Leadership Montana

Leadership Montana Leadership Montana is the premier leadership development experience in our state.

Leadership Montana is a non-profit collaboration of leaders from business, labor, non-profit organizations, education and government coming together to form a strong partnership for the betterment of Montana. At the heart of our work is an eight-month educational program which offers participants a unique experience that develops strong leadership skills along with personal and professional growth

. Participants gain a deeper awareness of issues affecting our state, build powerful connections with their classmates and a network of committed alumni who live and work throughout Montana.

Leadership Montana alumni are making an impact in communities across our state.Each year we recognize outstanding alumni...
03/16/2026

Leadership Montana alumni are making an impact in communities across our state.

Each year we recognize outstanding alumni through the Leadership Montana Alumni Awards, and nominations are now open.
Submit a nomination here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PGKKVZD

We invite you to nominate alumni for two awards:

Barbara Braided Hair Alumni Leadership Award:
- Recognizes and promotes community involvement.
- Recognizes a Leadership Montana Alumni Member who has had a significant impact at the local or state level.
- Demonstrates outstanding leadership in keeping with and expanding the Leadership Montana philosophy in their community or the state.
- Serves as an example of leadership for others.

Mike O’Neill Alumni Service Award:
- Recognizes and promotes alumni service to support the Leadership Montana program and/or alumni activities.
- Recognizes a Leadership Montana Alumni Member who has used their leadership skills, knowledge, and resources to benefit Leadership Montana.

Nominate by March 31.

03/11/2026

Class of 2026 gathered in Great Falls for Session Five - three days of learning, connection, and exploration across north-central Montana.

From conversations with local leaders to exploring the state of healthcare in Montana at Benefis Health System, Montana history at the C.M. Russell Museum, and a behind-the-scenes visit to Malmstrom Air Force Base, the class engaged deeply with some of the people, institutions, and stories shaping the region.

Through leadership sessions and dialogue, participants practiced learning in public, reflected on how leaders navigate a complex world, and explored the role of coalition building in creating meaningful change across communities.

We’re incredibly grateful to the Great Falls partners, hosts, speakers, and alumni who welcomed us so generously and helped make this session such a meaningful experience.

Onward to Sidney! ✨

it was so awesome to see so many Leadership Montana Alumnae at this week's Montana Chamber of Commerce Women in Bussines...
03/07/2026

it was so awesome to see so many Leadership Montana Alumnae at this week's Montana Chamber of Commerce Women in Bussiness Summit. Day 2

Leadership Montana alumnae in action while in Bozeman for the Montana Chamber of Commerce Women in Business Summit. Day ...
03/05/2026

Leadership Montana alumnae in action while in Bozeman for the Montana Chamber of Commerce Women in Business Summit. Day 1

What does leadership growth actually look like?For 20 years, Leadership Montana alumni have stepped into their communiti...
02/23/2026

What does leadership growth actually look like?

For 20 years, Leadership Montana alumni have stepped into their communities with greater confidence, clarity, and courage.

Applications for the next Flagship class close February 28.

If you’ve been considering applying — or started your application — this is your reminder.

Growth doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when you say yes.

Apply now: https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=leadmt

Workforce housing continues to shape the realities of communities across Montana - particularly in rural areas.Join us f...
02/12/2026

Workforce housing continues to shape the realities of communities across Montana - particularly in rural areas.

Join us for LMT Live:

Current Housing Trends & Workforce Housing Development Discussion

Brad Caton and Angela Getchell from the Red Lodge Area Community Foundation will offer a rural housing perspective, including:

• The Red Lodge / Carbon County housing landscape and how it reflects broader rural realities
• Recent national housing trends shaping local decision-making
• Local examples of efforts to expand attainable housing inventory
• The financial hurdles and tradeoffs communities must navigate
• Practical insight drawn from real projects and on-the-ground experience

Whether you work in business, government, nonprofit leadership, or simply care about your community’s future - this conversation matters.

March 2 | 12 PM
Live on Zoom

Register here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RL7DWVF

✨ Happy Birthday to our Executive Director, Kelly! (In pink)Thank you for being such a thoughtful, inspiring, and steady...
02/09/2026

✨ Happy Birthday to our Executive Director, Kelly! (In pink)
Thank you for being such a thoughtful, inspiring, and steady leader - we’re so lucky to have you and grateful for all you do for this team and our community. Today we celebrate you! 💜

Meet the Masters Class of 2026! David Strohmaier, LMT 2023, LMT for Legislators 2024 - County Commissioner, Missoula Cou...
02/07/2026

Meet the Masters Class of 2026!

David Strohmaier, LMT 2023, LMT for Legislators 2024 - County Commissioner, Missoula County

Since 2017, Dave Strohmaier has served on the Missoula Board of County Commissioners and is current chairman of the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority. He holds an undergraduate degree from Seattle Pacific University and an
MAR in philosophy of religion from Yale Divinity School. He later attended the University of Montana, where he focused on fire ecology and environmental writing through the Environmental Studies Program, receiving an MS in 1999. Dave for worked 18 years with the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service followed by 13 years in the private sector as a historian with Historical Research
Associates, where he specialized in environmental and Native American history. He’s published two books with the University of Nevada Press—The Seasons of Fire: Reflections
on Fire in the West; and Drift Smoke: Loss and Renewal in a Land of Fire. From January 2006 to December 2013, Dave represented Ward 1 on the Missoula City Council. He is part of the Leadership Montana Flagship Class of 2023. Dave’s wife is an Episcopal priest and he has two children. As son who is a Lolo Hotshot and a daughter who just completed her freshman year at Barnard College. Outside of work, Dave enjoys big game hunting, fly fishing, and spending time with his family and black lab in the back country of Montana.

Meet the Masters Class of 2026!Joanne Romasko, LMT 2006 - Healthcare Trust Administrator, Montana Association of Countie...
02/07/2026

Meet the Masters Class of 2026!

Joanne Romasko, LMT 2006 - Healthcare Trust Administrator, Montana Association of Counties

I am the Health Care Trust Administrator for the Montana Association of Counties. I manage a team of professionals that market, sell and support Montana county employees with their health care benefits. I have been with MACo HCT for 5 years. Prior to this, I worked
at BCBSMT for over 20 years in various roles including, Sr. Manager Account Management, Director of Medical Economics and Director of Healthcare Management. My experience includes leadership, project management, compensation development, data analytics, consulting, coding, quality management, and risk management. I have also worked in various settings including hospital, home health, worker's compensation, and health plan. I have been married for 32 years and have two adult boys, Jay David and Matthew. We are also blessed as grandparents! In my spare time I enjoy spending time with family and friends, golfing and crocheting. I am a volunteer for Intermountain and sit on the Lewis & Clark Citizens Advisory Council which are a few of my passions. I have been in multiple roles for the Montana Health Information Management board over the past 30 years.

Meet the Masters Class of 2026! Nicole Smith, LMT 2022 Nicole Smith is a lifelong Montanan and she represents the 6th ge...
02/07/2026

Meet the Masters Class of 2026!

Nicole Smith, LMT 2022

Nicole Smith is a lifelong Montanan and she represents the 6th generation of women who call Montana home. She grew up in Helena; she is a graduate of Carroll College. Dr. Smith holds a doctorate in public health; she blends academic rigor with values-based advocacy to advance gender equity, sexual health, and reproductive freedom in Montana.

02/07/2026

Class of 2026 headed to Red Lodge for Session Four—and for the first time ever, the Flagship Program brought the class to this incredible community. Red Lodge did not disappoint!

Over three full days, class members engaged in thoughtful conversations, explored local leadership, and experienced the power of place in shaping Montana’s stories, challenges, and opportunities. From behind-the-scenes visits to honest dialogue with community leaders and alumni, the session invited deep listening, curiosity, and connection.

We’re incredibly grateful to the Red Lodge partners, hosts, speakers, and alumni who welcomed us so generously and helped make this inaugural visit one to remember.

Already looking ahead to what’s next - onward to Session Five! ✨

Meet the Masters Class of 2026! Patrick Lonergan, Class of 2025 - Chief of Emergency Management and Fire, Gallatin Count...
02/04/2026

Meet the Masters Class of 2026!

Patrick Lonergan, Class of 2025 - Chief of Emergency Management and Fire, Gallatin County

Patrick Lonergan started in emergency services in 1995 as a volunteer firefighter in high school. After graduating from Washington State University he moved to Wenatchee, WA where he worked as an emergency manager in the Sheriff’s Office. In 2007 he relocated to Bozeman, MT to take a position with Bozeman Fire Department as their staff captain responsible for the county’s emergency management program. Then in 2019 the emergency management program was consolidated, and Patrick transitioned to Gallatin County as their Chief of Emergency Management and Fire.

Patrick has been fortunate in his career to have had fantastic opportunities which exposed him to a wide variety of the emergency services arena. These include working as firefighter, engineer, lieutenant, and captain in several fire departments, plus as a member of hazardous materials response, rope rescue, and search and rescue teams. He has also been a member of several incident management teams managing numerous large incidents since 2005.

He has functioned on incidents in positions such as a Incident Commander, Planning Section Chief, Public Information Officer, Liaison Officer and Multi Agency Coordinating Group Coordinator. He is current the Deputy Incident Commander for Montana’s County Assist Team. As an emergency manager Patrick has coordinated a large variety of events including flooding, severe weather events, evacuations, wildland fires, structure fires, and dignitary visits resulting in local, state, and presidential emergency declarations. Patrick has been involved in numerous committees and boards at both the local and state levels. Currently he is President of the Montana County Fire Wardens Association and serves on the Northern Rockies Coordinating Group and Montana All Hazard Response Committee. He was previously the President of the Montana Association of Disaster and Emergency Services Coordinators and a former member of the Statewide Interoperability Governance Board, State Emergency Response Commission and Montana Resource Mobilization Group. Patrick resides in Bozeman with his wife, son and two dogs.

Address

PO Box 5155
Bozeman, MT
59717

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 3pm

Telephone

4065772727

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Leadership Montana is a non-profit collaboration of leaders from business, labor, non-profit organizations, education and government coming together to form a strong partnership for the betterment of Montana. At the heart of our work is an eight-month educational program which offers participants a unique experience that develops strong leadership skills along with personal and professional growth. Participants gain a deeper awareness of issues affecting our state, build powerful connections with their classmates and a network of committed alumni who live and work throughout Montana.