Welcoming Allyssa Gapinski: AWARE’s New Director of Development and Marketing

AWARE is pleased to announce the hiring of Mrs. Allyssa M. Gapinski, who recently joined the organization and will serve as its new Director of Development and Marketing.

Allyssa is a non-profit leader with over two decades of strategic development and marketing experience. As Director of Development and Marketing, she will lead AWARE's Marketing and Development team. Allyssa will collaborate with the rest of the organization to ensure high-quality, unconditional care, and continued access to mental healthcare.

We’re excited to welcome Allyssa to the AWARE team,” said Matt Bugni, CEO of AWARE. “She brings a unique blend of strategic insight, creativity, and deep compassion for the people we serve. Her experience in both fundraising and marketing will be a terrific asset as we continue to grow our impact across Montana.”

Her academic work laid the foundation for a career devoted to equity, advocacy, and community-driven change. She combined scholarship with grassroots engagement throughout her education, shaping a perspective that bridges research, policy, and direct service. She continues integrating learning and leadership through ongoing professional development in nonprofit strategy, philanthropic equity, and climate-informed organizing. She has held leadership roles in grassroots and national organizations, where she built fundraising systems, stewarded major donor relationships, and drove multi-channel campaigns rooted in authentic storytelling and values-aligned engagement.

“I’m honored to join an organization that is doing such essential work to advocate for mental healthcare and support individuals and families in building independent, meaningful lives,” said Allyssa. “At a time when access to mental health and developmental support is more critical than ever, I’m excited to help amplify AWARE’s voice and connect more people to its mission.”

Allyssa attended graduate school at Michigan State University (East Lansing, MI). Earning her a Master of Science in Community Sustainability, focusing on the oral preservation of Indigenous food sovereignty.  She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Religion from Adrian College (Adrian, MI).

Outside of AWARE, you will find Allyssa with her family backpacking, enjoying the rugged expanses of Montana, digging in her garden, or curled up with a good book, under a fluffy blanket, next to the woodstove with her dogs.