Women's Leadership Conference Speakers
Conference Speakers
Megan Brummel has a background in education and leads with a growth mindset. In 2019, Megan joined
Leadership Outfitters, an executive coaching company, to manage client services and
quickly advanced to become an Accredited Insights Discovery Practitioner and completed
the Newfield Network’s Coaching for Personal and Professional Mastery program, shifting
her role to the Director of Insights at Leadership Outfitters. In 2023, she started
her own business, Wayfinders Leadership, after purchasing the Insights Discovery Distributorship
from Leadership Outfitters. Her passion is evident in the 80-plus team development
engagements she has designed and facilitated since her accreditation. In working with
organizations of all sizes, from Capital One and Salesforce to Vectara, AdvicePay,
and Heyday, she uses the Insights Discovery tool, her coaching training, and her personal
expertise to inspire leaders and their teams by identifying the transformative power
that lies behind awareness of our behavioral preferences. Her mission in life? To
inspire others to own the power they have in choosing behaviors that produce the results
they want in business and in life. She serves as a board member for Bozeman Professional
Women, is a coach for Montana Grit Outdoor’s ERC program, and serves in her church
as a Leadership Team member and as a volunteer with the high school youth group.
Lyndsay Gutierrez is a dynamic speaker, health educator, author, coach, and entrepreneur with a Master
of Science in Nutrition and Integrative Health. An award-winning entrepreneur and
chef, she is the Founder of Nourish and Co-founder of Nourish to Amplify. With over
a decade of experience, Lyndsay is a gut health specialist and fermentation expert,
dedicated to promoting wellness through innovative approaches.
A Navy veteran, Lyndsay brings discipline and resilience to her work. She is a true champion for women, supporting them in realizing their potential and achieving their goals. Whether inspiring audiences, coaching clients, or creating nutrient-dense recipes, Lyndsay is committed to fostering a healthier, happier world.
Virginia Hanson serves as Thrive's third Executive Director in 39 years. Previously, she spent her
career creating student-centered school classrooms, launching new programs, and building
networks of support so that future generations have what they need to be successful.
She holds degrees in English from the University of New Hampshire and Portland State
University and has taught in various K-12 and college settings, most recently ten
years as an associate teaching professor at Iowa State University.
Jayda Koland Jones is an AI and analytics consultant with over a decade of experience working across
industries including hospitality, healthcare, retail, e-commerce, aviation, B2B procurement,
marketing, insurance, and economic litigation. Her professional expertise includes
deploying machine learning solutions, customizing optimization algorithms, building
predictive models, and strategizing on opportunities for AI adoption. Jayda is the
founder and principal consultant of BDJ Strategy LLC, an AI and advanced analytics
consultancy focused on delivering client-first AI and analytics projects. She has
an MSc in Data Science from Northwestern University and earned her undergraduate degree
in Economics from USC.
Karen Lum is a dynamic force in business coaching and leadership development, known for her
intuitive approach and commitment to fostering meaningful growth. As the founder of
K. Lum Consulting, Karen has become a trusted "Business Co-Pilot" for entrepreneurs,
organizational leaders, and teams; guiding them through strategic challenges and professional
transformations with a unique blend of empathy, expertise, and humor. With over 30
years of experience across diverse industries, Karen offers coaching, training and
facilitation services to nonprofit and for-profit organizations worldwide. As a Co-Active
Business Coach, she empowers clients to work on their organizations rather than just
in them. As an interactive trainer and facilitator, Karen has delivered programs for
clients like SBC Communications, Commonfont, XY Planning Network, GVLT, Charles Schwab
and Montana State Fund.
Camille McKinney is an Executive/Leadership Coach, consultant, and speaker who is passionate about
elevating the impact women leaders have on people and organizations. After decades
working in the corporate sector, she launched her coaching practice to close the gap
between learning how to lead and BEING a great leader people want to follow. Camille
has worked with leaders in a variety of industry sectors, including finance, health
insurance, technology, entertainment, human resources, higher education and government.
Before becoming a professional Coach, she worked for over 25 years as a learning and
performance consulting professional in the banking and health insurance industries,
where she also led a team of sales training professionals.
Camille has a degree in Business Management, has completed Coach U’s Core Essentials
and advanced coaching programs, and is a Certified facilitator for Linkage’s Advancing
Women Leaders Academy. She is also a Faculty Member of Linkage’s Women in Leadership
Institute. Camille is active in the Los Angeles International Coaching Federation
(ICF) community, holding various Board roles since 2018, including Chapter President
in 2020 and Executive Advisor in 2022.
Cathy Mobley serves as a consultant, coach and facilitator for world-leading companies, delivering
high-impact learning programs and coaching executives on communications, leadership,
and presentation effectiveness. She has a practical, relational, and direct approach
in helping others increase their self-awareness, as well as identify the barriers
to their optimal performance. While being raised in New York City, Cathy now enjoys
life in Bozeman, MT with her husband, where they have access to a multitude of outdoor
activities and nature. Cathy has three children, three grandchildren, and three cats!
Neely Myers is a CPA who graduated from MSU with her masters of professional accountancy in 2010.
She began her career in public account with KPMG - Anchorage as an auditor in January
2011. She currently works for KPMG in their Core DPP Practice providing internal guidance
around audit quality. She is a board member for Kalispell Montessori, a 1st - 8th
non-profit school. She lives in Kalispell with her husband (also a Bobcat!), 3 boys
(ages 3, 6, 9), 2 dogs, and a cat. On weekends she spends her time cross country skiing,
hiking, and shuttling boys to snowboard lessons. On occasional weekday mornings you
will find her on the trails for kid free adventures.
Shayla Preeshl is a multidisciplinary creative leader with nearly a decade of experience shaping
brands and building meaningful connections across Fashion, Beauty, Hospitality, Design,
Culture, and Tech. Her work isn’t just about creating campaigns—it’s about crafting
stories and delivering ideas that make an impact. Shayla is known for pushing boundaries,
blending unconventional approaches with captivating aesthetics, and leading teams
to redefine what’s possible. From conceptualizing bold strategies to executing powerful
creatives, her process is grounded in collaboration, innovation, and a relentless
focus on people—both the brands she works with and who they serve. Because when brands
find their voice and audiences feel seen, everyone wins
Panelists & Moderator
 Rachel Caldwell is the Executive Director of Suffer Out Loud. With over 15 years of nonprofit experience,
she is committed to making it easier for every person to ask for, and receive the
mental healthcare we all deserve. |
 Perrin Lundgren is the Program Director for the Help Center and provides community educaiton on topics
ranging from suicide prevention, helping skills, consent and the effects of trauma. |
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Sarah holds a BS in Secondary Education, and an MS in Educational Leadership. She
taught in Bozeman for nearly fifteen years at various capacities; Bozeman School District,
Montana State University, Gallatin College, and through her tutoring and consulting
business, where she has strived to assist individuals to reach their full potential. |
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Kerry graduated with a master’s degree in Family Sciences from MSU and feels drawn
to supporting families by improving the systems that serve them. |
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Jennifer Buchanan will be the facilitator of the panel. She is an insurance professional in the Gallatin Valley with over 13 years in the insurance industry currently focusing on Employee Benefits. She loves the work she does and enjoys helping people understand how to navigate the insurance world effectively. Professionally, she helps to advise employers and HR professionals on benefit strategies and customizes plans to include insurance products and administrative support. Personally, she has a passion for healthy living and maintains this mind set in her benefit strategies. |
Sarah Montano has always been passionate about spreading compassion throughout the Bozeman community
primary through her career in education, but also other endeavors. She is ecstatic
to be able to combine all her professional experiences to contribute to the vision
and mission of Compassion Project as the Executive Director.
Laura Thum is the Assistant Director of Outreach and Prevention as well as a Licensed Psychologist
with MSU's Counseling and Psychological Services office.
Kerry Williams is one of three founding mothers of Roots Family Collaborative, and seeing it grow
from an idea to the organization it is today is her proudest professional achievement.
Her background in non-profit work and start-up business has helped Roots develop and
grow, and the struggle she experienced with her own entry into parenthood connects
her to everyone who walks through the door. In 2015, Kerry gave a TEDx Talk called
“Parenting: How I’m Not Getting It Right and Why You Shouldn’t Either” in which she
shared grappling with her change of identity in becoming a mother.
Keynote Speakers
 Karen McNenny spent the early years of her business career working as a trainer, facilitator and
coach for Providence Services, the largest healthcare system in the Northwest. During
those six years, she cut my teeth in the areas of workplace culture, employee engagement
and leadership excellence. All the invisible stuff in a workplace that ultimately
impacts visible outcomes. In short, the touchy feely relationship stuff. Well guess what? It’s all relationship stuff.Before that, her story started on stage. As an actress and dancer, Karen earned a BA in Media and Theater Arts from MSU. Shortly thereafter she found my path beyond the US borders as a Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholar. |
 Amanda McPherson's mission and passion is helping people become the most confident, authentic, fulfilled
versions of themselves. Through her own journey of personal discovery, she knows what
it is like to go from feeling like you are treading water in life to creating a life
that you truly love. Once a risk-avoidant “scaredy cat,” she is now an award-winning coach, speaker, and
published writer dedicated to empowering women. Her passion lies in helping women
cultivate deeply rooted confidence to reach their highest potential. Through her online
platform, Girl, Get Your Roots Done, Amanda shares relatable insights and actionable advice to help women navigate life's
ups and downs while remaining rooted in their values and sense of worth.
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