Top 10 Women in Tech Groups and Resources in Billings, MT in 2026

Table of Contents

• The Resilient Web of Women in Tech in Billings
• Code Girls United
• Billings Chamber Women’s Network
• Montana High Tech Business Alliance Events
• Montana Women’s Leadership Conference
• MSU Billings Women Supporting Women Workshops
• AnitaB.org and Grace Hopper Celebration
• Girls Who Code Clubs
• Women in Tech Network Global Conference
• TEDxBillings and Local Speaking Opportunities
• Rock31 Entrepreneurship Center
• Weaving Your Own Resilient Web
• Frequently Asked Questions

Code Girls United

While headquartered in Kalispell, Code Girls United has become an indispensable force in Billings, directly building the future female tech workforce from the ground up. The organization focuses on expanding computer science education for 4th-12th grade girls, with particular attention to reaching rural and Tribal communities across Montana.

Its impact in the Yellowstone Valley is tangible, as seen when a team from Billings' Will James Middle School won first place in the statewide app challenge, a success covered by local news coverage highlighting the sisterhood formed through coding.

In 2026, the organization's momentum is accelerating with a $100,000 grant from the Gianforte Family Foundation. This funding supports 32 classes statewide and the launch of a new Code Girls AI Academy. "We are helping girls across Montana learn skills needed for jobs of the future in a fun and rewarding way," said Executive Director Catherine Koenen.

For tech professionals in Billings, supporting or volunteering with local clubs offers a powerful chance to mentor the next generation while connecting with a statewide network deeply passionate about equity in tech.

Billings Chamber Women’s Network

For women building careers within the Billings business landscape, the Billings Chamber Women’s Network is the premier forum for forging influential, local relationships. It hosts consistent monthly sessions at venues like the historic Billings Depot, creating a welcoming space for professionals across all sectors to grow as leaders.

Themes for 2026 focus on resilience, strategic networking, and professional development. Membership represents a strategic investment in local influence at just $125 annually for Chamber members and $150 for non-members - a fraction of similar coastal networking fees and a direct benefit of the region's lower cost structure. The group maintains an active calendar, with events like its August 2025 session listed on community social pages.

This network is particularly valuable for women in tech roles at major local employers like Billings Clinic, St. Vincent Healthcare, or BNSF Railway. It facilitates essential cross-industry connections that can lead to project collaborations, executive sponsorships, and leadership opportunities uniquely available in Billings' interconnected professional community.

Montana High Tech Business Alliance Events

The Montana High Tech Business Alliance (MHTBA) is the state's most critical hub for tech industry connectivity, and its regular events in Billings are a non-negotiable resource for professional integration. The Alliance hosts panels, networking mixers, and specialized meetings that provide direct access to founders, engineers, and investors shaping Montana's tech landscape.

A key event for 2026 is the "Employer Panel & Networking - How to Get Montana Tech Jobs & Internships" on February 25th, featuring both state and national tech employers. The weekly Bigskynet - Montana's AI Development Consortium meetings every Tuesday at the Rock31 Entrepreneurship Center have become a vital gathering for AI and software development professionals.

For women in tech, these events demystify the hiring landscape at major Montana companies and provide a platform to identify allies, learn about in-demand skills, and position yourself within the broader state narrative. This access is crucial in a market where tech roles are often embedded within larger regional industries like healthcare, energy, and agriculture.

Montana Women’s Leadership Conference

Held annually at the Northern Hotel in Billings, the Montana Women’s Leadership Conference is a major galvanizing event that draws professional women from across the state. The 2026 theme, “NEXT IS NOW - Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future,” perfectly encapsulates the forward momentum within the region's professional community, which is also highlighted on the conference's community event pages.

The conference provides high-quality workshops focused on leadership, negotiation, and personal branding, and includes the prestigious Montana Women’s Leadership Awards. For women in tech, it offers a crucial opportunity to step back from the codebase and develop the soft skills and executive presence necessary for advancement.

In a market like Billings, where technology is often deeply embedded within larger, established industries like healthcare, energy, and education, this cross-sector perspective is invaluable. The connections forged here can lead to collaborative projects, mentorship, and a stronger understanding of how technical expertise drives innovation across Montana's diverse economic landscape.

MSU Billings Women Supporting Women Workshops

Montana State University Billings serves as more than an educator; it's an active participant in upskilling the local workforce. Its Women Supporting Women Workshop Series at City College offers hands-on technical training in areas like electrical basics and welding, with sessions running into early 2026.

For women looking to pivot into technical fields or gain practical manufacturing skills relevant to local industries, this series provides a direct and affordable pipeline. Furthermore, the university facilitates the MSU Catalyst Mentor Program, which connects aspiring tech entrepreneurs and innovators with experienced executives for one-on-one coaching.

This is a critical resource for women aiming to launch a startup within Billings' growing small-tech scene, providing the essential guidance needed to navigate local funding opportunities and business development. In a region where practical skill application is highly valued, these programs translate theoretical knowledge into career-ready capabilities.

AnitaB.org and Grace Hopper Celebration

While not a local meetup, AnitaB.org remains one of the most vital global resources for women in computing, and its value for Billings-based professionals is immense. The organization provides a vast Career Toolbox, research on technical equity, and structured mentorship networks that are accessible from anywhere.

Its flagship event, the Grace Hopper Celebration, is the world's largest gathering for women in tech. For professionals in Billings, attending virtually or in person acts as a career accelerant, offering exposure to top-tier recruitment, cutting-edge tech trends, and a profound sense of belonging to a massive, supportive global community. This is detailed in the organization's historical overview and mission.

This resource directly addresses the potential for professional isolation in a smaller market by connecting local talent to global opportunities and standards. It's a key strategy for those in remote roles or at regional tech employers like Zoot Enterprises, ensuring that their skills and networks remain competitive on an international scale while they enjoy the strategic advantages of building a career in Billings.

Girls Who Code Clubs

Girls Who Code continues to be a powerhouse for inspiring young women, reaching an impressive over 760,000 students globally in 2025 as highlighted in their year-end celebration. In Billings, this national momentum translates into local impact, with schools and libraries hosting free clubs for girls in 3rd through 12th grades.

These clubs provide a foundational, supportive space where early interest in computer science can flourish. The importance of these grassroots efforts is magnified in the current landscape, where they serve as a critical, resilient pipeline sustaining interest despite fluctuations in larger national organizations.

For professional women in tech in Billings, engaging with these clubs as a facilitator, guest speaker, or supporter represents a direct and powerful way to give back. It's an opportunity to shape the local talent pool you may one day hire from and to connect with other tech-professional parents and educators in the community. You can find or start a club to contribute to this essential ecosystem of early encouragement.

Women in Tech Network Global Conference

The Women in Tech Network Global Conference offers another premier virtual access point, delivering world-class content on AI, cybersecurity, and leadership directly to a home office in Billings. This satellite model is perfectly suited for professionals managing both budget and time, eliminating the cost and logistics of travel to coastal hubs.

CEO Anna Radulovski has emphasized the mindset this supports, stating, "Success isn't just about achieving your goals, it's also about having the courage to pursue them in the first place." The conference's effectiveness is well-documented, with attendees of the 2025 conference praising it as "well-prepared and organized" with "outstanding speakers" and "valuable information."

This resource ensures that staying current with global tech trends and leadership practices is more feasible than ever from Montana. It complements the local ecosystem by providing the high-level industry context needed to innovate within regional companies or compete for remote roles, all while leveraging Billings' lower cost of living as a strategic career advantage.

TEDxBillings and Local Speaking Opportunities

TEDxBillings consistently features local leaders in technology and workforce development, establishing a precedent for tech thought leadership within the community. The 2025 presenter list included professionals specializing in high-tech talent, demonstrating the event's role in amplifying voices that are shaping the region's economic future.

For women in tech, submitting a talk idea or actively attending these events serves multiple strategic purposes. It builds a recognizable personal brand, shares specialized knowledge with a broad cross-section of the community, and creates connections with other innovative thinkers outside the immediate tech bubble.

In Billings' interconnected professional landscape, being recognized as a credible voice on technical innovation can open unexpected doors. This visibility often leads to advisory roles, consulting engagements, and leadership positions within major local employers like healthcare systems or energy companies that are actively seeking to modernize their operations.

This platform turns individual expertise into community capital, strengthening both your career and the local ecosystem's capacity for innovation. It embodies the advantage of being a visible contributor in a growing market where your impact is directly felt and recognized.

Rock31 Entrepreneurship Center

The Rock31 Entrepreneurship Center serves as the physical nexus for Billings' innovators and is the definitive heartbeat of the city's startup tech scene. This collaborative space embodies the practical, community-driven approach to technology that defines the region, hosting regular gatherings that turn ideas into actionable projects.

Its most consistent rhythm is the weekly Bigskynet - Montana's AI Development Consortium meeting, held every Tuesday. These sessions, listed on the Montana High Tech Business Alliance calendar, have become an essential forum for anyone working in or interested in AI, software development, and tech entrepreneurship.

While not exclusively for women, active integration into this forum is crucial. Here, you'll find the founders of small tech consultancies, remote developers for global companies, and engineers from larger local employers collaborating on open-source projects and new ventures. It's where the abstract concept of a "tech community" becomes a tangible, weekly conversation.

For women entering the tech scene or aiming to launch a venture, consistently showing up at Rock31 is how you organically find co-founders, learn about local angel investors, and tap into the collaborative, less-hyped but deeply pragmatic tech culture that allows Montana's ecosystem to thrive.

Weaving Your Own Resilient Web

Building a career in tech in Billings is not about finding a single, perfect mentor or group. It's about weaving your own resilient web from diverse, interconnected strands - the local Chamber network, the statewide Alliance events, global virtual stages, and hands-on university workshops.

Expert career guidance for 2026 emphasizes that technical resilience stems from diverse perspectives and networks, not from chasing every trend. This is where Billings offers a distinct strategic advantage: the ability to be a big fish in a growing pond, where your contributions are highly visible and your impact on the community is direct and tangible.

By strategically engaging with these resources, you don't just advance your own career; you strengthen the entire local ecosystem. You become a vital node within a network that values practical innovation and neighborly support, ensuring the next woman in tech here finds an even more connected and supportive web, ready to weather any industry storm.

Frequently Asked Questions