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
Melanie Davis
Office Manager
Melanie Davis was born in Oregon and has lived and raised a family in the Northwest for over 30 years. She has an extensive background in the administrative, non-profit and non-partisan organizational world. She has been a part of volunteerism for organizations and served on the board of directors for PFLAG SW WA, served as committee members and chairs for Boy Scouts of America in Idaho, The League of Women Voters of SW WA and Represent US Vancouver. She has worked for large and small businesses alike. Melanie has raised 5 kids to adulthood, has 2 grandchildren that she loves to see as often as possible and is married to the love of her life of over 30 years. She holds a strong sense of gratitude and care for the people who live and work collaboratively towards goals that help people and in particular people who are most marginalized by society. Melanie and her family live in Wallowa and enjoy the friendships she has made since moving here in spring of 2022. Her inner philosophy is based in egalitarian understandings that until all people are equal nobody can be. Her favorite things to do is to read books, enjoy music, play board games and to tend to her friends and family.
She has a strong affinity to the quote: “What wisdom can you find that is greater than kindness?”
- Jean-Jacques Rousseau
mel@wallowanezperce.org