Panelist | Mission-Driven Collaboration

Matt Leavenworth is a licensed mental health counselor and the founder of Pay Love Forward, a nonprofit dedicated to building compassionate communities for at-risk and underserved youth through a mentoring model. Based in Billings, Montana, he serves as vice chair of the Yellowstone County Suicide Prevention Coalition and chairs the county’s Mentoring Work Group, where he helps lead collaborative efforts across schools, nonprofits, and community organizations.

Matt holds a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision and is a certified mentor-coach. He has spent more than a decade designing trauma-informed programs that bridge mental health, leadership, and community resilience. He is also an author and storyteller, with several published works, including To Leap off the Dock, a collection of poems rooted in the healing process of counseling.

Outside of his professional work, Matthew is a father, climber, fly fisherman, and advocate for creative leadership shaped by empathy, imagination, and interconnection.

Matt Leavenworth’s Role at the 2025 Yellowstone Conference

At the 2025 Yellowstone Conference, Matt Leavenworth will join the Mission-Driven Collaboration panel, where he’ll share his expertise in uniting youth-serving organizations for greater reach.

More About the Yellowstone Conference

Visit our Yellowstone Conference event page to learn more and register.

Moderator | Mission-Driven Collaboration

As Marketing and Communications Director at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch (YBGR), Katie Gerten drives the organization’s voice, breathing life into its mission and amplifying its vision. She guided communications through the 2024 unification of YBGR and Youth Dynamics, working alongside a team of leaders to bring together two of Montana’s largest nonprofits to expand access to care and strengthen outcomes for kids.

Katie began her journey in children’s behavioral health in 2013 and has more than a decade of experience in the field, spanning leadership roles in marketing, communications, and program development.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, a Bachelor of Social Work, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Montana. Katie is passionate about sharing YBGR’s mission, Caring People, Preparing Youth for Life, and often says, “The work we do with kids will be carried with them for a lifetime, echoing through future generations.”

In her free time, Katie enjoys working outdoors and spending time with her family.

Katie Gerten’s Role at the 2025 Yellowstone Conference

At this year’s Yellowstone Conference, Katie Gerten will moderate the “Mission-Driven Collaboration” panel, where she’ll lead a discussion on uniting youth-serving organizations for greater reach.

More About the Yellowstone Conference

Visit our Yellowstone Conference event page to learn more and register.

Panelist | Empowering Excellence

Jen Chancellor, MBA, never imagined her dream of staying connected to college would become a lifelong calling—yet it did. With over 21 years of experience in higher education, including 14 years of dedicated service at Grand Canyon University, Jen has turned her passion into purpose.

Driven by a belief in the transformative power of education, Jen works tirelessly to help individuals unlock their potential. She understands that misconceptions about college can hold people back. Be it affordability, accessibility, or relevance, she and her team are committed to debunking myths and guiding individuals through the maze of academic options.

Whether someone has prior college credits or is starting from scratch, Jen’s team provides clear, personalized degree plans tailored to each person’s goals. With team members based in Missoula, Bozeman, Kalispell, Great Falls, and Billings, they offer one-on-one support to help individuals apply existing credits, navigate admissions, and build achievable educational pathways.

Jen’s mission is simple but powerful: to show that education isn’t just about earning a degree—it’s about changing lives.

Jen Chancellor’s Role at the 2025 Yellowstone Conference

At the 2025 Yellowstone Conference, Jen Chancellor will join the Empowering Excellence panel, where she’ll share her expertise in strengthening workforce development through higher education partnerships.

More About the Yellowstone Conference

Visit our Yellowstone Conference event page to learn more and register.

Panelist | Empowering Excellence

Hello! My name is Becky Lyons, and I serve as the Director of Career & Employment Services at Montana State University Billings. I am originally from a small town in western New York. This means I grew up a Buffalo Bills fan and will always be a huge Bills fan. Go Bills!

While pursuing my B.A. degree in communications at the State University of New York in Plattsburgh, I would spend my summers in Colorado working on a ranch. I knew at that time that I wanted to live in the West. After graduating with my bachelor’s degree, I packed my car and headed west to Montana State University Billings. I told my family that I would be in Montana for just a couple of years. Twenty-two years later, I am proud to still call Billings my home and now raise my own family here.

I earned a Master of Science in Public Relations from MSUB, and then I earned my Doctor of Education degree from MSU Bozeman. I started working at MSU Billings in 2004 as an Academic Advisor. Over the course of 21 years, I have primarily served in leadership roles in the Advising and Career Services areas. In addition to the director roles in Advising and Career Services, I have also overseen programs at MSUB such as orientation, first-year seminar, international studies, and academic support services.

Being the Director of Career & Employment Services at MSUB is my absolute dream job. In my role, I help support students on their career path. Knowing I can help a student connect with the next opportunity on their journey is what inspires me to do what I do every day.

Becky Lyons’ Role at the 2025 Yellowstone Conference

At the 2025 Yellowstone Conference, Becky Lyons will join the Empowering Excellence panel, where she’ll share her expertise in strengthening workforce development through higher education partnerships.

More About the Yellowstone Conference

Visit our Yellowstone Conference event page to learn more and register.

Panelist | Empowering Excellence

Kate Chapin, MSW, LCSW, is a social worker, educator, and leader dedicated to strengthening communities through collaboration and innovation. She serves as Executive Director of the University of Montana’s Center for Children, Families, and Workforce Development, where she works alongside a dedicated team of educators, social workers, and public health professionals to support Montana’s systems of care through workforce development, training, research, and technical assistance.

Kate’s background spans clinical practice, academic leadership, workforce development, and program evaluation. She has contributed to statewide and national initiatives, including serving as lead evaluator for the Zero Suicide in Health Systems Implementation grant and the PAX Good Behavior Game. Before her current role, she was the Director of Field Education and Clinical Faculty at the University of Montana School of Social Work and held clinical and administrative roles in nonprofit and healthcare settings.

Kate approaches her work as a lifelong learner and values the partnerships that make meaningful change possible. She’s grateful for the opportunity to contribute to efforts that improve outcomes for children, families, and communities across Montana.

Kate Chapin’s Role at the 2025 Yellowstone Conference

At the 2025 Yellowstone Conference, Kate Chapin will join the Empowering Excellence panel, where she’ll share her expertise in strengthening workforce development through higher education partnerships.

More About the Yellowstone Conference

Visit our Yellowstone Conference event page to learn more and register.

Panelist | Empowering Excellence

James C. Petrovich, PhD, MSW, is a seasoned social work educator, administrator, and researcher with more than two decades of experience in clinical practice, higher education leadership, and applied research.

He currently serves as Professor, Department Chair, and Founding Director of the Master of Social Work program at Carroll College in Helena, Montana. Dr. Petrovich’s academic and professional career has focused on advancing trauma-informed care, housing justice, and the well-being of people experiencing homelessness.

He has authored over 20 peer-reviewed publications and numerous community-based reports and evaluations. A dedicated mentor and collaborative leader, he brings a deep commitment to equity, community engagement, and interdisciplinary innovation in social work education and practice.

James C. Petrovich’s Role at the 2025 Yellowstone Conference

At the 2025 Yellowstone Conference, James C. Petrovich will join the Empowering Excellence panel, where he’ll share his expertise in strengthening workforce development through higher education partnerships.

More About the Yellowstone Conference

Visit our Yellowstone Conference event page to learn more and register.

Moderator | Empowering Excellence

Kristin Thompson began her career at Youth Dynamics while in college, gaining early fieldwork experience that sparked her dedication to serving youth and families. Over the years, she held a variety of clinical and administrative roles that shaped her professional path and commitment to mission-driven work.

In October 2024, during the coming together of Youth Dynamics and Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, Kristin transitioned into the role of Associate Director of Human Resources at YBGR. The connection to the mission that first inspired her continues to guide her work in this new chapter, carrying forward her deep commitment to supporting staff and strengthening the organization’s ability to serve youth and families.

Kristin holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Montana State University and is a SHRM-CP certified professional.

Kristin Thompson’s Role at the 2025 Yellowstone Conference

At this year’s Yellowstone Conference, Kristin Thompson will moderate the “Empowering Excellence” panel, where she’ll lead a discussion on strengthening workforce development through higher education partnerships.

More About the Yellowstone Conference

Visit our Yellowstone Conference event page to learn more and register.

Panelist | Strengthening Native American Partnerships

David R. Blaine, “Whistles Good,” is a name given to him by his grandfather. David had an outspoken demeanor as a child, and his grandfather recognized early on that his words would carry far, much like the sound of an eagle’s whistle.

David grew up in Bismarck, North Dakota, and attended high school in Solen/Cannon Ball, North Dakota. In 2015, he returned to his home in Crow Country. He serves as the CEO of Crow Times Youth and Elder Works and is the sole proprietor of Crow Times. Additionally, he holds the position of President at the Mighty Few Community Development and freelances for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People initiative.

David has organized numerous youth projects, with the Movie in the Parks series being particularly notable for his local communities. He is a dedicated volunteer and maintains a non-partisan stance, promoting community unity—a strong community run by the community.

After facing challenges in finding property in Lodge Grass, he has successfully acquired a location and is now working on establishing a community center for youth and elders.

David R. Blaine’s Role at the 2025 Yellowstone Conference

At the 2025 Yellowstone Conference, David R. Blaine will join the Strengthening Native American Partnerships panel, where he’ll share his expertise in leveraging community partnerships for collective impact.

More About the Yellowstone Conference

Visit our Yellowstone Conference event page to learn more and register.

Panelist | Strengthening Native American Partnerships

Sunny Day Real Bird, Akbaaiiwishe-Itchish (Raises Good Children), serves as the Director of American Indian Outreach at Montana State University Billings (MSUB). She is an enrolled member of the Apsáalooke (Crow) Nation and a Gros Ventre descendant. Sunny brings over 15 years of experience in teaching, administration, and advocacy for Native student success across K–12 and higher education.

She holds a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Montana State University Bozeman, a Master’s in Education: Curriculum and Teaching (Secondary Mathematics) from the University of Oregon, and a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education with a Mathematics minor from MSU Billings. She is licensed in Montana to teach both elementary education and secondary mathematics.

Before her role at MSUB, Sunny taught mathematics at Ronan Middle School, where she was also selected as Educator of the Year by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Education Committee. She later served as the Director of Indian Education for Ronan School District, where she secured major grants, created new partnerships, and raised graduation and attendance rates for Native students. Her teaching career has included positions at Riverside Indian School, Northern Cheyenne Tribal School, St. Labre Indian School, and St. Charles Mission School.

At MSUB, Sunny provides advocacy and support for Native students, leads outreach and retention efforts, and forges partnerships with tribal colleges, communities, and schools. She is active in multiple statewide initiatives, including the American Indian Minority Achievement Council, the City of Billings Chamber Advisory Board, and the Crow Language Club.

Sunny’s leadership and service have been recognized widely, including the University of Oregon’s 2022 Sapsik’ʷałá Outstanding Community Service Award. She is deeply committed to data-driven, culturally responsive education and to strengthening opportunities for Native students.

Sunny Day Real Bird’s Role at the 2025 Yellowstone Conference

At the 2025 Yellowstone Conference, Sunny Day Real Bird will join the Strengthening Native American Partnerships panel, where she’ll share her expertise in leveraging community partnerships for collective impact.

More About the Yellowstone Conference

Visit our Yellowstone Conference event page to learn more and register.

Panelist | Strengthening Native American Partnerships

Charlene “Charli” Sleeper is a Billings-based Missing & Murdered Indigenous Peoples (MMIP) advocate and mental health worker at Yellowstone Boys & Girls Ranch (YBGR). Their Indigenous name is Axpe Hisshe Bia (Red Eagle Fan Woman). They are a descendant of the Crow Tribe and Chippewa-Cree Tribe and are enrolled in the Southern Cheyenne & Arapahoe Tribes of Oklahoma.

Inspired by the 2018 Billings Women’s March, which highlighted the Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women’s (MMIW) Movement, Charlene began researching the scope of the MMIW crisis. That same year, eastern Montana experienced several high-profile missing juvenile cases. As a grassroots response—with an emphasis on the safe recovery of missing juveniles—Charlene developed the Missing & Murdered Indigenous Peoples Billings Advocacy Project (MMIP Billings). The group provides a range of volunteer services, including: sharing missing persons information with the public, supporting MMIP victim families, consulting on contributing issues, promoting MMIP resource information, and coordinating nonprofit fundraising. MMIP Billings also organizes and collaborates on awareness, intervention, and prevention projects.

Charli’s grassroots work spans tribal, local, state, and federal levels. They have supported Montana’s MMIP policy work since 2019, provided homicide and missing persons field observations to the FBI, and testified to both the Trump Administration’s Operation Lady Justice and the Biden Administration’s Not Invisible Act Commission. In 2025, MMIP Billings’ focus is on the intersection between human trafficking, missing persons, and homicides.

At YBGR, Charli notes that youth are at the highest risk for becoming missing juveniles, domestic violence-related homicide victims, and/or victims of human trafficking. They are grateful for the support found at YBGR, which has enabled the continuation of youth-specific MMIP prevention projects tailored to serve all youth in care.

Charli Sleeper’s Role at the 2025 Yellowstone Conference

At the 2025 Yellowstone Conference, Charli Sleeper will join the Strengthening Native American Partnerships panel, where they’ll share their expertise in leveraging community partnerships for collective impact.

More About the Yellowstone Conference

Visit our Yellowstone Conference event page to learn more and register.