Max Baucus Institute names 2026 Baucus leaders

This year’s students represent the largest cohort in history, with 45 Baucus Leaders selected for public service placements across three programs: Baucus Leaders DC, Baucus Climate Scholars and Baucus Leaders Montana. These students were chosen from a distinguished pool of applicants from universities and colleges across Montana and will spend this summer representing the highest standards of excellence and dedication to public service.

“Please extend your heartfelt congratulations to our 2026 Baucus Leaders,” said Andrew Person, executive director of The Baucus Institute. “We anticipate a summer of significant professional growth and achievements and look forward to the positive impact these students will make in their respective communities and fields.”

This year’s class reflects remarkable growth for the Baucus Institute’s programs. Since 2018, the Baucus Institute has placed 175 Baucus Leaders in public service internships and awarded more than $1.17 million in stipends and scholarships across all programs.

The Baucus Leaders program has grown nearly tenfold, from just five leaders in its inaugural 2018 class to 45 leaders this year. Across all Baucus Institute programs – including the China Study Abroad and Ireland programs – the Max Baucus Institute will support 125 students in 2026, up from 30 in 2018 and 110 last year.

Students from rural communities represent 54% of this year’s Baucus Leaders class. Over 20% of the cohort identify as first-generation college students, and over 15% are Native American, reflecting the Baucus Institute’s commitment to ensuring Montana’s most underserved communities have access to transformative public service experiences.

Inspired by the legacy of Ambassador Baucus, the Baucus Institute works to break down barriers so that Montana university students can see, serve and lead – locally and globally. This fall, the Baucus Institute will host its Inaugural Baucus Leaders Alumni Conference on Sept. 12 in Bozeman, bringing together current and past Baucus Leaders alumni for a day of panels, professional development, mentorship and community.

Baucus Leaders DC

Baucus Leaders DC will embark on bipartisan internships in U.S. Senate offices and the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. In addition to working on the nation’s toughest policy challenges, these Baucus Leaders will participate in a series of dinner discussions led by distinguished speakers at the Hatch Center in Washington, D.C., and brown bag lunches hosted by public servants and public policy experts throughout the summer. The 2026 Baucus Leaders DC are:

• Michajla (Kaylie) Baxter (Montana State University) – Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.). Hometown: Snohomish, Wash.
• Ryan Bazzle (MSU) – Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.). Hometown: Bozeman.
• Gracie Caldwell (MSU, MSU Honors College) – Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.). Hometown: Billings.
• Macy Cotton (MSU, MSU Honors College) – Senator Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.). Hometown: Bigfork.
• Molly Forney (MSU, MSU Honors College) – Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.). Hometown: Billings.
• Nia Guest (UM, Davidson Honors College) – Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.). Hometown: Spokane, Wash.
• Jacob Harvey (MSU, MSU Honors College) – Senator Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.). Hometown: Dillon.
• Blake Lindemann (MSU, MSU Honors College, Hilleman Scholar) – Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho). Hometown: Kalispell.
• Chandler May (UM) – Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.). Hometown: Bozeman.
• Hope Morrison (UM, Davidson Honors College) – Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.). Hometown: Polson.
• Siena Quesada (MSU, MSU Honors College) – Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.). Hometown: Golden, Colo.
• Delaney Swaim (MSU, MSU Honors College) – Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa). Hometown: Glen Carbon, Ill.
• Jamie Tucker Crockett (UM, Davidson Honors College) – Representative Pat Harrigan (R-N.C.). Hometown: Nye.

Baucus Climate Scholars

Baucus Climate Scholars will work with organizations at the front lines of our world’s toughest environmental challenges. This year’s cohort includes placements spanning from Montana to Singapore and Paris. The 2026 Baucus Climate Scholars are:

• Ethan Ashwood (MSU, MSU Honors College) – New Leaf Climate Partners. Hometown: Seeley Lake. New Leaf Climate Partners is a strategic investment and advisory firm that moves capital into ecosystems, communities and businesses that make nature-based climate solutions possible.
• Jay Barlow (UM Law School) – International Energy Agency (IEA), Paris. Hometown: Missoula. The IEA is a Paris-based intergovernmental organization of 32 member countries that provides authoritative analysis on energy security, clean energy transitions and the global energy sector.
• Robert (Robby) Brown (MSU, MSU Honors College) – The Climate Reality Project. Hometown: Billings. Founded by former Vice President Al Gore, the Climate Reality Project in Washington, D.C., trains and mobilizes people worldwide to address the climate crisis through advocacy and public engagement.
• Gavin Cloyed (MSU, MSU Honors College) – Nature & Future. Hometown: Boise, Idaho. Nature & Future works to advance conservation and sustainability through innovative horticulture, agricultural and forestry planting solutions.
• Gaby Eseverri (UM) – The Nature Conservancy – Singapore. Hometown: Miami, Fla. Independent research project in Singapore in partnership with The Nature Conservancy.
• Kendra Gilbertson (MSU) – The Nature Conservancy – Singapore. Hometown: Prior Lake, Minn. Independent research project in Singapore in partnership with The Nature Conservancy.
• Blixen Hofmann (UM, Davidson Honors College) – The Nature Conservancy – Montana. Hometown: Mason, Tex. TNC Montana works to protect the state’s rivers, forests and grasslands through science-based conservation and partnerships with local communities.
• Christopher Holstine (UM, Davidson Honors College) – City of Missoula. Hometown: Boise, Idaho. The City of Missoula has been a leader in municipal climate action planning and sustainability initiatives in the Northern Rockies.
• Jesse James (UM Law School) – NorthWestern Energy. Hometown: Osceola, Mo. NorthWestern Energy is a utility company providing electricity and natural gas to Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska.
• Lukas Kosel (MSU, Hilleman Scholar) – New Leaf Climate Partners. Hometown: Roberts. New Leaf Climate Partners is a strategic investment and advisory firm that moves capital into ecosystems, communities and businesses that make nature-based climate solutions possible.
• Natalie Millar (UM) – Shanghai Disney Resort. Hometown: Missoula. Shanghai Disney Resort is a premier international resort destination where focus will be in government relations and sustainability efforts as they celebrate their 10th anniversary this year.
• Fatima Ododo (MSU) – Cat Creek Energy. Hometown: Abuja, Nigeria. Cat Creek Energy focuses on responsible energy development and environmental stewardship in Montana.
• Sam Pruitt (MSU) – Henry’s Fork Foundation. Hometown: Asheville, N.C. The Henry’s Fork Foundation, in eastern Idaho, uses science-based collaboration to conserve world-class wild trout fisheries in the Henry’s Fork of the Snake River watershed.
• Taylor Russell (MSU, MSU Honors College) – Big Sky SNO. Hometown: Littleton, Colo. Big Sky SNO supports sustainability and environmental initiatives that inspire action.
• Emma White (UM) – South China Morning Post, Hong Kong. Hometown: Bozeman. South China Morning Post is one of Asia's English-language news organizations, reaching readers worldwide with coverage of China, Hong Kong and the broader Asia-Pacific region.

Baucus Leaders Montana

Baucus Leaders Montana will be working in public service opportunities across the state, from tribal government to judicial chambers to nonprofit organizations. This year’s Montana cohort is notable for the strong representation of students from Montana’s tribal colleges and Indigenous communities. The 2026 Baucus Leaders Montana are:

• Clover Anaquod (UM) – American Indian Governance & Policy Institute (AIGPI). Hometown: Fort Peck. AIGPI at the University of Montana conducts research and provides education on American Indian governance, law and policy issues facing tribal nations.
• Josiah Begay (UM) – Blackfoot Challenge. Hometown: Columbia Falls. The Blackfoot Challenge is a nationally recognized model of collaborative conservation, bringing together landowners, agencies and communities to conserve the Blackfoot River watershed.
• Haylee Doney (UM) – Montana Afterschool Alliance. Hometown: Helena. The Montana Afterschool Alliance (MTAA) is a statewide network that champions the quality, accessibility and sustainability of out-of-school-time programs across Montana.
• Raey Hanke (MSU) – Montana Afterschool Alliance. Hometown: Belgrade. The Montana Afterschool Alliance (MTAA) is a statewide network that champions the quality, accessibility and sustainability of out-of-school-time programs across Montana.
• Imani Kindness-Coleman (UM Law School) – American Indian Governance & Policy Institute (AIGPI). Hometown: Lodge Grass. AIGPI at the University of Montana conducts research and provides education on American Indian governance, law and policy issues facing tribal nations.
• Saloma Lentz (UM Law School) – Tribal Defenders Office, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Hometown: Billings. The CSKT Tribal Defenders Office provides legal representation for Native people on the Flathead Reservation, including the Flathead Reservation Reentry Program.
• Barnabas Li (UM) – TRIO Upward Bound. Hometown: Victor. TRIO Upward Bound is a federally funded program that helps first-generation and low-income high school students prepare for and succeed in higher education.
• Caili Lowney (UM) – Montana Budget & Policy Center. Hometown: Helena. The Montana Budget & Policy Center provides independent, nonpartisan research and analysis on state fiscal policy and its impact on Montana families.
• Jake Moore (MSU) – Montana Human Resource Development Council (HRDC). Hometown: Rocklin, Calif. HRDC provides services including housing assistance, food banks, child care and community development programs in south-central Montana.
• Margaret Muirhead (UM Law School) – U.S. District Chief Judge Brian Morris. Hometown: Boston, Mass. This judicial placement provides experience in Montana’s court system, offering exposure to legal proceedings, judicial decision-making and the administration of justice.
• Mint Pitassy (UM, Davidson Honors College graduate) – American Indian Governance & Policy Institute (AIGPI). Hometown: Helena. AIGPI at the University of Montana conducts research and provides education on American Indian governance, law and policy issues facing tribal nations.
• Emma Quist (UM) – Montana Stockgrowers Association. Hometown: Butte. Montana Stockgrowers is a livestock organization in Montana, representing cattle ranchers and advocating for agricultural policy since 1884.
• Peyton Racine (Salish Kootenai College) – TRIO Upward Bound. Hometown: Browning. TRIO Upward Bound is a federally funded program that helps first-generation and low-income high school students prepare for and succeed in higher education.
• Grace Smith (UM) – American Indian Governance & Policy Institute (AIGPI). Hometown: Three Forks. AIGPI at the University of Montana conducts research and provides education on American Indian governance, law and policy issues facing tribal nations.
• Angelina Stopsatprettyplaces (Little Bighorn College) – Healthcare placement. Hometown: Wyola. Hands-on clinical healthcare experience in a patient care setting.
• Polly Stopsatprettyplaces (Little Bighorn College) – Northern Cheyenne Tribal Government. Hometown: Wyola. The Northern Cheyenne Development Corporation was established to foster entrepreneurship and economic growth for the tribe and its members.
• Dylan Van Rossum (UM, Davidson Honors College) – Montana Food Bank Network. Hometown: Los Angeles, Calif. The Montana Food Bank Network works to end hunger statewide by providing food, resources and advocacy to communities across Montana.
• Allen Walker (Blackfeet Community College) – Native American Development Corporation (NADC). Hometown: Heart Butte. The Native American Development Corporation provides business development to Native American entrepreneurs across Montana.