HAPPENINGS

Stay up to date with Leadership Montana’s current events, blogs, and newsletters.

Announcements

Renew your Membership Dues!

Our Leadership Montana Membership Dues are now aligned with a July to June cycle.  Your current membership will lapse June 30, so please renew today! If you’ve already renewed your Membership Dues, THANK YOU for supporting our organization and shared mission of a better Montana through knowledge, collaboration, and civility.

Our Membership Dues Benefits Package provides the benefits below including exclusive deals and discounts from your fellow LMT Alumni Organizations. 

  • Scholarship Contributions: At least 10% of your dues contribute to Flagship and alumni scholarships. Your support ensures that the Leadership Montana experience remains accessible to aspiring leaders, contributing to the growth and prosperity of Montana.
  • Event Privileges: Enjoy discounts and early registration for all events.
  • FREE Alumni Events: Continue to be part of our vibrant community by participating in various alumni gatherings at no additional cost.
  • Supporting Programs: Your dues directly support Flagship & Masters programming, encompassing dedicated staff and skilled trainers who elevate the Leadership Montana experience.
  • Alumni Network: Engage through our Alumni Portal, Facebook Page, and Newsletter consistently!
  • Share your open job/position descriptions with the alumni network.
  • Receive these deals from businesses around Montana:

Become a Membership Dues Package Partner

Provide additional value to our active alumni who have paid their Membership Dues, while simultaneously giving your business significant exposure to our vibrant community of nearly 1000 alumni. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity! If your business/organization is interested in participating, please email kelly@leadershipmontana.org.

 

New Program Manager, Kass Thompson! 

We have some very exciting news to share! The search is complete and we have hired our new Program Manager, Kass Thompson. Kass comes to us with a wealth of knowledge and experience, most recently from the MSU Leadership Institute in Bozeman. I am so enthused about her passion for leadership development and look forward to the growth she will bring to our organization. Please join me in welcoming Kass to the LMT Family! She can be reached at kass@leadershipmontana.org and be sure to check out her full bio here.

 

LMT Gear Store-Order by April 30 to wear our brand with pride!

We are excited to announce that Leadership Montana now sells logo gear online! The store will be open through the end of April, so get your orders in this month! https://tinyurl.com/yhtmu45s

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leadership Montana receives the 2024 Force for Common Good Award

The MT Chapter of the Association for Fundraising Professionals and the MT Nonprofit Association honored us with this speech at the awards banquet:

This year’s Force for Common Good Award is presented to Leadership Montana, an organization that has profoundly impacted our state by fostering collaboration, community engagement, and leadership development. Leadership Montana’s mission—to develop leaders committed to building a better Montana through knowledge, collaboration, and civility—drives everything they do. Their work goes beyond training leaders; they cultivate a network of passionate changemakers dedicated to improving Montana for all.

At the heart of their efforts is the Leadership Montana Flagship program, designed to elevate leadership skills and connect participants with a remarkable group of changemakers statewide. Through unique educational programming, participants engage in deep discussions on current issues facing Montana while enhancing their own leadership skills through the “Leading in Montana” curriculum, tailored to their interests and needs. Graduates join an esteemed alumni network of the state’s most influential professionals, equipped with an increased awareness, commitment to service, and the skills to shape Montana’s future.

Last year alone, Leadership Montana hosted 32 events with 696 people attending, demonstrating their commitment to providing continuous learning and engagement opportunities. In addition to their Flagship program, Leadership Montana offers special programs such as The Confluence and the Lessons in Leadership speaker series, which further provide training and development for Montanans across the state. By encouraging collaboration, inspiring action, and fostering a deep sense of responsibility toward the common good, Leadership Montana has become a vital force in shaping Montana’s future.

Tonight, we are honored to have Heather Collins, Development Director, and board member Anne Hughes here to accept this award on behalf of Leadership Montana. This award is presented in partnership with the Montana Nonprofit Association, recognizing the outstanding contributions of Leadership Montana as a true Force for Common Good.

 

Leadership Montana Awards $41,000 in Scholarships to Flagship Program Participants

Leadership Montana is excited to announce the awarding of $41,000 in scholarships to participants of the 2025 Flagship Program, which begins in September. Read more about it in our Press Release by clicking here

 

 

Events

Flagship Class of 2026 Welcome Events statewide!

These events are being planned now to welcome our new class in communities statewide. If you want to help organize one in your hometown in July or August, please email kelly@leadershipmontana.org.

LMT Live Archive

Disclaimer: We are not professional Zoomers. Please forgive any chunkiness. 

As a reminder, some of these are educational sessions and do not reflect the views or opinions of LMT as an organization. We remain nonpartisan and encourage everyone to listen, learn, lead, invite the stranger/difference and learn in public.

Have any ideas for the next LMT Live? Submit them by CLICKING HERE.

LMT Live: A Community Conversation on the Sandfire Black Butte Copper Mine Project with Nancy Schlepp & Cassie Coburn

LMT Live: A Conversation about Property Tax with Josh Slotnick & Nancy Schlepp live from the Flagship Classroom

LMT Live: All Types of Leadership – LGBTQ+ with Aaron Kampfe & Kim Spurzem

LMT Live: A Discussion About School Levies with Kirk Miller, Stephen Schreibeis, Hatton Littman, Erwin Garcia, & Llew Jones

Alumni Connection Call – Reflection & Looking Forward

Celebrating Asian & Pacific American Heritage Month with Vu Pham (F2014), Juanita Vero (F2015, III2023), Tung Pham (F2019, M2024), and David Park (F2022)

Sustainability & Environmental Stewardship (only last 20 minutes)

Higher Education Demographic Cliff in Montana

Power & Energy Resources in Montana

Youth Leadership Development in Sports

Human Trafficking in Montana

Gracious Space with Patricia Hughes

Ethics and Social Responsibility with Dr. Gerald Evans

Personal and Professional Resilience with Aaron Pratt 

Human Trafficking in Montana with Paula Eberling 

Situational Leadership with Shannon Stober 

Coping with Stress in a Pandemic with Diane Conti

Budget and Federal Stimulus with Llew Jones 

Leading in Crisis with Frank Garner 

Public Service and Leadership with Kyle Waterman 

Building Context for Effective Leadership with Shannon Stober 

INTENTIONAL CIVILITY SPECIAL SERIES

Listen Deeply with Courtney McKee

Smile with Amy Kellogg Unfortunately this recording only has the audio, which is ironic we know since we’re talking about “Smile”. We’re sorry.

Show Concern for Others with Leonard Malin

Empower Others with Anne Hughes 

Be Consistent with Jen Davis 

Be Passionate with Chris Warden

Show Respect with Aaron Pratt

Our Blog

February 27, 2018
A stack of large hay next to a snow-covered field with irrigation with mountains in the background beneath a blue sky

Kindness

January 31, 2018
Snow-covered tree branches obscure a view of snow-covered park benches next to a steaming pond with rock walls

Growth

Alumni Awards

Tom Scott Award for Excellence in Leadership

The award, named in honor of the founder of Leadership Montana, was created as the highest honor for an individual who has made substantial, significant, and lasting contributions to Leadership Montana. Each year the Board of Governors selects this individual to recognize their dedication to the organization and its mission. This award is not available to current board or staff members.

Recipients

2025 – Kelly Cresswell

2024 – Chris Warden
2023 – Chantel Schieffer
2023 – Dr. Gerald Evans
2022 – Amy Kellogg
2021 – Lanny Hubbard
2020 – Brenda Peterson
2019 – Mike O’Neill
2018 – Chad Lippert
2017 – Bruce Whittenberg
2016 – Ron Sexton
2015 – Mike Halligan
2014 – Carol Donaldson
2013 – Tom Scott

Mike O’Neill Alumni Service Award

The Leadership Montana Alumni Service Award recognizes and promotes alumni service to support the Leadership Montana program and/or alumni activities. The award recognizes a Leadership Montana Alumnus who has used their leadership skills, knowledge, and resources to benefit Leadership Montana.

Recipients

2025 – Alan Ruby

2024 – Jackie Atkins
2023 – Indigenous Advisory Committee
2022 – Leslie Messer
2021 – Eric Halverson
2020 – Jim Bliss
2019 – Inaugural Men’s Retreat Planning Committee
2018 – Heather Collins
2017 – John Carmody
2016 – Chad Lippert
2015 – Carmen McSpadden
2014 – Mike O’Neill

Barbara Braided Hair Alumni Leadership Award

The Leadership Montana Alumni Leadership Award recognizes and promotes community involvement. The award recognizes a Leadership Montana Alumnus who has had a significant impact at the local or state level, demonstrates outstanding leadership in keeping with and expanding the Leadership Montana philosophy in their community or the state, and serves as an example of leadership for others.

Recipients

2025 – Nancy Schlepp

2024 – Rhonda Safford
2023 – Juanita Vero
2022 – Chuck Winn
2021 – Marci McLean
2020 – Courtney McKee
2019 – Hatton Littman
2018 – Jen Hensley
2017 – Michael Sanderson
2016 – Eric Hyyppa
2015 – Duane Ankney
2014 – Barbara Braided Hair