2025 9th Annual

Montana Women’s

Leadership Conference

The vision of the Junior League of Billings’ Annual Montana Women’s Leadership Conference is to empower women to become mindful leaders in the community. The conference will span themes of professional, personal, and community leadership to inspire and elevate Montana. This conference will offer exposure to diverse, nationally recognized speakers and accomplished female role models. In addition, through our workshops, attendees will learn practical applications to take back to their businesses, homes, and community organizations.

March 21, 2025

This years theme: 

Empowered. Elevated. Exceptional. Montana Women Leading Change.

Transformative workshops led by trailblazing women who are breaking barriers and building bridges in Montana. Stay tuned as we unveil our stellar lineup of speakers throughout December, promising an array of perspectives and expertise.

Don't miss your chance to be a part of this empowering experience. Join us at the Montana Women's Leadership Conference and embark on a journey of inspiration, connection, and leadership growth.  

Read on for registration and our 2025 Conference Speaker Line Up!

2025 Conference Speaker Line Up

Our amazing line up of speakers cover a variety of inspirational, educational, and impactful topics! MEET OUR SPEAKERS!!

Danielle Dahl--Billings, MT

Danielle Dahl is the co-founder of Resilient Stories, a platform dedicated to sharing narratives of triumph, resilience, and personal growth. With over 1,000 articles written for EverydayPower, Medium, and NewsBreak, she is passionate about exploring the intersections of trauma, motivation, and development. Danielle holds a Master’s in Management and Leadership (along with a 20-year career of managing roles in various industries) and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Psychology from Northcentral University. Her journey of overcoming childhood trauma and significant loss has shaped her leadership philosophy, which is rooted in authenticity, empathy, and the power of storytelling. Danielle’s mission is to inspire others to embrace their inner strength, make value-driven choices, and rise above life’s obstacles. As a speaker, Danielle shares her own transformative experiences to empower women to lead with resilience and compassion. Through Resilient Stories, she has built a community that highlights the unyielding strength of the human spirit and fosters personal and professional growth.

SPEAKING TOPIC: "Empowering Yourself Through Resilience: Overcoming Fear and Stepping into Your Exceptional Self."

Heidi Davey--Billings, MT

Heidi joined Altana Federal Credit Union 19 years ago, and has spent the majority of her career spreading the good word about the CU mission across Altana’s field of membership and beyond. In her current role as Experience Manager, Heidi leads community, membership, and employee engagement efforts. Her daily duties range from teaching Fin Lit to K through gray (kindergarten to senior citizens), to event planning for all who work with and for Altana, to employee development efforts and onboarding. Her favorite “unofficial” role is acting as Altana’s resident cheerleader – celebrating growth, development, and success for everyone around her.      

 SPEAKING TOPIC: "Your Money, Your Values.”

Yuliya Johnson--Billings, MT

 Yulia is a Therapist/Journalist/Volunteer/Community activist/Forensic Psychologist in training. She speaks 7 languages, 41 countries visited, 5 different countries lived in for at least 3 years, 4 degrees, 1 life. "I was born in Prague, Czech Republic. My dad was officer in Soviet Union (later Ukrainian Army), my mom was a therapist in the university. We moved around a lot, we were stationed in Czech Republic, Germany, Kazakhstan, Russia and Ukraine. My mom was always my best friend and she supported all my wild, seemed to be unrealistic ideas. When I was 4 y.o. I told my family that one day I will move to The United States, when I was 5 y.o. I decided that one day I will get PhD just like our neighbor, when I was 10 y.o. I my dream was to become a journalist. Everyone around tried to convince me that I should stop to have my head in the cloud and start to dream about family, kids and some simple job, not career. Only my mom told: “You should at least try to follow your dreams. I got your back”. I got bachelor degrees in psychology, veterinary medicine and journalism. I also got Master of Art in History and just recently in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (SNHU). Currently I am studying the Forensic Psychology in Walton University shooting for my PhD. I publish 3 books in Ukraine, 2 of my books are stories about soldiers who died in the conflict on the East of my country starting from 2014. I was working as host on local TV station in my home city (Sumy, Ukraine), and journalist in newspapers and magazines. I was writing political ads for different president candidates in Ukraine and interviewed Zelenskiy when he still was a comedian. When I moved to the US I became a therapist. I an working with Cross Community Reconciliation group in Billings, our goal is healing dialog between people of different ethnicity and races. I went to bring my mom and our dog Savva from Ukraine to Montana when war between Ukraine and Russia just started in February 2022. I lived in Italy and Finland, and traveled quite a bit around the world. When I came to United States, I was started my life from 0. 7 years in Montana proved that nothing is impossible for determined women.

SPEAKING TOPIC: "Nothing is impossible in Montana, from bringing one luggage to Montana from Ukraine to building a career and enrolling in a Ph.D. program in the United States. Women have no limit.”

Sue Kerver--Belgrade, MT

 Sue grew up in Denver, Colorado and, after finishing her undergraduate degree work at the University of Denver, joined the Peace Corps, where she spent two years living in Africa as a Peace Corps Volunteer. When Sue came back stateside, she continued to teach 6-12 Language Arts prior to joining the Coast Guard in 2002. During her 12 year tenure as an active duty and reserve officer, Sue served in various capacities. Most notably, she was part of the communications team that handled the preliminary communication and media efforts for the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and follow-on investigation, including establishing the response's official website, social media platforms and Joint Information Center. Sue also provided strategic messaging for high-visibility incidents, and served as the Media Relations Team Lead for President Obama's 2012 Inauguration. In a more operational capacity, Sue also served as a Deck Watch Officer and the logistical and supply chain lead on a 210’ Cutter and a Law Enforcement Boarding Officer. She routinely participated in crisis response and at-sea interdictions, which included drug and human trafficking cases, living marine resource conservation and search and rescue. After leaving the Coast Guard, Sue spent some time in corporate America before returning to Federal service. In 2020, Sue made her way to Bozeman, Montana, where she bought a home with Josh, that they share with their chocolate Labrador, Meatball Beauregard. Sue obtained a Master of Arts from the University of Georgia, and a Master of Business Administration, with a focus on leadership, from the Citadel. Sue currently holds a communications position with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, where she oversees messaging and outreach efforts for a number of natural infrastructure projects, conservation efforts, and ecosystem restoration initiatives. Sue is a strong advocate for getting more women involved in the outdoors, on the water, and into fish, and, in 2021, established "Two Gals and a Boat" with the mission of bringing women of all ages, backgrounds and experiences together to learn the fundamentals of fly fishing. With a conservation-focused curriculum, Sue has seen her participants create community and gain confidence in the outdoor classroom. She is also the host of the "Two Gals and a Mic" podcast, which offers weekly episodes featuring amazing and inspiring women who are doing extraordinary things. In her free time, Sue enjoys traveling as well as getting out on Montana's rivers to fly fish and up in Montana's mountains to ski, hike and camp.

SPEAKING TOPIC: "Telling Your Story With Your Authentic Voice."

Tera Lamontagne--Billings, MT

Born to drug addicted parents, raised my siblings, graduated high school, opted out of joining the military, worked for McDonald's for 21 years obtaining a leadership position after being a general manager, divorced 3 times, domestic violence survivor, mother of a child who beat cancer, alcoholic rehab and then treatment court(will be graduating) by the time the conference going to school to become a self care coach.

SPEAKING TOPIC: "Overcoming Adversity"

Meghan Lehman-Joliet, MT

     Meghan was born and raised in Southeast Montana with a variety of dogs, pigs, cows and barn cats. She was diagnosed with ADHD at 24 and is an advocate for rural mental health. She is a current member of the Montana Farm Bureau and Junior League of Billings. Currently, Meghan and her husband Brycen live in Joliet with their two dogs, two outdoor feline vermin eradication specialists, and a flock of bluebirds that call their yard home.

SPEAKING TOPIC: "The Power of &"

Christine May--Billings, MT

I have a psychotherapy practice in Billings, MT and diversify my practice with clinical supervision. I provide training to my team on compassion fatigue, professional boundaries and resilience. I have extensive experience as a yoga teacher and combine elements of yoga and spirituality into my practice and teaching. I love running, reading, cats and orchids.

SPEAKING TOPIC: "Boundaries and Undergarments: Why you need both."

Heather McAbee--Billings, MT

 Repatterning Practitioner/ Workshop and Retreat Leader/ Public Speaker/ Owner of Shifting Sands Holistic Healing,

Heather is a transformation facilitator, workshop and retreat leader and owner of Shifting Sands Holistic healing.  Her most requested talk From Trauma to Triumph inspires audiences to break the chains of generational trauma patterns by taking charge of their own healing. She is most known for her signature program Meeting Yourself Again. Heather assists people who have been hurt or mistreated in erasing the beliefs that keep them from feeling love, connection and belonging so they can live the life they wished for but never dreamed they could achieve. Heather is a Certified Repatterning Practitioner, EFT/ TFT Tapping Master Practitioner, Magui Block Facilitator, Solution Based Hypnotherapist and Level 2 Aerial Yoga Instructor.  She is also certified in muscle testing, family systems therapy and family constellations. Heather is constantly curious and a weaver of wow.  She believes in the power of making dreams come true. Heather enjoys spending quality time with her husband and two teens, playing cards, and vacationing on warm, sunny beaches all around the globe.

SPEAKING TOPIC: "From Trauma to Triumph - Breaking the Chains."

 Courtney McKee--Bozeman, MT

Courtney McKee is the CEO of Wisdom Road, where she works with businesses and nonprofit organizations to create human-centered solutions to organizational challenges. Courtney’s two highest values are Community and Courage and she brings both of them to the planning and execution of all the work she does. She is the co-founder of Headframe Spirits and Headframe Spirits Manufacturing in Butte, MT, two Montana B-Corporations. She formerly served on the board of the American Craft Spirits Association and continues to co-chair their Education Committee, since 2016. She also recently co-chaired the Leadership Academy Curriculum Working Committee and helped develop the DISCUS Academy Leadership Program for the Distilled Spirits Council of the US. She volunteers with Montana nonprofit organizations including Leadership Montana and is a graduate of their Flagship and Master’s programs. Courtney has her Master’s in Public Administration, using her knowledge and experience to help small businesses and nonprofits eliminate obstacles to achieving their missions. Courtney’s Purpose is to help others achieve theirs.

SPEAKING TOPIC: "Fostering a sense of belonging in our own lives and in our workplaces."

Erika Purington--Billings, MT

Erika Purington is a dynamic force in the world of leadership, known for her innovative spirit and unwavering commitment to making a positive impact for the teams and populations she works with. With a unique blend of inspiring vision and strategic insight, Erika consistently transforms challenges into opportunities, inspiring those around her to think bigger and push boundaries. Her journey is marked by a deep passion for personal growth and community engagement, as she dedicates herself to initiatives that uplift and empower others. Erika’s resilience, coupled with her authenticity, makes her a role model for aspiring leaders, demonstrating that success is a journey best traveled with accountability, courage, compassion, and an open heart. Erika holds a Master’s in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling from MSU-Billings and has dedicated her career to creating positive change in both social and private sectors. Her impactful leadership includes roles with organizations such as Tumbleweed, STEP, Elation, Inc., and KOA, Inc. Today, she serves as the Executive Director of Adult Resource Alliance of Yellowstone County, where her commitment to community empowerment continues. As a certified leadership coach and founder of She Leads, Erika is passionate about helping women unlock their potential through customized leadership development. A proud mother of two grown children, now 32 and 29, she calls the beautiful Red Lodge, MT, home.

SPEAKING TOPIC: "Resiliency and Self Awareness"