Meet the Staff

Samantha Yearry
Executive Director
As a third-generation Montanan, Samantha grew up in the Helena area and continues to reside there today. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, a degree in medical billing and coding, and became a real estate agent in 2021. A license in real estate allows her to participate in land development where she can witness the fruits of hard work blossom into something amazing. Selling real estate in the state of Montana allows her to share the numerous attributes of the fresh mountain air and the friendly atmosphere full of welcoming communities.
She owned an award winning photography company in Helena and closed it down in 2024 after fourteen years. Samantha continues to raise her family in the Helena area and plans to move to Jefferson County in the near future. Her four kids are her inspiration in life and showing them all that Montana has to offer them is a daily goal of hers. She enjoys hiking, side by side rides in the mountains, building, travel, and working out.

Erin Binder
Business Manager
Erin moved from out of state June 2021 and has been in love with Whitehall ever since. Erin previously worked outdoors for many years as a construction flagger, a utility locator, and as a small equipment operator, and although the office lifestyle is new to her, she is eager to learn all about the business. Erin enjoys spending her time with her husband and two dogs (Potato and Deebo) exploring all of what Montana has to offer.

Leah Lewis
Project Coordinator
Leah Lewis is a Jefferson County native, where she was raised on the Compton Ranch in the Boulder Valley. Leah graduated from MSU in 2005 with a B.S. in Range Science. After graduating, she worked for the Forest Service as an Invasive Species Coordinator on the Butte/Jefferson Districts. Leah also worked in the Finance Section where she traveled to Wildland Fire Incidents across the Western half of the United States. In 2012, Leah “retired” from the Forest Service to free up time to ranch and start a family. Leah continued to work part-time as a Natural Resources Consultant, helping landowners with various projects including USDA grants, conservation easement plans, water rights applications, and range monitoring.
Leah is excited to be a new member of the JLDC staff and looks forward to working with people in the community. Leah enjoys horseback riding, camping, and skiing with her daughter and husband. In her rare moments of free time, Leah enjoys reading, playing the board game Catan, and dreaming about putting out Halloween decorations.