About Us
Roots is proud to have a diverse, driven, and compassionate staff and board overseeing its operations.
OUR SIGNATURE SUPPORT GROUPS
Meet the Roots Family Collaborative staff
Suzanne Bendick
Co-Executive Director
Suzanne loves everything about babies and birth but is especially dedicated to helping families navigate the postpartum period and giving them the support they deserve during this amazing transition. After trying to manage her own overwhelming entry into new parenthood, Suzanne started a business called Fresh Air as a practical way to help new mothers. Suzanne knows that support during the postpartum period is critical for the overall health of a new family, so with her formal training as a Postpartum Doula and Certified Lactation Counselor, she has been able to quietly nurture, encourage and assist as families settle into their new normal after birth. Suzanne is also a Volunteer Coordinator with Postpartum Support International, where she welcomes parents at any stage to reach out for help. Besides her love of all things postpartum, Suzanne holds a B.A. in Anthropology, is a Certified Montessori Teacher and has two children of her own. If she’s not listening to a new mother’s story, you can find her breathing in some fresh air in the mountains around town.
Kerry Williams
Co-Executive Director
Kerry is one of three founding mothers of Roots, and seeing it grow from an idea to the organization it is today is her proudest professional achievement. Her background in non-profit work and start-up business has helped Roots develop and grow, and the struggle she experienced with her own entry into parenthood connects her to everyone who walks through the door. In 2015, Kerry gave a TEDx Talk called “Parenting: How I’m Not Getting It Right and Why You Shouldn’t Either” in which she shared grappling with her change of identity in becoming a mother. Kerry graduated with a master’s degree in Family Sciences from MSU and feels drawn to supporting families by improving the systems that serve them. She and her husband have lived in Bozeman since 1996, and she has worked with Roots as a volunteer, board member, and now staff throughout her two kids’ lives. She is a downhill skier, avid reader, amateur baker, and unstoppable dancer, as well as a devoted pet parent.
Julie Zickovich
Program Coordinator
Having her son, Ivan, was nothing that Julie expected or anticipated. Her life was completely different and initially she grieved the loss of her life before him without knowing where to turn for support. Julie ultimately found Roots Family Collaborative through our program Mindful Mamas and then again through Moms Like Me. Julie says, "these programs were, and still are, a lifeline to reinventing myself as a mom and a person. The people I have met through Roots have brought me so much peace, confidence, camaraderie, joy, tears. I am so incredibly grateful to this growing community."
Julie is thrilled to have the opportunity to be a larger part of Roots and help spread its mission to the needs of the community. She grew up in Bozeman and has been married for almost 20 years and her son is seven. Julie likes the seasons but dislikes the transition, loves her chickens, and finds joy in finding new trails no matter how small or large.
Mackenzie Johnson
Community Engagement Coordinator
Throughout her own motherhood journey - from two losses to two daughters - Mackenzie has turned to Roots to find the support, resources, and community needed to navigate this transformational time in life. Her journey began in Big Sky where her family lived for 11 years before migrating to Bozeman in 2022.
Professionally, Mackenzie is an innovative organizer skilled in creating experiences, programs, and community engagement. She's had the opportunity to work on a variety of programs and projects over the years for both nonprofit and private entities.
As a former program director, Mackenzie loves trying new activities and most recently has found joy in being on the other side of programming - as a participant with her family. When she carves out some solo time, you can find her on the trail or meeting a friend for coffee.
Meet the Board of Directors
-
Liza Brumbach is the mom of three lovely kiddos (two middle schoolers, 1 pre-schooler). She has a long history of passion for work with youth and families. With a degree in Elementary and Special Education she was an educator early in her career but has since unexpectedly wandered into business. After running the Flying Pig Adventure Co. with her late husband she migrated into owning and operating vacation rental cabins, a hostel, and the North Yellowstone Lodge outside of Gardiner. She has always found great joy in giving back to her communities with volunteer work as well as living an active outdoor lifestyle with her husband and kids. The outdoor world is a playground mecca! She is honored to work alongside Roots after having benefited personally from Roots Loss Support Group, Moms Like Me, and Fresh Air Mamas! She believes whole-heartedly in supporting young families as they navigate the journey of parenthood.
-
Kayte Kaminski, Ed.D is the proud mama of two sweet little humans and found Roots and Blossom Mom after her first came into the world on summer solstice in 2022. Kayte works at Montana State University as the Senior Assistant Dean in the College of Education, Health and Human Development and the Director of the Mental Health Support Certificate program. She loves her job as a mom and partner and also loves her job in academia, and works hard to find balance every day. In down time, she loves to travel and has been to over 40 countries as a Peace Corps Volunteer, a Semester at Sea assistant dean, a tourist, and a general lover of culture and new experiences. She and her husband even took their son to Switzerland when he was 5 months old (best passport picture ever)! Kayte is so excited to be on the board at Roots working with awesome people and working to provide accessible awesome programming to families in the Gallatin Valley and beyond.
-
Sarah Webb, LCSW, is owner of Illuminate Counseling, a group practice located in Bozeman that started on the foundation of supporting women and mothers. We have expanded our care to populations including children, families, teens, and men, but remain committed to being a part of the foundation of expert mental health care in our community. Sarah was lucky enough to be present for the emergence of Roots when Suzanne Bendick called for grant support for her brilliant idea of a community guide of expert services for moms and families. Being a part of the evergreen growth of Roots has been a rare pleasure for Sarah to witness. With two boys of her own, Sarah has been through her own experience of new motherhood, both the devastating and divine. On the other side of early childhood, Sarah has new energy to provide to this next phase of Roots digging even deeper so that services and support can flourish. Living in this wild Montana place, Sarah definitely takes advantage of all the outdoors have to offer to keep her heart open and her body moving.
-
Kameisha Love, a Denver, CO native, found herself embarking on a new chapter in 2022 when she moved to Bozeman, MT with her husband, Aaron, and their 9-month-old son, Phoenix. The transition was anything but easy. As a new parent, Kameisha was already navigating the challenges of motherhood, and the move added layers of complexity with a new state, environment, and people to adjust to. Despite the support of family, there were days when the isolation felt overwhelming. The familiar comforts of Denver seemed a world away, and Kameisha often found herself longing for the city she knew so well. However, she slowly began to put herself out there, joining the planning committee for Dancing with the Last Best Stars. This involvement provided much-needed friendship and support, and she found joy in contributing to the community event. Through this event, she discovered Roots and all they have to offer to the Bozeman community. Professionally, Kameisha has been a dedicated employee at Copic, a medical malpractice insurance company that protects the humans of healthcare by providing them with resources to improve medicine in the communities that they serve. During the course of her seven years with Copic, she participated in event planning, culture committee and DEI+B. In her free time, she loves to read, dance, cook, create, and spend time with her family. Kameisha is proud to serve her community and hopes to expand her network and growth of friendship and family.
-
Aaron Jensen is a dedicated husband and father to a spirited 3-year-old boy named Phoenix, who often imagines himself as a T-Rex. With over 13 years of experience in insurance and financial services, Aaron enjoys helping medical and business professionals plan for their future and protect what matters most. He currently works for Copic Insurance Company in Denver, CO, which specializes in creating better medicine and better lives in communities across more than 15 states. Aaron holds a bachelor's degree in business management from DeVry University and a Master of Automotive and Occupational Studies degree from Lincoln College of Technology. Outside of his professional life, Aaron embraces the Montana lifestyle, enjoying activities such as hiking, biking, golfing, snowboarding, and anything else that allows him to be outdoors in the beautiful Montana air. Originally from Bozeman, Aaron moved to Denver in 2016, where he met his lovely wife and fellow board member, Kameisha Love. After returning to Bozeman in 2021 with his wife and new baby, Aaron reconnected with his hometown and discovered Roots through their 2024 "Dancing with the Last Best Stars" fundraiser event. Inspired by the impact and support Roots provides to families, Aaron felt compelled to contribute more to this amazing organization. Knowing how challenging being a busy parent, spouse, and professional is, Aaron hopes to learn, share, and connect with other families in the community through his involvement with Roots.
-
Jennifer Dunn is happy to have landed in Montana where she is able to enjoy the outdoors through many activities with her family. She is an associate principal at Hennebery Eddy Architects and welcomed a daughter in 2023. A graduate of Montana State University's School of Architecture, she has found passion in projects that involve and give back to the greater community. Jennifer has been practicing for over 15 years. As a team leader she strives to preserve the original project vision from start to finish through complex problem-solving and creative, critical thinking.
She was introduced to Roots while pregnant through Moms Like Me and found a supportive community in postpartum at Blossom Moms. Jennifer is excited to be a part of a community expanding support to families in Montana.
-
Jennifer Vollmer, PA-C, practices at Bozeman Health Women's Specialists Clinic as part of the Gynecology Oncology team. She is a native Arizonan who earned her Masters of Science in Physician Assistant Studies at Northern Arizona University and practiced in urology/urogynecology prior to transplanting to Bozeman with her husband in 2016. She provided orthopedic care in Bozeman for 7 years prior to transitioning to her current position at Bozeman health, caring for gynecology oncology patients. Jen's passion for caring for her community includes her volunteer position as a pregnancy and infant loss support facilitator with Roots Family Collaborative. In her free time, you'll find her playing in her garden and exploring the great outdoors with her family.
-
Alice was born and raised in Brazil and moved to the US at 15, is a local mother baby nurse at the Bozeman Deaconess Hospital and is working towards becoming an IBCLC and PSI mental health provider. Alice absolutely loves being a nurse to new mamas and babies, she feels it's her true calling. Alice found Roots during her 2nd pregnancy after struggling with severe postpartum mood disorders with her first, and found so much support and healing within the community. She is honored to join the Roots board and work alongside other incredible parents and look forward to connect with new families in and out of the hospital setting. Alice enjoys cooking, knitting, wheel pottery, and of course all the Montana outdoorsy activities with her husband and two daughters, Eloise (3) and Analu (2).
-
Jaime found Roots Collaborative through attending Moms Like Me, back when she was just learning the ropes as a new mom. She was deeply impacted by how sharing the experiences of parenthood, the good and the bad, brings us all so much closer. She loves that Roots provides the support and connections that so many parents desperately need.
She first came to Bozeman to attend college at MSU. After graduating with her degree in accounting, she went on to pursue her Master's and her CPA. She has spent her career working in accounting at various public and private companies, mostly in the tech industry. She is passionate about finance, both personally and professionally, and is excited to help out with an organization she cares so much about that supports the community she loves.
Now her daughter and son are both in elementary school and her favorite thing to do is spend time with them playing outside, whether it's hiking, biking, skiing or camping.
-
Alyssa was born and raised in the Gallatin Valley and is fortunate to continue to call this place home. She is a mother to two boys, and a dog mom to a 3-year-old lab/pit bull mix, and soon will be adding a puppy to the already rambunctious household. When not working, she spends time with her boys hiking, camping, gardening, playing soccer, and snowboarding and/or skiing. She loves that she gets to raise her children here and remain close to her parents, sister, and brother-in-law.
Alyssa has always wanted to work with children and this passion has extended over into her job as a speech language pathologist and certified lactation counselor. Helping families has always been so important to her and being a part of Roots continues to foster that enthusiasm. Alyssa recalls going to the first Moms Like Me and listening to all the stories and hardships along with the highlights of what it is to be a mother. Families often need so much support and that can be difficult to find. Alyssa loves how Roots has a variety of groups that cater from breastfeeding support to infant loss, and how open and willing the community is to support and be there for each other. It is an amazing organization and one that she is so grateful for.
