In this episode, Eric sits down with Jim Bliss in Kalispell, MT. They talk about Jim’s story of founding and growing multiple businesses, and how Leadership Montana transformed his approach to relationships both personally and professionally. Jim also details why he wants to be remembered as a champion of kindness, along with his vision for securing the future of Montana.

Eric, a graduate of Leadership Montana Class of 2016 and Masters Class 2019, leads this project with an unmatched curiosity and thirst for learning how each interviewee leans into leading. Eric magically brings to life the story underneath the words and weaves together a series that perfectly illustrates the meaning and value of listening deeply. Originally from Billings, Eric currently resides in Missoula where he serves as the Communications and Development Administrator for Partnership Health Center.

Jim Bliss is the President/CEO of TriState Restaurant Supply and lives in Kalispell. He is a 2010 graduate of Leadership Montana’s flagship class and the 2019 Masters Class. Jim received the 2020 Leadership Montana Alumni Service Award for his dedication and loyalty to the organization.

In this episode, Eric travels to Arlee, MT to talk with Dr. Mary Stranahan. They talk about Mary’s work as a rural physician on the Flathead reservation, her vision as founder of both The High Stakes Foundation and Good Works Ventures, and her thoughts on the racism she witnessed in the 60s compared to what she sees today.

Eric, a graduate of Leadership Montana Class of 2016 and Masters Class 2019, leads this project with an unmatched curiosity and thirst for learning how each interviewee leans into leading. Eric magically brings to life the story underneath the words and weaves together a series that perfectly illustrates the meaning and value of listening deeply. Originally from Billings, Eric currently resides in Missoula where he serves as the Communications and Development Administrator for Partnership Health Center.

Mary Stranahan is the founder of Goodworks Ventures and the High Stakes Foundation. As a result of attending a Play Big Session about a decade ago, she made the decision to leverage her resources to support the people making a positive change in Montana. Her focus is on triple bottom line investments in the for profit arena and rural economic development, leadership development and environmental policy issues in the nonprofit arena. A passionate lover of place, she has a wicked backspin on her tennis game.

In this episode, Eric visits with Chris Warden, VP of Technology for Washington Companies, about leading through change, how thoughtful leaders communicate with authenticity, and the foundation of great dialogues. As the current Chair of Leadership Montana’s Board of Governors, we are inspired every day by Chris’s insights on life and leadership.

Eric, a graduate of Leadership Montana Class of 2016 and Masters Class 2019, leads this project with an unmatched curiosity and thirst for learning how each interviewee leans into leading. Eric magically brings to life the story underneath the words and weaves together a series that perfectly illustrates the meaning and value of listening deeply. Originally from Billings, Eric currently resides in Missoula where he serves as the Communications and Development Administrator for Partnership Health Center.

Chris is the Vice President of Technology for Washington Companies, a shared service organization that provides business services to the Washington Companies, a group of privately held companies owned by industrialist Dennis R. Washington. He is responsible for helping simplify, standardize and source common business functions and for providing each company with strategic advice on how to best use technology to improve the business.

Born and raised in Great Falls, Chris is a graduate of the University of Montana with a degree in Business Administration. Prior to the Washington Companies, Chris worked for fifteen years in Silicon Valley for companies in the semiconductor, software, consulting and venture capital industries.

He is married to Lori Warden and has two boys, Finn and Ash. They all happily live in Missoula.

In this episode, Eric visits the E Bar L Ranch in Greenough to interview Juanita Vero – conservation champion, Missoula County Commissioner, and all around joyful person. Juanita tells us how working her family ranch has shaped her leadership style and why she jumped into elective politics with no previous experience. They also dig into the urban/rural divide in Montana and Juanita’s family history of reckoning with multiracial marriage in a time not long ago.

Eric, a graduate of Leadership Montana Class of 2016 and Masters Class 2019, leads this project with an unmatched curiosity and thirst for learning how each interviewee leans into leading. Eric magically brings to life the story underneath the words and weaves together a series that perfectly illustrates the meaning and value of listening deeply. Originally from Billings, Eric currently resides in Missoula where he serves as the Communications and Development Administrator for Partnership Health Center.

Juanita Vero is a fourth-generation partner of the E Bar L Ranch in Greenough. In addition to running her family business, she has served on numerous community conservation-focused boards and committees, including as chair of Montana Conservation Voters, Missoula County Open Lands Committee, Big Blackfoot Chapter Trout Unlimited, Swan Valley Connections and Sunset School Board.

Juanita has a bachelor’s degree in English from Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon. She enjoys horses, snowboarding and backcountry wandering after game with her husband and his llamas. She used to play lacrosse, rugby and ultimate frisbee but is now relegated to spending more time on her yoga mat.

In June 2019, Juanita was appointed to the Missoula County Commission to fill a vacated seat and was elected to continue that service in November 2020.

In this episode, Chantel visits with Misty Kuhl, newly appointed as the Director of Indian Affairs for Governor Gianforte. Misty shares her lifelong work to support education and economic opportunity for Montana’s Indigenous populations.

Chantel, Class of 2010 and Masters Class 2019 alumna, is also our President & CEO. An occasional host, she brings to Listen First Montana a deep knowledge of our alumni and the many ways they work to build a better Montana.

Misty was born in Havre and is a member the Fort Belknap Indian Community. As a first generation college graduate, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Services (Cum Laude) from Montana State University-Billings.

Misty spent several years working with tribal communities in New Mexico as a probation officer, and then nationally as a Director with the Native American Alliance Foundation.

Following her work with NAAF, she lived out her love for the outdoors and was an outdoor guide for several years, eventually taking over Outdoor Programs for Kirtland Air Force Base. She especially loves paddling whitewater and trail running. Misty is a champion for diversity in outdoor recreation and loves helping people get outside. Entrepreneurship opportunities in the outdoor industry brought her “home” to Montana.

Being back in Montana ignited a renewed passion for serving Indian Country. Previous to her current role as Director of Indian Affairs for Governor Gianforte, Misty was the Coordinator for Native American Programming and Outreach at Rocky Mountain College, and before that she served as Tribal Liaison and Field Representative for then-Congressman Gianforte. Misty lives in the Billings area with her husband Matthew.

In this episode, Eric talks with Billings business owner and community builder Kris Carpenter about her love of place, community, joy, and fly fishing. Kris shares with us some keys to successful business ownership and management, along with her ideas for building a better Billings, but don’t expect to learn the locations of her favorite fishing spots.

Eric, a graduate of Leadership Montana Class of 2016 and Masters Class 2019, leads this project with an unmatched curiosity and thirst for learning how each interviewee leans into leading. Eric magically brings to life the story underneath the words and weaves together a series that perfectly illustrates the meaning and value of listening deeply. Originally from Billings, Eric currently resides in Missoula where he serves as the Communications and Development Administrator for Partnership Health Center.

Kris Carpenter’s perfect day is being on any stream in Montana with a fly rod in hand. She loves to learn and continue to seek out new products, new ideas, and inspiration to bring back home to Billings. Her passions are her family (daughter Kinsey, son Rob, and daughter-in-law Mariah), fly-fishing, community service, and business. Her businesses include: Sanctuary Spa & Salon (1998), The Joy of Living (gift store) west end Billings (2010), and the newest project with her son and daughter-in-law, Black Dog Coffee House (2017). Kris was born and raised in Billings. She loves Billings because it’s a community full of so many people who come together to get things done. She enjoys being a part of these organizations and helping them make a difference in her city! Kris was a member of the Leadership Montana Class of 2018 and 2019 Masters Class.

In this episode, Chantel talks with actor, artist, and activist Samuel Enemy-Hunter about making history in the Supreme Court, the deep meaning of family, and why leaders “show up”, especially when it’s hard.

Chantel, Class of 2010 and Masters Class 2019 alumna, is also our President & CEO. An occasional host, she brings to Listen First Montana a deep knowledge of our alumni and the many ways they work to build a better Montana.

Samuel Enemy-Hunter (Conquers-His-Enemies) is an enrolled member of the Apsáalooke Tribe. He was raised in the town of Lodge Grass on the Crow Nation. He is a member of the Greasy Mouth Clan and a Child of the Big Lodge Clan. He is a traditional Two-Spirit person and a Sun Dancer. His Paternal Great Grandfather is Chief Enemy-Hunter and his Maternal Great Grandfather is Robert Yellowtail.

Samuel graduated from Little Big Horn College with an A.A. in Crow History & Language and graduated from the University of Montana with a B.A. in English/Creative Writing with an emphasis in Non-Fiction & Poetry.

In this episode, Eric visits with Leonard Malin about what it means to “do the work” of understanding and respecting cultural differences. We know Leonard as a big-hearted human working to promote inclusivity in the many communities he influences.

Eric, a graduate of Leadership Montana Class of 2016 and Masters Class 2019, leads this project with an unmatched curiosity and thirst for learning how each interviewee leans into leading. Eric magically brings to life the story underneath the words and weaves together a series that perfectly illustrates the meaning and value of listening deeply. Originally from Billings, Eric currently resides in Missoula where he serves as the Communications and Development Administrator for Partnership Health Center.

Leonard says: “I am a husband, Dad to my three semi-grown kids, papa to my grandson, and companion to my little dog Sam. I grew up on the Montana Hi-Line, in Malta. I love to read, I love to learn, I love music. I also love to get outside and soak in this Big Sky Country.

I earned a degree in accounting from Montana State – Go Cats!!! I have worked as a CPA, a banker, in accounting and finance for a mining and manufacturing company. I worked for a time at the Tumbleweed Runaway Program, and a brief stint in the craft spirits industry. I just recently joined the Mission West Community Development Partners, in Ronan, Montana, as the Business Development Center Director.”

In this special episode of Listen First Montana, Chantel and Eric visit the State Capitol in Helena and visit with several Leadership Montana alumni who work in the Legislature as elected members or government relations executives. We will hear from Democrats and Republicans about the ways that they listen to understand and to seek common ground. This is a timely view inside the marble halls of our center of government featuring Senator Duane Ankney of Colstrip, Representative Alice Buckley of Bozeman, Senator Tom Jacobson of Great Falls, Representative Terry Moore of Billings, former Representative Ray Shaw of Sheridan, and government relations executives Melissa Shannon and Jennifer Hensley.

Eric, a graduate of Leadership Montana Class of 2016 and Masters Class 2019, leads this project with an unmatched curiosity and thirst for learning how each interviewee leans into leading. Eric magically brings to life the story underneath the words and weaves together a series that perfectly illustrates the meaning and value of listening deeply. Originally from Billings, Eric currently resides in Missoula where he serves as the Communications and Development Administrator for Partnership Health Center.

Chantel, Class of 2010 and Masters Class 2019 alumna, is also our President & CEO. An occasional host, she brings to Listen First Montana a deep knowledge of our alumni and the many ways they work to build a better Montana.

Senator Duane Ankney of Colstrip, Representative Alice Buckley of Bozeman, Senator Tom Jacobson of Great Falls, Representative Terry Moore of Billings, former Representative Ray Shaw of Sheridan, and government relations executives Melissa Shannon and Jennifer Hensley.

In this episode, Dusty and Chantel talk about creating impact, investing in Montana communities, raising children with special needs, and just being kind.

Chantel, Class of 2010 and Masters Class 2019 alumna, is also our President & CEO. An occasional host, she brings to Listen First Montana a deep knowledge of our alumni and the many ways they work to build a better Montana.

As CEO and Principal of A&E Design, Dusty Eaton knows a thing or two about the power of great design in our lives. Whether it is a building or beer can, Dusty and his team bring their leadership skills of “failing fast” to every project.