A fourth-generation Montanan who’s come back to her roots after chasing big adventures around the world, Kristi’s childhood was shaped on the wide-open prairies of Plentywood, Montana, where she roamed freely on horseback, cruised the back roads with black labs at her heels, and spent nights under star-filled skies. There were plays on logs, Tanya Tucker songs belted out on country drives, and lightning storms at Grandma’s place. A picture-perfect way to grow up.

Life changes led Kristi to the bright lights of Las Vegas, where she spent her high school years before heading to California to attend design school. After that, it was back to Vegas to carve out a career in real estate master planning, advertising and design, branding, and big tech. The fast pace of those industries—traveling the world, meeting new people, leading creative projects—was thrilling. But after a while, Kristi felt the need to slow down, to create more with less.

Vegas was a place where dreams could become reality. There was this energy, a constant push to make whatever you imagined come to life. But Kristi knew there was something more, something rooted in the wild, raw beauty of Montana. So, she combined those lessons of creativity and big ideas with the grounded simplicity of nature and built Oniya Ranch.

Montana’s natural landscape has a way of cutting through the noise and pulling you back to yourself. It clears your mind, recharges your spirit, and shows you what really matters.

Kristi has always had friends from all over asking to share her Montana with them. Now, with Oniya Ranch, she finally has a place to bring people who get it—those who value nature, real connection, creativity, and having an impact in the world.