Melanie Schwarz

Melanie is a Montana native and has lived in Billings for over 25 years. She is a graduate of Montana State University with a degree in Marketing/Management. Her professional career spans work in communications, public relations, workforce development, and marketing. She spent eight years in economic development, has successfully managed numerous capital campaigns and provides private public relations consulting.

Melanie currently works as a consultant and speaker in the field of substance use disorder and mental health care. Together with a group of amazing leaders in all aspects of workforce development, Melanie launched her new venture Upstream Strategy Partners in January of 2024. They have created a robust curriculum for workplaces to learn about mental health and substance use disorders in the workplace and provide proactive solutions to improve employee experiences to get the proper resources for their needs.

She recently added published author to her resume completing her first book, LifeJackets, A Mother’s Journey Through Her Child’s Addiction. Melanie is a Montana Ambassador and a graduate of Leadership Montana. She serves on several boards including Alternatives Inc., and the Executive Advisory Board for Montana’s first medical school, Rocky Vista University, Montana College of Osteopathic Medicine. Melanie is married to her husband Brynn and has three grown children. She enjoys traveling, community volunteering, and writing.