Website: www.beautifuldirectionscounseling.com

Bio: I was raised on the Flathead Indian reservation. I am the youngest of 3 girls all a year apart. I didn’t know my dad, my mother was very emotionally, physically and mentally abusive and my step dad was a child molester. My ACES Score is a 7 with the only things that didn’t happen was no one went to prison, no one was addicted to anything and my mom was not being beaten. My childhood was very lonely I was bullied at school and all I really remember is always being scared. At 14 I discovered King Alcohol and spent the next 24 years battling alcoholism, toxic behavior on my part and the relationships I chose to get into I knew that I was fatally flawed with no hope being successful. My self esteem was non existent, I would not stick up for myself because I didn’t believe that was a right I had. I had minimum wage jobs primarily as I dropped out of High School when I was a senior but did get my GED. At the age of 38 I was convicted of Felony Tampering with evidence for forging a letter to a Judge insinuating I had completed a 30 day treatment program after receiving a Misdemeanor DUI. I turned a misdemeanor into a felony and because I couldn’t stop drinking and was not in compliance with probation so I was sent to Passages January 23, 2010. It was that experience and something so small as someone remembering my name which was the grain of sand I was able to build on that began to lead me to the understanding that I do have value, I am worth while and I can be successful. Upon release I began going to school because I really knew I didn’t want to use again and I didn’t want to be in custody again and needed something productive to do with my time. Plus I distant to die without a college degree. I majored in Psychology and before I knew It I was graduating and the facility that housed me in 2010 became my employer in 2016. I decided there was not much a person can do with a Bachelors Degree in Psychology so I better go to grad school so I did. In all honesty in hindsight I probably went to college for Psychology to fix my own but in Grad school I became fascinated by human behavior. I graduated from grad school and got all my supervision hours at passages and then in Aug of 2020 I stopped working at Passages and worked solely in my own private practice. I did that for about 4 years and then in December of 2023 expanded my practice to a group private practice. The group had been an amazing learning experience, growth opportunity, school of hard knocks and somedays just awful. However I remained sober for just about 16 years, had a baby at 43 years old, married an amazing man, bought a house by myself and my message is a message of hope. If your struggling don’t give up, believe in yourself even when it’s hard and get out of your way. You will make all your dreams come true. I am now a dually licensed mental health provider licensed in both Montana and Texas as well as a EMDRIA Certified EMDR therapist.

TOPIC:  Traumatic past, overcoming adversity and being resilient. If I can do it any one can.

Website: www.raizetnadancecompany.com

Bio: Maribel Parman has built a vibrant career rooted in her passion for dance, education, and community engagement. Her formal training began with Danza Jazz Stage in Chihuahua, Mexico, and continued at prestigious institutions such as the Broadway Center, Steps on Broadway in New York, Velocity Dance Center in Seattle, Contemporary Ballet Dallas, Millenium LA, and SCB. Her dedication and talent have earned her recognition as one of the Best Dancers and Choreographers at multiple AMTC International Competitions in Orlando, Florida, with top awards in hip hop and contemporary dance.

Maribel has performed with Danza Jazz Stage, the Outlaws Dance Team (where she served as assistant director for the Best IFL Team in the state), Rimrock Opera, and collaborated with industry professionals including Patron G and Big Gemini. She has also appeared as a background dancer for Hannibal’s comedy show and opened concerts for artists such as Eric Bellinger, Patron G, Preston Wayne, and Tutu Cool.

In 2024, Maribel taught contemporary modern dance at Dance Italia in Lucca, Italy, adding to her extensive teaching experience in Italy, Mexico, and Spain. She leads workshops and inspires dancers worldwide, combining technical expertise with her passion for nurturing emerging talent.

As a public speaker and educator, Maribel shares her insights on resilience, cultural expression, and the transformative power of dance. She is also a dedicated educator of youth, working with organizations such as Motion Arts Company, school districts, public libraries, and colleges across the nation to create new opportunities for leadership, creativity, and personal growth among young people.

Maribel is the founder and artistic director of RaizEtna Dance Company and Breccia Performing, as well as a founding member, dancer, and choreographer of Arc Montana Dance Collective. She is also a board member of Motions Art Company, actively contributing to the growth and enrichment of her local dance community in the US and Mexico.

TOPIC:  Using your body as a tool for communication, resilience, and transformation—a way to connect more deeply with ourselves and others.

Website: www.wildrootsivandwellness.com

Bio: I am a nurse, entrepreneur, and wellness coach dedicated to empowering leaders and communities through holistic health and resilience. As a founder of Wild Roots IV & Wellness and Little Shell Holistic Healing, I blends my background in critical care nursing with functional medicine, ancestral wisdom, and business leadership to inspire others to create sustainable success without burnout. I'm a mother of 3 and am here to teach women to reconnect with their bodies.

TOPIC: Sustainable Success: Leading Without Burnout

I  teach practical tools for nervous system regulation, stress management, and holistic wellness, helping women leaders thrive without sacrificing health or family. This equips them to step confidently into the future while modeling balance for their teams and communities.

Website: www.helioscounseling.com

Bio: I grew up in poverty, raised by my mother, a Greek immigrant living with schizophrenia, after my father’s death when I was five. As her interpreter, I learned perseverance early, navigating sexual abuse, emotional neglect, and domestic violence.

In adulthood, I endured a 25-year marriage marked by addiction, infidelity, and parental alienation, resulting in years of separation from my daughter. Following a difficult divorce that left me financially and emotionally devastated, I faced serious health challenges, reaching 280 pounds. Through determination, exercise, and proper nutrition, I lost over 100 pounds and regained my health and confidence.

Rebuilding my life in Billings, I founded a thriving group counseling practice dedicated to helping others heal from trauma. Today, I am remarried to my best friend, have a restored relationship with my daughter, and live a life centered on purpose and empowerment.

My presentation will inspire women to turn pain into strength and to lead with authenticity, courage, and compassion.

TOPIC: Breaking the Cycle: Healing and Reclaiming Your Power

This talk inspires women to confront and heal the wounds of the past—whether from trauma, loss, or adversity—and to rise as confident, self-assured leaders shaping the future

Website: www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-sands-snyder

Bio: Melanie Sands-Snyder is a dynamic HR leader, motivational speaker, and author dedicated to helping people and organizations thrive. As HR Manager at Red Lodge Mountain and the author of Becoming Me, Melanie blends professional expertise with heartfelt storytelling to inspire resilience, courage, and authentic leadership.

With over a decade of experience in people development, Melanie has led large-scale workforce initiatives, redesigned onboarding programs, and built innovative pathways that support employee growth and retention. She has delivered powerful keynotes across Montana—including “Courage Unleashed,” “Resilience Is Resistance,” and “We Carry Fire”—grounded in her lived experience as an Indigenous woman, mother, and leader.

Known for her warmth, humor, and ability to connect across generations, Melanie creates spaces where audiences feel seen, empowered, and ready to step into their own brilliance. Her mission is simple yet bold: to remind people that when one rises, we all rise.

TOPIC:  Courage Unleashed: Unlocking leadership potential through authenticity, vulnerability, and self-trust.

Website: novabillings.org

Bio: Marisa Clark wears a lot of hats - working in fashion and marketing, non-profit board member, homeschooling parent, performing, directing, and costuming in theater, and teaching improv. They may seem unrelated, but they have one thing in common - confidence. Somewhere in mid-life - and after rediscovering her own voice - she realized that she really wanted to help others find their own confidence. And improv is one of her favorite tools to help them do it. It's funny, silly, interactive, and a very, very useful communication skill.

TOPIC: Finding Your Own Voice Through Improv

Website: www.synergygrowthcoach.com

Bio: Molly is the founder of Synergy Growth Coach, a transformative life and business coaching practice that empowers women to break free from the barriers of isolation, time pressures, and self-doubt. Molly specializes in liberating her clients from the weight of going it alone, the exhaustion of relentless giving, and the haunting fear of being perceived as an imposter. Within her suite of transformative services, Molly offers personalized one-on-one coaching, dynamic group coaching sessions, strategic team building experiences, and enlightening monthly workshops—all designed to elevate and empower women. Her approach goes beyond traditional coaching, dismantling limiting beliefs that breed stagnation, pushing dreams just out of reach, and encouraging women to play a much larger game than they might have thought possible. Molly's impact extends beyond coaching into the realm of empowerment and recognition.

In addition to coaching, Molly has been the President and co-owner of Mountain Maids of Montana, a successful residential cleaning company, since 2007. Under her leadership, Mountain Maids thrives with 24 full-time employees and over $1 million in gross sales. Molly is passionate about empowering her team through strong leadership and company culture, having guided the company through economic challenges like the housing market crash and the global pandemic.

As a sought-after speaker, she has graced ARCSI conventions in Las Vegas for several years, captivating audiences with her insights on Leadership and Employee Engagement. Acknowledged for her exceptional mentorship, Molly was honored as Mentor of the Year in 2022 by Prospera Women’s Business 56Strong Program. Engaging with diverse audiences, she is a featured speaker on the live monthly event "Business Moves" across various social media platforms and a captivating guest on the "At the Heart of It" and "Xtreme Power Hour" Podcasts. Guest speaker with Bozeman Professional Women's Group and many B2B groups. 2025 Molly will be a guest speaker in October for Montana Women in Independent Banking Conference and in November a guest speaker for ISSA convention in Las Vegas.

Molly is not just a coach; she is a catalyst for profound transformation and empowerment specifically tailored to women on their journey to success.

TOPIC: Authentic Leadership: Leading with Your Voice and Values

Helping women embrace their unique leadership style and use their voice with clarity and conviction to inspire others and create meaningful change.

Website: www.yellowstonefoundation.org

Bio: Chief Planned Giving Officer, Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Foundation

Sara Hofer currently serves as the Chief Planned Giving Officer for the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Foundation, where she specializes in charitable planned giving. In this role, she provides gift analysis and proposals for donors and their advisors, and supports other nonprofits with technical analysis, drafting of gift instruments, training, seminars, and public outreach.

She brings more than 15 years of nonprofit leadership experience, having previously served as Development Director for Make-A-Wish Montana, Relay For Life, and Parents, Let’s Unite for Kids. Sara also serves as a board member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Montana Chapter, and has led Transformation Groups at Harvest Church for over eight years. In addition, she invests in youth development by managing a youth softball team.

Sara is a graduate of The George Washington University and holds a law degree from the University of Wyoming. She is currently pursuing the Certified Financial Planner® designation. Beyond her professional life, she and her husband own and operate a cattle ranch north of Billings, where they raise their three children, who are active in sports, church, and the family rodeo business.

TOPIC:  Relational Leadership: Being a Good Leader Requires Strong Relationships

This presentation highlights how women leaders can harness the power of authentic relationships to inspire trust, collaboration, and growth. By prioritizing connection and empathy, participants will learn how relational leadership not only strengthens teams but also equips women to lead with influence and create lasting change in their communities.