Meet the Team

Founder & Executive Director 

Barrie Boulds

Barrie is a 3rd generation Montanan and grew up on the Assiniboine and Sioux Reservation, where her father instilled in her a deep sense of civic duty and the power of giving back. 

Barrie has a big heart for giving back and has served on multiple nonprofit boards, using her entrepreneurial mindset to help with fundraising, program planning, and development. She’s contributed her time and talents to organizations like ESPM (Entrepreneurship for Single Parents and Minorities), Dress for Success, Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Yellowstone, and the Elks National Veterans Service Commission.​ Barrie has spent countless hours volunteering—whether it’s cooking up meals, lending a hand on nonprofit committee's or using her expertise in governance, grant writing, and fundraising to make a difference. She’s also the founder of The Azure Foundation - Uniting Communities for Suicide Prevention and Hope, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness, advocating for mental health, and supporting survivors of suicide.

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In 2024, Barrie was honored with the Montana State Elks Veterans Volunteer of the Year Award in recognition of her outstanding commitment to serving veterans.

Barrie’s passion for giving back started at home—her dad, a decorated WWII veteran, always put community first, and with family members who served in Vietnam, she grew up knowing the importance of supporting veterans, her community, and local emergency responders.

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When she’s not busy volunteering, you can find Barrie in the kitchen cooking up something delicious, getting her hands dirty gardening, or practicing Usui Reiki. 

Director

Sydney Vannatta

Sydney is a fourth-generation Montanan who grew up in West Yellowstone and Red Lodge, MT. She graduated at the top of her class in high school and went on to earn a BA in Marketing with a minor in French from Whittier College in California.

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Her passion for community involvement began in high school, where she co-founded the Red Lodge High School Green Team in 2012. Their mission focused on reducing the school and community’s environmental impact. Since then, Sydney has remained active in nonprofit work, serving on various committees, chairing the Public Relations Committee, and working as the marketing director for the Beartooth Elks Lodge.

For the past 12 years, she has volunteered alongside her mother at local community and veteran events, helping with food preparation, poster-making, and social media outreach. She played a key role in launching The Community Kitchen, securing donations and coordinating efforts to provide over 3,500 meals to flood victims in Carbon County in 2022.

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Sydney feels her marketing background will help COVER stand out, gain support, and make a bigger impact in our community!​

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An avid reader, Sydney can often be found at the bookstore or curled up with a good book. She also enjoys hiking with her dog, Sullivan, spending time with friends, crocheting, and attending music festivals.

Director

Benita Lum

Benita was born and raised on the Ft. Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Reservation in Poplar, Montana. She is a descendant of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewas and the Trottier family from Belcourt, North Dakota, where she is also an enrolled member.

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Coming from a family dedicated to service, Benita was raised among emergency responders and military veterans. Her grandfather served in the Navy during WWII, and three of her uncles also served in the Navy during Vietnam. Her father and uncle were both police officers, with her uncle serving as a detective. Her brother, a Marine Corps veteran who was deployed in Desert Storm, has worked as a police officer and detective for 38 years. Her nephew Andrew has been on active duty with the Marine Corps for nine years. Additionally, her uncle was a Fire Chief, while her sister, brother-in-law, and father-in-law served as volunteer firefighters. Her niece worked as an EMT and driver for several years, and she has several cousins who have served or are currently serving in the military.

For the past 27 years, Benita has been a manager at Caesars Entertainment in Las Vegas, NV. She brings extensive experience and leadership skills, which she believes will be valuable to Cover. A strong advocate for military and emergency services, she is passionate about supporting those who serve.

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In her free time, Benita cherishes moments with her four children, family, and friends. A dedicated concertgoer, she has attended nearly 80 concerts. She also loves traveling the world and is always eager to lend a helping hand to anyone in need.