved to the Flathead Valley to work in Glacier National Park and on Big Mountain. After raising two children in Whitefish, she is excited to be a GrizCat mom next year! “I absolutely love my Whitefish community and being part of it in so many capacities.”
Lindsey Gardner | board Member
Lindsey Gardner has been volunteering with BAP since her son was in Kindergarten - for 9 years now! When she started, volunteers still put the bags directly into backpacks at the elementary school and she remembers being touched by the gratefulness of the kids. Her husband Keith has been at Muldown working on the playground with the kids for 6 years so she sometimes gets to see him when dropping bags off. Her son is now at WHS and her daughter is at Muldown. She’s a busy mom and also a busy photographer with Glacier National Park her office! After graduating from University of Montana, Lindsey got a job at the Whitefish Pilot and worked there for 3 years before starting her own freelance career in photography. “I’m so thankful to have moved to the valley 22 years ago for work, but making it my home for life. I love to volunteer my time to this amazing community and am really excited to help BAP grow their volunteer base.”
michael jaffe | board Treasurer & DEI advocate
EVP of Business Development at Clarus Merchant Services. Michael is raising a teenager in Whitefish, which has informed his contribution to BAP: “Growing up is a combination of many aspects of life. Education, activity, involvement, health, and so much more. By working with our community’s youth on education and health, I am involved in assisting the foundation development of Whitefish.” Along with his involvement in the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce, Whitefish Community School, and North Valley Music School, Michael enjoys hiking, biking, canoeing, skiing, camping, music, and is a self-taught hack chef.
Kirsten Sabin | Board Secretary
Kirsten joined the board 2024. She and her husband Reid have lived in Whitefish since 1994, and they knew instantly this was a community they would love to call ‘home’. They co-owned and operated Stillwater Nordic Center for a decade, and loved providing a place for the community to cross country ski and gather.
“I am passionate about health and wellness. I began teaching yoga in 2014, and soon after started volunteering in the middle school to teach yoga to 6th graders. This direct involvement in the schools, in addition to volunteering throughout our son and daughter’s school years, gave me a glimpse into the needs many children in our community face. When a board position opened up for BAP, I felt it was time for me to contribute to this important organization.” Kirsten served on the Whitefish Community School board while her 2 children were attending, and loved contributing to an organization that involved the care and well-being of kids.