2024 MT WIB SUMMIT WELCOME RECEPTION @ AC HOTEL BENCHMARK RESTAURANT & BAR (rooftop)

4:00 – 6:00 PM – REGISTRATION OPEN 

5:30 – 7:30 PM – 2024 MT WIB SUMMIT WELCOME RECEPTION Sponsored by Mountain Health CO-OP

5:30 PM  Reception Begins for Summit Attendees, Event Speakers and Sponsors, Invited Guests, Montana Chamber Board and Staff

6:00 PM   Montana Chamber Welcome and Remarks from Opening Welcome Reception Sponsor Mountain Health Co-Op

7:30 PM   Event Concludes

“BLAZING TRAILS” – 2024 MT WIB SUMMIT

OPENING SESSION @ KIMPTON ARMORY MUSIC HALL

7:30 – 9:00 AM – REGISTRATION OPEN; Breakfast on your own

9:00 – 9:40 AM – WELCOME REMARKS from the Montana Chamber

FIRESIDE CHAT:  2024 Honorary Chair, Lt. Governor Kristen Juras and Nancy Schlepp, VP – Communications and Government Relations, Sandfire Resources America and FY24 Montana Chamber Board Chair

9:45 – 10:15 AM – KEYNOTE SPEAKER:  Allison Fasano, Chef – est.1864 – “Just Say YES!”

PLEASE NOTE MEETING ROOMS IN BOTH THE AC HOTEL AND KIMPTON ARMORY MOVING FORWARD

10:30 – 11:15 AM – MORNING BREAKOUTS – Session 1

“Trailblazing Titans: Women CEOs in Outdoor Recreation and Hospitality – A Career Roadmap”
MEETING ROOM: Kimpton Armory Music Hall

• • Amy Beck, President – Oboz
  • Toby O’Rourke, President & CEO – Kampgrounds of America
  • Laura Orvidas, Chief Executive Officer – onX
  • Moderator: Diane Conradi, Founder – Montana Access Project

“Leading with Impact – The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly”
MEETING ROOM: The Etha, 2nd Floor Kimpton Armory

• • Dr. Alison Harmon, Vice President of Research and Economic Development – Montana State University
  • Molly Kocialski, Rocky Mountain Regional Director – U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
  • Carmen McSpadden, Founder – 17West, Leadership and Organizational Development Services

11:30 AM – 12:15 PM – MORNING BREAKOUTS – Session II

“The Art of Negotiation” 
MEETING ROOM: First Story & Spirit, 2nd Floor Kimpton Armory
Telesa Via – Head of Sales, IHG Luxury & Lifestyle Americas

“From Boardroom to Ballot: Women Leaders Seeking Public Service”
MEETING ROOM: The Etha, 2nd Floor Kimpton Armory

• • Christi Jacobsen, Montana Secretary of State
  • Courtenay Sprunger, State Representative – HD7 / Kalispell
  • Moderator: Larissa Martinez, Founder & President – Women’s Public Leadership Network

“Inclusive Horizons: Elevating BIPOC Women in Business”
MEETING ROOM: AC Hotel Bridger Ballroom

• • Cora Chandler, Founder – Cora K. Productions
  • Karen Dove, Program Director – Native Women Launch (NWL) Program
  • Liz Marchi, Head of Community Engagement – Two Bear Capital
  • Yolanda OldDwarf, Founder – Sweet Sage Woman
  • Mariah Omeasoo, Marketing Coordinator – NWL Program
  • Moderator:  Lynn-Wood Fields – AcclerateMT Rapid Training Program Manager for Film & Media

LUNCH @ AC HOTEL BRIDGER BALLROOM

12:30 – 1:45 PM – LUNCH @ AC Hotel Bridger Ballroom
“Blaze Your Trail: Discover the Path to Successful Goal Setting”
Mary Hanna-Flor, Director of Global Training at Master Connection Associates

PLEASE NOTE MEETING ROOMS IN BOTH THE AC HOTEL AND KIMPTON ARMORY MOVING FORWARD

2:15 – 3:00 PM – AFTERNOON BREAKOUTS – Session I

“Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Women Succeeding in Male-Dominated Industries”
MEETING ROOM:  AC Hotel Bridger Ballroom

• • Shannon Christensen, Principal-in-Charge of Architecture, Cushing Terrell
  • Kim Jakub, SVP Rocky Mountain Refining – Par Montana
  • Jenny Walby, General Manager – Ressler / Toyota of Bozeman
  • Moderator: Suzi Berget White, First Security Bank

     

“Empowering Boardroom Equality: Women’s Voices on What to Know and How to Serve”
MEETING ROOM:  First Story & Spirit, 2nd Floor Kimpton Armory

• • Susan Carstensen, Independent Advisor
  • Kirsten Suddath, General Partner – Next Frontier Capital
  • Moderator: Britt Ide, Owner – Ide Energy

3:15 – 4:00 PM – AFTERNOON BREAKOUTS – Session II

“Elevating Montana Women: Navigating Entrepreneurship and Securing Capital for Success”
MEETING ROOM: First Story & Spirit, 2nd Floor Kimtpon Armory

• • Avanlee Christine, Founder – Avanlee Care
  • Becca Egbert, Emerging Manager / Founder
  • Kassi Strong, Program Director – Rocky Mountain Women’s Business Center (AccelerateMT)
  • Moderator: Jenni Graff, Executive Director – Early-Stage Montana

“Women Driving Change: Unleashing the Power of Business for Good through Philanthropy and Social Impact”
MEETING ROOM:  AC Hotel Bridger Ballroom

• • Amberly Pahut, Director of Community Responsibility & Executive Director of the First Interstate BancSystem Foundation
  • Mary Rutherford, President & CEO – The Montana Community Foundation, Inc.
  • Moderator: Liz Moore, Executive Director – Montana Nonprofit Association

“Empowering Women’s Health and Family-Friendly Benefits in the Workplace: A Collaborative Approach between Hospital Systems and Health Care Insurance Providers”
MEETING ROOM:  True North, 2nd Floor Kimpton Armory

• • Blair Fjeseth, SVP & Chief of Staff – Mountain Health CO-OP
  • Dr. Melissa Wolf, Medical Director of Women’s Services – Bozeman Health
  • Moderator: Dr. Suzanne Tilleman, Sprunk & Burnham Endowed Dean – University of Montana College of Business

4:00 – 5:00 PM  BREAK – AC Hotel Lobby provides workspace and both the AC Benchmark and Sky Shed restaurants will be open 

NETWORKING RECEPTION @ KIMPTON SKY SHED (ROOFTOP)

5:00 – 7:30 PM – MT WIB SUMMIT NETWORKING RECEPTION @ KIMPTON SKY SHED (rooftop)

5:30 – 6:15 PM – FIRESIDE CHAT (Literally): “The State of Childcare in Montana; A Look Ahead to the 2025 Legislative Session” with Q&A

• • Jessica Dehn, Founder/Owner – Explore Montessori & Academy
  • Caitlin Jensen, Executive Director – Montana Child Care Business Connect | Zero to Five
  • Sam Schmidt, Physical Therapist | Clinic Director – Alpine Physical Therapy
  • Moderator: Sheridan Johnson, Government Affairs Specialist – Montana Chamber

6:15 – 7:30 PM – NETWORKING

7:30 PM – RECEPTION CONCLUDES

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY POWER LUNCH @ KIMPTON ARMORY MUSIC HALL

10:00 – 11:30 AM
VIP MEET ‘N GREET @ THE ETHA (2ND FLOOR) OVERLOOKING THE ARMORY MUSIC HALL 
FOR MT WIB Committee Members, Speakers, Sponsors, and Special Guests

IWD24 POWER LUNCH
11:00 AM – REGISTRATION OPENS

11:30 AM – 2024 MT Chamber International Women’s Day POWER LUNCH BEGINS

12:00 PM – INTRODUCTION of the morning’s program by MT WIB Committee Co-Chairs followed by LUNCH / NETWORKING

12:15 PM – KEYNOTE: “Fambition: Purpose vs. Love” with Elke Govertsen, CEO/Founder – Mamalode 

1:15 PM – KEYNOTE: “Bridging the Gap: How to Succeed in a Multi-generational Workplace” with Elaine Swann considered “A Modern Day Emily Post”

1:45 PM – RAFFLE / CENTERPIECE DRAWINGS

2:00 PM – THANK YOU; LUNCH CONCLUDES