She/her/hers | Heidi@empowermt.org
Born and raised in Montana, Heidi is a passionate and results-driven nonprofit leader advancing equity and systemic change through inclusive strategic vision and community-centered impact. Guided by a deep love of place and people, she brings a fierce urgency and sense of responsibility to her work—grounded in justice, connection, and belonging. Since joining EmpowerMT in 2007 and serving as Executive Director since 2013, Heidi has led transformative initiatives to correct systemic inequities, strengthen communities, and build organizational cultures of belonging. She has a proven track record of empowering youth leaders, elevating voices with lived experience, and creating sustainable partnerships across diverse communities. A skilled strategist, facilitator, and educator, Heidi fosters collaborative initiatives that address complex challenges through grassroots action and equity-centered leadership. She is a University of Montana alumna, recipient of the Native American Studies Distinguished Alumni Award, and a Professional Fellow with the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
Heidi Wallace, Executive Director
He/him/his | rajiem@empowermt.org
Rajiem is the Director of Strategy and Social Impact at EmpowerMT, where he leads long-term strategic planning and equity-driven initiatives that foster belonging and drive measurable change across Montana’s schools, businesses, and communities. A systems thinker and community connector, Rajiem advances partnerships and policies that center on belonging, justice, and fairness. With over 20 years of experience engaging communities through platforms that bridge sports, culture, and society, Rajiem has cultivated meaningful spaces for dialogue and connection. Projects like The Handoff: Bridging the Gap Podcast exemplify his commitment to amplifying intergenerational voices and building understanding across differences. Rajiem co-founded the Montana Black Collective–Missoula and serves on the Missoula City & County JEDI Advisory Board and the American Red Cross–Montana Board of Trustees. As a father, coach, mentor, and organizer, he brings heart, vision, and action to every space he enters.
Rajiem Seabrook: Director of Strategy and Social Impact
She/her/hers/ faith@empowermt.org
Dr. Faith Price is the Director of Growth and Development. Faith grew up and currently resides on the Flathead Indian Reservation, and is of multiracial descent, including Black, White, and Assonet Band of Wampanoag. She is a graduate of the University of Montana, where she received a Bachelor of Social Work and a Master’s degree in Journalism, and Washington State University, where she earned her Ph.D. in Prevention Science. Faith brings a deep commitment to grassroots social justice movements, a visionary approach to organizational sustainability, and extensive experience bridging program implementation with policy advocacy. Faith’s leadership is grounded in both evidence-based practice and healing-centered, land-based approaches that honor community voice and cultural strengths. In this role, she will guide EmpowerMT’s daily operations and strategic advancement, building people-centered systems that strengthen our internal infrastructure and expand our collective impact.
Faith Price: Director of Growth and Development, Ph.D.
She/her/ela| janaina@empowermt.org
EmpowerMT is excited to welcome Janaína Vieira-Marques as our new Director of Youth Leadership & Engagement. A Brazilian-born immigrant, artist, educator, and community builder, Janaína brings a deep commitment to creating spaces where young people feel a sense of belonging, recognize their own power, and have meaningful opportunities to shape the communities around them.
Janaína comes from the land of the Mbya and Tekohá (Guarani) Indigenous peoples in Brazil and brings a multicultural and community-centered lens to her work. As Director of Youth Leadership & Engagement, she will provide strategic leadership for EmpowerMT’s statewide Youth Leadership Pathways, school partnerships, youth-led organizing, and community engagement initiatives. She will help guide programs that cultivate belonging, leadership, wellbeing, civic engagement, and systems change, while supporting young people to strengthen their voices and lead on the issues that matter to them.
With 18 years of experience in art education, Janaína has spent the past eight years working alongside young people through public art and collaborative creative projects. Her work has centered youth perspectives, creating opportunities for young people to bring their ideas and creativity into public spaces and use art as a tool for connection, expression, and community change.
Before joining EmpowerMT, Janaína served for four years as the Educator and Outreach Coordinator at the Missoula Art Museum. She has also worked as a teaching artist and educator throughout Montana and in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.
We are thrilled to have Janaína’s creativity, experience, and relationship-centered approach on our Youth Team. Her belief in young people’s capacity to lead—and her experience creating spaces where their voices can be heard and valued—aligns deeply with EmpowerMT’s commitment to healing-centered, youth-led, and equity-rooted leadership development.
Janaína Vieira-Marques: Director of Youth Engagement
She/her/hers | chloe@empowermt.org
Chloe is EmpowerMT’s Grants & Communications Specialist, leading collaborative resource development to support long-term program sustainability. Chloe crafts compelling narratives that communicate the impact of our work to stakeholders and amplify the voices of our youth leaders. She works closely with the EmpowerMT team to secure funding, build partnerships, and facilitate youth-led leadership programs. Since moving to Missoula in 2014 after earning her M.Ed. from Lewis & Clark College, Chloe has brought over a decade of experience as an educator into her community work. She is a passionate mother, wife, and active member of the Missoula community.
Chloe Lyons: Grants & Communication Specialist
She/her/ hers | silver@empowermt.org
Silver Little Eagle (Móxėšéhá'e - Mint Woman) is Tsé-tsėhéstaestse naa Só'taa'e, a citizen of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, and an eldest sister to many siblings. She grew up in her hometown of Lame Deer, MT - Black Lodge District, before moving to Missoula in late 2024.
Silver holds an Associate’s degree in Social Work from Chief Dull Knife College, a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the University of Montana, and is currently a graduate student enrolled in the Alexander Blewett III School of Law’s Master of Public Administration program and is a Master of Social Work Spring 2026 candidate at the University of Montana’s School of Social Work.
Raised by her grandmother, and as a 7th generation descendant of Chief Little Wolf, she holds highly the value of caring for the future generations. This value has led her down multiple career paths: a wildland firefighter, an activities director at the Northern Cheyenne Elderly Program, and an elected tribal council representative for the Northern Cheyenne Tribe. In these roles, Silver experienced the power and principles of youth voice, tribal sovereignty, governmental relations, collaboration within multiple systems, and policy implementation that directly impacted multigenerational community wellbeing. These experiences were transformative – and ultimately has led Silver to center her work on youth, family, and community empowerment in her present role at EmpowerMT as a youth engagement specialist.
Silver Little Eagle: Youth Program Development & Policy Specialist
She/her/hers | jessica@empowermt.org
Jessica's passion for equity, inclusion, and youth leadership development is not just professional; it is deeply personal. Growing up in Missoula and participating in EmpowerMT programs from a young age shaped her values and instilled in her a commitment to justice. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with a Special Education Endorsement from the University of Montana, and recently completed four fulfilling years as a special education teacher for 4th and 5th graders at Frenchtown School District. Beyond the classroom, Jessica has been involved with youth empowerment work for over a decade, from facilitating afterschool GUTS! groups to co-leading Youth Forward LGBTQ+ spaces.
Jessica Beers: Organizational Specialist
She/her/hers | twyla@empowermt.org
Twyla Houlihan is a Montana Native born and raised. She has a deep connection to her Apsáalooke (Crow) Tribe and community. Twyla received her bachelor's degree in Social Work from the University of Montana. She graduated Cum Laude and minored in Native American Studies. Twyla has a passion for working with Indigenous communities, diversity, social justice and reform. She has experience working with children and families in her social work practice. She understands the need for significant change and transformation within the social welfare system. Twyla is a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and cares for the needs and equality for the community. She is in the Masters of Social Work program at the University of Montana and is an advocate for creating strong youth leadership and community development to create a more inclusive, equitable, and justice driven society.
Twyla Houlihan: MSW Practicum
She/her/hers | desirra@empowermt.org
Desirra Angulo was born and raised in Northern California, specifically Brentwood, California. She is currently in her senior year at the University of Montana, where she is pursuing her Bachelor of Social Work. After completing her BSW, she hopes to continue her education by earning a Master’s degree in Social Work.
Desirra has a strong passion for working with and uplifting youth and believes in creating spaces where young people feel heard, valued, and empowered to use their voices. Through her experiences working with youth across different age groups, she has developed a deep appreciation for the unique perspectives, strengths, and experiences that each young person brings.
As a BSW practicum student at EmpowerMT, Desirra is excited to continue learning, growing, and building meaningful connections with youth and the community.
Desirra Angulo: BSW Practicum Student
She/her/hers | kenzie@empowermt.org
Kenzie Olmstead was born and raised in Denver, Colorado, and has called Bozeman home for the past ten years. She holds a B.S. in Community Health with a minor in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and is currently pursuing her Master of Social Work at the University of Montana.
Kenzie brings six years of experience in the nonprofit sector, with a background spanning cancer support services, anti-trafficking services, and community advocacy. She is committed to advancing meaningful, systems-level change, with a particular focus on legislative advocacy that expands safe, stable, and accessible housing opportunities for youth. Her work is grounded in a belief that lasting change requires both direct community support and policies that reflect the needs and voices of those most impacted.
Kenzie Olmstead: MSW Practicum Student
He/him/his
My name is Connor McCormick, and I grew up in southern Missouri as a cowboy. I like to watch war movies as well as the 17th and 18th century, westerns and documentaries.
I look forward to going to Panda Express. I order the kung pow chicken w/ fried rice and egg rolls.
I enjoy working at EmpowerMT because they treat me the best I have ever been treated at a job. I like my co-workers too.
Connor McCormick: Cleaning Specialist
Youth Advisory Council
EmpowerMT is committed to developing youth leaders & values and creating an authentic representation of our constituencies at all levels of the organization. To achieve these objectives, EmpowerMT established its Youth Advisory Council. EmpowerMT youth program participants, volunteers, and staff select outstanding youth from all of EmpowerMT’s programs with diverse backgrounds and experiences to create the perfect team each year. Each YAC member is paid for their time and service. The Youth Advisory Council comprises students ages 10-21 to ensure a diverse range of expertise. If you want to serve on this council, email our youth program staff at youth@empowermt.org.
Our Board of Directors
Leanne Beers, PhD: Board President
Dr. Leanne Beers holds a Ph.D. in Social and Behavioral Sciences/Human Services, specializing in disability and human sexuality. She has also earned her Master's Degree in Public Relations and Health Communications. Leanne was born with a neuromuscular condition and relies on a power wheelchair for mobility. As a mother of two children, one of whom also has a neuromuscular disorder, Leanne is dedicated to advocating for equality and human rights. With over two decades of experience, Leanne has been actively supporting individuals with disabilities, using her strong leadership skills to educate others about the importance of recognition and acceptance. Currently residing in Missoula, MT, she has contributed her expertise to various nonprofit Boards of Trustees and Community Advisory Boards (CAB) focused on disability research.
Leanne prides herself on being a consummate professional, an unwavering advocate, and a skilled group facilitator. She leads programs addressing topics such as self-esteem, safety awareness for women, barriers and disparities for women with disabilities to access health services, sex education, prevention of violence against people with disabilities, non-violent communication, disability awareness, sexuality, and fostering healthy relationships. Beyond her professional commitments, Leanne finds joy in spending quality time with her family, exploring the great outdoors of Montana, and savoring all the natural beauty the region offers.
Robert Farmer, MBA, SPHER, SHRM-SCP: Vice President & Treasurer
Robert is a University of Montana graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. He also holds an MBA with a Human Resource Management emphasis and is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources. He is a nationally recognized trainer and has developed award-winning programs. He has worked for Clearwater Credit Union for 25 years and has many years of leadership and supervision experience. Mr. Farmer is currently the Senior Vice President of People Solutions and oversees the Credit Union’s human capital and organizational culture.
Mona Charles: Secretary
Mona Charles, a life-long activist, is thrilled to be a part of the power and passion of EmpowerMT.
She has a wide-ranging background in film and television as an actor, director, producer, and studio executive. Mona's mission in life is to help everyone she meets know they are unique and the most powerful thing they can do is be and share who they are. She hopes she brings joy and a bit of quirkiness to the world, too!
Kate Kahan
Kate Kahan is a longtime social justice advocate with over three decades of experience working on a range of issues including advancing LGBTQI, racial and gender justice, immigrant justice, democracy reform, and economic justice.
Kate got involved in activism as a young mom on welfare and led welfare rights and feminist organizing groups before moving to Washington, DC to work for the US Senate Finance Committee on low income policy and tribal affairs.
Kate has also worked for several national advocacy organizations including the National Partnership for Women & Families, Community Change, the Vera Institute of Justice, and People’s Action, and the National Immigration Law Center on a range of social justice issues and campaigns, bringing a deep commitment to strengthening the field of community organizing and building power to advance justice and systemic change to build a more equitable world.
Eli Boylan
Eli Boylan is currently in law school at the University of Montana. She was born and raised in Missoula and is very passionate about this community and advocating for social justice reform. She is studying law in hopes of becoming a prosecutor who advocates for victims and enforces and protects people's constitutional rights.
Eli has been on the board for three years and cares deeply about the values of EmpowerMT. When she is not studying for school, she coaches swim at the YMCA and loves coaching and working with developing youth. She loves to support youth as they grow into leaders and being a part of all that EmpowerMT is involved in.
Stephanie Esch
Stephanie has called Montana home since 2001. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from the University of Montana and is a new member of the EmpowerMT Board of Directors. She works as a grant writer and gardener, focusing on growing community, opportunities, and strong roots. All of which drew her to EmpowerMT's mission of fostering belonging and empowering youth and families across Montana. stephanie.stay.esch@gmail.com