Founder
Cassie Ubaldo, M.A.Ed, LCPC
Cassie Ubaldo brings more than a decade of experience in equine-facilitated learning, group facilitation, and counseling to her work with Upper Canyon Outreach. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s in Education with a counseling emphasis and is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in the state of Montana. Her work is informed by extensive training through PATH International, EAGALA, The HERD Institute, and Natural Lifemanship, grounding her approach in evidence-informed equine-facilitated practices.
Before returning to her family’s guest ranch in southwest Montana, Cassie worked as a Program Manager at Bozeman High School, supporting at-risk students through counseling, group facilitation, and academic advocacy. In 2016, she returned to Upper Canyon Outfitters, where she became the lead trainer and curriculum developer for the Military Pack Animal and Horsemanship program—work that would later become the foundation for Upper Canyon Outreach.
Cassie founded Upper Canyon Outreach to create a space where individuals—particularly active-duty service members and Veterans—can reconnect with themselves, others, and the land through horsemanship, experiential learning, and nervous-system-informed practices.
Cassie’s work is rooted in compassion, practicality, and deep respect for both people and horses. Through Upper Canyon Outreach, she remains committed to fostering healing, resilience, and authentic connection—one relationship at a time.
Executive Director
Britta S. Vivaldi
Britta Vivaldi brings over a decade of leadership experience in operations, organizational development, logistics, and outreach to her role as Executive Director of Upper Canyon Outreach. A mission-driven professional, Britta’s purpose is deeply rooted in serving and supporting Veterans, active-duty military, and their families. She is equally dedicated to her work with the Travis Manion Foundation, where she serves as a Major Gifts Officer and advances programs that build character, community, and continued service among the Veteran and military population.
Her career spans the military, nonprofit, and private sectors, giving her a diverse perspective on service, resilience, and organizational excellence. Prior to joining Upper Canyon Outreach and the Travis Manion Foundation, Britta led development initiatives for renewable energy projects at NextEra Energy Resources, strengthening community partnerships and advancing environmental stewardship. During her service as a Logistics Team Supervisor in the U.S. Marine Corps, she managed multimillion-dollar assets across global operations, conducted complex risk assessments, and coordinated crisis response efforts with precision and care.
Britta holds a Bachelor of Science in Oceanography from the United States Naval Academy and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from the University of Colorado Boulder. Her combined experience, compassion, and unwavering commitment to those who serve make her a powerful leader in advancing Upper Canyon Outreach’s mission of healing, horsemanship, and community.
In her free time, Britta enjoys spending time with her husband, Hunter, and their two dogs, Lola and Cardi. Originally from the DMV area with family roots in both South Jersey and Philadelphia, she can often be found dragging her husband to historic sites to fully appreciate where this great country was born.
Board of Directors
Brian Smith – Director
Brian Smith is a fifth generation horseman who was born and raised in Ennis, Montana. Brian has spent his life evolving, developing, and adapting his horsemanship skills. He is a life-long learner who gleans information from multiple platforms. When he is not working with horses he can be found riding in the mountains as a biological science technician. In this position, Brian’s responsibilities include applying non-lethal predator damage management techniques primarily range riding to protect livestock from predation. His work is primarily involved with grizzly bears and wolves but could also include black bears, mountain lions, and coyotes. During hunting season, Brian is a senior hunting guide at Upper Canyon Outfitters.
Brian is a founding board member of Upper Canyon Outreach, an Equine Facilitated Program in which he also works as an equine specialist for the Got Your 6 Program, a Veteran wellness program.
Dave Chapman – Secretary/Director
Dave brings 45 years of career experience in marketing, strategy, positioning, brand identity and messaging architecture to his roles as a communications consultant (https://davechapmanconsulting.com). He was previously the partner/director of the western region of Ketchum, Inc., and founder of Ketchum Purpose, that agency’s sustainability practice. He also served as market lead for Burson-Marsteller San Francisco and head of its consumer practice.
Focused on establishing, building and enhancing brand value, Dave has created campaigns for a wide variety of consumer and business-to-business organizations. He has also been active in board roles and has supported the identity, messaging architecture, and development processes for a number of cultural and philanthropic organizations.
Jason Lee
Jason is a dynamic professional with a distinguished background in both military service and government contracting. Born in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and raised in Montana, Jason joined the Army as an infantryman in 1996, where he developed strong tactical and leadership skills. After his Army service, he advanced into senior management roles in government contracting before returning to the military as a special operations Pararescueman in the Air Force. Jason holds a Bachelor’s degree in general studies and is a certified Pilates instructor, reflecting his lifelong commitment to fitness and wellness.
Since retiring from active duty, Jason has worked as a medical security specialist in the private sector, leveraging his experience to make a meaningful impact. He enjoys recreational activities such as downhill skiing and has competed in ski racing. Jason values time spent with his daughter, now 24, and enjoys reconnecting with his Montana roots.
Mark Gollinger – Treasurer/Director
Mark is a retired Senior Chief with 23 years of worldwide construction experience in the United States Navy Seabees. He managed construction projects, programs, and personnel while directly supporting disaster recovery, humanitarian assistance, and combat operations around the world. He retired from the Navy in August 2007, worked as a Project Superintendent, started a consulting firm, served as the Operations & Logistics officer for The Peak Inc., helped Veterans find meaningful employment as a Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Specialist for the Montana Department of Labor, and served as the first State Liaison for Montana’s newest Veterans Home in Butte Montana. In June of 2021, Mark returned to The Peak where he has the privilege of providing training to military special operations units, elite law enforcement officers, and wilderness professionals
After retirement he returned to his hometown of Butte, Montana where he actively follows Veteran’s issues and is involved with all the local Veteran organizations. He is a longtime member of the 15-90 Search and Rescue team and is a life member of the VFW, DAV, and Marine Corps League. He is also a longtime member of the United Veterans Council, American Legion, and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. Mark also served on the board of directors for the Friends of Butte Veteran Treatment Court non-profit organization and promoted & organized events for the Butte chapter of XSports4Vets.
Terri Wilson – LCSW, LCAS, VSW-C
Terri is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist, and holds a Certificate in Veterinary Social Work. She is the founder and owner of Healing Connections Wellness, PLLC, a mental health practice in Asheville, North Carolina specializing in trauma treatment, trauma-related mental health conditions, and substance use disorders for adults and groups. (https://www.healingconnectionswellness.org)
Terri works extensively with survivors of abuse and assault, individuals healing from complex trauma, and those navigating co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. She also works for an Asheville agency serving state and federal parolees, supporting their mental wellbeing and contributing to reduced recidivism. Terri’s early career in equine veterinary medicine – and her undergraduate training in animal science – sparked a deep appreciation for the power of the human–animal bond. This foundation naturally led her to integrate equine-assisted psychotherapy into her clinical work. In her private practice, she uses the presence, intuition and relational feedback of horses to help clients embody change, build emotional regulation skills, and carry insights from the arena into everyday life.
Mentors
Nate Tingle, Lead Mentor
Nate serves as our Lead Mentor, bringing lived experience, humility, and purpose to his work supporting Veterans through their UCO journey and beyond. A retired Pararescueman and Combat Rescue Officer, his 20-year military career took him across five continents and over 20 countries, where he planned, supported, and executed missions to rescue and recover U.S. forces in harm’s way.
Nate found his way to Upper Canyon Outreach and quickly connected with Bert. His time at the ranch reminded him of the power of presence, connection, and healing that comes from working with horses.
In this next chapter, Nate is dedicated to helping others grow into the best version of themselves and inspiring people to reach goals they once thought impossible. He remains actively involved with the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, supporting families and preserving the legacies of fallen operators.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Morehead State University and is a Certified Flight Instructor for both Instrument and Multi-Engine ratings. A native of eastern Kentucky, Nate now lives in Louisville with his wife, daughter, and their four dogs. He enjoys golf, travel, and considers Montana one of the most beautiful places he has ever been.
Erin Orga, Mentor
Erin was the very first person to donate to Upper Canyon Outreach after a family vacation at the ranch in 2017. Since then, she has returned to the ranch numerous times, twice as a Got Your 6 participant and several other times for a family vacation. Montana and the Ruby Valley are the home she didn’t grow up in, but loves to come back to. Erin also has had the honor of naming or helping to name two horses in the UCO herd: Jasper and JDub.
After constantly being told growing up outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, that “women can’t fly fighters,” Erin earned a spot in the initial wave of women to fly modern fighter aircraft. She spent 10 years in the US Air Force, flying combat missions in Iraq in an F15E Strike Eagle and supporting others in Afghanistan. Erin also spent time as an instructor pilot, teaching future fighter pilots how to win a “dogfight.” She left the AF after giving birth to her son, but has continued to fly privately. The rest of her professional career has been working as a program manager and senior leader for a nuclear engineering company, bringing safe, clean energy to the US and to the world.
Erin is passionate about veteran’s mental health and has experience with a variety of treatment modalities in addition to equine facilitated learning. She is also a proud member of a disabled veterans’ ice hockey team, the Pittsburgh Warriors, because Hockey is Healing! And so are horses!
Hannah Guzman, Equine Specialist
Hannah has been part of the Upper Canyon Outfitters team since 2021, where she works full-time as a wrangler. In 2023, she expanded her role to become an Equine Specialist with Upper Canyon Outreach, supporting both the horsemanship and military training programs.
Hannah has been working with horses from a young age and has made horsemanship her passion. That led to her pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Biology with a minor in Equestrian Studies.
Hannah brings strong practical knowledge of horses, livestock, and backcountry work. Her calm demeanor, patience, and attention to detail make her an asset during Equine Pack Animal Operations training, where she assists with both instruction and horse management.
Living full-time at Upper Canyon Outfitters, Hannah is deeply connected to the land and animals she works with every day. In her downtime, she enjoys spending time outdoors and continuing to grow her horsemanship skills.
Kelly Junkins, Mentor
Kelly found her way to Upper Canyon Outreach in May 2024, where she quickly formed a bond with our girl Ruby. The two became fast friends, though Ruby may still hold a friendly grudge about Kelly being a proud graduate of the Air Force Academy. We try not to hold that against her, but Ruby might (she loves mules).
Originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Kelly has spent twelve years as an Air Force mobility pilot and continues to serve in the reserves. Her leadership, resilience, and quick wit shine both in the skies and here at UCO. Known for her unmatched endurance in a good game of mumbly peg, Kelly brings humor and heart wherever she goes.
Her time at Upper Canyon came during a season when she needed rest and healing. She left with new friends, an encouraged heart and a renewed sense of purpose. When asked about her experience, Kelly said it best, “It felt like I had been given wind to my sails again.”
Her favorite moments include watching the horses run into the pasture in the evening, working in the round pen, and finding peace in the quiet rhythm of the ranch. If you ask Kelly to describe her happy place, she will tell you, “It lies in the shadow of a mountain on the Ruby River.”
Jackson Schweighart, Mentor
Jackson serves as a dedicated member of the Mentorship Program at Upper Canyon Outreach, where he brings peace, clarity and a grounded presence to Veterans as they navigate their own journeys of healing and growth. With a deep passion for the outdoors, horses and the well-being of those who have served, Jackson embodies the spirit of connection and resilience that defines UCO.
A former member of the Army’s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, Jackson deployed multiple times to Iraq and Africa, where he supported and executed complex, high-risk missions in defense of our nation. His years of service instilled in him an unshakable sense of loyalty, humility and purpose – qualities he now pours into helping fellow Veterans rediscover their strength.
Originally from a small farm town in central Illinois, Jackson has found his way back home, both in place and in purpose. After first visiting Upper Canyon Outreach in Summer 2023, he described the experience as life-changing, saying, “Upper Canyon Outreach changed the trajectory of my life, and now I feel that my purpose is to help Veterans from all walks of life and all military backgrounds find theirs.”
Marcus Truman, Mentor
Marcus is a professional leadership and human-performance coach who came to Upper Canyon Outreach through his long-standing work with the Pararescue Foundation. With 23 years of military service as a SERE Specialist turned Combat Rescue Officer, Marcus brings a lifetime of experience in resilience, leadership and service under pressure. His calm presence, insight and humor make him a natural fit for our mentorship program, and he was a must to help guide and support our team, especially our illustrious Pararescuemen.
Marcus has an incredible gift for helping others rediscover purpose and reconnect with their own sense of strength and community. At the ranch, you will likely find him partnering with his favorite horse, Johnny Cash, who matches Marcus’s mix of patience and quiet confidence.
His favorite moments at Upper Canyon include witnessing the shared healing that happens between horses and Veterans and watching musician Donovan Chapman write “Horseman” right there at the ranch, a moment that captured the very heart of what UCO represents. Marcus is also known to enjoy a few friendly rounds of mumbly peg as long as Cassie isn’t playing.
Impacting Lives
We are grateful for the support and donations provided by our community. As a result, we are able to offer our services and make an impact on the lives of our participants and their support circles.
To find out how you can support us and our efforts, open the link below or contact Britta Vivaldi.