WHO WE ARE
Leadership Montana is the premier leadership development program and alumni organization in our state.
About Leadership Montana
Through our unique educational programming, we gather some of the most accomplished minds to deeply discuss current issues facing Montana. At the same time, participants enhance their own leadership skills through our curriculum, Leading in Montana, designed specifically around our class members’ interests and needs.
Once participants complete the program, they join our esteemed alumni network consisting of the state’s most influential professionals. With an increased awareness and a commitment to service, our alumni shape Montana’s future with enhanced leadership skills and a deepened knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing Montana.
Leadership Montana also provides training for the citizenry of our state through special programs and events like our annual signature event, The Confluence, and the Lessons in Leadership speakers series.
Our Mission
Leadership Montana exists to develop leaders committed to building a better Montana through knowledge, collaboration, and civility.
Our Leadership Team
Chantel Schieffer
President/CEO
As the president/CEO, Chantel is the chief strategist and connector for Leadership Montana, the premier leadership development organization in our state. Over the past two decades, Chantel has built a career centered around building a better community for all of us.
As a lifelong Montanan, she is dedicated to ensuring that key stakeholders are working in collaboration to advance our treasured state. Her passion for community extends into her volunteer work, where she serves Eagle Mount Bozeman, Women Leading Montana, Alpha Omicron Pi, and Montana Ambassadors.
Chantel is a recipient of the prestigious ATHENA Leadership Award, the Alpha Omicron Pi Alumna Woman of Leadership Award, and was named one of southwest Montana’s “20 Under 40”.
For Chantel, her husband, Dax, and their son, Dax Michael, adventure is a family value. The trio can often be found playing outside or exploring a long, quiet Montana road.
Anna Berg
Program Manager
Anna serves as the program manager for Leadership Montana. This role has been a natural fit since day one. As a native Montanan, Anna has had a love and appreciation for this great state and her people for many years. Working with Leadership Montana allows Anna to collaborate with our staff, participants, board members, and professionals across the state to create a better Montana.
As the program manager, she helps to dream, create, and execute both the large and small details for our programs. If she says, “So, theoretically…” everyone knows that there may be a big idea in the works!
In her spare time, you’ll find Anna playing in the mountains, volunteering for local nonprofits, seeking out live music in hidden corners of the state, and creatively weaving people’s paths together.
Heather Collins
Development Director
Heather has joined the team at Leadership Montana as their Development Director. As a proud alumna of the Flagship Program Class of 2016, and the first Master Class of 2019, she is thrilled to be working for an organization that has been instrumental in connecting her deeply with a state that she is proud to call home.
Her career has been focused on making an impact in her community. Working with several nonprofits during her twenty years in Montana, the people of Montana have become her passion. Connecting, listening and learning their stories inspires her to make sure that she is respectful of her role in helping to create positive change.
Family and friends are an important part of Heather’s life. She values time with her husband Zac and daughters, Campbell and Madison. They can be found most summer weekends fishing one of the many local rivers or playing in the snow during the winter. Year round, most weeks are spent traveling listening to good music while enjoying the company of friends.
Jennifer Davis
Alumni Relations Manager
Jen joined Leadership Montana to serve as Alumni Relations Manager. She is a proud alumna of the Leadership Montana Class of 2009 and is excited to partner with the more than 600 Leadership Montana alumni across the state. She has left every interaction with Leadership Montana alumni inspired and hopeful for the future of our great state, and looks forward to harnessing that inspiration with alumni on a daily basis.
The Idaho-born, Carroll College graduate chose Montana as her home for the big skies, open spaces, friendly people and community. Her career has focused on building partnerships that benefit the greater community.
Jen, husband Tim, and son Cameron enjoy experiencing all of the outdoor seasons of Montana. Most weeks they can be found with friends enjoying a Montana adventure of skiing, fishing, boating, or mountain biking. When not in the mountains, they enjoy the state’s vibrant music, arts and cultural opportunities.
Board of Governors
Leslie Messer, Chair
Executive Director, Richland Economic Development Corp.
Class of 2008
Chris Warden, Vice Chair
Vice President, Technology, Washington Corporations
Class of 2006
Laurence (Lanny) Hubbard, Past Chair
President/CEO, Montana State Fund
Class of 2007, Masters 2019
Scott Sehnert, Treasurer
Branch President, Rocky Mountain Bank
Class of 2016, Masters 2019
Barbara Braided-Hair
Branch Manager, First Interstate Bank
Class of 2005
John Carmody
Director of Asset Management, NorthWestern Energy
Class of 2011, Masters 2019
Kelly Cresswell
Executive Director, Reach Higher Montana
Class of 2006
Anne Hughes
Communications and Projects Director, Missoula County
Class of 2012
Leonard Malin
Finance and HR Director, Tumbleweed Runaway Program
Class of 2014, Masters 2019
Ariel Overstreet-Adkins
Associate Attorney, Moulton Bellingham PC
Class of 2013
Aaron Pratt
Business Development Manager, Governor’s Office
Class of 2017
Sarah Swanson
Montana Retail Association
Class of 2017
Debbie Vandeberg
Retired
Class of 2005
Gracious Space
A spirit and a setting where we invite the “stranger” and learn in public.
Gracious Space is an integral aspect of Leadership Montana curriculum. For Montana to move forward we need to know how to learn the perspective of all groups so we can all continue to live and thrive in the last best place. The Gracious Space curriculum developed by the Center for Ethical Leadership in Seattle, WA, is a framework to work better together around critical issues. Gracious Space creates a container that can hold your hardest conversations and most challenging issues. Gracious Space is most powerful and most needed when conflict is present.
Want to learn more about Gracious Space? Would you like to introduce Gracious Space to your business or organization? You can contact the Leadership Montana office or one of the Leadership Montana Alumni that have been certified as Gracious Space facilitators.