Executive Leadership

Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay area, Corey earned his undergraduate degree in therapeutic recreation from Brigham Young University and is a certified therapeutic recreation specialist. After several years of working as a recreation therapist and serving in leadership roles in residential treatment settings, Corey completed a master’s degree in human resources from Utah State University. His desire to study both recreation and organizational leadership came from a deep belief that, in order to help students achieve positive growth, the organizational culture must provide them with an enjoyable, healthy environment conducive to change. Early in 2015, Corey accepted the position of executive director at Chrysalis School in Eureka, Montana. True to his profession as a recreational therapist, Corey lives to recreate! Corey’s hobbies include distance running, golf, camping, snowboarding and wakeboarding and visiting America’s national parks. He is passionate about college football. He and his wife, Jessica, have four energetic young children, and they love living in an area that has so much in the way of outdoor recreation.

LCSW, EMDR Trained Therapist
Kendra was born and grown in the mountains of Montana. She is passionate about exploring the world around her, loving her community and family, and challenging predictable notions. She has a vast amount of experience mentoring young women, utilizing the natural world to enhance awareness and agency. Kendra spent much her time since 2005 working in wilderness therapy, with 1500+ field days as a guide. Kendra earned a Dual Masters degree in Social Work and Kinesiology from the University of New Hampshire, and a Bachelors of Science in Behavioral Health from Southwestern College. While utilizing CBT, DBT, mindfulness and other therapeutic modalities, she strives to provide a trauma informed approach to therapy as well as relying on the healing power of wildness, kinesthetic/adventure therapy, and a strong therapeutic alliance. Kendra finds eternal optimism to be a cornerstone to leaning into the tough and arduous work necessary for a well lived life.

Krysten is the Academic Director for Chrysalis, and prior to this role she was the Special Education Coordinator and English Teacher.. Through her time at Chrysalis she has taught English 9, 10, 11, 12, Standards Based English, American Lit, British Lit, World Literature and more. Krysten grew up in Oregon and attended college in Montana. She completed her student teaching in Australia while earning a BA in English teaching. She also has a Masters of Science in Special Education. Krysten has worked in therapeutic group homes for teens as part of the direct-care staff and managed weekend programming. She has worked as a substitute teacher and paraprofessional, mainly in special education and English classrooms. Outside the classroom, Krysten enjoys participating in local community theater as well as volunteering to teach hunters, promoting safety and stewardship. For relaxation, she goes for Nordic skiing, hiking and, of course, reading.

Jeremy began working with young people in therapeutic programs over a decade ago. Like many of the students he works with, his first step on this journey was working in a wilderness program, where he spent four seasons in the Utah backcountry before returning to school as a nontraditional student. He earned his bachelor’s degree in adventure education from Plymouth State University in 2007. Jeremy jumped in with both feet at Chrysalis in January 2008 as a residential and adventure staff member. He continued on to become the designated Lake House parent with his wife, Nikki, from November 2009 to February 2014. In May 2013, Jeremy became the school’s first residential director. Adventure experiences continue to be a special component of the Chrysalis program to Jeremy, as he witnesses the impact they have on the growth and development of students. However, his focus is on strengthening the residential team and the relationships they have with the Chrysalis student community. In addition, Jeremy is a talented landscape photographer and holds an associate’s degree in photographic technology. He’s also renowned on campus for inventing key lime pancakes and continues to jump in with both feet – as the first one into the lake every spring.

Sara was born in Colorado and raised here in Eureka Montana.

She values her upbringing without much tech or even television, as it allowed her to be out in nature and connect relationally with people of all ages. Sara started traveling and doing service trips at the young age of 16, and fell in love with interacting with people of different cultures.  She also worked with youth throughout her life in a volunteer capacity, and loved to facilitate growth and change in young people’s lives.

Sara started out working at Chrysalis as a Youth Counselor in direct care, and immediately found that this type of work was what she was meant to do.  She worked as a shift supervisor for a short time and then spent 5 years as Residential Manager at Lake House.  Sara is grateful for the growth and knowledge that Chrysalis has offered her during every step of her journey, and has thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to work with both the parents and students of Chrysalis.  In early 2022, she was offered a different path as HR Director and she jumped at the chance to expand her gifts in team management and training.  Sara loves her job, as there is always something new to tackle in this fast paced environment.  She finds joy in training the staff and equipping them with tools to grow in their roles.

Sara is married to her husband, James, and has 4 children of her own. She is an entrepreneur in her down time and runs a successful massage therapy business as well.  She and her family enjoy Montana summers most and are blessed to live in such a calm and beautiful place.

Jenn was born and raised in the pacific northwest and intermountain states where she enjoyed raising small livestock, gardening and rockhounding.  She began working in long-term residential treatment over 20 years ago, starting in Human Resources before transitioning into Admissions & Outreach.  Jenn loves being a resource to families, consultants and mental health professionals, and understands the many questions parents face when considering therapeutic options.  Jenn enjoys being part of the Chrysalis team where she can experience the growth and healing that happens within each family’s unique journey.

Jenn has an adult daughter, an avid soccer playing son, and two of the most doted-on dogs.  She loves hiking, filling her pockets with cool rocks, and having her hands in the dirt to garden.