Our Team

Sierra Riesberg

Executive Director

Sierra Riesberg has over 10 years of experience in the social services field, working in both rural and urban communities, as well as within behavioral health, intellectual/developmental, and aging populations. She is a systems-level thinker and wants to break down barriers for anyone who needs to access services, as well as barriers for service providers to be able to provide the services that community members need. Additionally, she believes that complex problems cannot be solved by one person or one agency alone; unique perspectives and collaboration are key to the progression and development of our social services system. 

portrait of Sierra Riesberg.

Pat Noonan

Advocacy and Policy Director

Pat Noonan is a third-generation Butte native that has spent fifteen years working in mental health and developmental disability services.  After serving four terms in the Montana State House of Representatives, he began Highlands Consulting and has continued to provide government affairs services with healthcare, social services, small businesses, and high tech corporations.

Over the course of 15 years, his experience has provided him the opportunity to work with mental health and disability services from entry-level positions inside therapeutic group homes, to executive and board positions.  Furthermore, his experience and leadership expanded into legislative services that aided in access to more resources and standards to ensure access to quality and consistent services across the state of Montana.

Board of Directors

The Alliance serves members from adult and children’s mental health, substance use disorder (SUD) and Native American Medicaid state-approved agencies. Our board and executive team is balanced to ensure representation of all four sectors:

Chairperson: Brenda Kneeland, Eastern MT Community Mental Health Center, Adult Mental Health Services

Vice Chair: Matt Bugni, AWARE, At-Large Member

Secretary: Danielle Dunn, Alternatives Inc., At-Large Member

Board Member: Sydney Blair, Many Rivers Whole Health, Adult Mental Health Services
Board Member: Jamie Palagi, Intermountain, Children’s Mental Health Services
Board Member: Amy Schaer, Youth Homes & Partnership for Children, Children’s Mental Health Services
Board Member: Carrie Krepps, Florence Crittenton Community Services, At-Large Member
Board Member: Terri Russell, Instar, SUD Services

Board Member: Shari Rigg, Stepping Stones, SUD Services

Board Member: VACANT, Tribal Behavioral Health

Board Member: VACANT, Tribal Behavioral Health

Past Presidents: Mike Chavers, Yellowstone Boys & Girls Ranch; Lenette Kosovich, Rimrock; Jim FitzGerald, Intermountain; Jodi Daly, Western MT Mental Health Center




The Behavioral Health Alliance is extremely grateful to the Arthur M. Blank Foundation West for sponsoring our Board of Directors to attend the Babson Entrepreneurial Leadership Training.