Women Connect Intentional Collisions Mentors

Dr. Jill Abbott, Deputy to the President, College Administrator, Concordia College

After teaching junior high English and working in corporate human resources, I moved to the field of higher education and have been fortunateto work in higher education leadership roles for 20+ years, currently servingas the Deputy to the President at Concordia College. I have served as aspokesperson for Rheumatic Disease Awareness month and for the UnitedStates Tennis Association Tennis Champions campaign and lovevolunteering for events and causes at our daughter's school. I'm married toRandy and mom to Madeline (17).

Stacey Ackerman, Family Office Advisor, Wells Fargo Bank

Stacey is a family office senior trust advisor for the Wells Fargo Bank within the Wealth & Investment Management Division with more than 28 years of experience in financial services. She joined the industry after witnessing firsthand how unforeseen events can knock a family off course financially for generations. From a young age, her father instilled in her the value of a hard work ethic and proper planning. She carries that legacy into her current responsibility of overseeing the management of complex wealth for ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families. She enjoys cultivating ongoing relationships with clients to help ensure their wealth plans align with their values for generations.

Alissa Adams, COO, West Acres Development

Alissa Adams is the Chief Operating Officer at West Acres Development in Fargo, ND. In her role, Alissa is directly involved in strategy and development, leasing, communications, general operations and community engagement. She is in her 14th year of service, of which she worked 7 years remotely while living in Grand Rapids, Michigan and Phoenix, Arizona. In 2020, Alissa and her husband Nick, both North Dakota natives, were drawn back to the Fargo area along with their two daughtersfor its quality of life, amazing people and entrepreneurial-friendly environment. Outside of her role at West Acres, Alissa also works alongside her husband at their company, the Center for Plastic Surgery, where she serves as the Chief Strategy Officer. She enjoys cooking, floral arrangement, embracing the elements of all Midwest seasons with outdooractivities, and taking in community events.

Dr. Stephanie Ahlfeldt, Associate Provost, Concordia College

Stephanie Ahlfeldt holds a B.S. and Ph.D. in Communication from North Dakota State University and has been teaching and serving in higher education administration for 19 years. Currently, she serves as the Associate Provost at Concordia College. During her time at the college, she has taught a variety of courses in the Communication Studies andTheatre Art Department, served as the Director of the Oral CommunicationCenter and Department Chair before joining the Dean's Office as Associate Dean of the College and, most recently, as Associate Provost. Her currentrole involves working with institution wide academic affairs in advising,professional development, and high-impact learning, includingundergraduate research, global learning, integrative learning andcommunity engagement.

Tina Amerman, Director of Talent Experience, Bobcat Company

Tina Amerman's passion for community and Bobcat can be seen not only in how she fills her workday but also in how she lives her life. For over 20 years, Tina has advanced through the HR department at Bobcat Company where she now serves as the Director of Talent Experience. In this role, she drives acquisition strategy to meet workforce needs, supports employee experience, cultivates talent, and inspires innovation through the management of the early talent programs, and plays an integral role in Bobcat's community outreach to include Doosan Day of Community Service and various STEM initiatives.

Tina currently gives her time and talents as a board member on the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce, where she partners to support regional growth and prosperity by advocating workforce needs and talent development. Prior to this, Tina was the president and a board member of the Agassiz Valley HR Association from 2019-2021, where she collaborated with professionals to advance organizational strategy through practices.

Outside of work, Tina and her husband Mike are proud parents of three teenagers. Tina earned her B.A. in business administration and a master's in management with a concentration in human resources from the University of Mary.

Margie Bailly, Retired Executive Director, Fargo Theatre Management Corporation

Executive Director, Fargo Theatre, retired ( 1996-2011) DevelopmentDirector, The Village Family Service Center and The Center for Parentsand Children (1987-1992). BA in music from Grinnell College, MS in nonprofit management from MSUM ... Proud Mother to 3 amazing sons andtheir equally amazing spouses...Granny to 4 talented Granddaughters...Married to my incredible husband, Dick, for almost 56 years ...

Kate Baldock, Artist

Kate Baldock a local Fargo artist spent years in other fields of work beforefollowing her dream to become an artist. Using Playful colors, imaginativeline, and a contemporary approach to art her work is fresh and unique. Shesaw an open market for large scale, modern artwork in the community andis creating for homes and businesses around the area! Through texture,color, and my personal style Kate is bringing joy to others through art.

Josey Balenger, Executive Director, FM Science Museum

Samantha Berg, Chief Human Resources Officer, Choice Bank

Nikki Berglund, Owner, Luna

Nikki Berglund is a Fargo, ND native and local restaurateur. She currently runs her family businesses, Bernie’s Wines & Liquors and Luna Fargo, and along with her partner Chef Ryan Nitschke, owns a few other local restaurants in town, including Sol Ave Kitchen, Nova Eatery, and 3 new concepts set to open soon inside the coolest new project in town, Drekker Market. Nikki’s work related passions include good wine, good food, and good people. She has a particular passion for taking care of her employees, her community, and the environment as a whole. With the help of their local farmer friends and purveyors, she and her business partner are constantly striving to introduce food concepts and ways of thinking that sit a little outside of the box, but in a way that is approachable and educational at the same time. She has over 20 years of experience in the wine business, and has her Level One Sommelier Certification and just started studying for her WSET. Because she can’t seem to sit still, she also studies yoga and has her Level One Teacher's Certification. In her free time, she lives on a farm in the middle of nowhere with her husband, nine year old son, two goats, four dogs, four barn cats, a rabbit, and a lizard. 

Ruchi Joshi Bhardwaj, Grower & Education Program Manager, Grand Farm

Ruchi Joshi Bhardwaj hails from New Delhi, India (~7,200 miles from Fargo, ND) and serves as the Growers and Education Program Manager at Grand Farm. She contributes a diverse and international perspective to her work and community. She served as Grants and Education Coordinator for Emerging Prairie before taking up Manager's role at Grand Farm.

While wrapping up her Ph.D. dissertation at NDSU in Environmental Sciences, she worked part-time at Emerging Prairie, writing grants for all the subsidiary organizations (Grand Farm, Emerging Digital Academy, and StartUp Program) of Emerging Prairie. Before her dissertation submission, she worked at Moorhead Public Service as a licensed water treatment plant operator. During her master's degree, while working full-time as a researcher in the Microbiology department at NDSU, she worked for the Nurturing American Tribal Undergraduate Research and Education (NATURE) program. It is an educational outreach program that aims to improve science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education among middle school, high school, and tribal college students and to build a pathway for American Indians in North Dakota interested in pursuing careers in STEM disciplines.

At Grand Farm, her role revolves around- connecting, facilitating, and amplifying the AgTech ecosystem (growers, educators, researchers, AgTech-start ups and corporations, policymakers, investors, and NGOs). Grand Farm considers the growers, i.e., farmers and ranchers, as the end users of any ag technology. Ruchi has successfully launched a dedicated and diverse- grower advisory board. She has published a grower's pain point report identifying different ground-level issues faced by growers that Grand Farm's ecosystem segments can potentially resolve.

She believes authentic relationship-building is the key to establishing and maintaining any successful partnership. This philosophy has empowered her to successfully accomplish different projects she has served on so far.

Amanda Booher, Communications Manager, Audubon Great Plains

Amanda Booher oversees communications for Audubon Great Plains. Sheis a public relations and strategic communications professional with 15years of experience working in various industries including highereducation, publishing, and non-profit organizations.Amanda serves as a professional board member for the Fargo Theatre andis a committee member for the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber ofCommerce Women Connect. Amanda holds a Bachelor's degree of FineArts in Graphic Design from Bowling Green State University, and aMaster's of Science degree in Educational Leadership from North DakotaState University.

Dr. Carrie Brimhall, President, Minnesota State Community and Technical College

Dr. Carrie Brimhall has served Minnesota State Community and Technical College for more than 25 years in varied roles throughout the institution. She has been serving as President since 2018. She earned her doctoral and master's degrees in organizational management with a specialization in Leadership at Capella University, her bachelor's degree in Communications at Concordia College and her associate of Arts degree at Minnesota State Community and Technical College. President Brimhall believes that education can transform lives, families and communities. She was the first in her family to attend college, which has driven her to remove barriers for all students to ensure they can reach their highest potential and achieve their dreams. Her greatest accomplishments are celebrating the achievements of M State employees,collaborating with people to create solutions, and buildingrelationships with students.

Jodi Buchholz, Senior Sales Executive, Stoneridge Software

Kelsey Buell, Founder, You Flourish Company

Kelsey is an authentic and enthusiastic team builder. She is also an accomplished violinist and singer, having performed in front of audiences as large as 20,000. She has given hundreds of presentations on preventing burnout, stress management, and leadership skills. As a former corporate recruiter, she conducted over 2,000 candidate interviews. And through her experience, she uncovered that many people are disengaged in their jobs. This led to her strong passion for training and development. She sees the value in investing in yourself and your team. Kelsey's goal is to help you discover ways to flourish in all areas of your life - both personally and professionally. She founded You Flourish Company to invest deeply in those throughout her community of Fargo and beyond.

Ruth Buffalo, Advocate/Special Projects, First Nations Womens Alliance

Ruth Buffalo is a citizen of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation. She is originally from Mandaree. Ruth has served in various capacities focused on building healthy and safe communities. Ruth was elected into the North Dakota House of Representatives in 2018 and proudly served the people of District 27 in south Fargo, until 2022. She is an appointed commissioner to the Not Invisible Act Commission which works to address the MMIP crisis. She is also a small business owner and former wellness instructor

Kriss Burns, HR Business Consultant, PRO Resources

Kriss Burns is an HR Business Consultant for PRO Resources in Fargo. She has worked in the Human Resources, Staffing and Employment industry in both the private and public sector for over 20+ years. She earned her BS and MBA, with an emphasis in Human Resources, from the University of Mary. Kriss is also an Adjunct Faculty Instructor for the University of Mary where she teaches Human Resources and Business Management courses, serving both graduate and undergrad students. Kriss is married to Cameron Dockter, otherwise known to many as “Coach Doc”, at Fargo South. Kriss also has two children, Paige who is currently in her 3rd year at Creighton University School of Dentistry and Grant who is a recent graduate from NDSU and is working for Bell Bank. Kriss is very active in the community and serves on the United Way Campaign Cabinet, is the Chair of the Member Relations Ambassadors with The Chamber, is the VP of the Board for Rebuilding Together, the President-Elect for the Fargo-Moorhead Human Resources Association, Chair of the Human Resources Advisory Committee for M-State, and currently serves as the Public Relations Director for the FM-PM Rotary Club. In her spare time, Kriss loves volunteering, traveling, boating, spending time at the lake with family & friends, tailgating and Bison Football!!

Kimberly Busch, Director of Customer Experience & Delivery, Blue Cross Blue Shield of ND

Kimberly Busch loves her role as Director of Customer Experience and Delivery at Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota. Her passion for service excellence, customer delight, and brand story-telling has been a thread throughout her career in sales, strategy, business development, and operations. Kimberly’s path led her through various industries ranging from finance (Wells Fargo) to hospitality (Aimbridge Hospitality, Marriott) and most recently, medical aesthetics (Chapter Aesthetic Studios/The Aspen Group). She earned a double Bachelor’s degree from Dickinson State University in Business Administration and Human Resource Management. Kimberly resides in Fargo with her husband (Jeremy), son (Mauer-14), and furbaby (Kiki). She cares deeply about the community and serves on the United Way of Cass Clay Board of Trustees and FMWF Convention Visitors Bureau. Kimberly is an avid reader, loves traveling with family, and a self-proclaimed five-star restaurant and Uber driver for her teenager and friends. She cannot wait to meet YOU.  

Shelly Carlson, Mayor, The City of Moorhead

Mayor Shelly Carlson was elected in November 2022, to begin her first official term as Mayor. Before being elected Mayor, she served two years as a Ward 2 Council Member and, in February of 2021, was unanimously appointed by her fellow council members to complete the remaining two years of Mayor Judd's term. Simultaneous to being appointed Mayor, she also assumed the Metro Flood Diversion Authority chairperson role.

Mayor Carlson continues to serve on the Diversion Authority Board of Directors and will assume the Chairperson role again in 2024. Other committees on which she serves are Moorhead Clay County Joint PowersAuthority, Metro Flood Diversion Authority Finance Committee, MetroFlood Diversion Authority Planning Committee, Vice-Chair of the Red RiverRegional Dispatch Center Board of Directors, Red River BasinCommission, Moorhead Board of Appeals & Equalization, City of MoorheadLegislative Workgroup, and Board Member of the Coalition of Greater MNCities.

In addition to her elected position, Mayor Carlson works at the MN ElderJustice Center as the Criminal Justice Systems Manager providing training and technical assistance to the criminal justice community on identifying and investigating cases of elder abuse. Mayor Carlson has worked for close to 30 years providing direct and/or systems advocacy to victims of crime and has delivered training throughout Minnesota, the United States, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands and four foreign countries.

Mayor Carlson graduated from MSUM with a Master's degree in public administration and a bachelor's degree in Paralegal studies. Originally from Minot, ND, she moved to Moorhead in 1990. Mayor Carlson and her husband Ron own/operate Signature Home Technologies & Security and have two adult children, McKinnon (24) and Jordan (20). She considers herself an honorary Spud, given the fact she married a Spud, and raised two. Mayor Carlson and Ron also have two dogs - Lola, an English springer spaniel, and Oakley, a rescue dog.

Carrie Carney, VP of Marketing and Communications, Eventide Senior Living Communities

As Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Eventide Senior Living Communities, Carrie tells the organization's story through brandingand community connection. Originally from Park Rapids, Minn., she lovesto visit there often, but is grateful to call the Fargo-Moorhead communityher home. Carrie has a B.A. in English and Mass Communications and aB.S. in Secondary English Education, both from Minnesota State UniversityMoorhead. She lives in north Fargo with her 12-year-old son Jack and thesweetest dog to ever exist, Luna. When not at work, you can find Carrie inher backyard hitting pop flies to her son and getting schooled by him inbasketball.

Jill Christopher has served as the organizational leader of RMHC of the Red River Valley in Fargo, ND since October 2010. She was drawn to RMHC after her nephew's family utilized a Ronald McDonald House while he received a kidney transplant at the age of four. Originally from Sioux Falls, SD, Jill is a 2001 graduate of Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. After spending time in the mini-apple (Minneapolis, MN) without a garage, she returned to Fargo-Moorhead to join her sweetheart, Pete. The two call West Fargo, ND home with their two wonderful children and a big yard. 

Michelle's career path took an unexpected turn when she left her job as a social worker to become the studio director at Fly. Having no experience in running a business, she took a risk and stepped into the unknown. What did she know, was how to create community. She took the people skills she learned from her personal and work experiences and began building a solid fitness studio where people felt seen, celebrated and supported. Michelle found the courage to step out of her comfort zone and discovered that she really had been preparing her whole life for this job. 

Kate Cook, PhD, has over 30 years experience working in the field of special education. Dr. Cook holds a PhD in special education with an emphasis in Behavior Disorders and Autism Spectrum Disorders from the University of Kansas. She spent the last 14 years working in K-12 as an autism specialist. In addition to teaching within the public schools, she has held faculty positions at multiple institutions of higher education and worked at the state level with the Missouri Board of Education. Dr Cook has numerous publications in professional journals and has co-written several book chapters and books. She currently enjoys volunteering with the NDSU  equine therapy program Bison Strides, NDSU Student daycare, and serving as a board member for CCRI. 

Dayna Del Val, President & CEO, The Arts Partnership

Born and raised in China, Vivian is an immigrant entrepreneur and the founder of Kota Botanics™. Before she started the business, she was working in Sales and Marketing areas for Fortune 500 companies in Beijing, China and in Fargo, ND. After she discovered the amazing healing power of CBD, she quit her stable corporate job and started Kota Botanics™ in Fargo, ND in November 2019. Within 3 years, Vivian has grown her CBD brand and business to a national level. Last year, she and Kota Botanics™ were featured in Forbes. She's a mother of 2 boys. When she's not busy, she likes running outdoors, teaching cycling classes at YMCA, and spending time with her husband Jeff and their two sons at the golf course, hockey rinks, or at the lake. 

Camille Grade is in charge of Bushel's marketing and customer experience departments. In the past nine years, she oversaw the corporate brand transition from a digital consulting agency to a digital product platform focused on the agriculture industry and the creation of the customer success function at Bushel. This also included the creation of marketing support and enablement materials for customers to help boost their adoption of technology and undergo organizational change management through digital transformation. Prior to working at Bushel, she spent 10+ years doing fundraising, development, and program management at a public broadcasting station, a nationally accredited art museum, and a regional chamber of commerce. These days when she's not analyzing marketing statistics, writing, researching, or planning events, you can find her traveling with her husband and friends, lounging at the lake, spoiling her nieces and nephews, reading business and management books, and spoiling her golden retriever, Birdie. A native of Borup, MN, she grew up on a family farm and was a terrible farm kid. To this day, she still doesn't know how to drive a stick shift. 

Saree Janz utilizes coaching techniques in combination with hypnosis and mindfulness practices to support her clients in removing habits that are keeping them from reaching their full potential. Her experience includes both personal and group meditations in addition to professional facilitation in the areas of spiritual and personal awareness. She facilitates mastermind groups and offers workshops on intuition building and calm restoration. She specializes in stress relief, tapping into your passion & purpose, overcoming relationship struggles and weight release. Saree's training includes Usui Reiki, Certified Master Hypnotherapist through the Hypnosis Motivation Institute, Nationally Accredited College of Hypnotherapy, Core Passion Facilitation, and Avatar Master Trainer. She is also a member of the American Hypnosis Association. 

Tracy is a Principal Architect with JLG Architects and has been with the firm since 2012 where she currently leads the Workplace design team across JLG's 10 mid-west offices. Through her career, she has accrued nearly 30 years of architectural experience that has provided her opportunities to work on building projects from coast to coast. In addition to her architectural job, she is the current Chair for the City of Fargo's Arts and Culture Commission. In her free time, Tracy designs and hand crafts beautiful custom leather handbags under her design label, Haute Hyde. Most importantly though, she is a wife to Kevin and mom to Cole and Annika! 

Darcy Kasprowicz is a Founder of the North Dakota Autism Center, Inc. And the Executive Director. Darcy tells the organization's story and builds community connections. Darcy's brother, Tyler, has autism and she has dedicated her career to raise awareness and acceptance. She has been with the Autism Centersince the beginning and has worked to create an inclusive and supportive community. Darcy's focus has and always will be to embrace all of our uniqueness. It is her belief that everyone has an important part to play in the world and through kindness and positivity anything is possible. Darcy has a B.S. in Business Administration from Minnesota State University Moorhead. In addition, she was a 2015 United Way 35 Under 35participant, 2019 FMWF Chamber Leadership graduate, and 2022 North Dakota Women's Business Center Leadership graduate. Born and raised in the FMWF area, she currently resides in Horace wither husband, Eric, and daughter, Alexis. Darcy enjoys spending time with her family, watching her daughter play soccer and volleyball, reading, and going to the camper. 

Katherine Kiernan is the owner, broker and team leader of Aspire Realty and Sterling Grace, Inc., a leading real estate team delivering exceptional customer service to homebuyers and sellers in the Fargo/Moorhead area and the Minnesota lakes region since 2014. She is a visionary leader and thinker with a proven track record of applying her expert financial knowledge, projections and implications for her client's real estate pursuits -ensuring sound investments and providing transformative financial returns. She spent eight years as a retail and business banker in the Twin Cities and Fargo, where her passion for applying financial intellect to real estate transactions grew into an unstoppable vision for a business to delight clients with properties that could also make them profitable. With encouragement from several former clients she started her own real estate team, and has grown it into one of the most successful and sought after agencies in the FM Area. Katherine attended the University of Wisconsin - Stout for hotel, restaurant, and tourism management. And, Metropolitan State University in Minneapolis, Minnesota, double majoring in business management and psychology. She lives in Horace with her husband, four children and three fur babies. 

Kelly is the founder, chief joy maker, hug enthusiast and main high-fiver at Hope Blooms! She leads the organization through relationship building, strategy, gratitude and her perennial love of flowers. She is also a storyteller, content creator and brand strategist. Kelly lives in Fargo with her husband Scotty and two young boys, Henry and Finnegan. 

Teresa Lewis inspires others to live life intentionally and live life well. She believes "life-changing" can happen in a moment; it's the result of a decision followed by inspired action. She's an Executive Coach with Eide Bailly, an inspirational speaker and do TERRA essential oil connoisseur. Her journey includes over 20 years in human resources, 15 years owning a speaking and coaching business and 4 years on air on Life 97.9. She authored her first book, Life by Design, in 2015 and is contemplating book number two. She's a MN lake girl at heart, a mom to two amazing daughters, a wonderful son-in-law and a bonus Norwegian daughter who came in the form of an exchange student. Find her on Facebook and LinkedIn @TeresaInspires, and on Instagram @TeresaInspiresWellBeing 

Dr. Melissa McCulley is the Optometrist and Owner of McCulley Optix Gallery. She began her career at the University of Minnesota, Department of Ophthalmology after receiving degrees from Boston College and Southern College of Optometry. But she followed her roots home to Fargo and opened her private practice in 2006. She is now celebrating 17 years in business with a brand-new building and a growing team. She is the wife of another small business owner and mother of 2 elementary school daughters. 

Veronica Michael is a diversity/equity/inclusion thought leader, community and business strategist, fundraiser, and entrepreneur with expertise in business development and directing clients and staff towards successful goal completion through strategic planning, management and targeted mentorship. She has over 15 years experience in higher education, non-profit, people management, and entrepreneurship. Specifically, she has developed multi-dimensional training programs on unconscious bias, identity, and other cultural awareness. Her adult learners include college students in college-to-career transition, senior faculty at multiple universities, and executives. She is the CEO of Prairie Products, Hemp Cold Ethanol Extraction Experts in ND and MN. 

Laetitia Mizero Hellerud (She, Her, Hers) is the Executive Director of the Jeremiah Program (JP), Fargo Campus. She is a well-traveled, seasoned social justice leader, Bush Foundation Fellow, and published author with over 28 years of professional experience working with minoritized/underrepresented populations. Laetitia's areas of interests include strategic planning, organization change management, DEIAB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Access, Belonging) principles, organization development, training and facilitation, systems change, qualitative/quantitative research, and more. Laetitia brings her holistic worldview in any space and project she is engaged in. Prior to joining JP, Laetitia worked with Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota/New Americans Services in various capacities, most recently serving as the Program Director as well as the State Refugee Coordinator. Laetitia is also the founder and principal of UBUNTU Consulting specializing in creating better integrated, more equitable workplaces and communities through proven assessment methods and customized education. Laetitia holds a M.S in Management from the University of Mary, Fargo, and an Executive Certificate from Harvard University in Leadership, Organizing and Action: Leading for Change. Laetitia and her husband Mark live in North Dakota and Minnesota. Their blended family includes two adult children (Yann and Nicole) and a springer spaniel named Laurel. 

Becky has worked in healthcare for over 41 years. As an RN, her passion was adult ICU, with a focus on cardiovascular ICU. After almost 20 years at the bedside, Becky began her leadership journey and over the next 20plusyears, held positions as a Supervisor, Manager, Director, Executive Director, and Interim Chief Nursing Officer. She also implemented and launched the Clinical Quality Value Analysis program for the health system. Although each of these roles was fulfilling, Becky's most recent position as Director of Patient Experience for Sanford Fargo, allowed her passion and love to infuse her work. Assuring the care provided to those we serve was exactly what you would want for the ones you love the most was her mission. Becky was involved in the development and presentation of extensive content designed to help others remember why they chose their career in healthcare, and how they can be the best for themselves, their loved ones and those they served. Becky retired the end of 2022 and is enjoying time with family and friends. 

Morgan Montgomery serves as Senior Regional Philanthropy Officer for the Minnesota and Dakotas Region of the American Red Cross. Passionate about enhancing relationships with charitable partners and strengthening the vision and impact of vital non-profit organizations, her work in the non-profit sector focuses around melding the hearts and passions of individuals and corporations with the missions of charitable organizations. With an academic background in management, strategic, and interpersonal communication through a Bachelor's and Master's degree from North Dakota State University (NDSU), Morgan's professional experience has spanned major gifts fundraising, capital campaign planning and execution, event planning, planned gift development, organizational leadership, operations management, community engagement through board, committee, and volunteer roles, and training of peers and leadership at a regional and national level through roles within the American Red Cross, YMCA, NDSU, and additional non-profits. 

Robin Nelson has served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Red River Valley for 11 years. The non-profit organization provides out-of-school youth programming at 12 sites in Fargo and has 130employees. She is also a fourth-term, 18-year veteran of the Fargo School Board. She currently serves on the Governmental Affairs Committee as chair and serves on the Governance Committee, in addition to serving three previous terms as president and vice president. She is a mayoral appointee to City of Fargo Community Development Committee, and serves on several youth-oriented boards and public advocacy committees throughout the state. Robin has received recognition as Kiwanis 2021 Community Champion for Kids; and, is a member of Boys & Girls Clubs of America's Midwest Regional Hall of Fame, is a Horizon Award recipient, and was recognized as the 2022 Champion for Youth Advocacy. She and her team have been recognized twice for leading one of the top-performing organizations in the nation. She has also earned the designation of North Dakota School Board Association Master School Board Member with Distinction. 

Adrienne Olson is the Vice President of Communication with Kilbourne Group, a redeveloper and community planning think tank focused on historic renovation, urban infill, and placemaking in downtown Fargo. In this role, Adrienne leads the marketing, communications and public relations functions for the real estate firm, which was founded in 2006 as a catalyst of inspiration and action for revitalizing downtown Fargo's urban core and economic vitality. She has also held roles in corporate communications, internal communications and public relations with John Deere, Doosan Bobcat, and The Chamber of Commerce of Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce. She has lived in Fargo for over 30 years and has a strong interest in public affairs, including the economics of cities. She has a bachelor's in mass communication from Minnesota State University Moorhead. Adrienne, her husband, and their three children live in Casselton, North Dakota, where she serves on the Planning and Zoning Committee. 

My initial 18-year experience at Microsoft spanned a variety of global roles across Communications, Marketing, Organizational & Leadership Development, Program & Change Management. And then I was blessed with the opportunity to take a civic leave of absence from Microsoft to create the Office of Recovery Reinvented for the state of North Dakota. Partnering with Governor Doug Burgum and First Lady Kathryn, the Office of Recovery Reinvented non-profit works to reinvent recovering by eliminating the shame and stigma of addiction and empowering our communities. That turned into a four-and-a-half-year adventure of all time, eventually leading me full circle back to Microsoft in June of 2022 as the Microsoft Fargo site leader. In this role, I work to ensure all team members of the Midwest region can thrive, and enjoy being able to represent all the goodness of Microsoft in the local and statewide community. I like to laugh while I think, spread joy like confetti, and bring energy to every experience. 

Trisha has been passionate about helping others since *at least* second grade when she composed her "Future Autobiography." It was in those pages she listed "helping and protecting others" as her future career goals. Over a few short decades, that desire has grown and shifted into a very personal need. Her own son was diagnosed with severe autism in 2004and their family was told that North Dakota had "nothing to offer" for supports and services. Today, Page and her family are thriving in the FM area. Her son, Kyle, who was never supposed to talk or tie his shoes attends NDSU, is working on living independently, and is studying Computer Science. Page opened her therapy practice, Embrace Therapy Services with her two business partners in 2019. Trisha and her husband, Gary, have grown their family to include 4 boys, 3 dogs, and two ducks. All of them bring light and inspiration into daily life. Page has worked in the state, non-profit, and for-profit sectors, building programs and supporting families through advocacy. She has presented at local, state, and national conferences, and in 2020 she was elected to thewiest Fargo School Board. 

Professional passions include building stronger communities and connecting people and resources to make an impact and activating their servant heart. Spent previous 10 years working in the construction, development, and property management world and have now transition to working at Dakota Medical Foundation. Currently my role is Director of Community Engagement where I get the opportunity to work with businesses in the community and connect them to our programs(Giving Hearts Day, Impact Foundation, Kids Mental Health, Lend a Hand Up) and resources. Personal passions include teaching hot yoga sculpt, driving my kids around to all their activities (hockey, basketball, golf, art, swimming, you name it), and spending time at the lake with my family in the summer. I live this crazy and wild ride called life with my husband Kenny and 3 kiddos, Carter(14), Mason(12), Grace(7 going on 16). 

As Chief of Staff & EVP | Chief Culture Officer, Julie Peterson Klein leads the mission of Happy Employees! Happy Customers! She inspires passion in Bell team members to live the company's values of promoting a family atmosphere, providing unequaled personal service, and paying it forward by giving back to the community. Julie has 25+ years of banking and leadership experience, the past 24 with Bell, where she leads the company culture for the company's 2000 team members. Julie was instrumental in implementing Bell's Pay It Forward program, which has given over $25million to date. Her role includes encouraging employee mentorship, empowering employees to lead in community service, and ensuring team members are recognized for employment anniversaries, personal milestones and outstanding service. Julie created the bank's How Bell of You program to recognize acts of exceptional kindness; the top nominees each year are honored with Bell Value Awards. Julie's drive to bring Herbest every day inspires everyone around her. Julie is a certified senior professional in human resources. She is Bell's United Way coordinator and a Key Club member. Julie currently serves on the boards of TEDxFargo and The Fargo Theatre. Julie is a dedicated career woman, wife and mother of three children, Ava, Lola and Cruz. 

As a medical device innovator, businesswoman and mother of three, Patty Post was frustrated with the status quo of conventional OTC testing and diagnostics. There had to be a simpler way to support her and her family's health without wasting valuable time and money waiting for appointments, test results and treatments. That's why she created Checkable Medical: to help families like hers save time and reduce the cost of care through innovative at-home diagnostic kits. With accurate results within minutes, easy-to-use tests, and an App connecting you to telemedicine and prescription providers, Patty is on a mission to empower individuals to make clinical, evidence-based decisions from the comforts of home. 

Anna Sather has a passion for people and the outdoors, so her recent professional move to Farm in the Dell of the Red River Valley felt like the perfect fit. With a writing and graphic design background, Anna has spent her professional career in the design and marketing industry, working at Concordia College, Old Lutheran, and most recently at the YMCA of Cassand Clay Counties. Spending 11 years at the YMCA, Anna gained extensive experience in marketing, advocacy, public relations, fundraising, finance, and managing operations for a large-scale non-profit. Stepping into her new role at Farm in the Dell, she is able to put her past experience to work in new and creative ways while supporting the disability community on a 30-acre farm. 

Hi, I'm Hannah, a digital marketer recovering from years of burnout. In2019, I lost my spark, and I'm happily on the journey of re-discovering it. During working hours I help manage a team of crazy talented creatives for PRx Performance. Outside of working hours, you can find me booking trips, enjoying the outdoors, reading, working on a puzzle, or podcasting! 

I'm a risk taker, a magic maker and business shaker. My career is a wildly woven ball of branding and marketing strategy, writing, graphic design, event planning, media buying, public relations and beyond. I've also had the privilege of working within and alongside organizations in an operational and development capacity, while gaining experience inhuman resources and management. This means I understand the value of a positive culture, fiscal responsibility and producing results. I'm a branding bullet that has propelled businesses to the top in their industry. I've spearheaded efforts to put startups on the map, teamed up with authors to launch best-selling books and helped marketing departments become a rockstar resource for my clients. 

I have been a K-12 educator for 31 years; 29 of those years with West Fargo Public Schools. I have served at elementary, middle, and district-level as a teacher, coordinator, assistant principal, principal, director, and assistant superintendent prior to becoming superintendent in2018. My husband, Bruce, and I will celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary this summer. We have two adult daughters and one son-in-law, Sophia and Maria (Kristian). 

I have been in the construction industry for almost 20 years and oversee Mortenson's operations in the Dakotas and Northern Minnesota, having had the privilege to be a part of over $1B worth of projects throughout my career. I have been involved in community activities in the FM area since coming back in 2013 including the FMWF Chamber, United Way of Cass Clay, National Association of Women in Construction, and Ronald McDonald House among others. Alongside my community involvement, I also share my passion for building relationships and facilities as an adjunct and IAC member at NSDU to share my experience and encourage others to join the industry. 

Donna joined the Enclave team in 2016 after 10 years experience at a large regional real estate firm. From the beginning at Enclave she has lead with a growth mindset and the portfolio has quadrupled in size. She received the prestigious award in 2020 from Prairie Business for being atop 25 women in business. In 2022, she was selected to speak at the National Apartment Association convention about practical solutions for the industry top challenges. Donna continues to innovate the real estate space at Enclave by focusing on efficient operations, an exceptional experience for customers, and leading a variety of team such as operations, sales, IT, and maintenance. 

I am honored to serve as the Lead Pastor of a dynamic and mission-driving congregation. We are blessed to be growing in every age group, as we find ways to serve others in Jesus' name. My passions in ministry include preaching, memorizing Scripture, and sharing life with the people of this community. I am married to Aaron Suomala Folkerds, who is a professor of counseling at Minnesota State University-Moorhead. Our son, Paul, is in middle school. Our daughter, Helena, passed away in 2008. We also have an exchange student from Rwanda who attends Oak Grove, and a former exchange student from Slovakia who attends Concordia. I graduated from Minnesota State University-Moorhead in 2001 with a degree in Russian Studies and Economics. I graduated with a Masters of Divinity degree from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago in 2007.My husband and I served as pastors together before I was called to Good Shepherd in 2012. 

Chelsey Steinlicht is the owner and operator of Bright Futures Learning Centers. Chelsey is an NDSU graduate in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management and Child Development. She has been in the education field for 17 years filling a variety of roles from teaching to tutoring to managing a variety education programs in both non-profit and for-profit organizations. Chelsey obtained the National Director Credential from McCormick Center for Early Childhood Literacy in February of 2013. She had the privilege of being selected for United Way's 35 under 35 Program in 2014, FMWF Leadership Group in 2020, Women's Leadership Program in 2021, and nominated for the YWCA's Women of the Year in education in2021. She enjoys spending time with her husband, Dan, and four children. 

Chicago native Rachel Stone moved to the Fargo/Moorhead area over 21 years ago, to help her parents in ministry and has been on an adventure ever since. She is the proud mother of 3 adult sons; Immanuel, Samuel, and Gabriel. Rachel has devoted her life to philanthropy. With several years of involvement on SENDCAA Head Start’s Parent and Policy committee, she saw this as an opportunity to spread the word about the importance of childhood literacy. This organization's mission became her pageant platform, and she soon became a national spokesperson for the Headstart program. In 2006, she made history when she earned the title, becoming the 1st African American woman to be crowned Mrs. North Dakota International. It was then that it seemed her life took off. This great opportunity to speak on many stages opened up doors for her to pursue a modeling career. Rachel has previously worked for both Fargo and Moorhead Public Schools for several years. It was here that she saw the many issues, gaps, and struggles between the students, and teachers. Working with our young girls in both Fargo and Moorhead Public Schools reminded her of her childhood years, and how she had vowed to help others break cycles in their lives. Determined to fulfill her vow of being a big sister and mentor to others, in 2014 Rachel started her own youth empowerment nonprofit called P's & Q's Etiquette LLC, where she focuses on teaching elementary, middle, and high school youth leadership skills. This organization has been able to grow in large part to the grant award she has received through the FM Area Foundation and The Initiative Foundation. In addition to teaching students’ leadership skills, she enjoys modeling, is a cosmetologist and a recording artist. Her single “You Are” is available on iTunes. Rachel’s strong faith in God & passion for empowering others is what drives her. Her most recent adventure led her into deep waters, as she ran a campaign, and was selected to serve the last 4 years on the Moorhead School Board. She also started her company (Rachel Stone Enterprises) and launched her own youth leadership curriculum called, “LEADERLICIOUS”. Rachel’s favorite saying is,“Born for someone else” because she believes that life is about purpose and that through her story she can give others hope and inspiration. Rachel credits her success to her Leaderlicous students and her parents, Gloria & Paul Shields, who taught her the importance of service and helping others reach their greatest potential! 

Christy Tehven, founder of Love Always Floral with locations in Bismarck and Fargo, ND. Love Always Floral specializes weddings, events and daily deliveries while serving our clients through love. When not working Christy spends her days chasing around her three kiddos, Harper (5), AZ(3) and Sloan (2). She relieves her stress through laughing with her friend sand running off bad vibes. 

With over 20 years in financial services, Becky’s experience includes investment management, relationship management, financial planning and leadership. Her current focus is to grow and develop Bell Bank’s wealth management offering across the enterprise by building relationships among colleagues, contacts and clients. As a member of the Bell Investment Committee, Becky helps set the direction of our asset management practice. She also serves on numerous nonprofit boards and committees. An Accredited Financial Counselor and Certified Financial Planner™, Walen holds a master’s degree in financial planning from North Dakota State University and a bachelor of science in management from the University of Mary. Prior to joining Bell, Becky led a team of institutional trust and custody professionals serving the upper Midwest for a large national bank, working with high-net-worth families, corporations, foundations and endowments. 

Sara Watson is a chef, entrepreneur and mother of four. Originally from Glyndon Minnesota, Sara earned an Art History Degree after High School from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. While in college, she worked in various restaurants in the city. Upon graduating and embarking an a career with an Art History degree...she realized her true passion was going to be in the kitchen. She promptly changed paths and took off to attend Culinary School in Colorado. It was at the Colorado Mountain Culinary Institute where Sara met her husband Eric Watson, also a Chef. They moved back to the Fargo-Moorhead community in 2003. Together they ran the successful Mosaic Foods Catering, Maxwells, Mezzaluna & Rustica restaurants. Selling shares, or the entire entities when they were ready for something new. All business are still successfully running. Sara went on with a friend to own, open and develop Blackboard Restaurant near Vergas, Minnesota. The "Cabin Chef" Cookbook by Sara Watson, a recipe collection inspired by lakes country. came to fruition during this time. It was published by Matz Greiff Media Group/ DirkOckhardt and is currently available for purchase at Creative Kitchen in Fargo and at the Plains Art Museum. Currently Sara works as a personal chef and boutique catering. She resides with her family in Moorhead, MN 

Sarah West (CMA, SPHR, CEC) is a CFO gone rogue. She has worked in the accounting and finance sector for almost 20 years, at each stop working her way up to key leadership roles, her most recent corporate role as the CFO at a regional real estate development company. Sarah earned her bachelor's degree at Minnesota State University Moorhead and her MBA from North Dakota State University. In 2019, Sarah started Light Consulting to make business and life a little lighter for clients, offering fractional CFO services, accounting services, professional development training and coaching. In October 2022, Sarah became a co-owner of Dale Carnegie of North Dakota and Northwest Minnesota. Dale Carnegie's values align perfectly with those of Light Consulting, and the two companies will be able to lift each other up in the years to come. Outside of work, Sarah works with several nonprofits in Fargo-Moorhead and lives in Ulen with her husband and three children.