The Montana Land Reliance (MLR) is thrilled to announce that Brad Hansen has been selected as one of its three Managing Directors. A longtime member of the MLR team, Brad brings extensive experience in conservation easement transactions, fundraising, and relationship-building, along with a deep understanding of the organization’s work with Montana landowners.
Brad has served MLR in several roles, including project manager, fundraiser, and most recently, Transactions Director. Over the past seven years, he has worked directly with 47 families to help them permanently conserve 145,633 acres of working farms and ranches and recreational properties. He has also raised significant funds for MLR’s general operations, project acquisitions, and stewardship.
Throughout his time at MLR, Brad has helped guide increasingly complex conservation easements to completion while building relationships with landowners, donors, and partners across the state. His experience spans the many elements of conservation work, from the first conversations with a landowner to the legal, financial, and logistical details required to complete an easement.
“The Board has spent the past year carefully considering the leadership MLR needs for the future,” said Shane Colton, MLR Board President. “We wanted someone who understands our mission, appreciates the relationships at the heart of our work, and can help guide the organization as we continue conserving Montana’s working lands and open spaces. We found that person in Brad.”
As a Managing Director, Brad will oversee much of MLR’s external-facing work, representing the organization with landowners, donors, community members, and conservation partners. He will continue to lead most easement transactions while helping guide MLR’s fundraising, advocacy, and communications efforts.
“It’s an honor to work alongside such an amazing team here at MLR,” said Brad. “I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to help shape MLR’s future as we continue partnering with Montanans to conserve the lands they care about.”
Brad’s skillset complements and strengthens MLR’s existing leadership capacity, as he joins an executive team that brings diverse expertise to a shared mission.
“Everything we do at MLR starts with families who choose to protect the land they love,” said Katie Stokes and Jordan Vana, MLR Managing Directors. “Conservation happens one family and one ranch at a time, and it takes all of us to get each easement across the finish line: our staff in the field, in the office, and the support of our donors and partners. Brad has been central to that effort for years, helping Montana landowners see their conservation goals through. In this new role, he will help all of us do more of what matters most: protecting Montana’s working lands for generations to come. We couldn’t be more excited to see him step into the role of Managing Director.”
As ever, MLR remains committed to helping Montana families conserve working lands, wildlife habitat, and open space. We look forward to building on that work with Brad in his new role.
Please join us in congratulating Brad. We’re excited about the next chapter of MLR and the work we will accomplish together.
