2023 Speaker Bios & Session Descriptions

In Order of Appearance

Visit the AGENDA page of the website for the printable format and any handouts.

Wednesday, September 13

9:30 – 10:30 AM Keynote: Quiet Leadership

Karen Grosz, CPC, President, Canvas Creek Teambuilding - Billings, MT

Karen Grosz started her career with a daycare business, so she knows how hard it can be, and she misses the hugs and sticky fingers that make it an amazing career. What she wants you to know is that your voice matters, that you can and should be a leader, that you can change your life, and the world, with a whisper.

Karen Grosz, known as The Monday Videos Lady for her energetic welcome to the week, Karen is a five-time author, both an award-winning and TEDx Speaker, founder of Canvas Creek Team Building, and recipient of the Montana Governor’s Award for volunteerism. Her mission is to inspire others to be their best, and to try the next thing.

10:45 – 11:45 AM BREAKOUT SESSIONS (Choose one)

BITTERROOT
Montana’s New Cost of Care Calculator: What is it and how can it support your program
Simon Workman & Jeanna Capito, Principals and Co-founders, Prenatal to Five Fiscal Strategies - NY

This session will introduce participants to a new cost of care calculator which can support Montana child care providers to better understand the true cost of care, including how costs vary based on different program characteristics such as Star level, program setting, and children served. Participants will have the opportunity to provide feedback on this new calculator before it is finalized and released statewide.

Simon Workman is the principal and co-founder of Prenatal to Five Fiscal Strategies, a national organization that supports states and communities to address the broken fiscal and governance structures that exist with the P5 system. Simon has led child care cost of care studies and developed cost models for several states and communities, including models used to inform CCDF rate setting in New Mexico and Virginia. Simon is also the co-developer of the Provider Cost of Quality Calculator, a federal cost modeling tool approved by the U.S. Office of Child Care to support subsidy rate setting.

Jeanna Capito is the principal and co-founder of Prenatal to Five Fiscal Strategies, a national organization that supports states and communities to address the broken fiscal and governance structures that exist with the P5 system. Jeanna has been working in the prenatal to five field for nearly 25 years with experience including the management of child care programming, Early Head Start, Head Start, developmentally oriented pediatrics, national home visiting models, and child welfare programming.  Jeanna has built cost estimation tools for comprehensive Head Start hub models, home visiting and parenting education systems of care, and early care and education program and infrastructure components and also developed a staffed family child care network model for the U.S. Office of Child Care.

SAPPHIRE
Revenue Diversification
Jason Nitschke, MA, EDFP, Senior Business Advisor - Zero to Five Montana - Montana Child Care Business Connect

Tuition and fees have long been the primary source of revenue in the early education industry. However, inflation and rising wages have driven the cost of tuition up to the point where the cost of care is now unaffordable to many families.

In this session, participants will:
Learn the six primary ways early childhood educators can generate revenue.
Learn about how K-12 public school programs generate revenue to support operations.
Discuss the implications of risk for businesses that don’t innovate to generate new revenue options.

Jason Nitschke is a nationally recognized business advisor with over a decade of experience as an entrepreneur and economic developer. He holds professional certifications from the National Development Council, GrowthWheel International, the Association of Accredited Business Consultants, Business Resource Services, the US Small Business Administration, and the Edward Lowe Foundation. Jason holds a master’s degree in communication, with undergraduate degrees in Journalism and Political Science.

PONDEROSA
Right-Sized Solutions for Communities: Tailoring Child Care Initiatives
Kari Stattelman, National Business Development Consultant with First Children’s Finance - Detroit Lakes, MN & Taijha Harden, Child Care Systems Coordinator, First Children’s Finance - Atlanta, GA

Join us as we delve into the art of customizing child care initiatives to fit the diverse tapestry of communities. Discover the power of community-specific approaches that consider factors like population size, resources, and demographics. Together, we will explore strategies to design and implement the right-sized solutions that cater to the unique needs and aspirations of different communities, empowering them to thrive and nurture the next generation.

Kari Stattelman is a National Business Development Consultant with First Children’s Finance, a national non-profit organization dedicated to growing the supply and business sustainability of excellent child care. With a focus on supporting child care entrepreneurs and leaders in growing their business acumen, Kari provides training and consulting services to child care providers across the country. Kari’s work also includes helping communities develop customized solutions to support and increase their child care supply. Kari holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and a B.A. in Child and Family Studies with Adult Education. When Kari is not working with child care businesses and community leaders, she can be found in the lakes area of Minnesota where she lives, enjoying time with her husband and four daughters.

Taijha Harden is the Child Care Systems Coordinator at First Children’s Finance, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to growing the supply and business sustainability of excellent child care. With a focus on improving state systems and strengthening the child care business ecosystem, Taijha brings over a decade of experience in early childhood policy and systems building. She played a pivotal role in leading Georgia's groundbreaking Quality Rated Subsidy Grants Program and the ECE Business Collaboratory, a groundbreaking initiative that empowers states to develop comprehensive strategies to support the business and finance needs of child care. Taijha holds an M.A. in Psychology from The New School for Social Research and a Bachelor of Sciences from Cornell University. She is passionately committed to fostering excellence in child care as it lays the groundwork for a lifetime of learning and wellness. When Taijha is not busy championing the cause of early childhood care and education, you can find her enjoying quality time with her family in the beautiful city of Atlanta, Georgia.

ROOM 103
Building the Business Case for Employer Supported Childcare
Lorraine Clarno, A.C.E, President/CEO, Kalispell Chamber of Commerce, MT & Scott Wolff, Executive Director, Central Montana Works! - Great Falls, MT

Based on a recent survey of remarks made by state governors in addresses to their constituents, more than seventy percent of those governors highlighted businesses investing in and expanding childcare as one of the most critical aspects of getting individuals to enter—or re-enter—the workforce. With their involvement in state and national level task forces on early childhood education, Scott and Lorraine bring critical information on the need for business and industry partners to be more involved in helping offset the cost of childcare for their existing employees, as well as helping to provide childcare solutions to those looking to come back to work.

Lorraine Clarno is a mother of two wonderful children, a wife of 36 years, and an avid supporter of business and community. She has 28 years of experience in Chamber of Commerce work, 24 of which have been in the President/CEO capacity. Lorraine is thrilled to have brought her passion for Chambers to Kalispell in October 2020. She is a graduate of 4 Chamber Leadership programs, is an Accredited Chamber of Commerce Executive (A.C.E.), serves on the US Chamber’s Committee of 100, is currently serving as the chair of the board of directors for the Western Association of Chambers of Commerce (WACE), and locally is on the Hockaday Museum board of directors, and chair elect of the Montana Chamber of Commerce Executives. She is also a member of the Kalispell Daybreak Rotary.

Scott Wolff Scott has a strong passion for Montana - its culture and way of life, and he believes the solution to the state’s workforce needs lies in our biggest natural resource: the hearts and souls of the people. He is an experienced integration professional, blending a variety of audiences including business, education, government, and journalism realms to bring projects to successful resolution and completion. He has extensive experience in assembling teams of talented professionals and providing excellent customer service. Scott has shown an uncanny ability to survey the environment and specific situations, identify needs, and create solutions by convening the right personnel, gathering resources, and executing plans to meet those critical objectives.

ROOM 107
Appointments available for Wendt Interviews and Professional Headshots

ROOM 108
MT Child Care Business Connect’s First Year Progress
Kendra Lodewick, MPA, Principal, Program and Policy Insight, LLC - Portland, OR & Kari Parsons, MPP, Parsons Consulting - Eugene, OR

This session will provide an overview of MCCBC’s Annual Evaluation Report and first year progress, including activities, interim outcomes, and continued opportunities.

Kendra Lodewick specializes in research, evaluation, and technical assistance that improves social and economic opportunities for individuals, families, and their communities. As Principal of Program and Policy Insight, LLC (PPI), a certified small, woman-owned applied research consulting firm, Kendra works across service areas, including workforce development, family assistance, early care and education, human services planning, and disability policy. In Early Care and Education, Kendra works with funders and providers to improve ECE and K-12 systems and increase access to high quality care and education for underserved families. She also understands the interconnections across policy areas from a service implementation, participant experience, and data sharing perspective. Kendra has worked with clients at the federal, state, and local levels to assess program implementation and performance and identify opportunities for improvement and systems change. Prior to forming PPI, Ms. Lodewick worked at national social policy research firms, including Abt Associates and Berkeley Policy Associates.

Kari Parsons, President of Parsons Consulting, specializes in applied research and evaluation in diverse domains including early childhood, health and human services, workforce development, and economic development. She is committed to providing clients with accessible, decision-relevant findings that enhance the public good. Kari is a skilled researcher, facilitator, and project manager, including over 20 years of experience conducting primary and secondary qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis. She has supported numerous early childhood initiatives, including the development of the inaugural Early Childhood System Performance Assessment Toolkit, extensive data and strategy work for First 5 Orange County and Los Angeles, and early childhood system needs assessments in Montana, Washington, South Dakota, and Idaho. Kari is a certified Technology of Participation consensus-based facilitator, Results Based Accountability professional, and Project Management Professional. Kari received her master’s in Urban and Regional Planning at the University of California, Irvine and her bachelor’s in Philosophy from Whitman College in Washington State.

1:00 – 2:00 PM BREAKOUT SESSIONS (Choose one)

BITTERROOT
How to Partner with Insurance Companies
Dena Lynn Johnson, MBA, Business Insurance, Sales & Advising, Marsh McLennan Agency, Billings, MT

Insurance is a team sport. Join us for this informative session.

Dena Lynn Johnson Dena is a Business Insurance Sales Executive serving top-tier clients as their go-to thinking partner to bridge risk perception and preparedness. Johnson's diverse background in business consulting, economic development, and banking compliment her unique approach to helping her clients identify, prioritize, and manage risk. Her holistic approach enables her clients to access the best coverage at affordable prices. Dena holds a BS in business management from Rocky Mountain College and a master's in business administration with an emphasis in leadership from Grand Canyon University. She is also a Certified Economic Development Finance Professional and Accredited Business Consultant. Dena is also heavily involved in her community, where she serves as a trustee on the Rocky Mountain College Board, including the chairwoman for their Strategic Planning Committee. She is a member of the SBDC Advisory Council, a mentor for Rock31 entrepreneurs, a volunteer, and a supporter of various mission-driven local non-profit organizations, including the PayneWest Gives committee. Dena spends her free time with her beautiful family–among their favorites are skiing, fishing, and camping. She believes strongly that faith makes it possible…not easy, and HUSTLE matters!

SAPPHIRE
Building Success and Collaboration through the Cooperative Model
Tracy McIntyre, Executive Director, MT Cooperative Development Center and Montana Council of Cooperatives - Great Falls, MT

The Cooperative business model is highly flexible in the State of Montana. Join Montana Cooperative Development Center to get a deeper understanding of how communities can work together to build out child care solutions through different cooperative models. This session will also review how share-service cooperatives can help existing child care providers work together to build and strengthen their own businesses.

Tracy McIntyre A native of Eureka, Montana, Tracy McIntyre served 12 years as the Economic Developer for North Lincoln County. In 2016, McIntyre started her own consulting company, Rural Economic Designs, LLC, to bring her knowledge of community leadership and collaboration, project development and administration, and strategic planning to other rural communities and businesses. McIntyre was a Cooperative Development Specialist for the Montana Cooperative Development Center since 2009. In 2019, McIntyre took the reins as the Executive Director of the organization. McIntyre is currently working on several initiatives related to housing, childcare, value-added agriculture, community investment, and worker-owned conversions. McIntyre is an active board member of the Montana Economic Developers Association (MEDA) and completed two terms as President. She remains engaged in several regional and statewide organizations. During her leisure time, McIntyre can often be found with a fly rod in hand fishing one of the many excellent streams in Montana, spoiling her niece and nephews, volunteering, or exploring rural communities with friends.

PONDEROSA
Boardroom Symphony: Orchestrating Effective Governance for Community Leaders
Kari Stattelman, National Business Development Consultant with First Children’s Finance - Detroit Lakes, MN

Join us as we delve into the art of board governance for community leaders. Discover the harmonious blend of effective strategies and best practices that empower leaders to navigate the complexities of governance, cultivate collaborative environments, and conduct impactful decision-making. Unleash your leadership potential and learn how to create a symphony of success within your organization and community.

ROOM 103
Child Homelessness and Child Care = a Growing Economic Crisis
Christel Chvilicek, CFRE, Executive Director, Family Promise of Gallatin Valley, MT

Without access to child care, families experiencing homelessness struggle to secure housing. Having a safe and stable child care arrangement allows homeless parents to look for and maintain work and participate in job training, education, and other programs essential to resolving their homelessness. Yet, families experiencing homelessness face many barriers to accessing child care. Child care is considered affordable when it takes up 7% or less of a household’s income. In Montana, a typical family in Gallatin County spends over 25% of their income on child care for one infant and one toddler. With the annual cost of center-based care for a 3–5-year-old averaging $8,368, the high cost of care presents one obstacle. Finding a child care provider who can accommodate homeless families’ often irregular, unpredictable, and inflexible schedules can also be challenging. In addition, restrictive documentation and eligibility requirements can prevent homeless families from qualifying for - or even seeking - subsidized care. At Rising Stars, a program of Family Promise of Gallatin Valle we have found a better solution.

Christel Chvilicek Christel is a Bozeman native and a graduate of Montana State University. Upon graduating with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Management, Christel received her Masters of Nonprofit Management and Leadership from Walden University. After a decade of experience in the nonprofit industry, Christel went on to receive her CFRE, which is an internationally recognized fundraising certification. She has served as Program Coordinator for HRDC Head Start, Early Learning Director for the Gallatin Valley YMCA, Development Director for Central Asia Institute, Executive Director of Befrienders, and currently serves as the Executive Director at Family Promise of Gallatin Valley. Christel and her husband were married in 2008, and are the parents of two wonderful boys aged 12 and 14. In her spare time, she enjoys mentoring individuals who are just starting their nonprofit careers, serving on local nonprofit boards, enjoying the outdoors, and spending her weekends cheering on her two sons on the pool deck for competitive swimming.

ROOM 107
Establishing your Brand
Heide Borgonovo, Communication and Outreach Coordinator, Montana Child Care Business Connect

This session provides participants with practical strategies and insights on creating a strong and cohesive brand identity. Attendees will learn how to effectively communicate their unique value proposition and connect with their target audience.

Heide Borgonovo joins Zero to Five Montana with experience in nonprofit communications and journalism. After graduating from the University of Montana with a journalism degree, her career began as a copy and layout editor at the Missoulian and when she moved to Helena, she took up communications and marketing working for the Montana Hospital Association. She found a passion for nonprofit communications during college internships with Montana Public Radio and Garden City Harvest. She is excited to help build a better Montana for future generations and, as a daughter of a kindergarten and preschool teacher, looks forward to diving deeper into the child care world.

ROOM 108
How Can We Further Develop an Esteemed Child Care Industry? **Note - this session is offered twice.
Kendra Lodewick, MPA, Principal, Program and Policy Insight, LLC - Portland, OR & Kari Parsons, MPP, Parsons Consulting - Eugene, OR

This session will feature a consensus-based workshop focused on strategies to further progress the development of an esteemed childcare industry.

2:15 – 3:15 PM BREAKOUT SESSIONS (Choose one)

BITTERROOT
Risk Management – Policies & Procedures
Dena Lynn Johnson, MBA, Business Insurance, Sales & Advising, Marsh McLennan Agency, Billings, MT

In this session, we will discuss Loss prevention strategies that lower your total cost of risk (including insurance).

Dena Lynn Johnson

Dena is a Business Insurance Sales Executive and Advisor at Marsh McLennan Agency. She works with top-tier clients as their go-to thinking partner to bridge risk perception and preparedness. Johnson's diverse background in business consulting, economic development, and banking complements her unique approach to helping clients identify, prioritize, and manage risk. Her holistic approach enables her clients to access the best coverage at affordable prices. Dena holds a BS in business management from Rocky Mountain College and a master's in business administration with an emphasis in leadership from Grand Canyon University. She is also a Certified Economic Development Finance Professional and Accredited Business Consultant. Dena spends her free time with her beautiful family–their favorites are skiing, golfing, and camping. She believes faith makes it possible…not easy, and HUSTLE matters.!

SAPPHIRE
Nurturing Tomorrow: Cultivating a Thriving Child Care Ecosystem through Collaboration
Taijha Harden, Child Care Systems Coordinator, First Children’s Finance - Atlanta, GA

Join us for an immersive exploration of the vibrant child care ecosystem, where collaboration and innovation hold the key to creating a nurturing environment for children and families. Through thought-provoking discussions, we will examine the intricate web of partnerships between stakeholders, unveil groundbreaking approaches to address challenges and unlock strategies for fostering a supportive and inclusive child care landscape.

PONDEROSA
Unlocking the Digital Playground: Transforming Child Care with Management Software
Kari Stattelman, National Business Development Consultant with First Children’s Finance - Detroit Lakes, MN

Step into the future of child care management as we explore the transformative power of cutting-edge software solutions. Join us as we delve into the benefits, challenges, and features of child care management software. Additionally, we will highlight how communities can play a pivotal role in supporting child care entrepreneurs in implementing and leveraging the benefits of child care management software. Get ready to embark on an exciting digital adventure!

ROOM 103
Ingenuity: Child Care in Tribal Communities
Carrie Spotted Bear, MS.Ed- MT Early Childhood Tribal Policy Coordinator & Shelby Whelan, Community Navigator, Montana Child Care Business Connect

In this session, we will be discussing the how and why to build quality early care and education in tribal communities. We will discuss native language immersion, community collaboration, navigating tribal guidelines, success stories that are developing across the state, and how you can be a part of it.

Carrie Spotted Bear is an enrolled member of the Blackfeet Tribe in Browning, MT. She has been employed by Zero to Five MT since October 2021 as the EC Tribal Policy Coordinator. Her previous work experience includes Domestic Violence prevention specialist with the Blackfeet Tribe and 21 years as Family Literacy, Parent Outreach and Child Care Director for Browning Public Schools. Carrie received her degrees from Blackfeet Community College- AA in Early Childhood and Elementary Education, BS in Early Childhood and Child Services from MSU Bozeman and MS. Education from MSU Northern. Her passion and drive are for young children and ensuring they have the best opportunities to grow and develop into future leaders of our communities, tribes, state and country.

After graduating from the University of Montana with a bachelor’s degree in psychology specializing in family and human development, Shelby Whelan worked in several roles within Zero to Five Butte-Silver Bow. In these positions, she helped develop and implement community-led projects related to children and families, facilitated a handful of early childhood coalitions and committees, received the 2022 Moving Mountains award, and became invested in the need for early childhood systems change in Montana. As the Community Navigator for Montana Child Care Business Connect, she is excited to work with communities across the state to actualize their community supported child care dreams.

ROOM 107
Creating & Maintaining a Social Media Strategy
Heide Borgonovo, Communication and Outreach Coordinator, Montana Child Care Business Connect

In this session, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of how to develop and implement an effective social media strategy for their business or organization. Attendees will learn the essential components of a successful social media plan and how to adapt and optimize their strategy to meet changing trends and audience needs.

This session will feature a consensus-based workshop focused on strategies to further progress the development of an esteemed childcare industry.

3:30 – 4:45 PM Panel: Developing and Applying a Community Needs Assessment to Get the Resources You Need

Facilitator: Julie Grow, Regional Strategy and Innovation Advisor with the Administration for Children & Families Region VIII - CO,MT,ND,SD, UT, & WY
Panelists: Vaughn Zenko Jr, Executive Director, Southeast Montana Area Revitalization Team - Baker, MT
Lorette Carter, Community Development Director for the City of Shelby, MT
Ariella Fabra, Executive Director, Evergreen Kids Corner - Hamilton, MT
Taijha Harden, Child Care Systems Coordinator, First Children’s Finance - Atlanta, GA
Caitlin Jensen, MSW, Executive Director, Zero to Five Montana

Join us as we discuss Community Needs Assessments. You will hear from; a community beginning their assessment, one who has completed the assessment and how they use it, a provider who has been supported by the community, a lender on how they use the assessment, and an expert to speak on statewide trends.

Julie Grow has been the Regional Innovation and Strategy Advisor for Region 8 (Denver) Administration for Children and Families since 2020. Prior to this, she was the Performance Management Director for the Colorado Department of Human Services and the Quality Reporting and Data Analyst for the Denver Hospice. Julie’s passion is bringing people together that can each make small changes that lead to significant impacts to support the well-being of families.

Vaughn Zenko Jr is a Montana native by way of Illinois. Armed with degrees in Philosophy and Communications, he moved back to Montana in 2001 to work at the radio station in Baker and then, after 20 years, they decided to put their favorite morning radio DJ in charge of Economic Development for the county. Since taking over as the Executive Director of SMART, Vaughn has spearheaded innovative projects from the Baker Child Care Project, meshing Economic Development with local government and private investment to bring the first licensed child care center to the County, to co-founding the Baker Arts & Culture Council and Community Theater, to creating visitor’s center and a new pocket park in town, and everything in between. All while still being the friendly good morning voice on the radio. Sometimes there are some pretty great ideas that come to you when you have to be awake at 3am every morning, and he’s tried to live up to the job title of, literally, being the person who’s in charge of SMART for Fallon County.

Lorette Carter has served the City of Shelby for 20 years as the Community Development Director. The Office of Community Development serves to administer and oversee numerous projects for the benefit of the community. Her duties include grant writing/administration of infrastructure and public facility projects; oversight of programs such as the Safe Routes to School Program, Recycle Shelby, forestry program and parks & rec; and projects that serve to better the community of Shelby. She is a mother to three sons and grandmother to 5 sweet grandkids; a proud Shelby Coyote and Montana State University Bobcat!

Ariella Fabra has made it her life mission to be a community and family advocate. She has worked in education for years with a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies with a concentration in Early Childhood Professions. She is passionate about bringing her ideas to the community, as well as implementing all the wonderful ideas that the local families generate. Creating an inclusive and nurturing learning environment is the foundation of what she believes a school and community should encompass. Ariella looks forward to working alongside fellow Early Childhood Advocates, designing innovative ways to uplift the lives of Montana Families.

Caitlin Jensen is the Executive Director of Zero to Five Montana, a statewide early childhood policy and advocacy organization that focuses on early care and education solutions. She has worked in early childhood policy and systems building for nearly 20 years. Her experience working with young children and families led her to pursue her Master’s in Social Work with an emphasis on policy & advocacy at the University of Washington. Her professional aspirations have led her to purposeful policy work in both Montana and Washington state, leading complex early childhood systems initiatives with Early Head Start/Head Start, child care, K-12, higher education, employers, parents, as well as state, federal and tribal government leadership. She is passionate about working with community leaders and policymakers alike to address systemic issues. She lives in Helena, Montana and enjoys spending time with her family.

Thursday, September 14

8:30 – 10:00 AM Why Even Scrooge Would Invest in Early Childhood Education

Ben Horowitz, Senior Policy Analyst, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis - MN & Nancy Fishman, National Director, ReadyNation - Washington, D.C.

When employers or the public invest in early childhood development, who benefits – when and how much? This session will focus on evidence and case studies from two different perspectives.

Ben Horowitz works on policy development efforts in Community Development and Engagement at the Minneapolis Fed. Ben identifies and investigates interventions that can support the economic well-being of low- and moderate-income households. His work focuses on early childhood development, affordable housing, and other priorities within the department. Ben has a B.A. in journalism from Arizona State University and a master’s in public administration from Princeton University. Ben worked for a labor union and in the nonprofit sector before coming to the Bank.

Nancy Fishman started at ReadyNation in 2015 and, as National Director, leads this business leader network of approximately 2,000 cross-sector executives. Since 2006, ReadyNation has supported its members to encourage increased public investments in education (from “cradle to career”). Our core work promotes public policies and programs that build a stronger workforce and economy through smart investments in infants, toddlers, older children and families. Prior to joining ReadyNation, Nancy was the State Director of the Pennsylvania Governor’s Early Learning Investment Commission. Previously, Nancy was the Director of Success By 6, the early childhood initiative of the United Way of Carlisle and Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. Nancy also served for 12 years as an elected school board member in PA.

10:15 – 11:45 AM BREAKOUT SESSIONS

BITTERROOT
Using Cost Modeling to Illustrate the Broken Child Care Business Model
Simon Workman & Jeanna Capito, Principals and Co-founders, Prenatal to Five Fiscal Strategies – NY

Why does child care cost so much but teachers make so little? How much does high-quality child care really cost? What is the impact on the cost of care if I don’t serve preschoolers? All these questions and more can be answered by cost modeling. At this session, national experts in ECE finance will provide an overview of how cost modeling can be used to support program operations, policy development, and advocacy. Examples of cost modeling in action will be shared as well as details of a new customized tool that is being developed for Montana.

SAPPHIRE
Boosting your Benefits
Jennifer Pfau, Director, Central Montana Alliance - Lewistown, MT & Charrisse Jennings, Education Director, Central Montana Childcare Alliance - Lewistown, MT

In today’s competitive job market, childcare businesses must be innovative to attract, retain, and reward quality staff members. This session will explore affordable and creative ways to offer more perks and benefits to early childhood staff members. The discussion will also include statistics about the labor industry, workforce data, what motivates workers, and how to find census/community profile information for your town to help make informed workforce decisions.

Jennifer Pfau has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and has worked in the nonprofit sector for 29 years, including 19 years as a self-employed Nonprofit Consultant and Grant Writer. She has facilitated the creation of several new nonprofit organizations from the ground up, helped numerous operations expand their operating budgets and services offered, organized several multi-million capital campaigns, and secured millions of dollars in support for economic and community development projects, with a focus on education/youth and rural communities. She is regarded as one of the best grant writers in the state due to her high success rates and scoring evaluations. For five years she worked as a Rural Development Specialist in 14 western states, providing technical assistance to nonprofits, businesses, and governments to build leadership, as well as entrepreneurial and economic development networks. Jennifer has served on numerous local, state, and western-region nonprofit and government boards.

Charrisse Jennings considers Early Childhood Education to be her Occu-passion! She has enjoyed over 15 years of experience in the field as a teacher, administrator, and provider specialist. Charrisse has served on several local and state organizations including MTAEYC, MT Advocates for Children, Early Childhood Coalition, and Jaycees. Charrisse loves to teach and has a heart for helping early childhood providers achieve their best professional outcomes!

PONDEROSA
Rookie to Rockstar: Childcare Onboarding Fun-damentals
Sara Schreiner, CEO and Founder of The Sunshine Academy and ChildMYnder - Laurel, MT

"From Rookie to Rockstar: Childcare Onboarding Fun-damentals" is your fast track to mastering the art of childcare. This engaging course will delve into the critical 'why' of onboarding, illuminating how it cultivates a supportive environment, and fosters successful, confident providers. We'll also explore practical 'how-tos' and innovative systems to automate the process, ensuring that your journey from rookie to rockstar is both fun and hassle-free!

Sara Schreiner is not just the owner of several thriving childcare programs and founder of ChildMYnder, but also a wife, and mother. Her journey into the childcare sector was not just a professional choice but a personal mission. The seeds of this mission were planted when she first built my childcare business from scratch. Through this process, she encountered numerous challenges and learned invaluable lessons about business and leadership. As Sara’s business grew, she found herself in a unique position to mentor and train hundreds of women. The resilience, ambition, and passion she saw in them convinced her that women are uniquely positioned to lead and inspire change within the childcare industry. This realization was the spark that led to the creation of ChildMYnder. Every day, she’s driven by the belief that we all have untapped potential waiting to be discovered. Sara’s motivation stems from a desire to empower others to achieve their dreams and to teach them how to balance their professional aspirations with their home life.

ROOM 103
Understanding the Diversity of Child Care Business Models in Montana - Panel
Facilitator: Tracy McIntyre, Executive Director, MT Cooperative Development Center and Montana Council of Cooperatives - Great Falls, MT
Panelists: Grace Decker, Zero to Five Missoula Coordinator - United Way of Missoula County, MT
Laurie O’Leary, Owner/Director, EduCare Preschool & Child Care - Great Falls, MT
Brittani Brence, Clerk/Business Manager, Ekalaka Public Schools Daycare, MT
Miranda Wheeler, Beaverhead County Childcare Innovations Grant Program Manager, MT

The Child Care industry has numerous business models that can be utilized to address communities' needs. Recipients of the Montana Innovation Award will share which models they are utilizing/exploring, and describe the pros and cons of their receptive business approach. The panel, facilitated by Tracy McIntyre, Montana Cooperative Development Center Executive Director, will explain the communities' diverse approaches and lessons learned so far.

A native of Eureka, Montana, Tracy McIntyre served 12 years as the Economic Developer for North Lincoln County. In 2016, McIntyre started her own consulting company, Rural Economic Designs, LLC, to bring her knowledge of community leadership and collaboration, project development and administration, and strategic planning to other rural communities and businesses. McIntyre was a Cooperative Development Specialist for the Montana Cooperative Development Center since 2009. In 2019, McIntyre took the reins as the Executive Director of the organization. McIntyre is currently working on several initiatives related to housing, childcare, value-added agriculture, community investment, and worker-owned conversions. McIntyre is an active board member of the Montana Economic Developers Association (MEDA) and completed two terms as President. She remains engaged in several regional and statewide organizations. During her leisure time, McIntyre can often be found with a fly rod in hand fishing one of the many excellent streams in Montana, spoiling her niece and nephews, volunteering, or exploring rural communities with friends.

Grace Decker has been a lifelong early childhood educator and advocate, with experience as a teacher, director, coach, consultant, and community leader. Since 2019, Grace has coordinated the Zero to Five Missoula initiative, building cross-sector collaboration and investment in a more connected, more robust early childhood system that helps children, families, and professionals thrive. Since 2015 she has also served as an elected Trustee for Missoula County Public Schools.

Laurie O'Leary is the owner of 2 child care centers in Great Falls and the Director of a 3rd, soon to be owner of that center as well. Between the 3 centers, she is currently serving 159 children with about 53 employees. Laurie has a background in accounting with experience working as an auditor at KPMG and as a corporate accounting supervisor at KinderCare, the largest childcare business in the nation. She directly entered the child care field in 2009 with a passion to improve the level of quality in the child care field in Great Falls after failing to find the level of quality she was seeking for her own children. She has 4 children, boys ages 17 and 15 and girls ages 12 and 10. Laurie loves gardening and following her kids to their sports activities and is even a soccer and swimming referee/official.

Brittani Bence Brittani Brence is the Clerk/Business manager for Ekalaka Public Schools. She oversees the director and daycare along with being the grant writer for the district. Ekalaka Public Schools Daycare opened in August of 2022 when the only local community daycare closed in May of 2022 and in order to retain staff, Ekalaka Public Schools felt strongly about starting childcare. The facility is currently licensed as a Group/Family home care and has 13 enrolled children. The daycare is housed onsite, but the board of trustees hopes to find an offsite location in order to accommodate more children in larger age gaps.

Miranda Wheeler is currently serving as the Childcare Innovations Grant Program Manager for Beaverhead County. Her role is central in the successful application of the grant to expand and grow Canvas Early Learning Center, in collaboration with the Early Childhood Coalition of Beaverhead County and the University of Montana Western. The grant's objectives are to provide high-quality childcare services and increase availability to the residents of Dillon and the broader Beaverhead County area while partnering with local businesses and corporations to develop a sustainability plan.

ROOM 107
Appointments available for Wendt Interviews and Headshots

ROOM 108
Cultivating a Family Friendly Workplace to Recruit and Retain Staff
Alex Dubois, Business and Community Engagement Manager, Zero to Five Montana & Shelby Whelan, Community Navigator, Montana Child Care Business Connect

The presenters will introduce Family Forward Montana, provide an overview of what the workforce looks like today, cover the spectrum of family-friendly business practices, and explore the benefit employers can see to their bottom line. Family-friendly business practices can be a powerful recruitment and retention tactic; ensuring that families do not have to compromise between their career and being a parent.

Alex DuBois fell in love with early childhood education after obtaining a part time position with the University of Montana early childhood program while attending classes. After being exposed to the importance of early childhood and the critical development that ensues during the first eight years of life, she began her adventure to obtain her degree in Early Childhood Education. In 2015 Alex received her AAS in Early Childhood Education through the University of Montana Western as a single mother to her 3-year-old son. Having real life experience trying to navigate raising a child in Montana in tandem with working to further her career, Alex solidified her drive to make a difference for families in Montana. Alex continued along her professional journey working in many different roles in the early childhood system from preschool teacher to work in a Child Care Resource and Referral Agency. Her experience working with young children and families, early care and education professionals, and being a mother herself, continues to drive her to improve the early childhood system and advocate for the changes that are needed to support young children and families.