M Bar Leadership Academy

The Montana Stockgrowers Associations M Bar Academy fosters and grows leaders in the Montana ranching industry and provides individuals the opportunity to improve leadership skills, gain understanding of industry issues, and develop the expertise needed to provide leadership in Montana Stockgrowers, its partner organizations, public service, and in the cattle industry.

Graduates will gain skills to advance their proficiency and competency in the following areas:

Communication and Advocacy
Connecting with Others
Coaching and Mentoring
Industry Knowledge
Leadership knowledge and application
Public Policy awareness and decision making
Self Awareness

Program Information

Approximately fifteen participants will commit to attending six in-person sessions and three MSGA events during a 18-month period, starting June 2024 and ending December 2025. Throughout the series, class participants will broaden their understanding of all aspects of industry, economic, political and cultural issues, expand their network, and participate in group and individual projects that reinforce learning and have direct applications.

2024 – 2025 COHORT

Katharine Taylor

Katharine works under Governor Greg Gianforte as a special projects coordinator. She has held positions with multiple grassroots organizations such as a Collegiate Stockgrowers member and a Collegiate Young Farmers and Ranchers member at Montana State University, American Business Women Association Big Sky Chapter member, Lewis and Clark County Young Farmer and Rancher Chair, and the Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher State Committee.

Celia Rigler

Celia serves as the ag policy advisor under Governor Greg Gianforte and assists on her family’s cattle operation near Gardiner and Lodge Grass when not at the Capitol. As a policy liaison, Celia tracks and drafts comments pushing back against federal overreach, conducts outreach to constituents, and assists in gathering input for policies that affect agricultural interests in Montana.

Garrett Harshbarger

Garrett is the owner/operator of Z-E Fencing and has been growing a portion of his family’s ranch since 2019. While attending Montana State University, Garrett obtained a degree in agricultural business and participated in various agriculture related groups including the MSU Collegiate Stockgrowers, Alpha Zeta Agriculture Honors Fraternity, and Collegiate FFA.

Asha Malcolm

Asha is currently enrolled in Syracuse College of Law’s Juris Doctor program. and is the owner/operator of Malcolm Mile Hi Ranch. Asha has built her herd from the ground up and has obtained clientele from around the country utilizing her herd’s genetics. She is also actively involved in her community and has coached many livestock clinics on showing, fitting, and feeding and helps 4-H members get animals ready for fair.

RJ Fitzgerald

RJ serves as a commercial account executive for First West Insurance who specializes in risk management for farms and ranches. He also works alongside his family’s cattle and sheep operation in Beaverhead county and is a member of MSGA’s tax and agriculture policy committee.

Wyatt Lesh

Wyatt currently works as a real estate salesperson at Lesh & Company Real Estate as well as his family’s cattle operation, Lesh Cattle Company, in Miles City. Wyatt holds a member position on the Miles City Ag Council.

Lacey Clark

Lacey is the owner/operator of Rockin’ LP Custom Leather, LLC, and worked for 15 years as a licensed mental health counselor. In addition to building her cattle herd, she also kickstarted the Super Stars 4-H Club in Madison County.

Heidi Kool

Heidi Kool joined the MSGA team as the program coordinator for the Montana Stockgrowers Foundation in 2023. Heidi is dedicated to coordinating the foundation’s work and programs. Heidi has a strong background in program management, fundraising, administrative coordination, in addition to a strong agricultural background.

She previously worked for the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association and in an administrative role for a medical group and a church. In addition to the previously mentioned credentials, Heidi and her family are actively involved in ranching as a fourth-generation family operation – Thousand Hills Angus in Toston.