MT women in business summit & International Women's Day Power Lunch
wed-fri, March 6-8, 2024
ac Hotel bozeman downtown | kimpton armory Hotel
Join us for our first Blazing Trails: Montana Women in Business Summit, March 6-8, 2024.
Get ready to pioneer a new era of empowerment, inspiration, and connection! We will come together for this event uniting remarkable women from across the Treasure State. This will include celebrating International Women’s Day (IWD – March 8) and joining 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.
For International Women’s Day 2024 and beyond, let’s Inspire Inclusion.
When we inspire others to understand and value women’s inclusion, we forge a better world.
And when women themselves are inspired to be included, there’s a sense of belonging, relevance and empowerment.
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.
Register now, book your room, pack your bags and let’s blaze new trails together!
#BlazingTrails #MTWIBSummit2024 #MontanaWomenInBusiness #WomensEmpowerment #WomenLeadingChange #IWD24 #InspireInclusion
for More information
2024 Event Schedule At-A-Glance
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
LODGING
This event is sponsored by Bozeman Hotels & Motels. If you are traveling to Bozeman, book your stay at one of the many hotels and motels found throughout the city, offering a variety of prices and amenities to fit all budgets and travel experiences.
Group Room Blocks
AC Hotel by Marriott Bozeman Downtown
The AC Hotel by Marriott Bozeman Downtown would be happy to extend your stay beyond the 3/6-3/7 conference dates at the special group rate of $179 / night. Please call the hotel directly at (406) 602-1072 to make arrangements.
Kimpton Armory Hotel
Last day to book in the block: Tuesday, February 20, 2024
2024 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
Blair Fjeseth, Mountain Health CO-OP / MTCC Board Member
Liz Marchi, Two Bear Capital / MTCC Board Member
Valerie Edwards, Valerie Joy Events
Vickira Hengst, Bridger Photonics
Kayla Lee, MSU Jake Jabs College of Business & Entrepreneurship
Margaret Madrigal, Samantha Salisbury & Becky Seal, JPMorgan Chase (MT/WY)
Heather McDowell, Sibanye-Stillwater
Courtney Reeves, Kimpton Armory Hotel 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 (4) scholarships to Rural and Indigenous Women in business who wish to attend the event. This includes mileage reimbursement, (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 15, 2024 – EXTENDED TO FEBRUARY 20, 2024
All applicants will be notified of the scholarships awarded.
Afterwards, we will ask for a quote from your participation at the Summit.
FREE CHILDCARE FOR THURSDAY, mARCH 7TH NETWORKING RECEPTION
Looking for childcare for Thursday night’s Networking Reception? Well, look no further. Jessica Dehn, Founder/Owner of Dino Drop-In Learning Center and panelist on “The State of Childcare in Montana” has offered FREE childcare from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. to any MT WIB Summit attendee.
Indicate in the registration form “comp” for attending the conference.
NEW LOCATION: 205 N 11th on the corner of Main St. and 11th
Enter on Main across from Starbucks
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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 16, 2024 for registrants to receive a full refund. No refunds will be made for cancellations received after Friday, February 17, 2024, or for no-shows. Refunds may not be processed until the conference concludes.
Registration, Tickets & Sponsorships
There are no upcoming dates for this event.
Venue: Kimpton Armory Hotel Bozeman
Venue Phone: (406) 551-7700
Venue Website: https://www.armoryhotelbzn.com/
Address: