FARGO
Community
Kimberly Busch Director of Sales Center, TMI Hospitality
K
imberly Busch jokes that she is going to be the CEO of a company someday and her husband is going to be the CEO of the house. That‘s fine for her... but don’t let that fool you where her priorities lie. “Family comes first. Career comes second,” Busch said. “That’s the way me and my husband have built our relationship… I’m very career oriented but it will never take away from my family.” Busch grew up in Fargo before going to college in St. Cloud and eventually moved to California where she was living the dream of a 20-something with a carefree attitude in southern California. After two years she realized she had no direction, so she packed up her white Suzuki Aerio and moved back to Fargo. Ultimately, the decision was easy for her though. “It all came down to family,” she said. “This is where my family is. I felt a strain and I felt I lost a part of myself.” As soon as Busch heard about 35 under 35 through the United Way, she knew she had to become involved in the program. After completing all the classes she realized that she had made the right decision, as her entire life was impacted. “It continues to impact me professionally and personally,” Busch said. “I’m a better wife. I’m a better mother. I’m a better
26
2013 35 Under 35 participant
leader and a better member of the community for it.” Since graduating from 35 under 35, she has advanced quickly. As the Director of Sales Center at TMI Hospitality, she helps connect groups to all of TMI Hospitality’s 182 hotels in 26 states. Her involvement doesn’t just end at her career, though. She is heavily involved with the United Way and is a volunteer teacher with Junior Achievement.
Busch recognizes the importance of a program that focuses solely on a women’s leadership program and hopes a program like that can help women take on greater roles. “Fourteen percent of the Fortune 500’s women are in executive leadership roles. That’s not enough… I feel that it is every woman’s responsibility to sit at the table, raise their hand and speak up.”
I feel that it is every woman’s responsibility to sit at the table, raise their hand and speak up.” - Kimberly Busch