Our Staff
Alliance for Youth is grateful to have a Team of dedicated, compassionate and goal-oriented staff who work tirelessly to provide effective prevention, intervention and treatment services to youth and families in our community!
Kristy Pontet-Stroop
Executive Director
406.952.0018
kpontet-stroop@allianceforyouth.org
A native of Belt, Montana, Kristy fell in love with working with children when she was a teenager. Kristy joined the Alliance for Youth team in September of 2006. Motivated by the work at Alliance for Youth Kristy obtained a BA in Community Leadership from MSU-Northern. It's very fitting Kristy was a Northern Lights Graduate, because all she desires is to be is a LIGHT of hope and peace in this world. She brings energy, dedication and passion for improving the lives of youth in her community. When Kristy's not working or enjoying the great outdoors, you will find her spending time with her incredible husband and chasing her two sons to multiple sporting events.
Beth Price Morrison
Prevention Program Manager
406.952.0468
bmorrison@allianceforyouth.org
Originally from Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, Beth decided to take her life down a different path and returned to school in 2013 to study graphic design. She has a degree in Journalism from the University of Montana. (Go Griz!) Combining her love of writing and design with her desire to do more for her community, Beth has found a home at Alliance for Youth. Beth’s favorite part of working for AFY is being a part of the collective impact community members have when working together. She serves on the Cascade County Substance Abuse Prevention Alliance, Human Trafficking Task Force, and Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect Task Force. When Beth is not at work, you will find her spending time with her family and travelling every chance she gets. She loves an adventure, a good belly laugh with friends and searching for treasures wherever she goes.
Thomas Risberg
Development Director
406.590.7114
Thomas Risberg is from St. Louis, Missouri. He is a lawyer by training and prior to moving to Great Falls in 2017 he worked in a variety of positions including: teaching 5th Grade in Memphis, Tennessee, as part of the Teach for America program, clerking on the Missouri Supreme Court and working on economic mobility and poverty issues at a nonprofit in Washington, DC. Thomas’ older brother, David, struggled with mental illness and addiction issues throughout his life and died in 2017. Thomas struggled with alcoholism for many years himself and now has devoted his life to helping provide purpose, connection and compassion to people in recovery from addiction and alcoholism. In his free time, Thomas loves to read, play volleyball, hike and cheer on his hometown St. Louis Cardinals.
Heidi was born and raised in Washington state. She attended Washington State University and earned a bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Horticulture. She has worked with children and families in different capacities for over 20 years.
She enjoys fishing, kayaking, camping and anything else she can do outdoors with my family. Heidi now lives in Choteau, Montana, with her husband, children and pups, and is dedicated to serving her community and all of Teton county.
Rich struggled with addiction and alcoholism for more than two decades, losing his family and nearly his life. In 2017, homeless and hopeless, Rich suffered a stroke and was expected to need convalescent care for the rest of his life. Miraculously, after a month in the hospital, through God’s grace, he was able to start the recovery program at the Great Falls Rescue Mission. After completing the program, he then spent 4 years working at Rocky Mountain Treatment Center, having the privilege of supporting people as they begin their life of recovery. Rich is now six years sober, is reunited with his family and is living his best life. Rich says, “Sobriety has taught me who I am, where I have been and where I never want to go again. Sobriety is a gift, and I am blessed to have the opportunity to pass on this gift to others.”
Logan Wren
Youth Resource Center Program Manager
406.952.0136
Born and raised in Great Falls. Went to Dawson Community College then transferred to MSU Northern and got my bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Community Leadership. My original goal was to work with child protective services but after doing my internship at the Alliance for Youth I knew that I wanted to stay here. When I am not at work, you can find me with my family, reading a book, playing softball or out camping.
Chris Hensley
Youth Navigator – IT and Building Operations
406.899.9545
Originally born in Oklahoma, Chris’s family first moved to Montana in the late 1980’s and he fell in love with the mountains. He has lived in Great Falls since 1992. He loves living in Great Falls with its great community and central location to so many great outdoor Montana locations. Chris’s first job was in the US Army and he later worked in Food & Beverage management. In later years, he developed an addiction to alcohol. After attending treatment and becoming active in the recovery community, Chris has found his calling in helping others struggling with addiction. Chris loves spending time outdoors enjoying the beautiful scenery Montana has to offer and going to movies with family and friends.
Lynda Vande Sandt
Prevention Specialist, Liberty County
406.952.0018
Born and raised in Chinook, Lynda attended Billings Vo-Tech. After starting her family, she struggled with an alcohol addiction. She attended treatment, and later returned to college at MSU-Northern earning her BA in Community Services with a minor in Communication. For 18 years she served as the Coordinator for the Liberty County Chamber of Commerce and the Tobacco Prevention Specialist for Liberty County. She looks forward to expanding prevention education in her community. Lynda enjoys spending time with her husband, kids, and grandkids, as well as being at home in the great metropolis of Inverness. Her daily goal is to make at least one person smile or laugh. Joy is contagious!
Isis Olson
Family Wellness Program Manager
406.952.0035
Isis Olson is native to Montana and has lived here her whole life. She graduated from MSU-Northern with her bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and a minor in Psychology. Isis has a strong drive to help better the community by helping children and parents succeed in having happy and healthy families. Through her own life experiences of foster care placements, struggles with abuse and trauma, Isis has found a way to be an inspiration and hope for others struggling by helping other parents be the best they can be. When Isis is not at work, she is spending time with her two children and her amazing husband or traveling the world.
Born and raised in Harlem, Montana, Lance left high school in the 11th grade to serve in the United States Army, and after his time in the military he spent years working in construction while raising a family with his wife and four beautiful children. After a decade of family life, Lance found himself struggling with addiction, which ultimately led to jail and the loss of his marriage and children.
Facing a drug distribution charge, Lance hit rock bottom—but it was in a jail cell that his life truly began to change. He turned to God, and through that decision, he found peace, purpose, and a joy he hadn’t known before.
Since then, Lance has had the incredible opportunity to serve as a missionary in Mexico and has now dedicated his life to helping others overcome the darkness of addiction. Today, Lance works in recovery, walking alongside individuals as they reclaim their lives and rediscover their worth. He believes that no matter how far someone has fallen, transformation is always possible.
Lance’s mission is to turn his past into a purpose—to be a light for those still struggling and to help them build the life they were created to live.
Rosalie is an outgoing and compassionate Peer Recovery Coach and Care Coordinator with a heart for service. Her personal journey through addiction fuels her passion to meet others where they are and help them rediscover their worth. Grounded in her faith and love for Jesus, Rosalie is committed to loving and serving others with grace and empathy. Outside of work, she enjoys time with her husband, family, and friends, being active in her church, and curling up with a good book.
Jeff Senft
Youth Navigator – Transport Specialist
406.952.0136
I was born in 1959 and raised in the Bay Area of California. I am a retired bottle maker and a widower with five daughters and seven grandchildren. In 2015, I developed a lung problem which forced me into early retirement. I moved to Montana in 2017, for the cooler climate and to escape some issues in California. I brought alcoholism and numerous previous DUI’s with me. I got another DUI here in 2019 and was offered Adult Treatment Court with the opportunity of expungement and it changed my life. Peer Support was a huge part of getting sober and staying sober since June 7, 2019. I have been involved with Sober Life since the summer of 2019 and the opportunity to give back to youth is what led me to join Alliance for Youth as a Youth Advocate-Transport Specialist. I’m very excited to part of the Alliance for Youth and Youth Resource Center team. In my free time, I read, do crosswords and puzzles, watch Jeopardy nightly and root for my Bay Area sports teams.
Tammy Watson
Peer Recovery Coach & Care Coordinator
406.203.0935
Tammy is from Great Falls and has transformed a life marked by early adversity into one dedicated to healing and helping others find their path to recovery. Growing up in the foster care system, Tammy faced instability and uncertainty from an early age. The path through adolescence and young adulthood was marked by battles with substance abuse, ultimately leading to incarceration. This period, though painful, became a turning point—and the beginning of a commitment to change. Tammy is the proud parent of two sons and a grandma to two granddaughters and one grandson. After years of struggle, Tammy made the courageous decision to pursue sobriety and rebuild her life. Today, Tammy dedicates her life to helping others navigate their own recovery journeys. Tammy’s story serves as a powerful reminder that our past does not define our future.
Kayla Myers
Executive Assistant
kmyers@allianceforyouth.org
Kayla was born and raised in Northern Idaho and earned a bachelor’s degree in
communications and journalism from Boise State University. After college, she held
various roles in the agriculture industry before relocating to Great Falls. Passionate
about community involvement, Kayla is excited to contribute to shaping a strong and
vibrant local future. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring the outdoors, spending time
with loved ones and traveling whenever she can.