ALUMNI IN ACTION

An interview with Hatton Littman, Class of 2017, Masters 2019 – Missoula, as interviewed by Ross Lane, Class of 2018 – Bozeman

Skiing became a way to connect with her family during a difficult time growing up, explained Hatton Littman during our brief interview. Raised on the east coast, but longing for the mountains of the west, Hatton describes life in Montana as one “Ahhh” moment after another as she and her family make their way from Mountain to Mountain with her two sons in tow. Montana is where the planet does a lot of its breathing, Hatton explained. Not surprisingly the same dedication Hatton brings to her professional and personal life shows up in other places. Hatton once spent over a month living in frigid conditions with her brother in a tepee, just so they could ski the slopes in Aspen, Colorado together.

As a busy communications professional with her mind firmly planted on making Montana and Missoula a better place, Hatton works with many different stakeholders in her role as the Communications Director for Missoula County Public Schools. From producing external collateral like printed materials, videos and websites, to working with numerous stakeholders in the community, Hatton also advises her fellow senior staff members as a member of the superintendent’s cabinet. Additionally, Hatton must also be ready for unforeseen events by training for and preparing communications in times of crisis.

When asked to describe her favorite moment during leadership Montana, Hatton described what many younger teens and adults might call FOMO or Fear of Missing Out. But for Hatton, it’s deeper than missing out on say a night out with friends. During a period of illness, Hatton missed the session in Great Falls. In that time her classmates discussed the results of the 2016 election and classmates each took turns respectively discussing their opinions about the election. It’s the environment created by Leadership Montana that turns otherwise contentious discussions into moments for personal reflection and team building. The tools Leadership Montana alumni acquire over months, prepares Montana’s current and future leaders for discussions about how best to move Montana forward.

So where do we go from here? For Hatton, Leadership Montana brings folks together from all over the state, so it’s certainly suited to be a conduit for important discussions long after the formal classwork has ended. It’s in that space that building lasting relationships can take place and where the real work begins.