Insights&Intuition Q. INSIGHTs & INTUITION

How does your organization build up young leaders?

Kathryn Kester Community Relations Manager Xcel Energy Grand Forks, N.D.

As the former Executive Director of the Greater Grand Forks Young Professionals, I knew my next role needed to be with a company that builds up young leaders. Fortunately, I was provided the opportunity to become a Community Relations Manager for Xcel Energy, a company that does just that.

Xcel Energy builds up young leaders by empowering us to create a brighter future for ourselves and the communities we serve through volunteerism and community involvement. Employees can leverage the Volunteer Paid Time Off program, receiving 40 hours a year to serve nonprofits during regular working hours. For the last 12 years, our company has hosted an annual Day of Service where employees across our eight states volunteer with more than 100 nonprofit projects, demonstrating a deep commitment to our communities.

Our company has offered internal Board of Director trainings to equip our employees with the tools and knowledge it takes to serve in a leadership role. Xcel Energy furthers this effort by working with employees to learn more about their passions and interests to help facilitate board placements. Right now, 277 employees serve on 535 nonprofit boards.

Since starting my role in June 2021, I have felt motivated by my leadership and the confidence they instill in me as a young professional. With support and encouragement from Xcel Energy, I have stepped into new roles in the community and have also had the opportunity to participate in the Grand Forks – East Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program in 2022.

Our company values include being connected with one another and committed to keeping customers and communities at the center of all we do. Xcel Energy knows how to put these words into action.

We encourage our employees to have an entrepreneurial attitude and believe everyone has the opportunity and responsibility to be a leader. We provide a variety of internal continued learning and development opportunities for all employees seeking to develop their leadership skills, such as monthly virtual learning courses, an annual leadership development program, and mentorship from senior leaders. We also provide time away and cost reimbursement for employees pursuing professional certifications or participating in workshops or conferences to continue their education, advance their industry knowledge, and build leadership skills. Additionally, we strongly encourage our employees to be leaders in the community as well. We provide all full-time employees with six hours of paid time off each year to contribute their time and talent for local nonprofits and encourage our employees to serve as members of local boards and nonprofit organizations.

Teresa Wasvick

Director of Human Resources

Alerus Grand Forks, N.D.

Supporting the leadership growth and development of faculty, staff and students is a strength and priority of the University of North Dakota and builds on the expertise and skills diverse individuals bring to our campus.

UND’s Teaching Transformation and Development Academy offers mentoring programs for new faculty and staff. For new full-time faculty, the Alice T. Clark Mentoring Program offers two years of programming on select topics based on their needs, including best practices in teaching and evaluating teaching, faculty governance, inclusive classrooms, and problem solving around student issues.

The new faculty members are paired with mentors to ensure their success throughout their first year and into their second, if they choose. It supports new employees’ growth, sense of belonging and engagement, establishing supportive structures so they can realize their full potential.

New non-faculty staff also can participate in a semester-long program that highlights professional development opportunities, team building skills, technical training on software, and workshops on diversity, equity and inclusion. Staff members are paired with a mentor who is knowledgeable about UND and available to offer support and assistance to the new employee.

Students, too, have numerous opportunities to learn about and apply leadership skills through programs such as the Poolman Leadership Academy, academic courses, internships, campus employment, workshops, RecSports, Athletics and involvement in UND’s 250-plus student organizations.

These are just a few examples of the ways UND supports faculty, staff and students in their growth as Leaders in Action.

Krenelka is the executive director of UND Teaching Transformation and Development Academy, and Gerhardt is the associate vice president of UND

Student Affairs

Megan Bistodeau Assistant Vice President, Retail Manager Gate City Bank St. Cloud, Minnesota

University of North Dakota Grand Forks, N.D.

Our workplaces need great leadership. Great leaders are key to making changes, both big and small, which can have a positive impact on our world.

But leadership is about so much more than having the right job title in your email signature or years of experience on your resume. It’s something anyone can aspire to be – it’s a goal within everyone’s grasp.

That’s the mindset my fellow team members and I are empowered to live out each day at Gate City Bank. In my time with the bank, I’ve been very fortunate to have access to leaders who challenged me to grow, both personally and professionally. From my time as a part-time teller during college to my current role of managing three locations, the great leaders here believed in me every step of the way.

Gate City Bank recognizes that people lead with passion. Whether it’s providing exceptional customer experiences or discovering innovative solutions, each team member brings unique perspectives and ideas, which help our company – and our mission – succeed. Gate City Bank especially encourages team members to lead in their communities. The bank does this by allowing team members to volunteer for causes they care about – even during working hours. Team members are paid for their volunteer time, and the bank matches their volunteer hours with monetary donations to the charity. Team members identify an opportunity they’re passionate about serving, and the bank backs them 100%.

I’m thankful that Gate City Bank has given me the opportunity to serve the central Minnesota communities of St. Cloud, Waite Park and Sauk Rapids. By supporting me through training, leadership development and kindness, the bank has inspired me to lead, For a Better Way of Life.®