A New Kind of Philanthropy

Kathryn Nordberg is Founder and CEO of Erik’s Ranch & Retreats, Inc.

Kathryn Nordberg has held executive positions with organizations in technology, packaged goods and health care. She is recognized for innovative solutions to long-standing operational challenges and her ability to create positive outcomes for long-term projects with multimillion-dollar budgets. She has leadership experience in strategic and organizational planning, management, marketing, partnership development and alliances, sales, new product development and communications.

Nordberg also has an adult son with autism. She became the founding chairperson of Families for Early Autism Treatment in 1995 when no funding or early intervention programs were available in Minnesota. In 1997, she participated in bringing behavioral therapist Ivar Lovaas to Minnesota to share his Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) for early intervention with children with autism. She also challenged the Minneapolis public school system status quo, creating awareness about the lack of efficacy of its program for children with autism, laying the groundwork for the assistance available for families desiring ABA.

With Nordberg’s experience as the foundation for Erik’s Retreat, we understand the need for individual choices and how to support that. Through professionally trained staff, careful planning and communication with residents, members, and families, and the employment of innovation in everything we do, we believe that living a life of promise is within everyone’s reach. “I believe that if I can imagine it, we can achieve it.”

Erik’s Ranch is a nonprofit organization that offers upscale lodging run by young adults with autism. They are tour guides, sous chefs, ski instructors, horse groomers, and more. All for whom meaningful careers are scarce.

You are part of the solution.

When you stay with us, you’ll be in a beautiful house just 45 minutes from Yellowstone while providing living accommodations, social opportunities, and significant work for our members.

Welcome to Erik's Ranch. Where vision knows no bounds.

At Erik's Ranch, we cater to outdoor enthusiasts, skiers, hikers, stargazers and everyone in between with endless recreational activities available to you during your stay.

There are tours led by young adults with autism, nearby skiing at Bridger Bowl, Yellowstone National Park, hiking near Gallatin National Forest, world-class trophy fishing in the Yellowstone River, Chico Hot Springs, shoping and dining in old Western town Livingston, and scuba diving or ice climbing at Hyalite Canyon!