About Our Values

We teach and learn under a set of guiding values that make us better humans and the world a better place to be.

Courage.

It is not the absence of fear, but the ability to act despite it. We can do hard things. We do every day.

Action.

Let’s go. Let’s get after it. Waiting for change does not work, we must inspire it.

Community. 

A strong sense of belonging fosters our best work together whether it’s a family, professional team, town, state, or nation. 

Joy. 

Gratitude, humor, and a meaningful sense of purpose fill our days and our workspaces. We believe in spreading hope and kindness everywhere.

Service. 

We are here to help each other. Not just in this work, in this life. 

our guiding values our guiding values 

About Chantel

Chantel McCormick Schieffer stands as a steadfast compass in the often chaotic landscape of leadership and organizational development.

As the founder and owner of True North Leadership, a national consulting firm based in Montana, she has dedicated over three decades to navigating the complexities of communities, teams, and cultures across public, private, and non-profit sectors.

Hailing from the serene surroundings of Kalispell, Montana, Chantel pursued her studies in Political Science at Montana State University in Bozeman. Her toolkit includes facilitation certifications from the Brené Brown Research and Education Group, the Center for Ethical Leadership, and the Myers Briggs Foundation, complemented by advanced coursework in Leadership and Management at Harvard University.

A lifelong learner in the realm of leadership, Chantel graduated from Leadership Montana’s Class of 2010, participated in the esteemed Masters Class of 2019, and served as President and CEO from 2014 to 2023, guiding the organization through uncharted waters.

Her exemplary contributions to leadership caught international attention, earning her the Alpha Omicron Pi Woman of Leadership Award in 2017 and the distinguished ATHENA Leadership Award in 2018. In 2023, she received the pinnacle recognition, the Tom Scott Award for Excellence in Leadership for Montana, marking a decade of transformative service to Leadership Montana.

Adventure runs deep in the fabric of Chantel’s family life, where she, her husband Dax, and their son Dax Michael revel in exploring the great outdoors. Together, they embrace the spirit of adventure along the trails of Helena, Montana, embodying the guiding principle that even amidst chaos, one can always find their true north.

Honors/Awards

  • Alpha Omicron Pi Woman of Leadership Award – 2017
  • ATHENA® Leadership Award – 2018
  • Tom Scott Award for Excellence in Leadership for Montana, Leadership Montana – 2023.  

Certifications

  • Gracious Space Trainer – 2017
  • Dare to Lead™ Facilitator – 2019
  • Nonprofit Leadership / Harvard – 2022
  • Myers-Briggs Facilitator – 2023
  • The Science of Wellbeing / Yale – 2023
  • Workplace Happiness / Berkeley – 2024