Montana’s first cycling club for women+ riders enters a new phase of growth and outreach
Partner profile
Founded in 2012, MT Alpha Cycling is a nonprofit based in Missoula, Montana, dedicated to getting more identifying women, girls, and non-binary people on bikes. They focus on cultivating skills, confidence, and competition through clinics, group rides, training, and race support.
Dispelling long-held beliefs about who should ride
Like many sports, mountain biking has been a traditionally male-dominated sport for decades. Mainstream media and marketing often portray biking as part of “male culture,” implying that risk, strength, and agility belong only to men. There’s been an increase in general interest in mountain biking over the years, but women, girls, and non-binary riders still face difficulties entering the sport. MT Alpha Cycling is changing that. As a powerhouse group of women+ who are passionate about mountain biking, they’re helping women+ riders gain confidence in their skills while building a non-judgmental, trusted third space on the trail.
Results from a recent study by Frontiers in Psychology showed that 45% of male respondents had been riding for more than a decade, compared to 28% of female respondents who said the same. Similarly, 40% of men in the study considered themselves to be “advanced” or “pro” riders, while only 20% of women saw themselves that way.
Missoula, Montana, is surrounded by five mountain ranges and considered “a pedal paradise” because of its network of scenic and accessible bike trails. It’s also known as a remote wilderness playground that attracts outdoor enthusiasts from around the country to ski, hike, whitewater raft, and of course, mountain bike. In a community with a strong bike culture, MT Alpha is encouraging underrepresented cyclists to test their own limits and prove they can achieve any goal through group rides and races.
In 2025, after over a decade since its founding, MT Alpha was ready for its next stage of growth. With a volunteer working board of directors that actively participated in the day-to-day operations of the organization, they wanted to better distribute the workload, prioritize programming, and support their growing team. Our role was to engage MT Alpha’s stakeholders to create a clear, data-informed understanding of where MT Alpha stands today and what conditions will influence its priorities for the next three years.
MT Alpha board members and staff participate in a strategic planning session in Missoula, Montana, in November 2025.
The main goals of the strategic planning process were to: 1) engage stakeholders to ground decision-making in data; 2) support the balance between paid staff and a volunteer working board; and 3) right-size programming and financial sustainability.
Board of directors & staff
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President
Christina Anabel
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Vice President/Secretary
Megan Andrews-Sharer
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Treasurer
Lauren Costa
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Directors
Kayla McCormick, Jill Alban, and Leah Thompson
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Past members
Louisa Berkey, Britt Peterson, and Larissa Walker
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Executive Director
Jenna Tomiello
We started with a discovery phase to thoroughly understand the organization’s history and current approaches. The planning team gathered information from three primary data streams:
13 board and staff respondents
54 current MT Alpha members
19 partners and community collaborators
We produced a report that summarized the findings and reviewed it with MT Alpha’s board and staff during an on-site facilitation session.
Organizational planning built from lived experience
The strategic plan centers on MT Alpha members’ experiences, the insights from the organization’s leaders, and the perspectives of their community partners. The data clearly show that MT Alpha is growing quickly, and their members’ needs are evolving. And though their membership numbers surpass their internal systems and capacity, they continue to provide a strong sense of belonging and place for women+ riders.
MT Alpha has an excellent reputation for building rider confidence and skills. Externally, they’re very respected in Montana’s cycling community, and partners describe the organization as “inclusive, professional, and trustworthy.” With an incredibly strong foundation, including successful program offerings, solid financial health, and a motivated base, MT Alpha can prioritize the work-life balance they desire while solidifying their role in the community.
Leah Thompson, Britt Peterson, Jenna Tomiello, Kayla McCormick, and Jill Alban brainstorm ideas during the session.
There was a lot of understanding of where we were as an organization, and through the process we figured out where we wanted to go in the next few years. It felt like a huge step in the right direction for our org.”
Jenna Tomiello, executive director, MT Alpha Cycling
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From the combined data sources, we helped develop five strategic directions, along with key priorities and methods for measuring impact. Our recommendations suggested possible pathways for achieving objectives in the following areas:
Membership and programming. Support women+ riders across disciplines and skill levels by affirming MT Alpha as a trusted third space for connection, growth, and exploration.
Governance. Build a governance structure that is clear, compliant, and right-sized for their current scale while positioning the organization for future growth and sustainability.
Internal structures and operations. Strengthen internal systems, staffing, and workflows so they can sustain growth without overreliance on individual effort or institutional memory.
Communications. Create consistent, mission-aligned communications that strengthen member engagement, reduce staff burden, and increase MT Alpha’s visibility and credibility.
Fundraising and partnerships. Diversify and professionalize revenue, sponsorships, and partnerships to support long-term financial stability and mission growth.
Kayla McCormick (left) and Jill Alban (right) develop communication strategies.
Christina Anabel (left), Lauren Costa (center), and Kayla McCormick (right) in discussion during the strategic planning session.
MT Alpha is a small but mighty team of inspired women+ who’ve built a trusted third space for women, girls, and non-binary riders in Missoula. This strategic plan will serve as a guide for their next phase. It reflects who they are today and outlines the care they’ll want to take as they grow. Their focus will be on strengthening their community, prioritizing their partnerships, and inspiring more women+ cyclists to confidently show up and belong on every rugged trail in Montana.
By continuing to adapt and ride together, MT Alpha Cycling will contribute to a strong and welcoming women+ cycling community for years to come.
Sweet Grass project team & services
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Andrea Mader
Principal & Strategy Director
Project supervisor, tool design, client communication, data collection and analysis, on-site facilitation, and report writing
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Jordan Greene
Associate Strategy Director
Tool design and secondary literature review
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Nat Bauer
Senior Designer
Graphic and layout design
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Strategy
Through customized strategic support, we make sure planning and processes are mission-aligned and based in stakeholder engagement.
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Design
We use strategic visuals and messaging to demonstrate each organization's distinct personality and values.
Project reports & publications
MT Alpha strategic plan (2026–2028)
A guide for the next three years of supporting women+ and girls in the cycling community in Missoula, Montana
STRATEGIC PLAN
