Billings Clinic names new Foundation President and Leadership forCommunications and Strategy

Billings Clinic names new Foundation President and Leadership for Communications and Strategy
Billings Clinic Foundation is announcing that Nichole Mehling has been named as its President. Nichole has been with Billings Clinic for the past four years serving in a leadership role with the Foundation and Marketing for Billings Clinic. She has multiple years of experience in philanthropy, marketing and business management along with community service, including chairing the Board of Directors for the Billings Chamber of Commerce. Mehling grew up on a farm and ranch near Hardin and currently serves as a member of the board for Big Horn Hospital in Hardin. In her new role, in addition to Foundation leadership duties, she is accountable for Billings Clinic's Marketing; Community and Public Relations; and Patient, Guest, and Volunteer Services.

Luke Kobold has been named Billings Clinic Executive Director of Strategic Development and Communications. Luke has been with Billings Clinic for over 20 years, most recently serving as CEO of Stillwater Billings Clinic in Columbus, MT. Before taking on the CEO role in Columbus, he worked with the communications, marketing, and strategy teams at Billings Clinic. Luke grew up in Billings and has also served a number of community organizations. Luke's team will include Zach Benoit as Director of Communications. Zach is also from Billings and has 8 years of experience with the communication team at Billings Clinic, and was a journalist for 11 years prior to joining Billings Clinic. In this role, he is accountable for internal organizational communications and planning.

Last summer Billings Clinic's Foundation President and Chief Communication Officer, Jim Duncan, announced that he would be retiring in July of 2025 after 30 years with the organization. During that time the Foundation has given over $125 million to advance programs that serve patients at Billings Clinic and has grown its assets and endowment from $3 million to $160 million. The Foundation recently completed a $32 million campaign for Level I Trauma and complex care and will be funding several projects currently under construction. As part of Duncan’s retirement plan, he is now serving as Foundation President Emeritus until this July, helping with the transition for his former areas of accountability along with other special projects.