The Founder

SHARING MONTANA

I was born and raised in Montana. I am proudly a fourth generation Montanan. It is where I first met nature. After heading out into the world to experience life, I always had Montana to run back to when things became too big for me. My stress has always been worthless in Montana. 

Montana has this amazing ability to remind us of the greater ecosystem that includes the earth, the air, the animals, the plants, and the energy that surrounds us in every aspect of our being. 

I have always been asked by friends around the world to share my Montana with them, and now I have the place to invite people who understand and believe in our intention around the love of nature, real connection, creativity, healing, joy and making a positive difference in the world. 

My greatest joys have come from attracting musicians, performers and leaders who have come to Oniya to to take in this magically grounding place to find their voice again and use it for good. 

I look forward to sharing Oniya with you. 


- KRISTI OVERGAARD

BACKGROUND

Professional EXPERIENCES

Chief Officer of Awesomeness (aka Chief Brand Officer) at Switch, a global big tech and infrastructure company

Founder and Creative Director of one11, a design and advertising firm in Las Vegas

Vice President of Marketing at The Howard Hughes Corporation, the developer of Summerlin and the Fashion Show Mall in Las Vegas

ACCREDITATIONS

In addition to her passions around branding, design, and team building, Kristi has been a life-long fan of earth, spiritual guidance, and human well-being. She has always loved seeking and experiencing the connection to spirit, nature, and the magical energy all around us. Those interests have motivated her to become accredited in the following organizations:

Certified FEEL Facilitator (Facilitated Equine Experiential Learning)
FEEL partners with the nature of horses to connect humans to their authentic selves and be supported in removing blocks from their minds. Learning from the mastery of a horse and the magical power of its huge heart is at the center of Oniya’s offerings. Working with horses is like having a lightning rod to God.

Certified Clarity Breathwork Practitioner
Clarity Breathwork is a powerful process of healing that deeply supports the clearing away of old energies, patterns, conditioning, negative thoughts, and hurtful self-talk. Breathwork is an effective spiritual tool that can transform you so that blame becomes obsolete, forgiveness becomes natural, and taking complete responsibility for one’s life ultimately becomes the only true option.

Optimum Health Institute graduate
A holistic healing program based on ancient spiritual disciplines that promotes healing of your body, mind, and spirit.

Modern Elder Academy alumni
MEA trains leaders to embrace and embody wisdom and eldership at midlife through programs that help you invest in your sense of purpose, well-being, and community.

ChoiceCenter graduate and coach
ChoiceCenter is an emotional intelligence and leadership training program that offers three distinct levels of personal development.

GIVING BACK

Kristi’s love of planet earth has directed her towards organizations such as Dazzle Africa; a safari nonprofit focused on animal conservation, education, and clean water, where she is a founding champion advisor. She is also dedicated to Green Our Planet, the world’s largest school garden program that teaches children and their adults to love and care for our planet through the garden.

She is also on the Board of Trustees of the Western National Folklife Center producer of the famed annual Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada. This is such a point of pride for Kristi as she was brought up by a father that consistently preached about people losing touch with the good old days and the western ways. The Western National Folklife Center is her father’s dream come true. Its mission is to use story and cultural expression to connect the American West to the world. Throughout the year their events, fieldwork, education, research, exhibits, website, and archives preserve, document, and share the heritage of the west. 

In Montana, Kristi is a supporter of the Roberts Cultural Council and Roberts Community Foundation, which create a strong community engagement through the arts and education. Oniya has created a 501c3 called the Heart Brand Foundation that focuses on economic development and well-being programs in both Plentywood and Roberts, Montana. We are working on programs to be a mental and economic health model for all small towns in the United States. This arm also funds Oniya retreat sponsorships to support as many people as possible in experiencing the nature of Montana.

THE RANCH BRAND

THE HEART

OPERATING FROM THE HEART

There are hearts everywhere at Oniya because Kristi Overgaard owns the coveted Montana heart-shaped, single-iron livestock brand. This brand is important in the ranching world but even more important to our mission. One of Oniya’s core offerings is to teach guests to think and operate from their hearts.

You will see our beloved brand many times during your stay. It’s in our artwork, in your experiences, and even in your food. Since our beginning, Karla Aus, Kristi’s sister, has been creating heart-shaped food fare. You will take in heart-shaped beets, cucumbers, potatoes, energy bars, and even eggs.

The story of how Kristi was able to obtain this rare brand is quite a tale. Ask her to tell the story one night around the fire.