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Our Approach

We believe that to successfully improve health and safety, we have to transform the way we think about the issues we face, the data we collect, and the people we serve. To do so effectively, we have to create the conditions for ourselves as leaders, co-workers, and community members. This starts by identifying a positive, hopeful spirit for our work, using the best available science to accurately assess our communities’ strengths and needs, creating a responsive, sustainable plan for action, and setting our sights on returns that honor our hopes for our communities and our goals for our own individual development.

our core principles

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The Core Principles of the Science of the Positive are: Be Positive, Be Present, Be Perceptive, Be Purposeful, Be Perfected, Be Proactive, Be Passionate, and Be Paradoxical.  These Core Principles are foundational to the Science of the Positive Framework and are used regularly in our work with our clients.  

Here’s a look at our own organizational Core Principles of the Science of the Positive.  We use these to shape our experiences, train our minds, guide our actions, and direct our reflections.


The Montana Institute’s Core Principles

We choose to Be Positive, focused on growing the good.

We choose to Be Present, maintaining curiosity and connection.

We choose to Be Perceptive, honoring both hope and concern.

We choose to Be Purposeful, leaning into Spirit, Science, Action, and Return.

We choose to Be Perfected, practicing inclusivity and humility.

We choose to Be Proactive, seeking effectiveness.

We choose to Be Passionate, leading with heart and humor.

And finally, We choose to Embrace the Paradoxical, growing The Positive to reduce the negative.

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Meet our Team

  • A smiling middle-aged man with light skin, wearing a blue plaid shirt, standing outdoors in a wooded area with tall trees and green grass in the background.

    Jeff Linkenbach

    FOUNDING DIRECTOR & RESEARCH SCIENTIST

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  • A smiling woman with light brown hair standing outdoors in a wooded area, wearing a black top, a black embroidered jacket with white floral patterns, and turquoise jewelry.

    Carla Ritz

    MANAGING DIRECTOR

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  • A woman with short brown hair, smiling, wearing an orange sweater, a patterned scarf, and blue jeans, standing outdoors in front of green trees.

    Valerie Roche

    DIRECTOR OF INNOVATION & DEVELOPMENT

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  • A woman with short hair smiling outdoors in a forest, wearing a blue denim jacket and a red and navy striped dress.

    Sara Thompson

    DIRECTOR OF TRAINING & COMMUNICATIONS

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  • A woman with long, wavy brown hair and bright blue eyes sits on a beige couch, smiling at the camera.

    Jenae Meske

    OPERATIONS MANAGER

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  • A woman with curly blonde hair, blue eyes, wearing a black and white floral top, black cardigan, and jewelry, smiling at the camera against a neutral background.

    Becky Franks

    MONTANA PROJECT DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST & TRAINER

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  • A middle-aged man with gray hair and beard, wearing glasses, a white dress shirt, and a gray vest, standing outdoors in a forested area with green trees and sunlight.

    Jason Anderson

    SENIOR TRAINER

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  • A woman with curly blonde hair, wearing glasses, a colorful tropical print shirt, and dark pants, smiling with arms crossed in a wooded outdoor setting.

    Stephanie Patton

    LEADERSHIP TRAINER

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  • A middle-aged man with glasses and short dark hair, smiling with arms crossed, in a wooded outdoor area.

    Ben Tanzer

    LEADERSHIP TRAINER

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  • A woman with long blonde hair and blue eyes smiling, wearing a white top and large white earrings, sitting indoors with blurred background furniture and lighting.

    Ali Chorley Dzieweczynski

    SCIENCE OF THE POSITIVE TRAINER

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Our Services

From 90-minute introductory trainings to five-year in-depth research projects, The Montana Institute’s expert team can help you envision and enact custom solutions that transform community health. We take a spirit-first approach to everything we do, centering your goals, organizational culture, and the positive that already exists in the communities in which you work. Get in touch to find out how we can support your work.

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