A message from the senior director.
In an ever-changing business landscape, the United States’ need for a team approach to economic development in rural areas is more critical than ever before. As state and federal policymakers look to support overall economic growth and resilience, it’s critical to understand a rural perspective, where just under half of U.S. citizens reside.
REAL Co-Lab is dedicated to capturing the full landscape of rural entrepreneurs and leaders, working to close the major gaps in understanding their challenges and opportunities. Montana studies suggest that rural businesses face even greater challenges in finding and accessing capital compared to their urban counterparts. Through research, experiments, and pilot programs, REAL Co-Lab delivers valuable insights to key decision-makers across public and private sectors, helping them navigate today’s economic systems and ecosystems.
In a time when folks feel disengaged and overwhelmed, REAL Co-Lab, is a partner that seeks to inform decision makers on the real narrative of rural communities. We bring forward real stories of thriving communities and explore how America can better support rural entrepreneurs in reaching the same success as their urban counterparts.
Staff
Morgan Stier-Slemberger
Senior Director
Morgan Stier-Slemberger has built her career on advocating for and empowering entrepreneurs. She currently runs the REAL Co-Lab at the University of Montana, but has overseen the Pursue Your Passions initiative, which supported entrepreneurs from all walks of life; the Rocky Mountain Women's Business Center (formerly WELL WBC); and helped start Native Women Launch. Morgan also served on the Association of Women's Business Centers' Advocacy Committee and founded several conferences aimed at creating meaningful impact for business owners.
Paige Williams
Impact Director
Paige Williams is a passionate entrepreneur and award-winning filmmaker who understands the challenges of being underestimated and under funded. She recently joined the Co-Lab as the Impact Funding Director, where she focuses on fundraising for the Co-Lab and advancing equitable financing for rural women business leaders. As the founder and CEO of AudPop, Paige has helped build and nurture the largest grassroots movement of diverse filmmakers- both professional and amateur. Recognized by Entrepreneur, Forbes, and Inc. Magazine, Paige's innovative work has reshaped the media industry. From her early days at AudPop to being named one of the Forbes' Next 1,000, Paige's journey highlights for unwavering commitment to story telling and making a social impact.
Laura Clague
Marketing Contractor
Laura Clague is a proud Montanan who grew up in Butte and is excited to call Missoula her home. She's focused her career on supporting and empowering local entrepreneurs. With a degree in Marketing from the University of Montana and experience in community development, Laura builds marketing strategies with community at their core. Her work with the REAL Co-Lab focuses on streamlining the organization's existing systems and providing support for it's outreach efforts.
Rooted in Experience
Previous program successes by REAL Co-Lab and its staff include:
- Pursue Your Passions student entrepreneur program
- UM and aMT's Women's Entrepreneurship & Leadership Lab (WELL)
- Rocky Mountain Women's Business Center (formerly WELL WBC)
- Native Women Launch (WELL NWL)
- aMT's Access to Capital Study
Sponsors
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Thanks to a generous grant from Wells Fargo in 2023, the REAL Co-Lab was founded.
Partners
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Accelerate Montana offers diverse programs to enhance business growth and career development across the state. Their services include entrepreneurial guidance, business operation support, market access assistance, and state or federal contracting. Additionally, they provide Rapid Training Programs in key sectors like construction and technology, focusing on fast, affordable, and industry-relevant skills training.
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Holly Truitt is a designer and facilitator who helps organizations catalyze community-based change. With more than 20 years of experience guiding public and private organizations through uncharted transformations, Holly is a nationally respected author, researcher, and presenter.
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At Dakota Business Lending, we guide you and your small businesses through the entire lending process. As a not-for-profit Certified Development Corporation, we help you look at all lending options and determine what works best for you. We can even partner with your local bank or credit union. Whether you need $1,000 or $5+ million, we have options and determine what works best for you! And, we are here to help with business advising and support all along your journey.
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Founded in 2001, Snowy Mountain Development Corporation (SMDC) is a non-profit organization aimed at enhancing community and economic development in six Montana counties. Supported by local, state, and federal funds, SMDC provides financial products, grants, and developmental services, significantly contributing to regional growth.
Advisors
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Maria Valandra has 20-plus years of experience in banking and community development. Currently, as the business development officer at Island Mountain Development Group, she works on special projects ranging from procedure development to community master planning. Previously, she managed the Montana Department of Commerce's Office of Indian Country Economic Development.
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Cay is a passionate supporter of career growth and leadership skills for women and other leaders. During her 43-year career at IBM, she was recognized for high potential, aspiring women with the impact of both retaining and promoting them into executive ranks.
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Jenn is an experienced lawyer with expertise in supporting startup and growth phase companies, employment, and corporate matters, and is a certified Title IX investigator. Her previous roles include senior counsel at Michael Best & Friedrich, Vice President at the Missoula Economic Partnership, and in-house counsel for two software companies, as well as working with former Ambassador Mac Baucus. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Jenn volunteers for legal clinics, reviews felony sexual assault cases, and has personal interests in bowling, broadcasting, and baking.
University of Montana Mission
The University of Montana transforms lives by providing a high-quality and accessible education and by generating world-class research and creative scholarship in an exceptional place. We integrate the liberal arts and sciences into undergraduate, graduate and professional studies to shape global citizens who are creative and agile learners committed to expanding the boundaries of knowledge and to building and sustaining diverse communities.
The University of Montana capitalizes on its unique strengths to create knowledge, provide an active learning environment for students, and offer programs and services responsive to the needs of Montanans. The University delivers education and training on its four campuses and through telecommunications to sites inside and outside of Montana. With public expectations on the rise, the University asks its students, faculty and staff to do and accomplish even more than they have in the past. The University has a commitment to education defined in the broadest sense as personal development and citizen preparation, workforce development and training, graduate education and research, service learning and community building on and off the campuses. The University enhances its programs through continuous quality review for improvement and remains fully accountable to the citizenry through annual audits and performance evaluations.