Our Team
Morgan Stier Slemberger
Executive Director, W.E.L.L. WBC, Director, Women's Entrepreneurship and Leadership Lab at UM
Morgan Stier Slemberger is the director of women’s entrepreneurship and leadership at University of Montana (UM). She has spent her career advocating for women who are often underrepresented in business from Women’s Foundation of Montana board work to co-founding Women for the Web. After several years in health marketing, Morgan started several of her own small businesses then went on to work for UM’s Blackstone LaunchPad powered by Techstars. There, she grew a women’s entrepreneurship program that now is a federally funded Women’s Business Center powered by the SBA for women across the entire state of Montana. In addition she founded (and now licensed the I.P. for) Last Best Conference, a statewide event focused on celebrating entrepreneurship. She has several accolades from working with nationally renowned YouTube companies to being featured on podcasts and “20 under 40” Montana publications. Morgan has avision for the future of women in Montana and to get there, she works with private and public funding organizations to power new initiatives and continues to innovate with business models that can benefit higher education.
Dr. Zen Parry,
EMBA, IMM, GCETT, Ed.D
W.E.L.L. WBC Manager
Zen has worked in the entrepreneurial sector for many years with executive experience in industry and an active educator-practitioner in academia. Zen’s passion for women’s entrepreneurship is drawn from her early childhood when the women in her family supplemented a very meager farm income
through their entrepreneurial nous. Zen’s former appointments include Executive Director of the International Center for Afghan Women Economic Development (ICAWED) in Kabul Afghanistan (now known as The Women’s Center) and working with numerous women-based entrepreneurship programs and grants in many other countries. Three words you will hear Zen use in the context of her own entrepreneurial journey are “Connect, Collaborate and Catalyze” – with actions determined through compassion.
through their entrepreneurial nous. Zen’s former appointments include Executive Director of the International Center for Afghan Women Economic Development (ICAWED) in Kabul Afghanistan (now known as The Women’s Center) and working with numerous women-based entrepreneurship programs and grants in many other countries. Three words you will hear Zen use in the context of her own entrepreneurial journey are “Connect, Collaborate and Catalyze” – with actions determined through compassion.
Zen works with clients at all levels of business development.
Contact Zen:
Marguerite Thordarson
Business Advisor, W.E.L.L. Women's Business Center
Marguerite was born and grew up in the diverse landscapes on Montana. She’s a mother of three intelligent, energetic, creative people who are all very differently talented and uniquely impassioned. When spending time together, they enjoy walks in nature, playing with dogs, Sunday baking, and big messy craft projects.
Marguerite is a bit of a math nerd. After high school she taught herself bookkeeping and began working in small businesses, where she started to develop a passion for entrepreneurs and their big ideas. As her experience in financial management grew and she became more aware of what she didn’t know, she decided she needed to pursue an education in accounting. While studying at the University of Montana School of Business, she worked as a financial consultant at the Blackstone LaunchPad. This gave her numerous opportunities to assist startups and existing companies with business planning, financial modeling, pitch preparation, software implementation, and understanding accounting best practices. She is most gratified by working with visioners who want to create things that haven’t been seen before.
For assistance in the following areas, please schedule an appointment with Marguerite:
- accounting
- financial analysis
- operations management
- calculating costs, capacities, and efficiencies within manufacturing companies
- business validation
- writing business plans
- creating financial projections
- strategic planning
- budgeting big projects
- human resources
- employment tax compliance
- technical advice on software and bookkeeping procedures
Contact Marguerite
marguerite.thordarson@mso.umt.edu
(406) 668-0456
To book an appointment: calendly.com/marguerite-
Mariah Omeasoo
WELL WBC Program Assistant & Indigenous Community Outreach Coordinator
Mariah was born and grew up on the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana. She is an enrolled member of the Blackfeet Tribe in Montana and Ermineskin Cree Nation in Alberta, Canada. She has a Bachelor of Business Administration-Marketing from the University of Montana, where she also graduated a University Scholar from the Davidson Honors College.
During her time at the University of Montana, Mariah was involved in Kyiyo Native American Student Association. As a member, she promoted the traditions and customs of Indigenous people and supported cultural diversity on campus. As a student, she interned with Accelerate MT as a Project Support Intern.
In her free time, Mariah enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She loves to read, draw, bead, and make music.
Contact Mariah
Laura Clague
WELL WBC Program Support Assistant
Originally from The Richest Hill on Earth (Butte, MT), Laura is a junior studying at UM and the Davidson Honors College looking to finish her bachelor’s degree in Marketing. Before her transfer to UM, she studied at Highlands College in Butte and received her Associates Degree. She now serves as a student employee and Program Assistant for the Women’s Business Center (WBC). Laura loves fashion, photography, cooking, and music. If you ever need a new song recommendation, she likely has one in mind.
She is passionate about increasing opportunities for women in business and hopes to one day start her own business. With a proud entrepreneurial spirit, she is excited to support the WBC and the women it serves.
Contact Laura
Montana women dream, create, solve problems, and sustain communities through business. The WELL WBC empowers them with the tools for success, transcends geography, and culture to support them because when women succeed, Montana succeeds.
Tonya Plummer - WELL WBC Advisory Board Member, Executive Director, Montana Native Growth Fund (a WELL WBC Community Partner