Meet The Team

Onnie Michalsky, LCPC, is the Founder and CEO of the Yellowstone County Mental Health Alliance. She is a licensed clinical professional counselor, speaker, and community leader dedicated to strengthening mental health systems through connection and collaboration.

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Based in Billings, Montana, Onnie is passionate about reducing isolation among providers and creating spaces where professionals can connect, learn, and grow together. Through YCMHA, she works to build a more connected and resilient mental health community across the state.

Rachel LaVair serves as the Operations and Administrative Assistant at the Yellowstone County Mental Health Alliance, supporting daily operations and organizational coordination.

 

Drawing from both professional experience and personal insight into mental health advocacy, she brings compassion and purpose to her work. Rachel is committed to reducing stigma, strengthening access to resources, and helping create meaningful impact within the community.

Leif Welhaven serves as the Communications & Outreach Coordinator for the Yellowstone County Mental Health Alliance. In this role, he focuses on building relationships, strengthening community partnerships, and expanding awareness of the Alliance across Billings and beyond.

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A Billings native with deep roots in local service and leadership, Leif brings extensive experience in community engagement, speaking, and networking. His passion for mental health, recovery, and meaningful connection helps him confidently represent YCMHA and foster collaboration throughout the region.

Kassi Strong serves as the Conference Marketing & Sponsorship Director for the Yellowstone County Mental Health Alliance, leading marketing strategy and sponsorship development for the annual Bridging the Gaps Conference.

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As the owner of Strong Marketing & Strategy, Kassi brings expertise in relational marketing, event promotion, and values-driven business growth. Her strategic insight and partnership-focused approach help position the conference for long-term impact and sustainability.

Jessica Kiedrowski serves as the Community Liaison and Co-Founder of the YCMHA Provider Meet-Ups, where she plays a key role in fostering connection and collaboration among mental health professionals in the Billings community.

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Jessica helped launch the provider meet-ups with a shared vision of creating welcoming spaces for providers to connect, build relationships, and support one another beyond their individual practices. Her passion for community building and collaboration continues to shape the culture and growth of YCMHA’s provider gatherings.

Emily Lenehan serves as a Communications Assistant for the Yellowstone County Mental Health Alliance, supporting behind-the-scenes communication and content organization.

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She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Liberty University, with an anticipated graduation in May 2026. Through compiling weekly newsletters and organizing updates, Emily helps keep the Alliance’s communication clear, consistent, and connected.