Who We Are

There’s little doubt that Julie Seedhouse and Haley Vannatta are the “roll up your sleeves” kind of gals. If there’s a need in the community, many times you’ll see one of them behind the scenes trying to move and shake people to make a difference. While both have charitable hearts, this is the first time the two have ever joined forces. This October, they will help launch the philanthropic powerhouse known as 100 Strong. It’s one of the newest non-profits on the scene designed to let every kind of woman — from all walks of life — work to make the Billings-area a better place.

As publisher of Yellowstone Valley Woman magazine, Haley and her business partner and husband, Jeremy, had always dreamed of including a charitable arm to their media company. “That was always something that had been important to us. The timing, however, never seemed right.” It wasn’t until Jeremy stumbled upon a similar organization in Oregon that the two found just the right model to imitate.

Haley says, “I realized that we were coming up on publishing our 100th issue of YVW. That was our light bulb moment. I thought, ‘Now is the time.’”

Since the idea sprouted, Julie and Haley have added to their visionary team of talent. “This is not something we could have ever pulled off ourselves. We have pulled together a team with all kinds of strengths,” Haley says. Karen Grosz, the owner of Canvas Creek Teambuilding, serves as the dreamer of the group. Stella Fong and Julie Seedhouse play the role of philanthropic and business networkers. Jessica Baldwin of Billings365.com offers up her technical prowess. Haley serves the role of marketing guru and, Julie Koerber helps with communication.