Young Alumni Board Members

My name is James Chamberlain and I graduated from Montana State University in 2019 with a bachelors degree in Finance and a minor in Economics. Following graduation, I moved to Boise, ID, to work as a Finance Data Analyst for a FinTech / SaaS company named Clearwater Analytics. After a year in this role, I moved into a client facing role working with Strategic Institutional Asset Managers such as JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley, and Goldman Sachs, where I was responsible for leading a team of 3 client-facing professionals, and reconciling & reporting on $300B+ of fixed income investments, and $40B+ in derivative products. After 3 years at Clearwater, I moved to Denver, CO, and joined Unity Software's Capital Markets team, covering Investment Management, FX Hedging, and Capital Markets activities. Shortly after my direct manager left, I was promoted to her role and led a $1B PIPE convertible issuance, and a $1.5B share repurchase program. I've since moved back to Bozeman, MT, and joined the Treasury & Financial Risk team at Rivian Automotive, where I fully own the Investment Management function, and partially own Cash Management, Financial Risk, and Capital Markets activities. In my freetime, I enjoy hiking, camping, snowboarding, and hanging out with my girlfriend and our pup, Nico.

Hello, my name is Madeline Clevenger (Lewis). I graduated in the fall of 2020 with a double focus in accounting and finance. While at MSU, I became involved as a mentor and team leader with Sophomore Surge. Surge was designed as a retention effort to help freshman ‘surge’ into their sophomore year. In 2020, I received the Bracken PRIDE Award. 

I’m excited to start the next chapter of my career as the CEO of Southwest Montana Building Industry Association (SWMBIA). I have a trusty sidekick, a corgi named Petunia, who has been by my side everyday since she was a puppy. I think she is one of my most distinguishing features. Petunia will be taking on the role of Chief Morale Officer and is ready to get to work! 

Prior to SWMBIA, I was a Credit Analyst at Opportunity Bank where I underwrote and analyzed financials to determine credit worthiness. I have experience with taxation, mortgage lending, and commercial construction analysis. 

As an army veteran, I thrive on leadership and believe strongly in the benefits of engagement, networking, and fundraising. I currently serve on three boards/committees that directly benefit our community.

I’m excited to be an inaugural board member for the Young Alumni Board (YAB) and the undergraduate engagement committee. I hope to bridge the gap between the undergraduate mindset and professional business world through mentorship, educating, and networking. 

I’ve been on the Women's Circle of Excellence (WCOE) committee since 2019. We host a conference designed to encourage professional networking and support the success of Montana's women in business. 

Most recently, I’ve been invited to be on the Summer Solstice Event Committee for the Museum of the Rockies. This signature event is a festive community celebration at the start of Summer.

You can reach me at: melclev324@gmail.com or https://www.linkedin.com/in/madelineclevenger/

My name is Tanner Edward and I graduated from MSU in May of 2019 with a degree in Accounting. During my time at MSU I was an undergraduate researcher, a Teaching Assistant in Microeconomics with Calculus, and served on the MSU Bookstore Board of Directors as the Student Representative.

Upon graduation, I went to the University of Utah where I earned my Master's of Accountancy with an emphasis in Accounting Business Analytics. After my time in Utah, I returned home to Montana and finished the CPA exam. I currently work remotely for the San Francisco office of Marcum in the Alternative Investments Group as a Senior Audit Associate, and I am on the Finance Committee for a local non-profit. I joined the board to be a resource to students with questions on the accounting profession (what's the difference between audit and tax, anyway?), looking for tips on the CPA exam, how to transition from a college student to a young professional, or anything that would be of use to current Jabs students. Please reach out to me at tanner.edward@marcumllp.com or connect with me on LinkedIn. Go Cats!

Hey Bobcats! My name is Dillon Fraley and I grew up in Bigfork, Montana before coming to MSU to play football in the fall of 2012. I graduated in 2016 with a major in finance and minor in accounting and worked in sales before returning to MSU for the MPAc program, which I completed in the spring of 2020. During both stints in Bozeman I had the pleasure of serving as a TA and I’m thrilled to be apart of this board and be in a position to work with both students and teachers again.

Upon graduating I passed the CPA exams and went to work as an audit associate for BDO, a public accounting firm, in Seattle, WA. I’m now a senior with BDO and play an active part in our campus recruiting effort, specifically here at MSU! I joined this board to be a resource to students, because I wouldn’t be where I am today without the guidance of those who came before me. So please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions on careers in accounting, the recruiting process, or what the next phase after college looks like. You can reach me at dfraley@bdo.com or feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn.

Hi ‘Cats! My name is Isabelle Ivankovich (she/hers) and I graduated from MSU in May of 2022 with a double concentration in Marketing and Finance with Honors. During my time at MSU I was an actively engaged student - serving as an Ambassador, ASMSU Supreme Court Justice, Student Conduct Hearing Board member, and as an active volunteer for Thrive and Eagle Mount. I also served on the American Marketing Association’s Executive Board for three years as the Vice President of Membership, Executive Vice President, and President.

Following my graduation in May I have recently begun my full time role as an Associate Account Executive at Amazon Web Services in Seattle, WA. I joined the Jabs Young Alumni Board with the goal of increasing tech industry opportunities for Jabs students, and I am so excited to aid in the mission of this board!

I am Darren Kauffman and after interning at Goldman Sachs, I graduated from MSU with two bachelor’s degrees—one in Business, with a dual major in Finance and Accounting, and a second degree in Economics, with a minor in International Business. Thereafter joined a family office as an investment analyst where I have worked on a myriad of investments in public equities, private equity, and very occasionally in real estate. Most recently I became a CFA® charterholder and helped launch a hedge fund, opening our public equities investment strategy to external investors. My role covers the entire investment process, from ideation to purchase. As long-term, value-based investors we dive deep into the fundamentals of businesses, believing that differentiated, more extensive research will lead to outperformance. Throughout this process I read through years of company materials and transcripts, scour industry reports, create complex financial models, and ultimately synthesize all this research to decide whether to buy or sell a stock, a business, or a piece of real estate.

Hello Bobcats! My name is Kaitlin Lane and I grew up on a ranch in Harlowton, MT. After choosing Montana State University (MSU) as my home for the next five years, I graduated in May 2021 with my undergraduate degree in Marketing and in May 2022 with a Master’s of Innovation and Management (MSIM) through Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship. I recently accepted a job at GeoStabilization International as a Service Line Manager. I help inform strategic decisions by talking to our customers to determine what they find valuable in the market while defining the markets that we compete in.

During my time at MSU, I became more involved in my Junior and Senior years. I served on the American Marketing Association (AMA) Board as the Director of Fundraising and President. I’ve come to realize how important it is to foster relationships with those who are in your corner as you start to uncover your passions and begin your career. Find those people who want you to succeed as much as you do, if not more!

I joined the Jabs Young Alumni Board to help build these relationships and to be a resource for you as you navigate these years in college. I know that not everyone’s college experience fits one mold, so I am here to help you find a place where you feel like you have people rooting for you.

Feel free to reach out to me over LinkedIn.

Hi everyone! I’m Krista Lauring (she/her), I grew up in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and I graduated from Jabs in 2019 with a Marketing concentration and a Minor in International Business. During my time at Jabs, I was involved with Montana State’s Chapter of the American Marketing Association and served as the VP of programs my junior year and President my senior year.

After graduating, I worked at Qualtrics for two years in Salt Lake City as a marketing research coordinator, and currently, I’m getting my MBA at the University of Wisconsin specializing in Marketing Analytics & Insights. I interned with PepsiCo this past summer (2022) and will be headed back for a full-time marketing insights role based in Chicago, IL, next summer. I’m excited to be a part of the YAB and connect with current students, so if you have any questions on careers in marketing, recruiting for jobs out of state, or going to graduate school, (or anything else) please reach out to me at lauring.krista@gmail.com!

I'm Garrett Leach (he/him), originally from Missoula, I graduated from MSU with business finance and honors degrees in 2018. I spent a lot of my time at MSU involved with student government, first as a senator representing Jabs then as ASMSU president. After graduation, I spent two years at BlackRock on the east coast, then completed a masters in global affairs at Tsinghua University through the Schwarzman Scholars program. Now I'm back in Bozeman, working as an associate at Next Frontier Capital, an early-stage venture capital firm investing in technology companies across the Rocky Mountains. Outside of work i'm usually golfing, reading, or cooking! You can get in touch with me at garrett@nextfrontiercapital.com or connect with me on LinkedIn.

Hey All! My name is Hunter Metcalf. I was born and raised in Fort Collins, Colorado before journeying north to MSU where I graduated in 2013 with a concentration in Marketing and was very involved in numerous student groups, being awarded the Dean’s Award for Excellence.

After graduating from MSU, I returned back to my home state to attend the University of Colorado Law School where I graduated in 2016, Order of the Coif (top 10% of the Class), and was honored to receive the Outstanding Student Mentor award. After law school I practiced in the Denver offices of two of the largest law firms in the country, primarily in the areas of national and international mergers & acquisitions and corporate finance. My wife and I returned to Bozeman in 2021 with our now two-year-old (and have since added another baby boy to the mix) where I am currently the Senior Counsel, M&A for VSP Vision, as well as the General Counsel & Secretary for Titin KM Biomedical Corporation, a local biomedical device startup. I love working with businesses and entrepreneurs, using my combination of business acumen and legal skills to not just enable, but push, continued growth and opportunities.

I’m excited to be on the board for as long as I’m considered “young.” The importance of having mentors, and being a mentor, are key to long term growth and I look forward to serving as a resource to the Jabs community!

Hi all! My name is Ashley Meyer (she/they) and I hail from Spokane, WA. I moved to Bozeman  in 2016 and graduated in the summer of 2020 with two degrees in Business Management and Applied Psychology as well as a separate Honors Degree. Some highlights from my MSU days: I competed nationally with the Triathlon Team while serving as President, studied abroad in Germany alongside performing research, and worked as a Student Associate at the Leadership Institute.

I spent over two years at Profitable Ideas Exchange in Bozeman and had some amazing opportunities to work internally on sustainability, however I have recently moved to Bellingham, WA to take a job as a Consultant. I bring a unique perspective to the board as I didn’t join the JJBCE until the end of my sophomore year, so if you have any questions about being a department transplant, sustainability, consulting or anything else, feel free to reach out at meyerash000@gmail.com!

Greetings from the North! My name is Anna Morris and I currently reside in Anchorage, AK. I grew up in the tiny town of Corvallis, MT then moved to the "big city" of Bozeman in 2009 to begin an undergraduate degree in accounting. I graduated in 2013, got married, drove up to Anchorage with my husband two days later, and did an internship with KPMG's Anchorage tax department for the summer. We returned to Bozeman that fall so I could complete the MPAc program and pass the CPA exams - a tough year but well worth it!

We liked Alaska so much that I accepted a full time position in KPMG's tax department and worked there for almost 4 years. I am currently the Tax Manager at Doyon, Limited, one of the twelve Alaska Native corporations, and have been here for a little over 4 years. I have also taught a couple semesters of an accounting course at the University of Alaska - Anchorage and have served on the board of Anchorage's chapter of Tax Executives Institute. 

I credit my time at MSU for my education, but I credit the connections I made while at MSU for where I am today. If it weren't for upperclassmen spreading the word about the "cool internship in Alaska" and the KPMG tax partner's love for attending networking events in her home state, I never would've thought of taking the leap to Anchorage. I am a firm believer of paying it forward in the professional world and became very involved in KPMG's Montana recruiting endeavors to hopefully inspire other small town accounting students to go outside of their comfort zones. I'm excited to once again be a part of this network of young professionals!

I’m Brad Penoyer. I graduated in 2013 with dual degrees in Economics and Finance. I worked at Fortress Investment Group in NYC for two years after undergrad (Thanks to Gary and Frank’s NYC trips), and then moved back to my home state of Colorado in 2015. I currently work at Janus Henderson Investors as a Corporate Development Manager supporting the firm's strategic M&A activity.

Outside of my professional work, I enjoy spending time in the mountains (paragliding, backcountry skiing, hiking and backpacking), traveling internationally, and riding motorcycles.

Tara Petre: As the Vice President of Sales & Marketing Technology at TA Digital, I lead a global team of consultants who provide strategic planning & technical consulting services across the MarTech & SalesTech landscape. I have worked with some of the world’s leading brands to harness the power of cutting-edge technologies to enhance customer experiences and to help brands better understand and engage with their audiences.

On campus, in addition to serving on the Young Alumni Board, I serve as the President of the Advisory Board to MSU’s American Marketing Association Student Chapter and I enjoy collaborating with alumni as well as students as they prepare for graduation. I moved to Bozeman from Malta, MT to pursue a degree in Business with options in Management and Marketing, as well as a minor in Entrepreneurship & Small Business Management at MSU. I am also a 2023 EMBA candidate at Auburn University.

Hi folks my name is Peter Pfankuch (he/him)! I moved to Bozeman from Minneapolis, MN and graduated from MSU in 2020 with a major in Business Management and minors in Economics, Entrepreneurship & Small Business Mgmt., and Finance. Throughout my time at MSU I was engaged on and off campus having helped found the College of Business Ambassadors program in 2017, served in Residence Life as an RA, taught Economics courses, sat on the board of a local non-profit through MSU's Boardroom Bobcat's program, served on the executive board of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, and volunteered in the community with organizations such as HRDC and Eagle Mount.

While in school I started an internship with a local philanthropic software company, Foundant Technologies, that has led to my full-time role there today as the Manager of Support and Intern Program. Since graduating I continue to connect frequently with students at MSU and have hired many students for internship positions at Foundant. Outside of work, I like to volunteer with organizations around Montana, serve on a NextGen board at Gallatin Valley Land Trust, and enjoy spending time cooking with local foods and being outside in the beautiful landscapes around Bozeman.

I feel passionate about this board and am truly fortunate for the opportunities and connections I had as a student in the College of Business. I attribute my professional/personal involvements to the things I learned and people I met as an undergraduate and want to create the spaces for current students and alumni to connect, share, and help each other grow! Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn or email me at peter@pfankuchs.com.

Reed Powell is a Business Operations and Strategy professional with a proven track record of driving organizational transformation and delivering measurable results. A Montana State University graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Finance, he currently manages operations generating $25 million in annual recurring revenue at MacDonald-Miller Facility Solutions, where he leads a 55-person team. Reed thrives at the intersection of people, process, and technology.  Reed’s passion for leadership development and community building is reflected in his active involvement with the Montana State Young Alumni Board and organizations like Toastmasters. Recognized with the Business Transformation 150 Award, he is dedicated to empowering teams and delivering impactful change across complex organizations.

Hello! I'm Jakim Ricketts. As a Livingston, MT native, I grew up hunting, fishing, skiing, and spending a lot of time on the basketball & tennis courts — which ultimately transported me to Hillsboro, Kansas where I graduated from Tabor College with a B.A. in Finance. Missing the mountains, I came back to Bozeman and graduated MSU with an M.S. in Innovation and Management in 2023. Since then, I've been working in real estate development as a Portfolio Associate for Providence Development - a Bozeman-based, developer, owner, and operator of more than $1B in multifamily communities, hotels, and other commercial real estate projects concentrated in the pacific northwest. As Portfolio Associate, my role is focused on the capitalization of our projects, which involves establishing and maintaining working relationships with debt & equity partners. Outside of the office, I enjoy all of the Montana activities that I was raised on — highlighted by the company of family and great friends (many of whom I met through MSU). Whether you're a prospective student, current bobcat, alum, or professional, feel free to shoot me a message on LinkedIn — I always enjoy meeting new people and connecting the dots where I can.

My name is Riley Rivers, I was born and raised in Anaconda Montana, and graduated from MSU in the spring of 2019 with a Major in Business Management and a Minor in entrepreneurship. As a sophomore at MSU, I started the company I run today, Rivers Landscaping here in the Gallatin Valley. I am putting my degree to work each day in my company and since graduation, have grown my small start up into a TEAM of over 25 hardworking individuals, completing landscaping construction projects such as the American Indian Hall here at MSU.

I joined the Young Alumni Board to serve as a resource to other entrepreneur-minded students, by sharing my experiences and lessons learned to help them take the leap to start their own businesses. My hope and mission with this board is to help as many students as possible, so please don’t hesitate to reach out and talk business! You can reach me at - Riley@RiversLandscapingMT.com

Hey all! My name is Quincey Schneider. I was born and raised in Helena, MT and graduated from MSU in the Fall of 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Finance. During my time at MSU, I was an active member of the Finance Club as well as a Sophomore Surge Mentor. Upon graduating, I decided to stay in Bozeman and further my career as a Financial Advisor with Hudak Financial Strategies – Raymond James. Outside of work, I love golfing, Bobcat sports, and exploring public trails throughout the Gallatin Valley with my French Bulldog, Carlos.

I had a great experience at the JJCBE and am looking forward to the opportunity to connect with and be a resource to all the students and other young alumni!

I am Robert Sheehan. As a lender, my focus lies in helping businesses of all sizes secure the capital they need to fuel growth, expand operations, and navigate complex financial landscapes. I have developed a keen understanding of various lending products, including working capital lines of credit, equipment financing, and commercial real estate loans. By working closely with business owners, I ensure they receive tailored financial solutions that align with their objectives and unique challenges. Over the years, I've built strong relationships with clients across diverse sectors, from manufacturing to technology, and have developed expertise in evaluating risk, structuring loan agreements, and facilitating the lending process efficiently and effectively. Throughout my career, I've worked with every stage, from established businesses to startups, adapting my approach to meet the specific needs of each client. I take pride in my ability to assess a company’s financial health, uncover growth opportunities, and offer strategic advice on capital management. Beyond simply providing loans, I act as a trusted advisor, guiding businesses through market fluctuations, changes in regulatory requirements, and economic cycles. With a passion for empowering entrepreneurs and business leaders, I am committed to helping them make informed, forward-thinking decisions that support their long-term success.

I am Jessica Sommer and I started my career in public accounting where I was an auditor for a national firm for 2 years. During that time I got to contribute to the firms recruitment efforts, which inspired my transition into headhunting. I’ve been a recruiter now for over 4 years, and I specialize in accounting and finance recruiting. 

Hello! My name is Vanessa (Bakken) Williamson. I grew up in North Dakota and graduated from MSU the spring of 2017 with a degree in marketing. During my time in the JJCBE, I was active on campus and in the college of business as a founding member and President of the American Marketing Association Chapter at Montana State. Currently, I run an ugly vegetable fermentation company, Farmented Foods, that I co-founded in a class at MSU called "Farm to Market." In addition, I am the Director of Marketing for a Property Development and Management company based out of Fargo, ND. In my free time, I am usually working on my 122 year old house, or spending time outside mountain biking, camping, gardening, and all of that good stuff. I am passionate about local food and creating more sustainable food systems.

Hello friends! My name is Casey Wolfe (she/hers). While originally from Colorado, I moved to Bozeman in 2016 where I pursued my degree in Business – Marketing with an International Business minor. As an undergraduate, I was involved across campus with Alpha Omicron Pi, Orientation Leaders, AdvoCats, ASMSU Supreme Court, Student Engagement Global Ambassadors, and interning at Jabs and with Bobcat Athletics. After I graduated, I started my work in obtaining my Master’s of Education in Adult & Higher Education where I worked with the Office of Student Engagement and the JJCBE.

Currently, I still reside in Bozeman and work for Leadership Montana as their Member Experience Director, in which I have the amazing opportunity to combine my passion of creating exceptional experiences and adult education. When I am not busy with work, I coach volleyball at Bozeman High School and Big Sky Volleyball Club, I volunteer with four different AOII chapters in the northwest, go to spin class, and fulfilling my main love language of quality time with my friends and loved ones. Jabs was a place where I grew up the most and I am excited to continue to connect with and be of service to the students and the community.

Hey there, my name is Tessa Wuertz (she/her/hers). I graduated from Montana State University with majors in Marketing and Management, and minors in Entrepreneurship and Religious Studies in 2017. After graduation, I moved to Seattle where I gained experience working as a marketing director at a digital marketing agency. With a desire to be back in Bozeman, I found a job in marketing at Bridger Photonics, a Bozeman-based company that uses LiDAR technology to provide data that helps the energy industry reduce methane emissions. I love being back in Montana where I can spend lots of time outdoors hiking, camping, fishing, and skiing. I'm looking forward to connecting with both students and other young alumni on through the YAB and I am excited about the opportunity to give back to a college and community I love so much.