Mission
Leadership Helena is designed to develop informed, vigorous, skilled, and effective business leaders through a program of leadership development, networking, and Chamber and community involvement.
Why Participate in Leadership Helena?
Leadership Helena incorporates leadership development and community involvement to provide participants with the tools necessary to question standard practices, encourage new visions, empower themselves and others to act, and to make a difference in the Helena community.
Selection
Participants will be selected following a thorough review of submitted applications. Applicants will be notified whether or not they are selected to participate in the upcoming session. Selection will be made using the following criteria: personal and professional achievements, demonstrated and potential leadership, and community involvement.
Applications must be submitted at the end of the business day on Friday, July 11, 2025.
To be considered for the Leadership Helena program, submit your completed application form to:
Leadership Helena
Helena Chamber of Commerce
225 Cruse Avenue
Helena, MT 59601
Need Additional Information?
Contact Callie Aschim at 406-442-4120 or via email at [email protected].
2025-26 Leadership Helena Curriculum
Class Meet & Greet (September) – The class gets together to meet each other and hear about the upcoming retreat.
Beginning Retreat at Blacktail Ranch (September) – Leadership training is combined with ice breaker activities to bond with your fellow classmates and create lasting connections.
Orientation (October) – Meet your fellow Leadership Helena Classmates and get a feel for what is to come, including day planning training.
Monthly Sessions from 8am -5pm
Leadership Training from 8:30a-10a each day
Sustainable Helena Day (October) – Local Roots, Lasting Impact
Steering Committee Planned
Sustainable Helena Day is a dynamic, day-long experience designed to immerse Leadership Helena participants in the vibrant and growing sustainability movement within our community. This special day highlights the innovative efforts taking place across Helena to build a more resilient, equitable, and environmentally conscious future.
Participants will explore local sustainable food systems, including farm-to-table initiatives, community-supported agriculture (CSA), and food waste reduction programs. From learning how local producers are nourishing our community to understanding how composting and food recovery efforts are reducing landfill waste, attendees will gain firsthand insight into how Helena is cultivating a healthier food future.
Beyond food, the day will showcase a range of community-wide sustainability programs. These include the City of Helena’s ambitious clean energy goals, solar energy projects, water conservation efforts, and the recently launched municipal composting and food waste reduction pilot program. Attendees will meet with local leaders, innovators, and changemakers who are driving progress in renewable energy, green infrastructure, and sustainable urban planning.
Historic Helena Day (November) – Where the Past Shapes the Present
Steering Committee Planned
Step back in time and uncover the roots of Montana’s capital during Historic Helena Day—a captivating journey through the stories, landmarks, and legacies that define our community. Designed for Leadership Helena participants, this immersive day explores how Helena’s colorful past continues to shape its identity, economy, and future.
Through guided tours, expert talks, and interactive experiences, attendees will discover how Helena’s history fuels tourism, supports local businesses, and fosters a strong sense of place. Heritage tourism is a key economic driver, drawing visitors from around the world and generating revenue that supports Main Street businesses and community development.
For those new to Helena, this day offers a meaningful introduction to the city’s character and charm. It’s a chance to connect with the stories that built Helena—and to see how those stories continue to inspire innovation, pride, and progress.
Philanthropy Day (December) – Building Community Through Purpose and Partnership
Steering Committee Planned
Philanthropy Day celebrates the heart of Helena—the people, organizations, and partnerships that work together to make our community thrive. Designed for Leadership Helena participants, this day offers a deep dive into the powerful role of nonprofits and the business community in shaping a compassionate, resilient, and vibrant Helena.
Helena’s nonprofit sector is a cornerstone of its social and economic vitality. From addressing food insecurity and housing to supporting the arts, education, and mental health, local nonprofits meet critical community needs every day. Organizations foster collaboration and provide essential funding to help nonprofits grow and innovate. Philanthropy Day explores how businesses and nonprofits partner to create lasting impact—through sponsorships, volunteerism, shared initiatives, and community investment. These partnerships not only strengthen the social fabric of Helena but also contribute to a thriving local economy by attracting talent, supporting families, and enhancing quality of life.
Personal Wellness Day (January) – Healthy People, Strong Communities
LH26 Class Planning Committee
Personal Wellness Day is a powerful reminder that our greatest asset—both personally and professionally—is our well-being. This day invites Leadership Helena participants to explore the essential connection between physical and mental health, and how prioritizing wellness at home and in the workplace strengthens not only individuals, but the entire Helena community.
In today’s fast-paced world, stress, burnout, and health challenges can impact productivity, morale, and quality of life. That’s why Helena’s most forward-thinking employers are investing in wellness—from offering mental health support and flexible work schedules to promote physical activity and mindfulness in the workplace.
Emerging leaders will also gain insight into how to model wellness in their own lives and workplaces, and how to support others in doing the same. Whether it’s through leading by example, advocating for mental health resources, or simply taking time to recharge, wellness is a leadership skill that benefits everyone.
City Policy & Advocacy Day (February) – Shaping the Future Through Civic Engagement
LH26 Class Planning Committee
City Policy and Advocacy Day offers Leadership Helena participants a front-row seat to the inner workings of local government and the vital role it plays in shaping the future of our community. This day focuses on how the cities of Helena and East Helena operate, plan for growth, and respond to the evolving needs of residents and businesses.
Participants will explore how city governments function—from council meetings and planning commissions to zoning boards and public input sessions. Helena’s Planning Division leads long-range planning efforts, including the city’s Growth Policy, zoning ordinances, and neighborhood plans, all designed to preserve character while guiding responsible development. East Helena, with its own city council and planning processes, plays a key role in regional collaboration and infrastructure planning.
Key topics can include: Managed growth and infrastructure: How cities balance development with sustainability, housing, transportation, and public services. Community needs and advocacy: Insights from the 2025 Community Needs Assessment, which highlights housing, economic development, and social services as top priorities. Public-private partnerships: How collaboration between government, nonprofits, and businesses drives innovation and community well-being.
City Policy and Advocacy Day empowers participants to become informed, active citizens who understand how local decisions shape Helena’s future—and how their voices can help guide it.
Workforce & Education Day (March) – Investing in People, Building Our Future
LH26 Class Planning Committee
Workforce and Education Day explores the vital connection between education, workforce development, and economic vitality in the Helena area. Designed for Leadership Helena participants, this day highlights how schools, businesses, and community leaders are working together to prepare the next generation of workers and ensure long-term prosperity.
Helena and East Helena face several pressing challenges in education and workforce development. These can include: Teacher recruitment and retention, especially in rural and growing districts. Rising student needs, including support for mental health services. Workforce shortages in key industries such as healthcare, skilled trades, and education. Impacts of rapid growth, particularly in East Helena, where expanding neighborhoods are placing new demands on schools and infrastructure
Participants will explore how these challenges affect local businesses, economic development, and community well-being. They’ll also learn how Helena’s educational institutions and employers are responding—with career and technical education (CTE) programs, apprenticeships, dual enrollment opportunities, and partnerships between schools and industry.
Workforce and Education Day is a call to action: to invest in people, champion lifelong learning, and build a Helena where every student and worker has the tools to succeed.
Human Needs Day (April) – Meeting Needs, Building Equity
LH26 Class Planning Committee
Human Needs Day invites Leadership Helena participants to explore the essential services that support the health, dignity, and well-being of every member of our community. This day focuses on understanding where Helena excels in meeting human needs—and where gaps remain—and how emerging leaders can be part of building a more inclusive, responsive and compassionate community.
Helena is home to a wide range of human services, including food assistance, housing support, behavioral health care, and services for seniors, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. However, challenges persist: Behavioral health services remain under-resourced, with long waitlists and limited access to care. Affordable housing continues to be a top concern, especially for low-income families and seniors. Childcare access and workforce shortages in caregiving professions strain both families and service providers. East Helena’s rapid growth is placing new demands on infrastructure and social services, highlighting the need for regional collaboration.
Human Needs Day emphasizes that no single organization or leader can meet every need alone. It takes a network of compassionate, informed, and action-oriented individuals working together to ensure that no one in our community is left behind. This day challenges emerging leaders to ask: What does my community need most—and how can I help meet that need?
Community Service Day (May) – A partnership with United Way and their Spirit of Service Day or a project planned by the Steering Committee.
Graduation Day (June) – Celebrate with your fellow classmates and reflect on the year. Where did the class grow? What skills were developed? Use Helena as the backdrop for a day of activity and celebration. Planned by the Steering Committee.
2nd Year Orientation (August) – Start off your 2nd year with leadership development and organizing for the upcoming retreat. Learn more about your steering committee responsibilities and commit to developing our next class.