Katherine Dayton
Director & Owner
Katherine’s commitment to VISIONS emerged in 1996 as a leader in the Dominican Republic. She has also led programs on the Montana Blackfeet Reservation, Peru, Nicaragua and Ecuador, and she served as Latin America Coordinator before becoming owner and Director in 2009.
Katherine earned undergraduate degrees in Environmental Studies and Policy Studies at Dickinson College, PA, where she also played Varsity basketball. She took a junior year to study conservation and social issues in Venezuela and Costa Rica. She later earned an MBA from the University of Montana, with a thesis on corporate social responsibility. Before joining VISIONS full-time in 2007, Katherine worked with a start-up tech firm and also did contract work for environmental nonprofits.
Katherine is a Montanan who enjoys sharing her home state and her home with lots of visitors. For five years, she also hosted and helped sponsor Youra Moeun, a young woman who she met while spending time at VISIONS now-retired program in Cambodia, and who then moved to Bozeman to pursue a degree at MSU.
A common thread through her life is carrying environmental and social concerns into the fabric of her work and other pursuits. Beyond VISIONS, this has included being one of the founding members of a community-oriented neighborhood (Bozeman Cohousing), and now developing her farm into a place for regenerative agriculture. Katherine gets outside regularly to connect with the natural world—and often with friends or family; always with dogs.
Recent blog posts
Spotlight: Torin Young, 2024 VISIONS Montana Blackfeet Alum
Torin, a recent alum, reflects back on his community service program for high school students on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Montana, and how it has influenced his decision to explore a career in public policy.
Inclusive Teen Programs: Scholarships, Payment Plans and Financial Aid
Our commitment to inclusivity extends to accessibility—financial constraints should not prevent any teenager from accessing life-changing experiences. Through scholarships and flexible payment options, we ensure that our programs are accessible to all students.
Hell or High Water in Appalachia
Mike and Chantal are four-time VISIONS leader alums who now live in Asheville, NC, and are leading a small nonprofit organization—Hell or High Water—that is working to restore their city post Hurricane Helene.
Tiger Song, 2023 & 2024 VISIONS Alum
Meet Tiger, a two-time Montana Blackfeet VISIONS alum whose teenage volunteering experience changed his goals for his future. After two teen service trips, he is now refocusing on travel and minority language preservation.