“We are a fast-moving, results-oriented force for housing affordability in Whitefish. As an independent non-profit, Housing Whitefish is built to deliver timely impact for families and make efficient use of dollars invested.”
~Daniel Sidder, Executive Director
Meet Our Staff
Daniel Sidder | Executive Director
Daniel is a dedicated nonprofit professional with a passion for creating housing solutions and strengthening communities. With extensive experience in mission-driven leadership, he excels in building partnerships that make affordable housing initiatives possible. Daniel is committed to fostering community well-being through innovative programs and collaborative efforts.
Meet Our Board of Directors
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Katie Williams
CHAIR
Katie also sits on the Board of the Whitefish Housing Authority, Whitefish Chamber of Commerce Board and the North Valley Music School Board. When not volunteering, you can find Katie working full time as a Mortgage Loan Officer at First Interstate Bank. Katie brings a wealth of knowledge regarding the history of our community's housing crisis through her previous tenure on Whitefish City Council and through working with multiple partners in stakeholders throughout the county to look for solutions. As a native Montanan, Katie enjoys exploring all that our great state has to offer along with snow skiing, water skiing and horseback riding.
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Kristin Zuckerman
VICE-CHAIR
Kristin also serves as President of the Board of Directors for Whitefish Theater Company, the Government Affairs committee for the Northwest Montana Association of Realtors, and the Resort and Second Homes Committee for the National Association of Realtors. Kristin works in the Flathead Valley as a Supervising Broker for Engel & Völkers Western Frontier and donates a portion of every commission to Housing Whitefish at closing. Kristin is involved in the sales side of Trailview Homes – a privately developed deed restricted subdivision currently under construction in Whitefish. She works tirelessly with the developer, builder and the Whitefish Housing Authority to help prospective home buyers become approved homeowners. Kristin moved to Whitefish in 2016 from CT and takes full advantage of everything the outdoors can offer whenever possible! Look for her on the slopes, river, golf course, hiking/biking in Glacier, and at any of our amazing local theaters or live music venues.
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Stephen Walker
TREASURER
Stephen also sits on the board of the Red Cross of Montana, where he has served as the Board Chair, as well as on multiple subcommittees around fundraising and biomedical services. When not volunteering, Stephen can be found at First Interstate Bank as a Commercial Relationship Manager in Whitefish. He brings his treasurer experience and financial background to the Housing Whitefish board. Stephen moved to Montana in 2016 from Indiana, where he lived in Helena until 2020. Stephen then moved to Kalispell in the fall of 2020 with the focus on being closer to the outdoors he loves. You'll find Stephen either out hiking, fishing, or hunting when he is not working or volunteering.
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Hilary Shaw
SECRETARY
Hilary’s nonprofit leadership has spanned from domestic violence advocacy, to youth empowerment, to people with developmental disabilities, to environmental education. Hilary also serves on the boards for the Montana Nonprofit Association and Glacier Jewish Community. When not actively serving the local and statewide nonprofit community, Hilary can be found chasing her two young daughters around or wogging on a wooded trail.
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Jerry Dunker
MEMBER
Jerry moved to Whitefish from Scottsdale in 2012, and is now employed full-time as the Chief Perfusionist at Logan Health. Jerry is also the Managing Partner of Trail View, LLC – a privately funded Workforce Housing development company in Whitefish. Jerry frequently attends City meetings concerning affordable/workforce housing and brings valuable workforce housing development experience back to the board. When not working, Jerry enjoys skiing, golfing, biking, and boating on Whitefish Lake with family and friends.
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Clare Goble
MEMBER
Clare Goble was born and raised here in Whitefish. Her and her family are proud to call Whitefish home for almost 4 generations. After graduating from MSU in Bozeman, Clare moved home to work for Glacier Restaurant Group. Clare has worked her way up the ranks of the restaurant world and now serves as the Director of Training and Development for GRG. She is very active in her community, she serves on the Board of Directors for the Chamber of Commerce and HW. Affordable housing in her hometown is important to Clare as she wants to see many more generations of Gobles grow and thrive here. When Clare isn’t playing ‘restaurant,’ she enjoys a cold beer with friends, hanging on the slopes and in the waters and woods that surround our beautiful town.
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Ben Johnson
MEMBER
Ben Johnson hails from the far South End of Highway 93 (Hamilton), but moved to the Flathead Valley in 2018 – where he now works with Flathead Valley teens at the Center for Restorative Youth Justice (“CRYJ”) as current Development Director. He also sits on the Whitefish Housing Authority and Flathead Area Mountain Bikers boards. Somewhere between work and board work, he still finds the time to ride bikes, tinker on bikes, backcountry ski, and spend time with his partner Kristie and their big ol' 160 lb dog, Bear.
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Julie Mullins
MEMBER
I have the privilege of representing one of the most authentic and unique small towns in America - Whitefish, Montana. As a steward of this special destination, I embrace Explore Whitefish's mission to foster sustainable tourism through inspiration, education and partnerships to enhance, protect and preserve our viable year-round community.
The Problem
Housing affordability has been a growing issue in Whitefish. It has become increasing unattainable for our workforce to rent homes, let alone purchase them. The median home price hovers close to $1m and rental vacancy rates remain low, limiting options for renters.
The Numbers
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Close to 60% of all Whitefish workers commute to the community daily for work.
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It is estimated that 46% of local renters are cost burdened, paying over 30% of their income towards rent.
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73% of Whitefish employers that completed a 2023 survey said it was very difficult for their year-round employees to find housing in Whitefish.
The Solution
To improve housing affordability, we are focused on stabilizing the rental market by assisting tenants, increasing the housing supply by building new homes, and advocating for regulatory reform that will allow for more affordable units to be built. Combined, we believe these approaches will make housing more affordable in Whitefish.