Leadership Directory

Jamie Palagi

CEO

Jamie has dedicated her career to serving children, families and individuals facing vulnerability for more than 27 years, including having served in leadership roles in state government and the private and non-profit sectors. 

She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Family Science and Child Development from Montana State University and received her master’s degree from Concordia University, in Human Services Leadership. 

Jamie is a purpose-driven leader and brings significant expertise and experience to Intermountain, specifically in the areas of public policy, organizational development and operations, strategic planning, program design, and service delivery. Jamie has lived in the Helena community for 18 years and has two children. She enjoys a variety of activities, including live music, baking, Bobcat football, cheering her son on in high school football and spending time with friends and family.

“I am honored to join the Intermountain team. I cannot think of a higher calling than providing hope and healing for children and families through relationship-based support and care. I am committed to ensuring Intermountain continues to provide best-in-class service and experience for our staff, communities and families. This is our privilege and obligation."

Melaney Swenson, LCSW

Regional Director of Gallatin and Yellowstone Counties

Education:

• Master of Social Work, Boise State University
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, University of Montana

Melaney was born and raised in Montana. After completing her Bachelor’s degree, Melaney decided to expand her horizons by moving to Cincinnati to work in a Family Resource Center. After earning her MSW, Melaney worked with the newly formed Catholic Charities of Idaho, developing and supervising counseling, family support, and immigration programs. She then returned home to Montana to work in schools, providing mental health services to children and families.

Melaney joined Intermountain in August of 2021 to supervise school-based mental health services in Gallatin County. In June 2023, she was provided the opportunity to supervise and develop programs at Intermountain’s Family Support Network in Billings. Melaney enjoys working with the Intermountain teams in Bozeman and Billings. She considers it an honor to support Intermountain’s professionals in providing hope and healing to children and families.

In her free time, Melaney enjoys hiking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Megan Fox, PhD

Regional Director of Western Montana and Telehealth

Education:

• Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, Seattle Pacific University
• Master of Science in Psychological Science from Seattle Pacific University
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Whitworth University

Dr. Megan Fox holds a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and a Master of Science in Psychological Science from Seattle Pacific University. During her studies, she engaged in specialized training at Seattle Children’s Hospital. She completed her residency and fellowship at Vail Health.

Dr. Fox brings a wealth of expertise to Intermountain, particularly in providing services for children and families, in program development, and a steadfast commitment to advancing rural healthcare. She has extensive training in neurodevelopmental disorders (ADHD, Tics, FASD), mood disorders (Anxiety, Depression, OCD), overall behavioral challenges (ODD, Conduct), parenting and family interventions, and in neuropsychological testing. Dr. Fox's comprehensive experience spans across various treatment levels, including inpatient and outpatient settings, where she has delivered both direct services and leadership in numerous treatment programs and clinics.

Organizationally, she boasts a wealth of experience in program development and leadership. Including launching integrated care programs, establishing neuropsychological testing clinics, and implementing specialized services addressing crisis services, and behavioral, emotional, and attention challenges across pediatric, adolescent, and adult populations. This commitment to innovation is a hallmark of her professional approach, ensuring comprehensive and tailored mental health support for diverse individuals and age groups.

Overall, throughout her research and practice, she has been passionate about the role that relationships and social support have on ones overall wellbeing. She is passionate about Intermountain's mission to provide hope and healing through healthy relationships. Dr. Fox combines her academic expertise with a practical approach, fostering growth and resilience both with clients and in her organizational work.

Meegan Bryce, MSW

Executive Director of Residential Services

Education:

• Bachelor of Arts, Carroll College
• Master of Social Work, University of Montana

Meegan Bryce began her work at Intermountain with children and families as a Direct Care Counselor. She has since been a Cottage Supervisor, Child and Family Therapist, the Residential Manager and now serves as the Executive Director of Residential Services. Meegan is a Montana native and enjoys all the outdoor activities that Montana has to offer, especially river rafting. Intermountain employee since 2004.

Angie Benedetti

Human Resources Manager

Angie Benedetti was born and raised in Billings, Montana. Upon graduation from Billings Senior, she moved to Bozeman where she attended Montana State University for two years before transferring to Carroll College. She graduated from Carroll College with a double major in business and accounting with an emphasis on human resources.

Angie worked in accounting and payroll at Heritage Propane in Helena for 12 years before transitioning to human resources at Morrison-Maierle for another 12 years where she managed benefits and recruitment. Inspired by the mission of “Healing through healthy relationships,” Angie joined Intermountain in 2023 as Human Resources Manager where she continues to be inspired by her colleagues and the clients served in our communities.

Angie is a lifelong runner. She also enjoys biking the local Helena trails and playing hockey.

Jennifer Williams

Chief Administrative Officer

Education:

• Associate of Applied Science – Business Technology, Helena College

 

Jennifer was born and raised in Montana. She grew up in Townsend. After high school, she moved to Helena where she met her husband. They have been married 23 years and have one son. Before joining Intermountain, Jennifer spent 14 years at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana focusing on claims training and project support and five years at New West Health Insurance as the acting claims supervisor as well as the compliance specialist.

She joined the Intermountain accounting team in 2018 before transitioning to billing then policies and contracts. She served as the billing supervisor prior to accepting the Chief Administrative Officer position. Jennifer admits she did not know much about Intermountain when she started just that it was an opportunity for a new job.

“Why I stay is I believe there is a need for the work that Intermountain does and we have an opportunity to improve the lives of the children and families in our community,” Jennifer said.

Jennifer enjoys camping, scrapbooking, and photography.

Terry Chaney, JD

Chief Development Officer

Education:

• Bachelor of Science, Psychology, Oklahoma Christian University
• Juris Doctor, Pepperdine University

Terry Chaney has over 17 years of experience securing resources for child and family service organizations, most recently serving as Executive Director of a children’s home and school for at-risk youth in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He also has three years of experience as a practicing attorney. Terry oversees all fundraising activities.

Intermountain employee since 2005.

Tyler Zimmer

Chief Information Officer

Education:

• Master of Business Administraion, Jack Welch Management Institute
• Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and Chemistry, Carroll College

Tyler spent the first 18 years of his life in Bellevue, Washington. He then moved to Helena in 2012 to study chemistry and mathematics at Carroll College (Go Saints!). Immediately after graduating from Carroll, he accepted a job as the analyst at the Montana Lottery and was then recruited by Scientific Games to be their account manager, contracting with the California Lottery. His roles in the lottery were heavily tied around the axle of programming, statistics, and sales.

Madeline, Tyler’s then-girlfriend and now his wife, was still studying nursing in Helena. So, Tyler made a phone call to the Development Director at Intermountain at the time and started his role with the organization as the database administrator for the Development Department. Since then, he has held the roles of annual campaign manager, development director, and now CIO.

This current role heavily leverages his experience with statistics and data from the past, while also utilizing his relationship building skills garnered in his time in Intermountain’s development department.

“I will forever try to look at things from a multi-faceted perspective,” Tyler says. “If it’s not easy and compelling for a client to participate in Intermountain’s services, employees to fulfill those services, or for a donor to support the organization, I’ll have a hard time getting behind it."

Madeline likes to say that Tyler has gone from “vice to virtue” in his career and Tyler couldn’t agree more. Intermountain is so much more than his job; he sees it as a ministry and lifestyle. His proudest achievement are the dozens of evenings he has spent cooking for or hanging out with children in Glacier and Sunrise cottages on the Helena Residential Campus.

In his free time, Tyler enjoys five hobbies in a very particular order: skiing, fishing, hunting, hiking, and general exercise. In a perfect world, his wife and best friend, Madeline, and their two dogs, or many friends and family are enjoying one of these hobbies with him. His mother was born and raised in Butte, so Montana runs as deep as the Berkeley Pit in his blood. And his father raised him properly to be a fisherman and a Seattle Mariners fan.