Listen First Montana

To celebrate Leadership Montana's 20-year anniversary, we're bringing you a special episode, featuring stories about the founding of Leadership Montana.  We'll hear from four leaders who were a part of that process back in the early 2000s: Bruce Wittenberg, founding CEO of Leadership Montana, Debbie Vandeberg, member of the organizing committee and graduate of the first Leadership Montana Class, Mike Halligan, graduate of the first class of Leadership Montana, and Dr. Jerry Evans, member of the organizing committee and 20-year leadership instructor for Leadership Montana. Why was Leadership Montana created? What was the vision of the founders? Has Leadership Montana delivered on that vision? Find out answers to those questions and more by listening to this special episode celebrating Leadership Montana's 20-year anniversary.

This episode features John Morrison, former State Auditor and current member of Leadership Montana’s Indigenous Immersion Initiative. John talks about his work as State Auditor, his experience in the Indigenous Immersion Initiative, and his work on Healthy Montana Kids.  John co-authored the book Mavericks: The Lives, and Battles of Montana’s Political Legends.  He shares a few highlights and lessons from the book, including stories about Jeanette Rankin, Mike Mansfield, Thomas Walsh, and more.

In this episode, Chantel speaks with Leadership Montana Board Members Barb Cestero of Bozeman, Cami Skinner of Sidney, and Ariel Overstreet-Adkins of Billings.  This group discusses the transfer of wealth in Montana, the importance of deepening our understanding of agriculture in Montana, and the preservation of wild spaces in our state.  They also discuss how they make time for themselves and their own self-care while juggling many other demands on their time, and much more.

In this episode, Chantel speaks with Leadership Montana Board Member and Superintendent of Glendive Public Schools, Stephen Shreibeis. Stephen talks about his experience leading a school district through significant challenges and divisiveness during the COVID-19 pandemic, how love shapes his leadership style, and where his passion for servant leadership comes from. Stephen also describes a tragic loss in his life and how he works to ‘flip’ his greatest challenges into his greatest opportunities to grow.

In this episode, Chantel speaks with Leadership Montana Board Members Julie Jenkinson, Darrell Hirsch, and Aaron Pratt.  This group of leaders discuss the sense of purpose they each find in parenting, their love for their respective homes in Montana, and why they chose to serve Leadership Montana through service on the Board of Governors.  They also discuss the future of Leadership Montana, what “holding hard conversations” means to them, and much more.

This week’s episode features Dr. Jerry Evans. Dr. Evans has taught Leadership Montana classes for over ten years. He is a professor in the College of Business at the University of Montana, and he is an expert instructor of leadership principles. Jerry talks about growing up in Swan Lake, his views on ethical decision making, his favorite leadership principles, and the spirit he strives to bring to his teaching. Jerry also tells us about his proudest moment over his long tenure with Leadership Montana, and how he believes our differences can be our strength.

In this episode, Eric speaks with Mike Halligan, Executive Director of the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation and graduate of the first class of Leadership Montana. Mike talks about enlisting in the military and leading soldiers in Vietnam at just 19 years old, and how the lessons he learned in Vietnam pushed him to a career in public policy. He tells listeners about serving for 11 terms in the Montana legislature and how he managed to work effectively across party lines.  We also hear about Mike’s career advocating for children and families, his passion for leadership, the importance of listening to all voices in the public policy process, and much more.

In this episode, Chantel sits down with Joel Rosette, CEO of Rocky Boy Health Center and owner of Joel Rosette Law.  Joel talks about how the lessons he has learned in Leadership Montana relate to the lessons he has learned from his tribe and community. He also shares his hopes for the future of Rocky Boy Nation and tribal nations across Montana.  Finally, Joel talks about his passion for coaching the Box Elder Lady Bears basketball team, the joy of bringing his Leadership Montana class to visit Box Elder and learn about his home, leading a large health care organization through the pandemic, and more.

In this episode, Eric sits down with Anne Hughes, Chief Operating Officer at Missoula County and member of the Leadership Montana Board of Governors.  Anne talks about her experience with heartache and loss, her love of science fiction, why she chooses to invest deeply in Leadership Montana, and what great friendship looks like to her.  Anne even explains why she enjoys working on the Missoula County budget and why she feels a budget is a "values document."

In this episode, Eric speaks with Frank Garner, 4th term State Representative of House District 7 and former Kalispell Police Chief.  Frank discusses his thoughts on the current state of policing, how he approached his leadership role as police chief, and how he used the lessons from Leadership Montana during a one year stint training police in Afghanistan in 2005.  Frank also reflects on state politics, leadership, and the future of Montana.  Frank is a graduate of the inaugural class of Leadership Montana in 2005 and is passionate about leaving the world in a better place than he found it – or as he says in this episode, planting trees that will provide shade for people he will never meet.