Prairie Business is pleased to present the 2017

These women are leaders in their communities and in their careers, and we salute them.

Congratulations to them all

STATE FARM INSURANCE MINOT, NORTH DAKOTA

Jessica Aardahl began her career as a State Farm agent team member in 2003. In 2008, she was hired as an agency intern, and was then appointed an agent in Mayville, North Dakota, in 2010. She then was appointed an agent in Minot in 2014. She has since grown her staff to include two insurance account representatives and a customer service representative. She has received numerous honors from State Farm, including the Chairman’s Circle Award, which ranks her and her team in the top 1 percent of all agents countrywide. Aardahl is a founding member of the Magic Day of Giving, Minot’s largest community service event. She is active in the Minot Area Chamber of Commerce and serves on the Ambassador’s Committee, and also helped the Minot Area Community Foundation design and implement a donation station. She graduated from Minnesota State University Moorhead with a bachelor’s degree in sales and marketing.

Lisa Ansley OPERATIONS DIRECTOR AE2S BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA

Lisa Ansley started her career as a project engineer at AE2S in 1994 before joining the City of Bismarck in 1998 as a project engineer. In 2005, she re-joined AE2S as a project manager, a role she held until 2012 when she was promoted to operations manager of AE2S’ Bismarck office. In 2016, she was promoted to the role of corporate operations director. Ansley serves on the Gateway to Science Capital Campaign Committee and previously served on the American Water Works Association Board of Directors and as president of the North Dakota Water and Pollution Control Conference. She has also received the AWWA’s George Warren Fuller Award. Ansley received her Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from North Dakota State University in Fargo and is licensed as a professional engineer in the state of North Dakota.

Deneen Axtman

Deneen Axtman started her career in a management training program and has since worked in a variety of positions giving her experience in both the support and relationship sides of banking. Before taking on her current role, Axtman served as senior vice president/retail banking manager at Cornerstone Bank. She has received the bank’s Explorer Award and Cornerstone Award, in addition to other community awards. She has served on the YWCA Finance Committee and Board of Directors, Hope Lutheran Church Council and Finance Committee, United Way Campaign, Minnesota State University Moorhead President’s Advisory Council, School of Business Advisory Board and Alumni Foundation Board. Axtman received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from MSUM.

Congratulations to Lynne Keller Forbes for driving economic development in South Dakota through her leadership of Dakota BUSINESS Finance and the South Eastern Development Foundation and for being named one of the

Top 25 Women in Business!

You’re never too small to start thinking a little bigger. When you do, we will be there. To help you create jobs. To finance equipment, leasehold improvements, inventory or working capital. To finance the purchase, improvements or construction of your first building.

The inspiration to expand the “family farm” comes from you. The small business financing comes from us.

Stensland Family Farms utilized creative financing through Dakota BUSINESS Finance and the South Eastern Development Foundation to expand the family farm from a dairy and creamery in Larchwood, IA, to include a retail location to sell its local, delicious, farm fresh food in Sioux Falls, SD.

Sara Connors founded H2O Media Inc., a full-service advertising agency, in 2009 in Huntington Beach, California. Two years after launching H2O, Connors moved her business to Eden Prairie, where she now works with three local employees and a team of sales representatives across the country. In the past year, she expanded H2O’s office twice, adding a plethora of digital services. H2O Media was named one of Inc. Magazine’s Fastest Growing Privately Owned Businesses in America in 2016. Connors also founded Mom Magazine in 2011 and still publishes fashion, beauty, health, relationship and parenting articles regularly. In 2016, Connors co-founded The Give Back Kids, a nonprofit focused on creating volunteer opportunities for children and their families around the Twin Cities metro area. Connors received her bachelor’s degree from California State University - Long Beach and is currently attending St. Thomas University in St. Paul for continuing education in digital advertising.

OWNER/PRESIDENT SPHERION STAFFING FARGO

Jill Berg is the owner and president of Spherion Staffing, which has offices across North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota. Berg started the first Spherion franchise in North Dakota in 1994 in Fargo before opening the Bismarck office in 1997. She opened the Minot office in 2012 with Perham, Minnesota, following in 2013. She recently acquired the Sioux Falls, South Dakota, office. In addition to her recruiting and staffing expertise, Berg consults with and trains clients on workforce development and human resource strategies through Insight Consulting utilizing the Predictive Index assessment tool. In 2015, she was named Spherion Owner of the Year and received the Special Achievement Award in 2016. Berg is a past president of the national Spherion Franchise Advisory Board and has served several terms as a regional director. She is a past chair of The Chamber of Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo Business Training Committee, member of the Fargo West Rotary and is active with local human resource associations. She serves on the American Red Cross Board and the Northern Lights Council of Boy Scouts of America. Berg received a Bachelor of Arts in General Studies with an emphasis in Psychology and English from Ambassador University in Pasadena, California.

ARCHITECT ARCHITECTURE INC.

SIOUX

Catherine Dekkenga graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Iowa State University in Ames in 2004 and her Master of Architecture from ISU in 2009. She then moved home to Sioux Falls to start her architectural career at the firm her father started in 1976. In 2015, she became a registered architect. At Architecture Inc., Dekkenga is involved in the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) registration process for many of the firm’s projects and assists in the creation and development of 3-D rendered models. She is a graduate of Leadership Sioux Falls and is a board member of the Friends of Levitt Shell Board, member of Rotary International, an executive board member of the Sioux Falls Education Foundation, the vice-chair of the Citizen Advisory Committee for the Urbanized Development Commission of the South Eastern Council of Governments, a member of the Board of Trustees at Central Church and is a seventh grade girls youth group leader.

REGIONAL DIRECTOR

Brenda Elmer’s career first began at the Minnesota Legislature, where she fielded constituent correspondence, eventually becoming executive assistant to the House Majority Leader. She then moved to Moorhead, Minnesota, and worked as U.S. Senator Norm Coleman’s regional director, and then as long-term flood solutions project manager for the Red River Basin Commission. She is now the regional director for Associated Builders & Contractors of Minnesota/North Dakota, working with commercial and industrial contractors in safety, education, workforce and business development. Elmer is also an elected official as a council member for the City of Moorhead, serving as mayor protempore, and the Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan Council of Governments board chair. She is a Moorhead Kiwanis Club board director and in 2009 was named a Marshall Memorial Fellow by the German Marshall Fund of the United States. Elmer received bachelor’s degrees from Minnesota State University Moorhead and her master’s degree from Hamline University in St. Paul.

Lynne Keller Forbes

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

South Eastern Council Of Governments

SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA

Lynne Keller Forbes has been the executive director of the South Eastern Council of Governments in Sioux Falls since 2001. SECOG serves six counties in the southeast corner of South Dakota and is the entity responsible for the Sioux Falls Area Metropolitan Planning Organization. Keller Forbes also serves as the executive director of the South Eastern Development Foundation, a regional revolving loan fund that provides financing for businesses and develops affordable housing, and Dakota Business Finance, which provides financing through the Small Business Administration’s 504 loan program. She is president of the National Association of Development Organizations, serves on the Sioux Falls MPO Technical Advisory Committee and is a member of the Des Moines Federal Home Loan Bank Housing Advisory Board. Keller Forbes teaches Junior Achievement, is a volunteer driver for the Drive to Help program and is a United Way Heart Club member. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from St. Leo College in St. Leo, Florida, and a Juris Doctor from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. She is also a licensed real estate broker and certified economic development and housing development finance professional.

Carmen Fore

MANAGING DIRECTOR/ FINANCIAL ADVISER NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL GRAND FORKS

Carmen Fore began her career with Northwestern Mutual in 1985 as a marketing assistant in Champaign, Illinois. She has been with regional offices in Champaign, Fargo, and Minneapolis, Minnesota. Her career experience includes roles as financial adviser as well as training and development of new associates. In 2005, she opened a new district for Northwestern Mutual in Grand Forks, which includes satellite offices in Thief River Falls and Bemidji, both in Minnesota. She has been recognized for her many achievements within Northwestern Mutual, including the Managing Director National Achievement Award in 2016. Fore is committed to battling childhood cancer and has organized multiple fundraising events, partnering with Northwestern Mutual’s Alex’s Lemonade Stand initiative. Fore received her certified life underwriter designation from The American College of Financial Services.

Jenni Huotari

PARTNER/DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING/ OUTSOURCING SERVICES

Jenni Huotari has worked at Eide Bailly for nearly 15 years. During that time, she has risen to partner within the firm, with a background in audits of small to mid-sized businesses. Following a passion to help businesses understand their financial situations, Huotari oversaw the development and growth of a suite of services known as the Possibilities Center, which focuses on small to mid-sized businesses and entrepreneurial startups. Recently, in an effort to bring this initiative firmwide, Huotari was named the director of accounting/outsourcing services across all Eide Bailly offices. She also serves as chair of Eide Bailly’s First Focus Initiative, a program designed to create a culture where women are as likely to succeed as men. An active alumnus of Minnesota State University Moorhead, Huotari serves on the university’s Alumni Foundation. She is a board member of the Jeremiah Program, The Chamber of Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo and the Hope Lutheran Church Foundation. Huotari received her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Minnesota State University Moorhead.

Katie Johnson started her career at KJJK Radio in 1991, working as an on-air personality and later as news and farm director and operations manager. She joined Park Region Telephone and Otter Tail Telcom in 1996, where she developed the company’s first public and government relations position and marketing department. In 2001, she was promoted to business operations manager for the telecommunications company, adding customer service to her oversight responsibilities. In 2006, she joined Cronin Communications as a telcom industry marketing consultant for companies across the U.S., before joining Lake Region Healthcare in 2011. Johnson is president of the Fergus Falls Noon Rotary Club, president-elect of the Minnesota Healthcare Strategy and Communications Network and a director and secretary/treasurer for Lake Region Community Partners. She also serves on the YoungLife Otter Tail County Committee and volunteers for 4-H and her church. Johnson graduated from the University of Northwestern - St. Paul.

Kara Jorvig started her career as an intern on Microsoft’s recruiting team. In 2003, Jorvig went to work for Preference Personnel, where she managed the professional placement team and consulted small to mid-sized businesses that needed guidance on hiring, organizational culture and communication issues. In 2013, she joined Mac’s Inc. as director of human resources and inventory control and was a member of the executive management team. In 2015, Jorvig founded Allegro Group, a professional search firm focused on mid- to senior-level talent. She was previously named to Prairie Business’ 40 Under 40 list and is a past chair of the Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo Young Professionals Network. She graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota.

Nicole Kivisto

PRESIDENT/CEO

MONTANA-DAKOTA UTILITIES CO., GREAT PLAINS NATURAL GAS CO., INTERMOUNTAIN GAS CO. AND CASCADE NATURAL GAS CORP. BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA

Nicole Kivisto joined MDU Resources Group in 1995 in finance and held positions of increasing responsibility, including vice president, controller and chief accounting officer. She moved to the corporation’s utility group in 2014 as vice president of operations for Montana-Dakota Utilities and Great Plains Natural Gas. She was named president/CEO in 2015. Kivisto serves on the Bismarck Career Academy advisory committee and has cochaired the United Way’s executive committee for the energy industry. She received her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Minnesota State University Moorhead and graduated from the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management Executive Program and from the University of Idaho’s Utility Executive Course. She is a certified public accountant.

Michelle Killoran

Chief Financial Officer Scheels Fargo

Michelle Killoran started her career at Scheels as a senior at Concordia College and worked her way up to her current role as chief financial officer. She was the second woman to ever be named to the Scheels Executive Committee and has spearheaded a women’s leadership group within Scheels to encourage women to hone their leadership skills. Killoran has served as the United Way Cass-Clay annual campaign chair and finance committee chair. She currently serves on the Sanford Medical Center Fargo Board of Directors, Affinity Insurance Board of Directors and North Dakota State University AFIS Advisory Board. She was named the YWCA Woman of the Year in the business category and co-chaired the March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction in 2016.

Brekka Kramer started her career at Odney in 2001 as a marketing consultant. In 2006, she took on the role of general manager at Odney. As Odney’s senior consultant, she brings more than 15 years of experience in managing efforts from Minot and leading campaigns throughout North Dakota. Kramer serves on and has chaired many local boards, including the Minot Area Chamber of Commerce, Minot Area Community Foundation and Minot Area Development Corp. She is a member of the Minot Sunrise Rotary Club and Minot State University Board of Regents. Kramer regionally serves on the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis Great Plains Advisory Council, U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command Civic Leaders Group, JDRF Advocacy Team and the Greater North Dakota Chamber Board of Directors. Kramer received her Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Minot State University.

Angie Kuznia started Titan Homes in 2005, running the company almost entirely on her own. She started by building one house at a time, and steadily grew her company. Today, the company builds about 30 homes a year. She was a 2016 YWCA Woman of the Year nominee and is a past finalist for Design and Living Magazine Builder of the Year. In 2008, she received her real estate license, and currently works as a real estate agent with Chase Realty as well.

Trish McCann served as regional director for Barnes & Noble College Bookstores and as creative director for Austad’s Golf before joining Midco in 2001. She currently serves as chief marketing officer for the company, managing public relations, marketing and communications for Midco’s residential and business services and Midco Sports Network. In addition, McCann is responsible for residential sales, including the company’s 12 Customer Experience Centers located throughout South Dakota, North Dakota and Minnesota. She is a graduate of Leadership Sioux Falls, is a member of Women in Cable Telecommunications and serves on the national Marketing Co-op Board for the Cable & Telecommunications Association for Marketing. She received the 2017 Embe Tribute to Women Business Achievement Award. McCann serves on the board of directors for The Compass Center, a Sioux Falls nonprofit providing counseling, advocacy and intervention services to those impacted by domestic violence and sexual assault. She received her bachelor’s degree in sociology from South Dakota State University in Brookings and completed the strategic marketing management program from the University of Chicago in 2010 and the Women in Cable Telecommunications Senior Executive Summit at Stanford University in 2016.

Operating Officer Red River Broadcasting Fargo

Kathy Lau joined KVRR-TV, the local FOX affiliate, in 1986. She was appointed chief operating officer of Red River Broadcasting in 2014. The company consists of three television stations in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Duluth, Minnesota, and Fargo, and radio stations across Minnesota and Wisconsin. KVRR recently partnered with the American Heart Association to bring the first Go Red for Women event to Fargo, an event Lau spearheaded. Lau has a business degree from Minnesota State University Moorhead.

Meg Morley has worked in the legal field for the past 23 years, starting as a legal secretary and paralegal before becoming an attorney. She also served as a campaign staffer for U.S. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) and as a member of the senator’s inaugural staff. Morley is active in the State Bar Association of North Dakota’s Volunteer Lawyers Program and has served on the state bar’s Board of Governors and the Young Lawyer’s Section Board. She is a member of Rotary International and is involved with the Community Violence Intervention Center as a volunteer, fundraising table captain and member of the organization’s Dream Maker’s Society. Morley received her Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from the University of North Dakota and her Juris Doctor from UND’s School of Law.

Joanna Slominski

Construction Executive Mortenson Fargo

Joanna Slominski is a construction executive with Mortenson and has been a leader in the construction industry for more than 12 years. She has risen through the ranks at Mortenson and is currently one of only four female construction executives company-wide. Slominski provides oversight on more than $500 million of work that Mortenson is currently completing across North Dakota, including the Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, one of the top 10 largest health care construction projects in the nation. She is co-chair of the Advisory Board of Construction Management and Engineering at North Dakota State University, mentors area university students and is involved in outreach to local high schools with a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) focus. Slominski serves on the United Way of Cass-Clay Board of Trustees, The Chamber of Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo Board of Directors, AGC of North Dakota Board of Directors, Red River Zoo Board of Directors and Xcel Energy of North Dakota Advisory Board. She received a Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering from NDSU and received the NDSU Horizon Award in 2015.

Kelly Steffes is a founding partner and president of Thoreson Steffes Trust Co. and serves as relationship manager with responsibilities for trust and fiduciary services. Before starting Thoreson Steffes in 2013, Steffes served as vice president and managing director of the Private Client Group at U.S. Bank in Fargo, where she had worked since 1993. Prior to her fiduciary career, Steffes practiced law at Kalina, Wills, Woods, Gisvold & Clark in Minneapolis, Minnesota, focusing on estate planning, probate and trusts. Steffes serves as vice chair of the Sanford Fargo Medical Center Board of Directors, as a commissioner on the Fargo City Planning Commission and is a member of the Red River Valley Estate Planning Council. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, and her Juris Doctor from Mitchell Hamline School of Law in St. Paul.