Announcing the 2026 Alumni Award Winners!

Our Tom Scott Excellence in Leadership Award goes to…..Debbie Vandeberg-Henry!

As a Founder, and alumna of the first Flagship Class of 2005, Debbie has demonstrated a deep and ongoing commitment to Leadership Montana. She served on the Organizing Committee to create the Leadership Montana Program, under the leadership of Tom Scott. She then served on the Board of Governors from 2017 to 2025, including as Chair during the 2022-2023 term.

When notified of the award, Debbie shared, “Leadership Montana allowed me to grow in so many ways, professionally and personally. The magic of Leadership Montana still inspires me everyday. I am incredibly honored to be selected to receive the Tom Scott Award for Excellence in Leadership. When I review the previous winners- all friends and some classmates, – I am humbled to be in their company.”

To view the full article, please click here.

Our Barbara Braided Hair Alumni Leadership Award goes to….Anne Hughes!

Anne Hughes is the Chief Operating Officer for Missoula County, CO2012 and Masters Class of 2022. She has worked in federal and local government for 26 years and is committed to public service that reflects her values of growth, empathy, and humor. She currently serves on the Leadership Montana Board of Governors, the Clay Studio of Missoula Board of Directors and on the Master’s in Public Administration Alumni Advisory Council for the University of Montana. She believes in cheerleading her colleagues and friends and doing good work with kindness.

Our Mike O’Neill Alumni Service Award goes to….Susan Wolff!

Dr. Susan J. Wolff is a proud LMT graduate from the Flagship Class of 2019 and a certified Gracious Space facilitator. Susan was raised on a cattle ranch homesteaded in Hall, Montana in 1876. Dr. Wolff earned her college degrees from Montana State University and Oregon State University. She retired the first time in June of 2021 from a 45-year career in higher education in three states, with her last position being the CEO/Dean of Great Falls College MSU. She was elected to the Great Falls City Commission November 2021 with her term ending December 31, 2025. Susan used the tenants of Gracious Space in every interaction those four years. After serving every community in which she lived, she is now happily retired, spending time in Florida and traveling.

All of these amazing people will be presented their awards at the Class of 2026 Graduation and Alumni Awards luncheon in Helena on May 15th!

Alumni Awards

Each year we recognize outstanding alumni based on your nominations. Please submit your nomination here! Help us shine a light on your fellow LMT alumni.

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

2026 – Debbie Vandeberg-Henry
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

2026 – Susan Wolff
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

2026 – Anne Hughes
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

Events

NW Montana Area Alumni Gathering

When: Wednesday, May 6 from 5-7 pm

Where: Montana West Economic Development at 44 2nd Ave West in Kalispell

What: Community, connection, and appetizers and beverages hosted by our friends at MWED!

Come join us and bring a friend!

Flagship Class of 2026 Session Alumni Receptions

PLEASE JOIN US IN YOUR COMMUNITY!

SAVE THE DATE

Helena: May 14, 2026

Watch your inbox for a calendar invitation from Kelly with the location details for the Flagship Reception in your community.

Don’t see an invitation? Email Kelly@leadershipmontana.org to get added to the list.

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