Hello
I’m Montana Burns- a farm-raised girl from Lowell, now a Westsider in GR and a mom of one (with a 'new sprout' due this October!). My husband, Curtis, and I love our life out in the country; it’s where we raise our children, host family dinners, and enjoy the simple company of our barn cats.
After years in the city and corporate world, I’ve returned to my roots to live simply and bake often. I grew up on a street where siblings and cousins were just a quad-ride away, and those early days taught me that the best things in life are grown with intention.
My business, Living in Grace, is built on the values I live by: faith, family, and honest work. I don’t believe in overcomplicating things. I’m here to help small business owners build strong foundations and 'get to the roots' of what matters, so they can focus on their families and the work they love.
My HR Journey
My journey has always begun with people — with a genuine love for seeing the human at the heart of every situation. Before HR was ever on my radar, I started my career as a Medical Assistant, working in nursing homes and across multiple medical specialties, including dermatology, oncology, urology, and the ER. These experiences shaped the foundation of who I am today: compassionate, steady under pressure, and deeply committed to meeting people in their most vulnerable moments.
I went on to earn my Bachelor of Science in Medical Case Management from Davenport University, where my desire to understand the full picture of a person continued to grow. Even in clinical environments, I found myself naturally drawn to employee relations, conflict resolution, and improving operations — always with a people-first mindset. I learned early on that meaningful, lasting change begins with understanding individuals before attempting to improve systems.
My transition into HR began in healthcare recruiting, where I was able to bridge my clinical background with talent needs, connecting the right people to the right roles with clarity and purpose. I’m grateful for the opportunity I had to help build and shape HR processes early in my career, working alongside experienced professionals to develop systems that supported both operational efficiency and team cohesion across diverse environments.
From there, I was blessed with the opportunity to build an internal HR department from the ground up for a manufacturing company. Moving away from outdated systems and onto the production floor, I learned that real HR happens where the work is being done—not in a boardroom. I navigated the demands of a 24/7 workforce and diverse leadership styles, moving beyond managing processes to creating them. From handling acquisitions to expanding our team across multiple states, this season was a masterclass in grit. It taught me how to scale a business while keeping its heart and its people at the center.
Then, I expanded my experience within an energy and sustainability consulting firm, where I continued to grow in HR at a more hands-on level. In this role, I contributed to HRIS implementation, recruiting, conflict mediation, and employee engagement — gaining valuable insight into how HR can support both people and business outcomes in a dynamic setting.
Most recently, I served in a multistate HR role within the transportation industry, supporting the full employee lifecycle — from benefits and employee relations to generalist responsibilities. This experience strengthened my ability to navigate complex workplace dynamics, support leadership, and remain grounded in a thoughtful, people-centered approach.
Today, my work is shaped by all of these experiences — and by a continued commitment to growth, integrity, and serving others with both professionalism and purpose.
