Speakers Bureau

The following individuals are alumni of the Montana Youth Leadership Forum and have experience speaking to groups on a variety of topics.  They would welcome the opportunity to speak on the issues that affect young people with disabilities 

Name: Gene Hermanson

Age: 22

Speech Topics: High school and college experiences as a person with a disability.  Group interaction and peer mentoring.

I have a BA in Political Science graduating in May 2005 from the University of Montana.  Currently I am a Securities Analyst for the Montana State Auditor.  I have conducted presentation in the past for the Montana Youth Leadership Forum at the state and national level.  I am a 2000 alumni of the Montana Youth Leadership Forum for Students with Disabiities.  I served as an elected member of the 2000 Leadership Team for the Forum.  I was selected as a Congressional Intern by the American Association of People with Disabilities, AAPD.  I would appreciate the opportunity to speak to groups regarding overcoming the challenges of a disability.

Cell phone 406-671-4028

E-mail: ghermanson@mt.gov

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Name:  Michael Beers

Age:  23

Speaking topics:  leadership, advocacy, youth outreach, comedy

I have been a delegate and staff at the Montana YLF.  Appointed to the Presidents TaskForce on Emploiyment of Adults with DisabilitiesYouth Advisory Council (2001).  President of Alliance for Disability and Students of the University of Montana (ADSUM) a student disability rights group (2003-2005), is currently on the Governing Board for the National Youth Leadership Network b(NYLN), and works part time as a Peer Advocate for Summit Independent Living Center in Missoula, Montana I have also been doing stand up for the last four years and was the winner of the 2003 Brickwall Comedy Competition in Spokane WA . Most recently won the 2005 Norman G. Brooks Comedy competition At the Hollywood Improv.

Contact: Phone - 406-542-0082

E-Mail - MikeBBAL@aol.com

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Name:  Sierra Lode

Age:  22

Seaking Topics:  Inclusion, Montana Youth Leadership Forum (MYLF), National Youth Leadership Network (NYLN)

I am an alumni of the Montana Youth Leadership Forum (MYLF) and is a current member of the National Advanced Youth Leadership Institute.  I am a non-speaking wheelchair user who has done numerous presentations using my computer and Power Point presentations.  I will soon be a student at the University of Montana majoring in Communication Studies.

Contact Phone:  406-422-5152

E-Mail:  sierrasmil@bresnan.net
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Name: Sarita Winterrowd-Lundin

Age: 22

Speaking Topics:

• Empowering Youth with Disabilities 
• The Importance of Self Advocacy for Youth with disabilities
• Goal Setting
• Leadership
• Montana Youth Leadership Forum

I will graduate June 2006 with a BA in Sociology from Western Oregon University .  I am a successful young adult with a learning disability, dyslexia and a 2001 alumni of the Montana Leadership Youth Leadership Forum for Students with Disabilities. I served as an elected member of the 2001 Leadership Team for the Forum.  While on the Leadership Team I spoke throughout Montana and in Washington DC .Since MYLF I have spoke to numerous groups through the Montana Center on Disabilities promoting and encouraging goal setting and self advocacy.

I feel that it is incredibly important for students with disabilities to advocate for themselves as much as possible and to set long and short term goals.  I would be honored to spread my message of self advocacy and goal setting! 

Contact Phone: (971) 218-0653

E-Mail: swinter@wou.edu