2022 Speakers
Brandt Williams
Thinknado, Co-Founder
Brandt Williams is a connector, strategist and design thinker constantly looking for new ways to solve big challenges. Brandt has served as founder for early stage ventures, and CMO for Fortune 500 companies. He is committed to find new paths for creativity, sustainable livelihoods, and fulfillment.
Dr. Charles van Rees
Scientist and Nature Communicator
Dr. Charles van Rees is an ecologist, naturalist, and storyteller working to help people enrich their lives through nature study. His work emphasizes the innovation-boosting effects of guided nature experiences for entrepreneurs and business leaders. He is a co-producer and co-host on the Nature Guys podcast and founder of the Gulo in Nature blog.
Deborah McCauley
Founder & Executive Director
Dr. McCauley is a wildlife veterinarian who has worked with wildlife organizations including the Wildlife Conservation Society, Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks, and ZooMontana. Dr. McCauley graduated from Royal Veterinary College and has won numerous global leadership awards including the 2017 Ashoka Fellowship and the Emily Couric Women’s Leadership Award in 2019.
Denver Holt
Founder and President of the Owl Research Institute / Field researcher
Denver Holt has dedicated his life to the study of wild owls: observing, recording, and enjoying their natural world. His unwavering commitment to boots-on-the-ground data collection informs his massive body of research which has been featured in National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine and more.
Emily Lynn Paulson
Recovery Advocate
Emily Lynn Paulson is an Author, Writer, Certified Professional Recovery Coach, Facilitator of Addiction Awareness, and the founder of Sober Mom Squad, a community for mothers living or exploring an alcohol free life. A native Montanan, Emily currently resides in Central Oregon with her husband and their five children.
Jimmy Talarico
Artist/Designer/Monster Whisperer
Jimmy is a professional artist and an architectural designer. His understanding of visual art and design, combined with an application of literary analysis, allows him to describe the power artists have to make connections between people across cultures, beliefs, and social groups.
Meshayla Cox
Racism Under the Big Sky
Meshayla is a Certified Diversity and Inclusion Professional through
Cornell University and studied African American Studies at the University of
Montana. She serves her community as an Equity, Inclusion, and Justice
Consultant. In her work, Meshayla leverages her personal and educational
experience to mobilize the power of institutions to transform our
communities. In 2019, she received a Defending Democracy Fellowship from the Western States Center to fight against growing white nationalism throughout the country. Meshayla is passionate about building equitable and inclusive initiatives that progress anti-oppression organizational cultures where
people feel included and valued for who they are and what they do. In her
spare time, Meshayla enjoys watching Reality TV, spending time with her
puppy, and trying out new restaurants!
Raymond Ansotegui
Rodeo Bullfighter
Raymond has a Master of Science in Land Rehabilitation focused on highly disturbed lands. He began rodeo bullfighting at the age 33. His desire to protect others led him on a decade long journey in the dust, mud, and mental arena where he learned about himself, those around him, and the bulls that he danced with.
Anna Couch
Sexual Health Advocate
Anna graduated from Montana State University with a Bachelor of Arts in English Writing and a minor in Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies, where she was on a student-led research team that studied the experience of young adults who had sex ed in Montana. She currently works at Bridgercare, a grassroots family planning clinic, helping folks access sexual healthcare.
Bailey Marjerison
Care Coordinator
Bailey graduated from MSU with a degree in Community Health and a minor in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. She was part of a research team that studied the experience of young adults who had sex-ed in Montana. She works with high utilizers of emergency departments who face social determinates of health barriers as a care coordinator.
Kate Kunst
Community Artist & Organizer
Kate graduated in 2020 from MSU with a degree in Fine Art. Stemming from the history of the female body, the explicit nature of her work often sparks conversations around sexual health and the lack of proper education. Now she is thrilled to be gathering data to back these testimonies and inspire change.
Maddy Roche
Emcee
Driven by sharing positive energy, Maddy seeks out any opportunity to mingle and exchange ideas with her inspiring community members. She lives in Bozeman and is on the leadership team at a startup making real financial planning accessible to all people. She is passionate about mental wellness, skiing, beautiful food, and her pup Willi.