blazing trails: MT women in business summit

THE SUMMIT IS SOLD OUT – Email Candace Strauss at [email protected] to be put on a Wait List.

GROUP RATE LODGING: Attendees, scroll to the bottom of the page to book.

wed-fri, March 5-7, 2025

ac Hotel bozeman | ELEMENT HOTEL & kimpton armory Hotel

Get ready for the 2nd annual Blazing Trails: Montana Women in Business Summit, March 5-7, 2025. After a sold-out debut that left everyone inspired and empowered, we’re back and bigger than ever with additional programming on Friday morning. Join us for another unforgettable experience filled with dynamic speakers, innovative workshops, and valuable networking opportunities. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this phenomenal event that everyone is raving about—reserve your spot now!

We will once again celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD – Saturday, March 8) on Friday and join our voices with those of women from around the globe for an unforgettable experience. IWD is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality.

During the two-and-a-half days of programming and networking, we will deep dive into leadership development, financial well-being, entrepreneurship, civic engagement, advocacy, philanthropy and more. Network with fellow trailblazers, industry leaders, and policymakers. Proceeds from the event will go toward funding our childcare policy initiatives in the 2025 Montana Legislature and beyond.

Pack your bags and let’s blaze new trails together!

#BlazingTrails #MTWIBSummit2025 #MTWIB2025 #MontanaWomenInBusiness #WomensEmpowerment #WomenLeadingChange #IWD25 #InternationalWomensDay

ANCILLARY EVENT: “Montana Trailblazers’ Toast: A Kick-off to Ladies’ Night Downtown Bozeman” at Sky Oro
Sponsored by Clearwater Credit Union
Thursday, November 21

for More information

CONTACT:  

Candace Carr Strauss          
Head Wrangler | VP – Marketing & Communications  [email protected]

(m) 406.640.1331

2025 Summit AGENDA

2025 MT WIB SUMMIT WELCOME RECEPTION @ AC HOTEL BENCHMARK RESTAURANT & BAR (rooftop)

4:00 – 6:00 PM – REGISTRATION OPEN 

5:30 – 7:30 PM – 2025 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   Brief remarks from the Montana Chamber & Reception Sponsor Mountain Health Co-Op

7:30 PM   Event Concludes

“BLAZING TRAILS” – 2025 MT WIB SUMMIT KICKS OFF

7:30 – 9:00 AM – REGISTRATION OPEN; Breakfast on your own. Fieldings in the Kimpton opens at 7:00 a.m.

OPENING SESSION @ KIMPTON ARMORY MUSIC HALL

9:00 – 9:10 AMWELCOME REMARKS from the Montana Chamber of Commerce; Sponsor Recognition

9:10 – 9:40 AM FIRESIDE CHAT with First Lady Susan Gianforte
and Nancy Schlepp, VP – Communications & Government Relations, Sandfire Resources America and FY24 Montana Chamber Board Chair

9:45 – 10:15 AM – OPENING KEYNOTE: Laura Higgins, Head of Diverse Businesses – JPMorgan Chase Pacific

PLEASE NOTE MEETING ROOMS ARE IN THE AC HOTEL, ELEMENT & KIMPTON ARMORY MOVING FORWARD

10:15 AM – 1:15 PM – NATIVE WOMEN LAUNCH ART WALK @ ETHA MEZZANINE above ARMORY MUSIC HALL
Sponsored by Yellowstone Club Community Foundation
View & purchase items made by the Indigenous women speaking on the “Artists & Visionaries: Native Women Leading through Creativity & Entrepreneurship” panel in the Armory at 1:30 PM.

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

“Beyond Strategy: Why Corporate Culture is the Real Breakfast of Champions”
AC HOTEL BRIDGER BALLROOM

  • Michelle Huie, Founder – ShopDot and Vim&Vigr
  • Stephanie Pimmel, SVP & Chief People Officer – PacificSource
  • Stacy Maloney, Founder & CEO – Elevate11 Consulting
  • Moderator: Dr. Suzanne Tilleman, Dean – University of Montana College of Business


“The Future of Work: Unleashing Women’s Potential with AI”
KIMPTON ARMORY MUSIC HALL

  • Lisa DeLuca, Sr. Director Product & Engineers – Unstoppable Domains (formerly AI at IBM, Wayfair)
  • Heidi Johnson, President – OpenBB
  • Kirsten Schaub, Chief Revenue Officer – mpathic and others
  • Moderator: Lumay Murphy, VP of Finance – mpathic


“The Impact of Millennials on the Workplace”
TRUE NORTH @ KIMPTON (Upstairs)

  • Catherine Bernhardt, GM Western Montana – Republic Services
  • Secretary Christi Jacobsen, Montana Secretary of State
  • Kallie Kujawa, MSN, RN, Chief Operating Officer – Bozeman Health
  • Moderator: Brianne Rogers, Owner – Bird Dog Strategies


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

“Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Women Succeeding in Male-Dominated Industries”
AC HOTEL BRIDGER BALLROOM

  • Jacyln Marin Liebscher, Project Manager for One&Only – Golden Eagle
  • Heather McDowell, VP Legal & External Affairs, Americas – Sibanye-Stillwater
  • Kali Ryti, President – First Security Bank, Bozeman

Moderator: Suzi Berget White, AVP/Commercial Lender – First Security Bank, Bozeman

“Breaking Barriers: Photonics & Quantum from a Female Perspective”
KIMPTON ARMORY MUSIC HALL

–      Dana Cuccia, CEO – HealthGuard Systems
–      Mary Johnson, CEO – Wavelength Electronics
–      Sarah Lukes, CEO – Agile Focus Designs
–      Lisa Wood, CEO – Analog Physics
–      Moderator: Elle Gahl, Shadow Ridge Analytics (photonics); Board Member Montana Photonics & Quantum Alliance

“Innovative Paths to Impact: Funding Models for Social Good”
TRUE NORTH @ KIMPTON (Upstairs)

  • Chelsea Bodnar, Founder & CEO – Montana Pediatrics
  • Lyndsay Gutierrez, Cooperative Specialist – Montana Women’s Finance Cooperative – Montana Cooperative Development Center (MCDC)
  • Kelly Schwager, VP Global Communications – Oracle
  • Christine Tennyson, VP Business Development – Meaningful Ventures 2.0
  • Moderator: Candace Carr Strauss, VP Marketing & Communications – Montana Chamber of Commerce


12:15 PM – BUFFET LUNCH @ KIMPTON ARMORY MUSIC HALL

12:15 – 1:30 PM – LUNCH KEYNOTE TBD @ Kimpton Armory Music Hall Sponsored by Clearwater Credit Union

2:00 – 2:45 PM – AFTERNOON BREAKOUTS – Session I

“Women Entrepreneurs Rising: Securing Capital and Building Success in Montana”
AC HOTEL BRIDGER BALLROOM

  • Tana Burke, Founder – Sky Cycle
  • Avery Patrick, VP & Marketing Director – Showdown Montana
  • Paige Williams, Founder – Aud Pop
  • Moderator: Margaret Madrigal, Executive Director Commercial Banking MT/WY – JPMorgan Chase


“Artists & Visionaries: Native Women Leading through Creativity & Entrepreneurship”
KIMPTON ARMORY MUSIC HALL

  • Brocade Stops Black Eagle (Crow-Mandan Hidatsa) – Brocade Designs
  • Cheylsa “Chief” Owens-Cyr (Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux, Pasqua First Nations Plains Cree and Saulteaux) – Chief’n Wear
  • TaNeel Filesteel Neuman (Aaniiih, Nakoda, Apsaalooke) – Moss Bag Baby

Moderators: Latisha Buck Elk Thunder, Executive Director – Native Women Launch Program and Ticia Cliff, Workforce Development Specialist, Accelerate MT

3:00 – 3:45 PM – AFTERNOON BREAKOUTS – Session II

“Boardroom Excellence: How Good Governance Fuels Growth”
AC HOTEL BRIDGER BALLROOM

  • Sarah Blechta, VP, Yellowstone Club Property Owners’ Association | Chair, Big Sky Resort Area District Board
  • Melissa Matassa-Stone, CEO – WGM Group
  • TBD
  • Moderator: Melanie Schwarz, CEO – UpStream Strategy Partners


“Health at Every Stage: Supporting Women’s Choices & Challenges”
KIMPTON ARMORY MUSIC HALL

  • Heidi Duncan, FAAFP, MD – Billings Clinic
  • Stephanie McDowell, Executive Director – BridgerCare
  • Carrie Krepps, Executive Director – Florence Crittenton
  • Moderator: Colee Wingo, Senior Community Advisor – Billings Clinic Bozeman


4:00 – 4:30 PM – CLOSING KEYNOTE: 
“Authentic Leadership in the Face of Adversity” – Kim Greene, Founder – Svalinn
KIMPTON ARMORY MUSIC HALL

NETWORKING RECEPTION @ KIMPTON SKY SHED (Rooftop)

4:30 – 6:00 PM – MT WIB SUMMIT NETWORKING RECEPTION @ Kimpton Sky Shed (Rooftop) Sponsored by Rocky Mountain Women’s Business Center

6:00 PM – Dinner on your own in Downtown Bozeman

7:15 – 8:05 AM       “Rise & Thrive: Energize Your Morning with Pilates Plus” with Sam Schmidt, PT/Certified Master Pilates Instructor, Alpine Physical Therapy Missoula
ELEMENT HOTEL CONFERENCE ROOM

8:00 – 9:45 AM – BUFFET BREAKFAST @ AC HOTEL BRIDGER BALLROOM sponsored by Jackson Contracting Group – No formal program; network at your leisure

10:00 – 11:30 AM MORNING WORKSHOPS –  SELECT ONE TO ATTEND

Story Sharing to Engage & Connect”
Sarah Elkins, Elkins Consulting, Author/Podcast Host
ELEMENT HOTEL CONFERENCE ROOM

Quiet Leadership – You can change your world with a whisper.”
Karen Grosz, President – Canvas Creek Team
KIMPTON ARMORY MUSIC HALL
This high-energy session will help you figure out how – Both introverts & extroverts welcome!

“Better Together: Creating Win-Win Business Partnerships & Collaborations”
Kassi Strong, Program Director – Rocky Mountain Women’s Business Center
AC BRIDGER BALL ROOM

2025 INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY POWER LUNCH @ KIMPTON ARMORY MUSIC HALL

12:00 PM – WELCOME by Montana Chamber followed by LUNCH / NETWORKING

12:15 PM – An Update from the 2025 Legislative Session on Childcare initiatives in Montana

12:30 – 1:45 PM     INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY LUNCHEON KEYNOTE with Consul Generals – A celebration of IWD under the theme,“For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.” This year’s theme calls for action that can unlock equal rights, power and opportunities for all and a future where no one is left behind. #ACCELERATEACTION

  • Sophie Hattat – Consul General of Belgium
  • Gry Rabe Henriksen – Consul General of Norway
  • Paulina Kapuścińska – Consul General of the Republic of Poland
  • Renee Pea – Consul General of Croatia
  • Tammy Sandhu – Consul General of the United Kingdom
  • Lucia Sava – Consul General of Romania
  • Moderator: Lieutenant Governor, Kristen Juras


1:45 PM – DRAWINGS for Raffle Prizes / Centerpieces 

2:00 PM – THANK YOU; LUNCH CONCLUDES

LODGING

Group Room Blocks

AC Hotel by Marriott Bozeman Downtown – $179/night + taxes (Addl fees will not be charged)
The AC Hotel by Marriott Bozeman Downtown would be happy to extend your stay beyond the 3/5-3/6 conference dates at the special group rate. Please call the hotel directly at (406) 602-1072 to make arrangements.

Element Bozeman – $179/night + taxes

Kimpton Armory Hotel – $179/night + taxes (Addl fees will not be charged)
Last day to book in the block: Tuesday, February 7, 2025

2025 mt wib suMMIT COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Nancy Schlepp, Sandfire Resources America / Chair – MTCC Board of Directors
Courtney Kibblewhite, Northern Broadcasting System / Past Chair – MTCC Board of Directors; current Montana Chamber Foundation Board Member
Blair Fjeseth, Mountain Health CO-OP / MTCC Board Member
Joceyln Lane, First Interstate Bank / MTCC Board Member
Liz Marchi, Two Bear Capital / MTCC Board Member
————————————————————————————-
Blythe Beaubien, Bigger Fish PR & Media Relations
Julia Bryant
Nikki Geiszler, Montana World Affairs Council
Kayla Lee
, MSU Jake Jabs College of Business & Entrepreneurship
Margaret Madrigal, Samantha Salisbury, Becky Seal – JPMorgan Chase MT/WY
Cassidy Maver, Kimpton Armory Hotel Bozeman
Chantelle McDuffie,
 Lambert Hotels
McKayla Murphy, Element Bozeman
Haley Rowland, AC Hotel Bozeman
Suzi Berget White, First Security Bank
Colee Wingo, Billings Clinic – Bozeman

RURAL & iNDIGENOUS WOMEN'S SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY

Thanks to the generosity of Two Bear Capital, we are offering (5) scholarships to Rural and Indigenous Women in business who wish to attend the event. This includes (2) nights lodging at the AC Hotel and the full conference registration.

Please FILL OUT THE APPLICATION HERE. It takes 10 minutes at most.

If you have any questions, email: [email protected]

DUE DATE: February 5, 2025 
All applicants will be notified of the scholarships awarded.
Afterwards, we will ask for a quote from your participation at the Summit.

CHILDCARE

Looking for childcare while in Bozeman attending the Summit? Well, look no further. Contact Jessica Dehn, Founder/Owner of Dino Drop-In Learning Center.

LOCATION: 205 N 11th on the corner of Main St. and 11th
Enter on Main across from Starbucks

Cancellation & REFUND policy

The event will take place rain, shine, or SNOW.  No refunds due to inclement weather. Requests for cancellations must be made in writing to the Montana Chamber, addressed to [email protected] and received by Friday, February 14, 2025 for consideration of your refund. No refunds will be made for cancellations received after Friday, February 14, 2025, or for no-shows. Refunds may not be processed until the Summit concludes so please allow a week for processing.

Registration, Tickets & Sponsorships

Upcoming Dates

  • 05
    Mar
    2025 Blazing Trails: Montana Women in Business Summit
    5:00 pm
    -
    2:00 pm
Details Price Qty
FULL REGISTRATION - 2025 MT WIB Summit $495.00 USD   Sold Out

Online event registration and ticketing powered by Event Espresso

Venue:  

Venue Phone: (406) 551-7700

Venue Website:

Address:
24 W Mendenhall St., Bozeman, Montana, 59715, United States

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