Board
Abbie Cziok
she/her
Attorney
Board President — Leave of Absence
We are fortunate to live in the Helena community.
This last year saw the return of our in-person Benefit Breakfast, where we were encouraged by women who have had their lives changed by YWCA. Members of the WINGS program continue to teach us about resilience, grace, and the importance of community. The Breakfast allowed us the opportunity to meet others in Helena who are also dedicated to making it a more supportive, welcoming place.
We’ve been able to watch the Caterpillars Clubhouse take on its greater potential, creating a space where kids can grow and learn with the assistance of trauma-informed support. Parents can address their daily responsibilities without worrying about the safety of their kids. The work of parents living at YWCA Helena and in our community are also supported by our Caterpillar Program, giving unmatched opportunities to create life-changing family bonds.
Even with these exciting developments, homelessness and the lack of availability of mental health care continue to be a growing problem, one that YWCA Helena remains committed to addressing. We invite you to partner with us and join our mission to help women and children in our community establish stable, fulfilling lives.
Becky Lawson
Architect, SMA Architects
President
I support the YWCA because I believe that everyone deserves a safe, comfortable, and foundational space to live, recover, and strive for a new beginning. The environment that a person is in affects goals, thoughts, and emotional well-being. With the staff provided such amazing services at the YWCA, my strength is in seeing how I can help with space that supports these services.
Ari Cowser
The First Judical District Treatment Court Coordinator for Behavioral Health Court
Secretary, Empowered Committee Member
I want to be on the Board for the YWCA because I have an extreme passion for helping individuals in the community who struggle with substance use and mental health. I believe that supporting our community in ways that empower them to believe in themselves and be successful and not be defined by their past is true to heart. YWCA has created massive impact to women and children in our community including my own.
Abigail R. Brown
Office Managing Shareholder, Parsons, Behle & Latimer
Vice President
Abby joined the YWCA Helena Board in January 2024, though she has been a supporter of the YWCA since her family relocated from Bozeman to Helena in 2017. Abby is delighted to serve on the YWCA Helena Board because the YWCA mission and services are critical to the Helena community. She believes the butterfly effect is powerful: by empowering and supporting each woman on her journey towards restored hope and self-sufficiency, the YWCA also strengthens and restores hope to that woman's family, and, in turn, to families in the greater Helena community and beyond.
Abby grew up in the southeastern United States (mostly North Carolina), arriving in Missoula, Montana after serving as a teacher in the United States Peace Corps (Malawi, Africa). In Missoula, Abby earned a Masters of Arts in Intercultural Youth & Family Development from the University of Montana with an emphasis on cross-cultural conflict resolution and, eventually a law degree. Outside of her role as a YWCA Board member, you can find Abby in Helena’s legal community; she is a water and real property attorney and Managing Shareholder for Parsons, Behle & Latimer’s Helena office. Abby’s pro bono work is dedicated to work in affordable housing and community land trusts.
Abby is mother to two elementary-age boys and a sassy yellow lab, and partner to Collin. Abby and her family love to explore Montana’s outdoors and embarking on cross-country roadtrips to explore new cultures, foods, and experiences whenever possible.
Melissa Schlichting
Attorney, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes
Governance and Nominations Committees
YWCA’s services to Indigenous women and children are what originally drew me to the Y. More recently I am inspired to be on the Board by the innovative programs and services.
Zoe Barnard
Senior Advisor, Manatt Health
Treasurer
Homelessness and substance use disorder are public health issues that we must address locally and nationally. YWCA addresses needs in our community in an innovative way without losing sight of the bigger picture-the need for equity and inclusion.
Emily Smith
Member
Emily officially joined the YWCA Helena Board in February of 2025. She and her family have been supporters for many years prior to joining. She is excited to join the board because of the work that the YWCA Helena is doing for the local community. She is incredibly passionate about and fully aligns with the YWCA's vision to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.
Emily was born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama. She attended Wofford College in Spartanburg, SC graduating with an Accounting degree then relocated to Southern California to work as an Outdoor Educator for numerous schools in the area. She took a trip to Missoula, MT to visit a friend and never looked back having called Montana home since then. Emily was introduced to the Real Estate world through her first home purchase and soon found herself fully engulfed in the profession. She now owns her own Real Estate Brokerage, MarBelle Realty, as well as a Transaction Coordinating company for real estate salesperson support called TC Montana.
Emily is mother to two daughters, a spouse to Mic and lover of the outdoors.