The Leading Edge: A Year In Review - Annual Report Message - a message from Chantel Schieffer
Mountains and lake
Joy
September 30, 2021
Sagebrush and juniper beneath a bright orange sky above distant mountains
Thanks to you
November 30, 2021

A Year In Review – Annual Report Message

Message from President/CEO Chantel Schieffer

Despite another year in which our society is still grappling with the enormous effects of a global pandemic, Leadership Montana finds ourselves growing with unique opportunities to help navigate these times.

Over this year, we have helped elected officials find new ways to work together. We are developing a new program to bridge cultural divides in our state. We are expanding our flagship program to double our impact on leaders in Montana. We are stepping up to address the myriad challenges facing our society today.

When they needed it most, we pulled together two cohorts of legislators – Democrats and Republicans – for our inaugural Leadership Montana for Legislators workshops. We taught them the collaborative leadership model of Gracious Space and watched as they started to rebuild relationships upon which they can build better ways of working together. My favorite quote from a participant says it all:

“In two days, we tore down barriers that we built over four months of the legislative session.”

We are excited to watch this new program grow into one that we truly believe will help create a culture of collaboration in our state house.

Along those lines, we see an opportunity to help bridge divides between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Montanans through a new program we will be launching in 2022. With the confidence and support of the M.J. Murdock Trust, we are well-positioned to dig deep into our courage and create something that we believe will help change the fabric of our society.

Even with these exciting new opportunities, we will never lose sight of our primary purpose – our flagship program. Leadership matters now more than ever and our application process proved that with a pool so deep that we are expanding to offer two cohorts. This opportunity to double our impact will enable us to grow our network of committed trustees working together to build a better Montana.

To be sure, this is still a challenging time for all of us. At Leadership Montana, we are doing our part to ensure that our leaders have tools and skills to navigate these times with courage, grace, and civility. In my seven years in this seat, I have never been more proud of Leadership Montana and the many ways in which we are all making this world a little bit brighter.

Be well and lead well,

Chantel M. Schieffer
President & CEO
Class of 2010, Masters 2019