2022 BE BOLD SUMMIT BECOMING BOLD

In a flurry of blue and purple, the Be Bold Women in Leadership Summit sprung into its second year. The event was generously sponsored by UND alumna Mary Fischer, the Hultberg Endowment, the Mellem Symposium Endowment, and US Bank.

Activities kicked off with breakfast in the new UND Memorial Union. More than a hundred NCoBPA students clad in business professional attire networked with leaders from UND and the greater Grand Forks community.

UND Alumna, Mary Fischer led an insightful discussion during the Hultberg Panel featuring female leaders from diverse fields.

Representing healthcare, higher education, and construction were Dean Amy Henley, Mary Fischer, Meghan Compton, Meloney Linder, and Sally Miskavige. The group discussed their personal experiences with worklife balance and self-confidence in traditionally male-dominated industries.

A prevailing theme of bold decisionmaking continued into the keynote presentation by Tammy Miller, Chief Operating Officer for the State of North Dakota Governor’s Office.

Born into a low-income household in Brocket, ND, a town of 57 people, Miller carefully considered each step on her path to a successful career and life.

Her move to the State of North Dakota Governor’s Office came after a celebrated 30-year career in financial, regional, and executive leadership at Border States, an employee-owned supply chain solutions company.

Dean Henley says, “We were honored to have Tammy Miller as our keynote for this year’s Be Bold event. Her expertise in business and government is a perfect example for our students to see how their leadership skills can expand into various sectors.”

To round out a full morning of activities, students were given the chance to apply their newfound skills with a session on LinkedIn conducted by Kathy Lund, Director of the Pancratz Career Development Center.

Lund challenged the audience to develop and engage with their network on LinkedIn. “Set a goal for yourself to comment on posts that inspire you, share your latest accomplishments, and connect with the people you meet here today,” she encouraged.

The takeaways of such an event are best described by the students themselves. Huanan Tao graduated in May 2022 with a major in Business Economics and will begin the Master of Science in Applied Economics and Predictive Analytics program this fall. He intends to begin dental school afterward, bringing with him unique expertise in business.

“Without witnessing these leaders’ achievements and hearing their stories in person, I don’t think our education on women in leadership would be complete,” says Tao. “Be Bold revolutionized my thinking on leadership, letting me realize that great talents are hidden in each one of us regardless of gender. It is through taking bold actions that they are extracted, leading us to success.”

Another student, Marissa Linback recently returned to UND for bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Accountancy following a career in hospitality and restaurants.

Linback, who hopes to someday become the CFO of a brewery, says, “The Be Bold Leadership Summit was a motivational boost at the end of a very busy semester! It was great to hear how local women have succeeded in their careers by betting on themselves and making big career moves.”

Meanwhile, Kayla Klatt, a May 2022 graduate of the Master of Business Administration program, winner of the UND Center for Innovation’s Women’s Entrepreneur Award, and owner of a food photography business, believes Be Bold “is an exceptional opportunity for students to listen and learn from female leaders across the industry.”

“Additionally,” says Klatt, “they are able to network and build relationships with other driven, young leaders. I am thankful for the chance to attend this event!”

Thanks to the support of donors, business leaders, and members of the NCoBPA, the second Be Bold Women in Leadership Summit successfully served to empower NCoBPA students to more confidently pursue their boldest aspirations.