Meet our Staff
Jacy Sohappy
Community Engagement Director Cayuse-Nez Perce-Yakama
Jacy is an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Reservation born and raised in the Mission/Pendleton area. She grew up in the tribal longhouse, traveling Indian country on the pow wow trail and medicine dances. Learning how to preserve our cultural identity and teachings from her grandmother, Loretta “Lonnie” Alexander (Pinkham). Following in her footsteps as a gatherer picking berry, digging and drying corn. The outdoors have always been a retreat growing on the Umatilla river with her Uncles fishing, hunting with her brother Rob or gathering wood and tipi poles. All these teachings have seeped into her artwork expressing her dedication to preserving our culture and identity for the future of our children. One heart. One mind. jacy@wallowanezperce.org
Kellee Sheehy
Development Director
Kellee Sheehy was born in Louisiana and spent nearly twenty years living, working, and volunteering all over the world before moving with her husband and two children to Wallowa County.
After attending college at the University of the South in Tennessee, Kellee embarked on a career path that was full of twists and turns: She directed a communications department in Arizona and managed a bistro in Ireland. She worked on marketing campaigns in Missouri for big-name companies like Nike and Coca-Cola, led a capital campaign for an arts and culture center in Oregon, and taught dance and yoga in poverty-stricken areas of Brazil. Kellee has worked as a writer/editor, business coach, theater-camp director, and salesperson for a Fortune 100 company.
Led by passion, curiosity, and opportunities to learn and serve, Kellee credits her diverse background for helping her understand the importance of culture, community and place. “These things are central to our experience as humans; they give us a sense of belonging, identity, resilience and purpose.” Kellee is grateful for the opportunity to channel her experience and passion for helping mission-based organizations into her work at NPWH.
Joshua Sigmon
Facilities and Grounds Director
Joshua was born and raised in the Southern Appalachian Foothills of Hickory, North Carolina. He attended Appalachian State University and earned a B.S. in Park Management and Geology. He participated in Collegiate Soccer, Climbing Team, and trail crew. After graduation in 2014, he packed up his jeep and moved to Leavenworth, WA. Over the next 8 years, Joshua worked as a Ranger for the National Park Service, United States Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and the Army Corps throughout Oregon and the West Coast. He also served as an Outdoor Instructor for NW Outdoor Science School for 2 years. His experience and skills include trail maintenance, forestry, interpretation, Search and Rescue, wildlife patrol, as well as Emergency Management. He spends most of his free time fly fishing, hiking, hunting the Wallowas and gardening with his beautiful 2 year old, Stella Jo, and his Oregonian wife, Anne Louise. joshua@wallowanezperce.org