YPN Awards: One to Watch & YP of the Year

Erin Larsgaard, Wold Johnson

Erin exudes professionalism, drive, approachability, sincerity, expertise and is a great example for other YPs in the area. She is also incredibly involved with YPN – she is dedicated to the program, her network, and being there as an asset for other YPs and their networks. Erin was one of the most involved YPs last year, attending probably more events than anyone.

Erin works to meet new people and make them feel comfortable and respected rather than flocking to people she already knows. Also, she is successful but sets an example by garnering her peers’ respect without bloviation; she is humble and respectable in how she conducts herself. She sets an example of how we all should network and care about each other. She is the epitome of a young professional the community should take notice of and get to know. Hers is a career we should all be watching!

Erin serves as a Member at Large on the YPN Leadership committee.

John Fisher, Executive Director, Friends of the Children

Outside of serving on YPN’s Leadership committee, John serves as a pastor at Sojourn Church, is active with Park Christian School and a member of Fargo Kiwanis. John also serves on the board for Fargo Kiwanis, Badges of Unity and Youth Investment Boards. “I love living in FMWF because of the community vibe,” he said. “My wife and I chose to live here. We had our choice of almost anywhere in the U.S., and we chose FMWF. Cost of living, family friendly, job opportunities, active NPO environment, and tons of good eats/activities. There is an extremely welcoming and neighborly feel.”

John joined YPN to grow his professional and personal networks and has seen this benefit through his involvement. John says he has found his chiropractor, a future board member and some of his best friends from this organization “It all came from me stepping out, signing up for an event and striking up a convo (back in 2014) and the rest is history!"

Justin Gustofson, Property Resources Group, Commercial Sales & Leasing

Justin Gustofson gets to enjoy a different day every day at work. Most are spent researching businesses, making connections, showing properties and facilitating sales and leases. He is working toward earning qualifications to earn his CCIM designation. In a job centered on relationships, he knows that you can’t just work for today; rather, he works for years down the road.

“I feel that YPN has helped start successful relationships with individuals looking to do business together, as well as connect with people of the same age demographic,” he said. I believe it is important for others to get involved with YPN to expand their network and understand our growing community.” Justin is also a member of the Civil Air Patrol, is active with the West Fargo Exchange Club and recently started a group to help with United Way’s Day of Caring.

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Celine Francisco, Business Banking Credit and Relationship Program Analyst, Wells Fargo Bank

Celine started her career with Wells Fargo in 2016 as a business banking intern and began a two-year Business Banking Credit and Relationship training program in 2017. Her current role is a combination of credit underwriting and relationship building. From analyzing credit requests to meeting remarkable business owners and community members, she enjoys the getting the opportunity to get to know and help individuals achieve their financial goals and connect them with the network in the FMWF area. Celine feels that YPN is important because it offers exposure to new opportunities to develop and grow with an amazing community of young professionals. In addition to serving as YPN’s Professional Development Chair, Celine is involved with NDSU Business Connections and Coffee + Conversation. She is also excited to help with BIO Girls’ first annual gala, You Be You, this April. Celine enjoys living an active lifestyle and has running one for the Fargo Marathon events as one of her goals for 2019. Her favorite part of living in the FMWF community is the people. As a native of Duluth, the welcoming “Midwest nice” persona has been and always will be something she is proud to be a part of.

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Thad Swanson, Associate Attorney, Nilles Law Firm

Thad Swanson has been an Associate Attorney at Nilles Law Firm for two and a half years. Thad is a part of the transactional practice group, focusing on estate planning, trust and estate administration, corporate transactions and real estate. He is licensed in both Minnesota and North Dakota. Thad’s professional goal for 2019 is to continue to grow his legal business and pursue further opportunities to develop the knowledge and skills needed to best serve his clients.

Thad says YPN has given him the opportunity to build relationships and get more involved in the community through volunteer activities, local events and committee participation. Outside of YPN, Thad is involved in a variety of professional organizations, serves as the Alumni Chapter President and on the Chapter Advisory Board for NDSU’s Sigma Chi Fraternity and is on the planning committee for Big Band Night, an event supporting CHARISM on Giving Hearts Day. Thad also enjoys golfing, snowboarding, playing hocking and tailgating at Bison games.

Thad’s favorite part of living in the FMWF metro is how easy it is to get involved in the community. He says people are eager to encourage involvement and are welcoming when a person wants to join a committee or event.

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Danne Doering, Universal Banker, Choice Bank

Danne was born in Fargo, attended high school in Hibbing, Minnesota, and came back to the area to attend Concordia College.

The versatility of her role at Choice Bank is why she loves it. “I love my position because it is always something different and love working for Choice because of our company culture of #PeopleFirst. I love that if I see someone in need of something I am empowered to help.”

Outside of the office, Danne gives back to the community in a variety of ways. She serves as a Big Sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters in addition to serving on the Big Brother Big Sister Advisory Committee. She also serves on the American Diabetes Association North Dakota Community Leadership Board. She says the impact attending Diabetes Camp as a kid had on her was so large that she needed to continues to help and promote the American Diabetes Association as much as possible.

Danne is a member of the 2017-2018 FMWF Leadership class, and is the chair of the Corporate Cup committee for the second year in a row.

Danne joined YPN when she started her first 8 to 5 job to build a professional network. After attending a few of YPN’s events, she knew that she needed to be more involved. “YPN was the perfect fit for me, everyone was like minded in building their professional network and so friendly and inviting as well. Corporate Cup is my favorite part of the YPN.”

When Danne isn’t at a Chamber event, planning Corporate Cup or serving the community, she lives in Moorhead with her husband, Trevor and their doxie, Charlie.

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Kelly Halvorson, Recruiter, Essentia Health

Kelly Halvorson moved to the FMWF area from Willmar, Minnesota, when she came to pursue a degree in marketing and communication from Concordia College. Kelly has had a diverse career background since her graduation and most recently started as a recruiter with Essentia Health. Her current role has her partner with managers to develop recruitment strategies that will support their staffing needs. She also works with local organizations and schools for special events, career fairs and other initiatives to grow Essentia’s network of candidates.

Outside of work, Kelly is active with the Horace Elementary PTO and getting involved in the community with her family through their church and United Way. She believes involvement in these organizations teach her daughters the importance of giving back. Kelly is very family focused, and anything she can do while spending time with her family is her “happy place.”

Kelly has been involved in YPN for a few years and currently serves as the member engagement chair. She oversees the welcoming of new members to the organization and the annual contacts to our members. Being involved in YPN is important to her as she believes it is motivating to be surrounded by people who are passionate about their careers and want to make a difference in this community.

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James Hand, Project Engineer, Construction Engineers

After spending a few years post-high school in Arizona, James Hand knew that he was meant to be in the Midwest. He packed his bags and moved to the FMWF community to attend North Dakota State University to earn a degree in business management. After a few years in real estate, James took a chance on a completely new industry: construction. James has been working with Mortenson Construction since 2014 and currently serves as a project engineer.
 
When not on the worksite, James can be found studying for his MBA at the University of Mary, serving on the Moorhead Park Board as a member at large, providing guidance as the chapter advisor for the Sigma Chi fraternity at NDSU and being an active member of the YPN Leadership and Corporate Cup committees.
 
In his down time, James enjoys spending time with his wife, Tessa, two sons, David and Tucker and the family dog, Kota. They can be found at the lake during the summer or enjoying all the things the community has to offer. A self-proclaimed gadget guy, he also enjoys "nerd-stuff" especially his drone.
 
Speaking from personal experience, the best advice James can offer any young professional is to be open. Three years ago, he would have never thought he would get the chance to have a hand in building large, interesting commercial projects but taking the leap has lead him to new experiences and opportunities to learn.

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