Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Affiliations
Languages
Certification
Additional Information
Timeline
BusinessAnalyst
Lea  Wetzel

Lea Wetzel

Great Falls,MT

Summary

Conscientious professional with extensive experience advocating for the social and economic well-being of individuals and families. Skilled at providing guidance, support, and assistance. Strong communication and management skills and committed to inspiring community service. Collaborative leader with a dedication to partnering with coworkers to promote an engaged, empowering work culture. Documented strengths in building and maintaining relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders in dynamic, fast-paced settings.

Overview

3
3
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Executive Leadership

Big Sky MMIP
04.2023 - Current
  • Conducted regular meetings with team to discuss updates and any future endeavors, with over 40 state-wide organizations and agencies.
  • Introduced new methods, practices, and systems to reduce turnaround time.
  • Interviewed, recruited, and trained new onboarding candidates.
  • Identified trends and assessed opportunities to improve processes and execution.
  • Established and implemented departmental policies, goals, and objectives.
  • Continues to do outreach and develop more collaborations to better services.
  • Identified state-wide gaps in services and support, to develop sufficient strategies, training, and data analysis.
  • Conducted regular meetings with team to discuss issues, concerns, and updates.
  • Introduced new methods, practices, and systems to reduce turnaround time.
  • Interviewed, recruited, and trained new onboarding candidates.

Victim Impact Panelist

Independent With MT Dept. Of Corrections
10.2022 - Current
  • Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in team environment.
  • Self-motivated, with strong sense of personal responsibility.
  • Demonstrated respect, friendliness, and willingness to help wherever needed.
  • Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
  • 98% success rate in implementing standards, with drop-in center projects.
  • Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.

Member of Criminal Justice Sub-Committee

Montana's Peer Network
04.2022 - Current
  • Trained and educated team members on agency processes, and court proceedings.
  • Educated peer support in criminal justice workforce on trauma-informed support, and evidence-based practices.
  • Managed Meeting minutes, and listened to workforce on how to better support individuals in criminal justice system.
  • Offered treatment court presentations on successful pilot project.
  • Developed state-wide networking collaborations.
  • Recruited team members to criminal justice peer support sub-committee.

Technical Assistant & Liaison Coordinator

Montana's Peer Network
08.2021 - Current
  • Gathered, organized, and distributed technical documentation.
  • Provided technical guidance and support to team members.
  • Updated supervisor on status of projects.
  • Liaised with customers, communicating and resolving problems and concerns.
  • Served as point person for support requests with clients and vendors.
  • Prepared technical presentations and other materials for advisory meetings.
  • Reviewed product-specific resources to determine optimal implementation.
  • Implemented system upgrades to help mitigate vulnerabilities.

Chairman of the Board

No. Central MT Human Trafficking & MMIP Task Force
03.2021 - 04.2023
  • Led organization in setting goals and strategies.
  • Contributed to values, goals and strategic vision of organization.
  • Provided recommendations on board of directors on group's effectiveness, actions, and future plans.
  • Represented organization at industry conferences and events.
  • Initiated strategy to drive company growth and increase market share and profitability.
  • Formulated and executed strategic initiatives to improve product offerings.
  • Cultivated company-wide culture of innovation and collaboration.

Consultant

Independent With Mountain Pacific
03.2022 - 08.2022
  • Analyzed problematic areas to provide recommendations and solutions.
  • Delivered outstanding service to clients to maintain and extend relationship for future business opportunities.
  • Managed multiple deadlines across several businesses to meet dynamic needs of multiple clients.
  • Created and developed detailed work plans to meet business priorities and deadlines.
  • Liaised with customers, management, and sales team to better understand customer needs and recommend appropriate solutions.
  • Collaborated with teams to define, strategize, and implement marketing and web strategies.
  • Enhanced access and communications with tribal territories.
  • Prepared presentations to explain revisions, enhancements, and process improvements of organization's systems and programs.

CBHPSS (Peer Support)Temporary Pilot Project

Montana's Peer Network
11.2021 - 05.2022
  • Communicated effectively with team members to deliver updates on project milestones and deadlines.
  • Coordinated design meetings and decisions with internal departments and teams.
  • Worked specifically with American Indian dynamics to offer much-needed and creative implementation of traditional practice with my own traditional knowledge and credited experience.
  • Piloted this project from beginning to end, with no interruptions or difficulties, independently.
  • Facilitated recovery-oriented behavioral health group support
  • Celebrated milestones in participants' lives, by gifting incentives.
  • Offered virtual recovery conference for inspiration and education on nationwide recovery-oriented work.
  • Supported graduates in their achievements, and offered ongoing mentorship and support, as needed (Volunteer).

Peer Support & Event Developer

Independent With Alliance For Youth
01.2021 - 07.2021
  • Built relationships with others based upon trust and honesty by using active listening and dynamic communication skills.
  • Demonstrated extensive knowledge of recovery and wellness principles and shared this information with others struggling during recovery.
  • Assisted individuals in identifying and re-engaging with family, friends, and other natural supports to build a support system.
  • Increased awareness of and supported participation in self-help and advocacy organizations.
  • Fostered relationships with partner agencies and other interested parties to build a pipeline of supportive services.
  • Supported individuals dealing with mental health and emotional issues.
  • Provided education on mental health topics and resources to clients.
  • Developed annual conferences and events, that are ongoing and active in the organization.

Education

Certificate - Master Trauma-Informed Criminal Justice Responses

SAMHSA GAINS Center
Virtual
04.2023

Blackfeet Language And Traditional Knowledge - Blackfeet Language And Tradition Knowledge

Blackfeet Community College
Browning, MT
04.2022

Certificate - Master Cultural Humility

Indigenous Vision
Virtual
03.2022

Certificate - Re-Entry Coach

White Bison Inc.
Virtual
07.2021

Certificate - Certified Behavioral Health Peer Support Specialis

Peer Support 101 (Certified MT BOB)
Montana
07.2020

High School Diploma -

MSU Billings
Billings, MT
12.2012

No Degree - Business Management

Salish And Kootenia College
Pablo, MT
09.2003

Skills

  • Criminal Justice System Knowledge
  • Public Relations
  • Crisis Situations
  • Community Outreach Programs
  • Victim Advocacy
  • Law Enforcement Assistance & Collaboration
  • Community Engagement
  • Leadership
  • Public Speaking Talent
  • Staff Training
  • Project Planning
  • Cross-Cultural Communications
  • Team Leadership & Development

Accomplishments

  • Used Microsoft Excel to develop inventory tracking spreadsheets, as well as monthly narrative reports.
  • Collaborated with all BHDD contracted drop-in center organizations, in monthly networking meeting and individual one-on-ones.
  • Supervised eight organizations the past two years, under Montana state BHDD contract and drop-in center projects.
  • Supported Drop-in Center Organizations with their Mission, Vision, Strategic Planning, and Sustainability.
  • Researched Resourceful Opportunities for Organizations on tribal, urban, and rural areas of Montana.
  • Developed podcasts and webinar campaigns to educate the state on the benefits of Montana recovery-oriented behavioral health drop-in center organizations.
  • Collaborated in the ongoing work of developing standards for behavioral health drop-in centers in the state of Montana.
  • Facilitate training and offered educational consultations with multiple organizations.
  • Liaised multiple sessions and offered continued outreach for upcoming opportunities and collaborations on both, urban and tribal settings.
  • Resolved product issue through surveys and action plans.
  • Developed Awareness Campaigns.
  • Offered space for survivor voice in events and ongoing collaborative conferences.
  • Offered Technical Support and Training.
  • Offers mentorship to organizations and agencies that have implemented peer support programming.

Affiliations

  • Department of Corrections Advisory Council
  • Montana's Peer Network Criminal Justice Sub-Committee
  • Return to the Heart Foundation
  • National Human Trafficking Capacity Center
  • Attorney General
  • American Indian Office of DPHHS
  • Montana Indian Educaton
  • Montana Department of Justice
  • Hopa Mountain
  • Mountain Pacific
  • IFHC
  • White Bison
  • NAFFA
  • BCC
  • Indigenous Vision
  • SAMHSA GAINS Center

Languages

Blackfeet
Limited Working

Certification


  • cBHPSS - Certified Behavrial Health Peer support Specialist- Certified through Montana Board of Behavrial Health(PS-101) (11/21-Present)
  • Certified Group Peer Support (GSP)(05/21-Present)
  • Certified Motherhood is Sacred; Fatherhood is Sacred American Indian Parenting and Relationship Building Course (NAFFA)(11/21-Present)
  • Certified Life Coach (Emdy) (07/21-Present)
  • Warrior Down Re-Entry Coach (White Bison) (07/21-Present)
  • Wellbriety 12-steps (White Bison) (08/22-Present)
  • Master Trained Cultural Humility (Indigenous Vision)

Additional Information

Lea Wetzel is a cBHPSS, Certified through the Montana Board of Behavioral Health. She is Master Trained in Cultural Humility, and Master trained in SAMHSA GAINS TTT (How Being Trauma-Informed Improves Criminal Justice Responses), and has been an innovated energy in multiple spaces across the state. She enjoys working with the American Indian dynamics and promotes, that culture is prevention. She Piloted a successful project with the 8th Judicial Veteran's Court Program, specifically with the American Indian population. She was the President of the North Central MT Human Trafficking & MMIP Task Force before being elected as the first Director of now, Big Sky MMIP. Similar to this position, and many others, Lea embraces giving back to her community, and state, through volunteer work. She is passionate about being a voice for survivors of human trafficking, as a survivor herself. She connects with others in her multiple roles across the state, and has developed Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) awareness campaigns, to strengthen support systems and cultural connections. Recently she collaborated with Montana Attorney General, Montana Dept. of Justice, and other organizations, to be a voice for survivors, in recent movements to strengthen human trafficking laws, in Montana. Lea, is on the Montana Department of Corrections Victim Impact Panel, where she shares her story of overcoming and hope. She continues to reconnect to the beauty and strength of her people as a Blackfeet ( Amskapii- Piikani) woman, mother of two, that dedicates her life to supporting the empowerment of others. She realizes the significance od building a platform for survivors of human trafficking, surviving family members of missing and murdered Indigenous people, and uses her voice to advocate for those who may not have a voice. Her testimony at the MMIP Silent Act hearing was spoke with transparency and innovation. Lea believes that human trafficking survivors, and surviving family members of missing and murdered indigenous relatives, are the true experts and will continue to advocate for their voices to be heard. in 2022, Lea was recognized with the Montana Board of Crime Control's 2022 Innovated Community Improvement Award. She's been awarded by White Bison Inc. for her work, and continues to be an example of what she calls, intergenerational healing. She's a recipient of the Return to the Heart Foundation Traditional Helpers and Healers, and plans to continue to build strength in the cBHPSS workforce, through a survivor-based aspect. She hold positions on multiple criminal justice and behavioral health committees across Montana. She recently became a member of the Montana BHDD North Access Sub-Committee, and also holds a position on the Montana Department of Corrections Advisory Council.

Timeline

Executive Leadership

Big Sky MMIP
04.2023 - Current

Victim Impact Panelist

Independent With MT Dept. Of Corrections
10.2022 - Current

Member of Criminal Justice Sub-Committee

Montana's Peer Network
04.2022 - Current

Consultant

Independent With Mountain Pacific
03.2022 - 08.2022

CBHPSS (Peer Support)Temporary Pilot Project

Montana's Peer Network
11.2021 - 05.2022

Technical Assistant & Liaison Coordinator

Montana's Peer Network
08.2021 - Current

Chairman of the Board

No. Central MT Human Trafficking & MMIP Task Force
03.2021 - 04.2023

Peer Support & Event Developer

Independent With Alliance For Youth
01.2021 - 07.2021

Certificate - Master Trauma-Informed Criminal Justice Responses

SAMHSA GAINS Center

Blackfeet Language And Traditional Knowledge - Blackfeet Language And Tradition Knowledge

Blackfeet Community College

Certificate - Master Cultural Humility

Indigenous Vision

Certificate - Re-Entry Coach

White Bison Inc.

Certificate - Certified Behavioral Health Peer Support Specialis

Peer Support 101 (Certified MT BOB)

High School Diploma -

MSU Billings

No Degree - Business Management

Salish And Kootenia College


  • cBHPSS - Certified Behavrial Health Peer support Specialist- Certified through Montana Board of Behavrial Health(PS-101) (11/21-Present)
  • Certified Group Peer Support (GSP)(05/21-Present)
  • Certified Motherhood is Sacred; Fatherhood is Sacred American Indian Parenting and Relationship Building Course (NAFFA)(11/21-Present)
  • Certified Life Coach (Emdy) (07/21-Present)
  • Warrior Down Re-Entry Coach (White Bison) (07/21-Present)
  • Wellbriety 12-steps (White Bison) (08/22-Present)
  • Master Trained Cultural Humility (Indigenous Vision)
Lea Wetzel