Our Team

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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. That lesson stuck, and today, she’s still all about supporting communities, empowering individuals, and making a difference.

Barrie has served on multiple nonprofit boards, contributing her skills in business development, fundraising, and program planning to organizations such as ESPM (Entrepreneurship for Single Parents and Minorities), Dress for Success, Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Yellowstone, and the Elks National Veterans Service Commission Chair. She has been actively involved in nonprofit subcommittees, community events, and Veteran Organizations, donating her time cooking and contributing her expertise in governance, fundraising, and grant writing. She also founded C.O.V.E.R. - Community Outreach for Veterans and Emergency Responders, a sister nonprofit to The Azure Foundation.

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 stems from her own experiences growing up in an underserved community. She knows firsthand the impact that nonprofits can have, and she’s committed to ensuring The Azure Foundation reaches even more people in need. Fueled by her commitment to charitable work, she founded The Azure Foundation to address the alarming suicide rates impacting her family, friends, and local community. 

When Barrie’s not advocating for her nonprofits or volunteering, she enjoys cooking, gardening, practicing Usui Reiki, and is the family’s self-proclaimed genealogist. She has one daughter and a grand puppy, Sully. 

Barrie welcomes conversations about how we can better serve our community. Reach out to her at bboulds@gmail.com to connect.

Born and raised in Western North Dakota, Ryan now resides in Eastern ND with his wife of 27 years. He is a proud father of two children, a grandfather, and a father to a son who will forever be 19.

From an early age, Ryan learned that family is the most important thing in life—jobs and houses may come and go, but family is forever. His greatest role model has always been his grandfather, who instilled in him the values of hard work, standing up for what is right, and staying humble when wrong.

Ryan dedicated seven years to law enforcement and nine years as a volunteer rural firefighter in Williston, ND. His experiences in both fields give him a unique perspective on loss—both from the side of public service and as a civilian.

In 2005, Ryan's life changed forever when he lost his oldest son, Tristen James, to suicide. He often says, “The Ryan you see today is not the Ryan that existed before losing Tristen.” 

Motivated by his grief and frustration with existing FMLA laws, Ryan co-wrote ND House Bill 1470, which grants state employees family leave after the loss of a child. Signed into law by Governor Burgum on April 3, 2019, it became known as “Tristen’s Law.” However, Ryan remains committed to expanding these rights to all families who experience such devastating loss.

As Co-Founder of The Azure Foundation, Ryan is honored to help change the stigma surrounding suicide. He believes in having open, sometimes difficult, conversations about loss and our loved ones. 

Beyond his advocacy work, Ryan enjoys spending time with his family, hiking, camping, painting, and writing poetry—some of which has been published in Northern Narratives.

To learn more about our programs reach out to Ryan at ryanslapnicka@hotmail.com 

 Katie is a passionate entrepreneur known for successfully building multiple businesses from the ground up. With expertise in marketing, community growth, and management, she thrives on creating opportunities that uplift her community and foster collaboration among local businesses.  

As a devoted mother of four beautiful children, Katie balances her entrepreneurial pursuits with her family life. She is an avid gardener and a chicken lover, finding joy in nurturing both plants and animals. 

Proudly calling Montana her home, Katie draws inspiration from the natural beauty of her surroundings. 

In 2024, Katie experienced the profound loss of her husband to suicide, a tragedy that profoundly impacted her life. This loss ignited a passion within her to help others navigate their own journeys through grief and trauma. She is dedicated to guiding individuals toward healing and finding their purpose, using her experiences to inspire hope and resilience in those facing similar challenges.