Women's Circle of Excellence Agenda & Speakers

Shari Eslinger a leader always looking for an inspiring vision. At Aspen Springs Consulting, she engineers and implements solutions for her community, whether it be physical or social infrastructure. Driven by confidence and curiosity, she explores big picture ideas and takes the necessary steps to bring them to fruition.

Susan Bennett Fisher is a Co-Founder and Teacher of Body of 9, alongside her husband. Body of 9 is an innovative, body-based personality assessment that, through your posture, body type, and how you physically express yourself, identifies your Natural Number.

Hillary Folkvordis the owner of the RSVP Motel & Farmer’s Daughters Café. These places encompass her love for fashion, travel, food and home décor.

The RSVP Motel was created after the first boutique hotel venture, The Sacajawea Hotel. She was infatuated with learning everything she could about the hospitality industry with hopes of growing their hotel brand into the future. Hillary is currently working on expanding the RSVP Motel brand to other markets. She is also on the Women’s Foundation of Montana Advisory Committee.

She attended Montana State University on a Women’s Golf Scholarship, where she studied Political Science and Spanish. She later went on to complete an MBA at the University of Denver.  

Outside of her work, in her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her two kids and husband. She loves cooking, travel, playing golf, yoga.

Ashley Schwaderhas extensive experience working in the non-profit, government, public and private sectors. She has dedicated her life's work to serving others and is the Owner and CEO of Two Suns Consulting where she works with multiple organizations and supports them in accelerating their mission to create positive change.

Before starting her own business, she served as a senior executive leadership team member as the Director of Youth Programs at the national non-profit No Barriers. Previous to that role, she was the State of Colorado's Healthy Schools Manager for the national non-profit Alliance for a Healthier Generation.

Enjoying all work that creates positive change, Ashley has also served on non-profit boards, participated in community impact, grant writing, partnership building, program delivery, freelance writing, health coaching, personal training, teaching group exercise, public speaking, policy advocacy, and has even been the president of an HOA.

Ashley holds a Masters Degree in Organizational Leadership with a Specialization in Change Management and Innovation from Colorado State University. She also has a Bachelor's Degree in Health and Exercise Science with a Specialization in Health Promotion from Colorado State University and is a first generation college graduate.

Amy Schulte  is the owner of Moonlight Marketing & Events in beautiful Butte, America and works with clients all across the state on their marketing. In June of 2021, she became the Events Manager at the historic Front Street Station and has recently taken over the Montana Young Professionals Organization. She is Past President of Butte Business Network and is also involved in Butte Young Professionals, the Area Management Team for Special Olympics, ENCORE women’s leadership group, board member for Safe Space, and many other organizations. Amy's favorite "job" is coaching shot put for Butte High School's track team. Amy was honored to be named Montana's Young Professional of the Year in 2021, as well as one of '20 under 40' Outstanding Community Members in SW Montana in 2020.

Sheryl Wrightis the proud mom of two young adult children, is a breast cancer survivor, and a loving daughter, sister and friend. Empowering and supporting women to step out of their comfort zones is her jam, which is why she created Dare to Detour. Sheryl guides women in cultivating their resilience, creativity, and vitality through retreat experiences that allow them to connect with who they are now. She has happily called Bozeman, MT home since 2017.

Missy O'Malley is the local Jill of all trades. She has been in the Bozeman community for almost 20 years and has done everything from morning news, local radio, snowboard coaching, comedy troupes, DJing, fundraising, etc. In 2016 Missy and her sister Katie went to the Harvard of Auctioneering Schools in St. Louis and in the past 5 years have raised almost 5 million dollars for local causes and non-profits.

Molly Hannan is a longtime Bozeman, Montana resident and a Physical Therapist by training. While she enjoyed Physical Therapy, she fell in love with improv after taking a class ten years ago. Since then her life has shifted course to running a non-profit community theater, teaching and performing improv, to owning a Comedy Club here in Bozeman. She is evidence of how improv can impact your life and help you pursue your passions in your personal and professional life. She is a wife, a mom to three kids, and an avid runner, hiker and enjoyer of the outdoors!

Suzi Berget White has counseled more than 1,000 business owners throughout Montana in her role as the Business Development Director of Prospera Business Network. Suzi is also a small business owner who has successfully launched and brought to market three businesses and effectively expanded, and sold, a construction business.

Suzi is a contributor to many podcasts, webinars, and blogs. She won the “20 under 40 years old” award in Southwest Montana in 2018 and the "Ambassador of the Year" in 2020. Suzi serves on the Montana Ambassadors board and is the Vice Chair for the Bozeman Chapter. She also serves on the City of Bozeman Economic Vitality Board and is actively involved with the Montana Economic Development Association and Bozeman Connect.

Laura Thum is a licensed psychologist working at Counseling and Psychological Services as the Assistant director for outreach and prevention. She has engaged in clinical work with undergraduate and graduate students for the past ten years as well as assisted in providing outreach/prevention training and support to faculty, staff and students. She loves working on campus and being a part of the Bozeman community!

Marissa McDonough has been an entrepreneur for over 17 years and has built four successful businesses from the ground up. Marissa's first career was in real estate where she was a Broker in Montana. Marissa was named the Rising Star of a billion-dollar company and is known for her grit and realness. Over her career, Marissa is known for her influence and ability to help others get out of their comfort zone, get to the heart of the issues, be authentic, and create real results. With over 9 years of personally coaching thousands of people, Marissa has developed a system that creates results and focuses on the action. Marissa is a highly sought-after coach, speaker, and trainer whose down-to-earth, humorous approach captivates audiences, no matter their age or location. If you are looking to create results and inspire your audience look no further than Marissa McDonough. Marissa is a Montana native, born & raised in Butte America, and now living in Bozeman with her husband and three daughters.

Morning Panelists

Tina Cusker is a 5th generation Montana, MSU alum (BS Ed ’92), and 30 year career educator recently transitioned to small business owner of La Cuisine, Bozeman’s new French inspired kitchen store and culinary classroom. Cusker and her husband, Brett raised two children while living in Germany, Belgium, South Korea and six different states during Brett’s 25 year military career. La Cuisine delivers Montana made artisan goods and European kitchen products, a nod to their diverse life experiences, world travels and Tina’s passion for cooking and entertaining. La Cuisine opened its doors on September 29, 2021 and on February 1st was identified as the 2022 #1 New Business by the Bozeman Magazine Reader’s Poll. La Cuisine’s business mission is focused on building community around the table, and that includes establishing key partnerships with local restaurants and chefs who deliver the weekly cooking classes, the artisan and food producers who supply retail goods, and the client relationships that are forged around the table every week. Please join La Cuisine in the heart of our home, our kitchen!

Lunch Panelists

Suzanne Davis is the Value Consultant for Xactly.