Prairie Business March 2022

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this year’s Top

Celebrating 25

Twenty-five is a solid number. Depending on how it is used, it marks significant milestones or achievements. In years, it means a quarter of a century. For Prairie Business, it means the year’s top female business professionals.

We’ll let you in on a little secret: Prairie Business couldn’t be more pleased with the recipients of this year’s Top 25 Women in Business. Turn the pages to see for yourself – profiles of 25 dedicated and expert professionals who come from varied backgrounds, businesses, and industries. Each is exceptional at what she does and this year’s honorees strengthen what we’ve always believed – that the region is filled with talented female leaders who make a difference in their careers and communities.

There is something we always feel bad about, though: Knowing of the other remarkable women who were not selected. That doesn’t mean they are not deserving of recognition, and we urge those who nominated them to submit again next time. And yet the selected recipients stood out from the crowd.

The fun starts when we see the nominations pile up. And then we get to review each one. After notifying the selected recipients, it isn’t long before we start having short biographies and photos of the winners. The fun accelerates once these items go to production with the rest of the magazine’s editorial and advertising content, and each item is laid out and designed on the pages. The end result is what you are now holding in your hand – or perhaps viewing on your cellphone, desktop monitor or tablet.

The process of putting out a monthly magazine is, in fact, exciting on a number of levels and it is always enjoyable to see hard work – from a team effort that includes advertising, editorial, design and production, and finally, printing – come to fruition.

Besides the Top 25, this issue has stories about travel and tourism, including a peek at how business and corporate travel is shaping up for 2022; a story about new technology on the horizon for farming and agriculture; the construction spotlight of a new clinic to open later this year in Fargo, North Dakota, by Essentia Health; an interview with an exceptional student at Black Hills State University; and a look inside Noridian, a company with offices in many locations across the Midwest, including right here in the northern Plains.

There’s more, of course, and it’s enough to keep a person reading for a while, but it’s those Top 25 Women in Business we’re most excited about this time. We hope you are, too.

Enjoy!

Andrew Weeks

I look forward to hearing from you at aweeks@prairiebusinessmagazine.com or 701-780-1276.

Business travel on the uptick for 2022

By Andrew Weeks

Jennifer Burke Jackson was at the Denver airport when she spoke by phone with Prairie Business, a fitting scene since the topic of discussion was about corporate and business travel.

Early in the pandemic business travel halted for many as companies found virtual ways to connect with clients and customers. The coronavirus pandemic continues, but according to national statistics and regional businesses, the travel downturn does not. Business and corporate travel seems to be ticking upward in 2022.

Some experts are calling 2022 the year of the GOAT – or the year for the “greatest of all trips.” After two years of the pandemic, people are eager to get out and experience life and culture, even if some cultures now wear a mask.

In a poll of 12,000 travelers across 12 countries, Expedia found that “U.S. travelers are embracing the GOAT mindset by seeking out excitement/exhilaration (41%) and the feeling that they have made the most out of their trip (40%). The study also found that travelers are more willing than ever before to splurge on their future travels (40%).”

Something similar seems to be happening with business and corporate travel: More companies are sending their employees back onto the roads or planes.

Burke Jackson, principal architect at JLG Architects in Bismarck, North Dakota, said she actually has done more traveling during the pandemic than she did in a pre-COVID-19 environment. It’s a trend that, for her, likely will continue as the year progresses.

“It’s been unusual for me because since COVID began, I’ve actually started traveling more than I ever have for work, whereas I think a lot of other people started traveling less,” she said. “But I think that’s also probably typical of people who are starting to take on new positions. There are a lot of opportunities out there right now, and I think there are a lot of new travelers to the professional world.”

In a broad view, global business travel is expected to surge 38% in 2022 over the previous year, according to the latest numbers of the Business Travel Index by the Global Business Travel Association. It said business travel activity in 2021 started to rebound “from the sharp downturn brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic,” after having seen a decline of 53.8% in 2020. In 2021 it was expected to rebound 14% – from $661 billion in 2020 to $754 billion in 2021. Full recovery isn’t expected until 2024, a year earlier than previously expected.

“Despite recovery setbacks in 2021, a year-over-year surge of 38% is expected in 2022 as recovery and pent-up demand kicks into a higher gear, bringing global business travel spending back to over $1 trillion,” the report reads.

Brenda K. Foster, chair, president and CEO of First Western Bank & Trust, said in a normal environment she travels from her office in Minot, North Dakota, to other points across the region 12 to 15 times a year by plane. That number is down slightly, eight to 10 times a year, by vehicle.

“I would say business travel is split fairly even between in-state and out of state,” Foster said. “Out of state travel is mostly by air but on occasion by vehicle.”

She said the pandemic hindered travel for her. Business travel by plane early in the pandemic stopped for her, while business travel by vehicle was “very minimal,” she said. “I used video [conferencing] most of the time as did most of the world.”

Additional stats from the GBTA:

By 2024, global business travel is forecast to have made a full recovery, ending the year at $1.48 trillion or just above the 2019 pre-pandemic spend of $1.4 trillion.

In 2025, global business travel growth is forecast to slow to 4.3%, or slightly below the 10-year average growth rate of 5.1% coming into 2020.

Mike Dunn, business development manager at Construction Engineers, said the company’s market area spans some 200 miles around the Grand Forks, North Dakota, region, and with a number of projects ongo -

ing in that expanse, travel includes multiple day trips per week by vehicle. He was unsure if this year would see him traveling more or less, but said business has kept busy during the pandemic and thus the need for continual travel.

Burke Jackson said she has not had any canceled flights over the past year and seems to be regaining more human interactions with her fellow air passengers, while Dunn said he has not had any problems booking hotels in the region.

“We have been fortunate to have a number of hotel offerings in our market, and I feel they have been doing a great job keeping their properties opened, clean, and accommodating to our team,” he said. “Prior to the pandemic we developed partnerships with lodg ing providers in the towns and cities in which we had projects underway for crew housing and staff needs. We continued those relationships through the pandemic and utilize local hotels today.”

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Travel & Tourism Outlook for 2022

By Andrew Weeks

Katlyn Svendsen is excited about travel and tourism in her home state. And according to the numbers from last year, she has every right.

2021 was, in fact, a record-breaking year for South Dakota. Visitors to the Mount Rushmore State spent $4.4 billion in 2021, an increase of 30% over 2020. The number surpasses all previous records by 6%.

Svendsen, global media and public relations director for South Dakota Department of Tourism, said the state is primed for another fantastic year.

In total, South Dakota welcomed 13.5 million visitors, an increase of 26% over 2020, with tourism generating $344 million in state and local tax revenue.

“I’m excited that the American traveling public has this great interest in the outdoors and visiting rural America,” she said, noting that one of the big pushes for South Dakota is to promote sites across the state and not just the usually popular venues. “We’ve seen that trend somewhat coming over the last five years. But of course COVID really pushed that even further with people wanting to be outdoors and feeling safe and secure that way and having a deep appreciation for the outdoors and the rural communities that our states collectively have in our Midwest region. And having people really appreciate that is exciting – to get them out to experience it and to see what this Midwest is all about.

MOUNT RUSHMORE IS SOUTH DAKTA’S MOST POPULAR ATTRACTION, BUT THERE ARE MANY MORE PLACES TO VISIT ACROSS THE STATE.

“It’s more than being Midwest nice. It’s about a culture, it’s a way of life. That’s where the majority of your food is coming from. And to get out and experience that – get out into the state parks, pick up a new hobby like fishing or hunting or hiking, biking, whatever it might be. I’m hoping that that’s more than a trend and that people find really sincere value and meaning for them as an individual and that will carry with them through the rest of their life.”

THE SUN RISES OVER THE BADLANDS IN SOUTH DAKOTA.

IMAGES: TRAVEL SOUTH DAKOTA

North Dakota

The tourism and hospitality sectors in 2021 rebounded from 2020 in the Peace Garden State and exceeded 2019 numbers, according to Sara Otte Coleman, director of tourism and marketing for North Dakota. In fact, she said, third quarter receipts were at a five year high, but noting at the time Prairie Business reached out that she was still awaiting fourth quarter numbers.

“While we acknowledge not all food service is attributable to tourism, retail taxes also increased, a portion of which is attributed to visitors,” she said. “Year-to-date tax receipts in these sectors show the accommodation and food services sector lags 2019 slightly. Q4 we hope will propel the annual 2021 receipts above 2019.”

Coleman said it’s been tough for North Dakota to fully recover to pre-pandemic levels because of at least one big glitch: The previous border closure with Canada.

“While the interest in North Dakota is strong and growing from all states, the loss of our Canadian visitors has not allowed us full recovery.,” she said. “In 2021 there were only 155,912 personal vehicles and bus passengers entering North Dakota, a 90% drop from the 1,068,700 we saw in 2019. This amounts to an approximate loss of visitor spend of $143,205,800 in 2021. Total losses from Canadian visitor spending due to the pandemic is estimated at $275,209,736. North Dakota is also a business travel and conference destination and this sector has not recovered as well as leisure travel.”

But she is optimistic about good things in 2022, especially as interest in North Dakota continues. That interest expands when people learn about the many offerings the state has in the way of recreation and visitor experience.

continued on page 16

CONGRATULATIONS, SAUNDRA LAUER!

THE TEAM AT WELL & COMPANY IS PROUD TO HELP RECOGNIZE OUR FEARLESS LEADER AS ONE OF THE TOP 25 WOMEN IN BUSINESS.

THEODORE ROOSEVELT NATIONAL PARK IS THE PERFECT PLACE TO GET AWAY WITH THE FAMILY. IMAGE: COURTESY OF NORTH DAKOTA TOURISM

continued from page 15

“North Dakota offers visitors of all interests options for adventure and relaxation,” she said. “Our outdoor adventure allows visitors the same quality experiences as other places without the crowds. Our communities and main street businesses offer genuine experiences with friendly service. And our scenery is spectacular, from blooming sunflower fields to rolling river valleys and rugged badlands. Our scenery is often what surprises visitors the most.”

She also said according to recent travel research, American travelers will prioritize spending time with loved ones, enjoying nature, going to new places and getting away from crowds.

“This interest aligns well with North Dakota’s offerings,” Coleman said, noting that in 2022 her department will continue to optimize its newly updated website, which she said saw record visitation in 2021. “We are also working to activate the North Dakota brand in-state and improve our awareness through social and media relations efforts. We expect to host International Round Up, a gathering of global travel operators in Fargo in 2022.”

Minnesota

Here’s a snapshot of Minnesota’s travel and tourism industry before the pandemic and after it started: In 2019, Minnesota’s tourism was a vibrant $16 billion industry and major contributor to the state’s overall economy, according to Lauren Bennett-McGinty, state tourism director of Explore Minnesota, but the pandemic-related travel downturn has cost Minnesota nearly $12 billion in travel spending losses as of January 2020.

FAR LEFT: MHA TOURISM REPRESENTATIVES POSE AT CROW FLIES HIGH STATE RECREATION AREA, OVERLOOKING LAKE SAKAKAWEA AND THE FOUR BEARS BRIDGE. IMAGE: BENGUMERINGER, COURTESY OF NORTH DAKOTA TOURISM

ITASCA STATE PARK IS A POPULAR OUTDOORS ATTRACTION IN THE NORTH STAR STATE. IMAGE: LESLIE HOUGH, COURTESY OF EXPLORE MINNESOTA

THE ART AND WINE WALK IN GRAND FORKS, N.D. IMAGE: GREATER GRAND FORKS CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU, COURTESY VIA NORTH DAKOTA TOURISM

THE MILKY WAY DISPLAYED IN ALL ITS SPLENDOR OVER MINNESOTA. IMAGE: PAUL VINCENT, COURTESY OF EXPLORE MINNESOTA

In 2019, Minnesota’s leisure and hospitality generated $1.1 billion of the state’s sales tax revenue, equaling 18% of total state sales tax revenue, compared to $731 million in 2020.

“The tourism and hospitality industry has made some steps forward, but still stands as one of the hardest hit sectors of the economy during the pandemic,” Bennett-McGinty said. “The Minnesota tourism and hospitality industry doesn’t anticipate a complete recovery to pre-pandemic levels until late 2023.”

According to a late 2021 Minnesota tourism and hospitality survey, only 39% of Minnesota leisure and hospitality-related businesses reported that they were at or above pre-pandemic business levels, and recovery rates vary between regions of the state.

“We’re encouraged to see that some areas and businesses across the state are seeing strong demand and growth, but the whole industry is not out of the woods yet,” Bennett-McGinty said. “Leisure travel is recovering faster than business travel, but it’s a longer recovery in places throughout the state that depend on meetings, large group events and business travelers.”

She said while she cannot forecast the industry this year, she is confident things will continue to improve, especially as a number of events and ideas are on the books “to build a bigger, brighter future for our state’s tourism industry.”

Over the next year, for instance, she and her team will be working with a strategic planning consultant to consider how to strengthen and guide the state’s tourism industry through the ongoing recovery process.

They also will introduce a new marketing campaign, start participating once again in national travel trade shows, work to reintroduce the state’s international marketing strategy through partnerships like Brand USA, and continue to grow its network of community and cultural groups. And on March 1, it hosted the 2022 Explore Minne

sota Tourism Conference, which brought industry leaders together to brainstorm new ways to move Minnesota forward.

“I also see a shining moment with big events coming to the state in 2022,” Bennett-McGinty said.

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A FAMILY HAS FUN ON THE SLOPES AT LUTSEN MOUNTAINS IN MINNESOTA. IMAGE: COURTESY OF EXPLORE MINNESOTA

Saluting the

Prairie Business couldn’t be more pleased with the recipients of this year’s Top 25 Women in Business.

The 25 women listed in the following pages are dedicated and expert professionals who come from varied backgrounds, businesses, and industries. Each of them are exceptional at what they do, and they strengthen what we’ve always believed – that the region is filled with talented female leaders who make a difference in their careers and communities.

We congratulate each one for being selected and thank them for their devoted work, which helps make the region a great place for each of us to explore our own possibilities!

Twylah Blotsky President & CEO Butler Machinery Co. Fargo, N.D.

Third generation owner Twylah Blotsky entered the family business at a young age as the corporate building’s lawn mower. After receiving a degree in business from University of North Dakota and her CPA, she returned to Butler as an accountant. Blotsky quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the accounting manager, controller, director of IT, marketing, and process improvement, and eastern North Dakota operations manager. In January 2019, she took over as president and CEO of Butler Machinery.

In her almost 30 years with Butler, Blotsky has made it clear that she cares for and respects her employees and customers. She claims her driving force is Butler’s mission statement and values. These have also guided Blotsky outside of her professional life as she gives back to her community through both personal time and monetary donations.

Blotsky serves on the Board of Directors for the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation, Ralph Engelstad Arena, Lignite Energy Council and Pioneer Equipment Dealer Association. She’s also been an active member of the Northern Lights Council Boy Scouts of America since 2002, donating her time and energy at various levels.

Ashley Campion

Marketing Manager Ulteig Fargo, N.D.

Ashley Campion is a leader in the architecture/engineering/construction industry who profoundly believes in fostering a team that utilizes their unique strengths to build an empowered workforce that loves their careers. She works to infuse spirit and joy into all her interactions inside and outside her role as marketing manager at Ulteig in Fargo.

Campion earned her BA from the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota, where she double-majored in business administration and marketing. It was during her college experience and internships that she honed her passion for serving the communities around her and being an engaged citizen.

Campion chairs the Advisory Committee for the Fargo North Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) and regularly volunteers her time mentoring young business professionals throughout North Dakota. She also actively supports the Rape and Abuse Crisis Center in Fargo, Retrieve a Golden of the Midwest, Hope Blooms, Junior Achievement, and various outdoor conservation agencies. Her ultimate joy in life is her family, which includes her two children, husband, and pets. Campion often travels with them to other parts of the world to spend time with family and friends.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ASHLEYCAMPION ON BEING RECOGNIZEDASONE

TOP25WOMEN

OF PRAIRIEBUSINESS MAGAZINE’S

INBUSINESS

CharRae Chwialkowski President Connect Interiors Fargo, N.D.

CharRae Chwialkowski has a passion for bringing clients visions to life through design. NCIDQ certified with more than 28 years of interior design and commercial furniture sales experience, she leads Connect Interiors as president. After graduating from NDSU with a degree in Interior Design, Chwialkowski started her career with Steelcase, the leading commercial furniture manufacturing company in the world. In 2007, she moved back to the Fargo area with her family and joined Hannaher’s Inc. where she held various design, sales, and leadership roles. In 2020, Chwialkowski and four other women leaders purchased Hannaher’s and the company became Connect Interiors.

Chwialkowski is focused on building relationships, helping her clients achieve their goals, and positively impacting her team members and communities. Fostering diversity and growth, she is extremely proud to lead the organization with national certification as a Women’s Business Enterprise, Women Owned Small Business and North Dakota Women Owned Business.

Chwialkowski is involved with the North Dakota Interior Designers organization and a member of Lutheran Church of the Cross. She resides in West Fargo with her husband, Jay, and they have four children.

Brenna Grossbauer

Officer

Michelle Daggett has been the leader for all seasons at Lakeshirts, whose motto is “Life’s Better in a T-shirt.” She was hired as the company’s first-ever Human Resources director in 1997, and a few short years later became the company’s first-ever operations manager. She has served in her current role as president since 2017.

From managing the myriad challenges of a high-growth company booking record sales in early 2020, to guiding a company through a pandemic, to guiding Lakeshirts back to a record sales pace, Daggett’s adaptive leadership has proved critical for the company. Her care of our community – one of the company’s core values –is renowned. This has included things like working with the Detroit Lakes High School School-to-Work program, and helping to rejuvenate the local Art Master’s program.

During her 25-year career, Daggett has been the epitome of servant leadership, rolling up her sleeves to help the company’s “army of problem solvers” and being the driving force in efficiency gains, creative labor market development and culture enhancement. For Lakeshirts, she’s a big reason why “Life’s Better in a T-shirt.”

Brenna Grossbauer empowers Starion Bank employees to grow and flourish in their community banking careers. As the chief human resource officer, she knows that people are the key to any successful organization. Her creative approach and unique perspective help the bank’s leadership translate visions and strategies into actions that support local rural and urban neighborhoods and businesses.

Grossbauer has a BS in Human Resource Management from Park University and a master’s degree in Human Resource Administration from Central Michigan University. She is also certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources through the HR Certification Institute, and she is a Senior Certified Professional from the Society for Human Resource Management.

Grossbauer’s career in Human Resources has spanned more than 25 years. She has spent 21 years in the banking industry, with nearly 20 of those in an executive leadership role.

At Starion, she serves as a member of the Executive Committee and is chair of the bank’s Management Committee. She is also a member of the Central Dakota Human Resource Association and the Society for Human Resources Management.

Michelle Daggett President Lakeshirts Detroit Lakes, Minn.

Kristi Hall-Jiran serves as executive vice president and chief philanthropy and partnership officer of Altru Health System in Grand Forks, North Dakota. She leads system-wide philanthropic initiatives through Altru Health Foundation as well as community engagement, partnership, and marketing strategies.

Prior to joining Altru, Hall-Jiran served as president/CEO of the Community Violence Intervention Center (CVIC) in Grand Forks, leading CVIC from a six-staff, crisis-focused agency to a 74-staff, multi-program organization. Her leadership paved the way in bridging cross-collaborative relationships, ultimately leading to the Safer Tomorrows Road Map, a nationally recognized intervention and prevention strategy to virtually end violence in two generations.

Hall-Jiran is a visionary leader who is passionate about the power of generosity to heal our communities. She currently serves on the boards of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Empire Arts Center, as well as the UND Nistler College of Business and Public Administration and the Greater Grand Forks Young Professionals advisory councils.

Hall-Jiran is a devoted mother of three daughters with her husband, Brent. She is a runner, lover of reading, steadfast in her spiritual faith, and contributes greatly to the community.

Kristi Hall-Jiran

Executive Vice President, Chief Philanthropy & Partnership Officer Altru Health System Grand Forks, N.D.

Heather Hoyt

Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs and Director of Admissions and Academic Records/Registrar

Mayville State University

Mayville, N.D.

Originally from Cooperstown, North Dakota, Heather Hoyt earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Mayville State University prior to beginning her career in their Admissions Office. After five years, she accepted a business analyst role with the North Dakota University System’s Core Technology Services to expand her knowledge of higher education. In 2018, she returned to Mayville State with the objective to positively impact the growth and success of the institution as the director of Academic Records and Registrar.

Hoyt personifies the University’s motto of being the “School of Personal Service” through her collaborative efforts and engaging leadership approach. This allows her to establish high standards and make difficult decisions, which consistently uphold her commitment to excellence and meeting the University’s goals. Additionally, she has played a critical role in streamlining processes and identifying opportunities as the institution has been faced with navigating changes to the traditional learning environment during the pandemic.

Hoyt was recently selected to serve as interim vice president for academic affairs, confident that she could utilize her strong leadership skills and student-centered approach to positively impact the Mayville State campus community.

Heather Huotari

Outsourced Accounting Manager

Eide Bailly LLP Fargo, N.D.

The daughter of an entrepreneur, Heather Huotari knows firsthand the sweat equity it takes for business owners to build the organizations that shape communities. This background drives her passion to provide information to business leaders that empowers them to make the strategic decisions that they face daily. She particularly enjoys leveraging technology to provide real-time insight in a manner that is easy for them to consume.

Huotari earned her accounting degree from North Dakota State University. The first few years of her career were spent as an accountant for a privately held company, prior to earning her CPA and joining Eide Bailly’s Business Outsource and Strategy Group in 2017. In addition to working directly with clients, Huotari also serves on the firm’s national team, leading the efforts to improve and standardize workflows to help the firm’s clients digitally transform their accounting procedures.

In the past, Huotari has served on the board for Furniture Mission of the Red River Valley and has enjoyed volunteering for several other organizations in our community. Outside of her career, she stays busy with her husband, Adam, and two young children.

Jessica Karls, PE, has a passion for problem solving, which is why she chose to go into the engineering field. She joined KLJ in 2007. Her expertise for many years was focused on roadway projects where she developed a strong background in geometric and site layout, street design, signing, and general plan development; redesigning many roadways we all drive on each day. In late 2020, Karls was promoted to department manager of KLJ’s civil transportation department and most recently, promoted to a production director. In this role, she joined KLJ’s existing production director team, and is responsible for implementing production practices that help grow KLJ.

Her passion for encouraging others to better themselves goes far behind her work at KLJ. She is active in communities across North Dakota, currently serving as the president of the Continuum Toastmasters, coaching her daughter’s basketball teams, working with the Society of Women Engineers at North Dakota State University and taking time to volunteer for several STEM-related activities including NDSU’s “Introduce a Girl to Engineering,” as well as different Girl Scout events throughout the state.

Kayser Marketing Manager Trail King Industries, Inc. Mitchell, S.D.

Kara Kayser is the marketing manager for Trail King Industries, the leading North American manufacturer of a complete line of trailers with facilities in West Fargo, North Dakota, Yankton, South Dakota and headquarters in Mitchell, South Dakota. Kayser’s background includes working in various public relations and marketing roles in both agency and private settings. She has worked with major brands to include Fortune 500 companies, high-growth startups and local government. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Augustana University.

Over the last five years, Kayser has had a major impact on Trail King’s marketing department. She has worked to conceive and execute marketing strategies and programs that have driven growth and expansion of company products and services. Kayser currently serves as the secretary of her local Economic Development Board and is a long-time coach for Girls on the Run, a program that promotes girl empowerment by teaching life skills through lessons and running. She is also passionate about agriculture, sharing her experiences with Hungry for Truth and the SD Ag and Rural Leadership group.

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Top25womeninbusiness

Theresa Kriese

Lindsey Kriens’s enthusiasm, energy, and joy reveal her passion for her career as a certified interior designer. Since joining Widseth in 2019, she has guided the growth of the interior design team and has bolstered its influence on the firm’s services and clientele.

Kriens’s client-driven approach has boosted the firm’s reputation as listeners and designers and has resulted in successful pursuits and increased profitability. She easily connects with people and has formed a network of friends, colleagues, and clients across the region. Her focus on recruiting and mentoring students and young professionals opens their eyes to the myriad career paths in interior design and inspires them to engage their creative passions. As an executive board member for the Brainerd Family YMCA, Kriens helps develop capital improvement projects to improve the facility and provide much-needed childcare services.

Kriens’s creative talent, personable approach, design philosophy, and project management skills were recognized by Widseth’s Board of Directors when they invited her to become a shareholder in the firm. She has held the title of vice president since Dec. 1, 2021. Her joy-filled grit and professionalism is infectious.

Saundra Lauer

Interim

President and Executive Vice President/CFO Dakota Wesleyan University Mitchell, S.D.

Since 2008, Theresa Kriese has served in a variety of critical leadership roles at Dakota Wesleyan University. Beginning in 2021 she has flawlessly performed two fundamental leadership roles: serving as interim university president and executive vice president/CFO simultaneously. During this time, Kriese successfully spearheaded multiple projects and events, including the construction and opening a new state-of-art business building, The School of Business, Innovation and Leadership. She has also been instrumental in leading COVID mitigation and vaccination efforts and a successful nationwide presidential search campaign while continuing to strengthen the university’s financial position.

Kriese is a well-respected leader not only on the campus, but within the community where she has served in multiple capacities including two terms on the Mitchell Board of Education, one as president, and with numerous other non-profit organizations. Her talents reach beyond the Dakotas where she helped found the NAIA Multiple Employer Aggregation Program. Her many accomplishments and achievements make her a truly remarkable educational professional and person.

Kriese, a Watertown, South Dakota, native, lives in Mitchell with her husband, Rick. She is the mother of two and grandmother of three, and is an avid quilter.

Saundra Lauer founded WELL & Company to be the provider she was trained to be and take care of patients the way they deserved to be. WELL & Company in Alexandria is Minnesota’s first nurse practitioner-led Direct Primary Care (DPC) clinic. DPC is an innovative model that does not accept insurance, but operates with a simple, transparent price system allowing providers to develop closer, personal relationships with their patients. Lauer was inspired to bring DPC to her community after working for four years in a traditional practice and witnessing many families delay care due to finances, astronomical bills, or suffer worsening health while waiting for an appointment.

Lauer founded WELL & Company in May 2020, despite challenges with the pandemic, and her practice has grown to include three more providers, including a women’s health nurse practitioner, another family nurse practitioner, and a naturopathic doctor. Within WELL & Company there also are two mental health counselors, a physical therapist and medical aesthetics. Lauer’s vision is to cultivate a space and culture that empowers, elevates, and promotes wellness through exceptional care.

Lindsey Kriens

Interior Designer, Vice President Widseth Baxter, Minn.

Diversity in the Workplace

How important is diversity in the workplace? What are some things your company has done to help make your place of business more diverse? How does a company form a culture that incorporates and ensures aspects of diversity? And, for your company, what does diversity mean?

A forthcoming story in Prairie Business will highlight diversity in the workplace, and we’d like to receive your input. Contact Editor Andrew Weeks to share your experience and perspective: aweeks@prairiebusinessmagazine. com. Include “Diversity in the Workplace” in the subject.

Katie

Lorenson President and CEO Alerus Grand Forks, N.D.

Katie Lorenson transitioned from chief financial officer to president and chief executive officer at Alerus on Jan. 1, 2022. She is the first woman to hold the CEO role — further expanding Alerus’ long track record of women holding leadership roles in an otherwise male-dominated industry.

Since joining Alerus in 2017, Lorenson spearheaded the company’s initial public offering in 2019, took on leadership of Alerus’ four product divisions — banking, mortgage, wealth management, and retirement and benefits — and has led the company’s ongoing COVID-19 response. Her leadership has directly contributed to record financial performance and continued growth through strategic acquisitions, including the recently announced acquisition of Metro Phoenix Bank, which will be the largest bank acquisition in Alerus’ history.

A native of Oklee, Minnesota, Lorenson’s strategic prowess, work ethic, dedication to clients, and down-to- earth, approachable nature perfectly illustrates Alerus’ community bank spirit. As president and CEO, she will continue to drive Alerus’ longterm growth strategy while remaining committed to its mission to improve clients’ financial futures and guide them to long-term financial wellness.

Angie E. Lord is a shareholder at Vogel Law Firm and chairs its Litigation Practice Group. Lord has held leadership roles at Vogel, including as a managing partner on the management team for 17 years and being elected as secretary/treasurer for 15 years. With 23 years of trial experience, Lord’s law practice focuses on representing health care clients.

Lord has been recognized by her profession, including with AV Preeminent peer-review rating by Martindale-Hubbel; being selected for the inaugural Great Plains Super Lawyers listing in 2007 to the present; and being included in The Best Lawyers in America since 2006.

Lord graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from UND and with distinction from UND School of Law. After graduation, Lord clerked for the North Dakota Supreme Court, and for Judge David S. Doty, of the U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Lord volunteers in the community, having been Board Chair for Make-A-Wish North Dakota and currently serving on the Board for Down Home, a nonprofit furnishing homes for families transitioning from homelessness. Lord and her husband, Winston, enjoy seizing the day with their two children.

Jennifer Malloy Lead Water Resources Engineer Apex Engineering Group Bismarck,

N.D.

Originally from Wheaton, Minnesota, Jennifer Malloy earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. She works at Apex Engineering Group as a professional engineer, certified floodplain manager, and registered land surveyor in training. She leads the Water Resource Group in Bismarck, North Dakota, and has been working in the region for more than 15 years.

Malloy oversees projects that affect everyday lives, focusing on water resource solutions for counties, cities, water resource districts, NDDOT, and MNDOT. Her experience encompasses all project phases: conceptual, design, and construction administration. Malloy is driven to perform her duties as a professional engineer to the highest standards and encourage the leaders of tomorrow. Malloy serves as president of the state chapter of the American Public Works Association, past chapter president of the North Dakota Society of Professional Engineers and a member of the Association of State Floodplain Managers. She and her husband, Cody, volunteer within the community to set a good example for their four children. Her favorite place to volunteer is North Dakota’s Gateway to Science, where she shares the love of science and engineering.

N.D.

Kristine Melby started her 25-plus-year career in banking as a teller while going to college. She graduated from Moorhead State University with majors in finance and marketing. After graduating, she moved to Arizona where she was a consumer lender for a year before transitioning into business banking. Becoming a business banker is what led her to her passion for business development. Melby says, “I truly enjoy listening to business owners tell ‘their’ story and share their goals for future success.”

Melby has been Cornerstone Bank’s market president in Bismarck since June 2020. She has instilled in her team the importance of asking customers what they want and understanding what they need. “I now measure my success on how successful our team members are in contributing to our customers’ financial success,” she says. Melby is a strong believer that family is above all. She enjoys volunteering when possible in the classroom, on a volleyball court or at church. She has served on various boards including Risk Management Associates, Boys and Girls Clubs, Big Brother Big Sisters. She currently serves on the YMCA, BSC Foundation, and YP advisory boards.

Kristine Melby SVP/Market President Cornerstone Bank Bismarck,

Angie E. Lord Attorney/Shareholder and Litigation Practice Group Chair Vogel Law Firm Fargo, N.D.

Becky Mindeman

SVP of Retail Banking Gate City Bank

Grand Forks, N.D.

Becky Mindeman has been creating a better way of life throughout the community she serves for more than 31 years. As the senior vice president of Retail Banking at Gate City Bank, her role oversees Grand Forks, Devils Lake, Mayville and Park River locations, as well as supports the local community.

Mindeman’s diverse work and volunteer history with Gate City Bank have fueled her passion for giving back, both by being a leader with the bank and lighting the way with various non-profit organizations.

Additionally, Mindeman volunteers her time organizing community efforts by supporting nonprofits geared at making a difference for all ages – from school-age to the elderly. She is an avid supporter of organizations such as Green Dot (CVIC Program), Veteran’s Memorial Park, Santa Claus Girls, Sunshine Memorial House and many more. Each week, she orchestrates “Make a Difference Thursdays,” where she leads her teams to support monetarily or by bringing in items needed to support that month’s charity of choice.

When she’s not volunteering on behalf of the bank, she enjoys spending time with her husband of 29 years and has two daughters.

Janell Regimbal

Founder/Owner

Insight to Solutions, LLC

Grand Forks, N.D.

Sarah Nupdal Senior Vice President Banking Legal Manager

Bell Bank at the Lights

West Fargo, N.D.

Sarah Nupdal serves as the senior vice president, banking legal manager at Bell Bank. In her role, she leads what she refers to as “the dream team” in providing legal guidance and expertise to the core banking business lines across the organization.

Nupdal is passionate about risk management, creating efficiencies and collaboration. As an impactful leader, she is continuously building up those around her. She is a habitual goal setter who cares deeply about building positive momentum and creating significant impact.

Nupdal earned her undergraduate business degree and her law degree (cum laude) from the University of North Dakota. Nupdal is a graduate of United Way’s 35 under 35 Women’s Leadership Program.

She gives her time and talents by serving on the board of directors for BIO Girls. She truly believes in the empowerment of women, starting with building their confidence, faith and empathy at a young age. Her passion for giving back has also led to volunteer opportunities with the United Way and other non-profits in her community.

Nupdal lives in Fargo with her husband, Nick, and their two children. She enjoys spending time at the lake, reading, and is an avid supporter of UND athletics.

Prior to launching Insight to Solutions in 2021, Janell Regimbal devoted her career to the advocacy of children and helping others realize their potential through years of dedicated nonprofit human service industry work. She was renowned for her skills in designing, implementing, and leading a wide variety of innovative programs statewide.

Regimbal now has a new mission, tapping her 34 years of leadership experience to help people and organizations ignite their potential and promote their best ideas with confidence and a successful strategy. She offers project management, training, consulting services and leadership coaching.

Regimbal is a licensed professional clinical counselor, trained mediator, and skilled trainer. She currently assists a wide variety of clients in the private and public sector. Always one to actively volunteer to make communities better places to live and to further advocate for the wellbeing of children and families, Regimbal is a member of the ND Children’s Cabinet, vice chair of the Grand Forks Human Service Zone Board, USpireND Board, Holy Family Lay director and a member of the Optimist Club and Chamber of Commerce.

Angela Sersha

Executive Director, Legal Sanford Health Bismarck, N.D.

Angela Sersha grew up on the Iron Range of Minnesota, graduating from the University of Minnesota-Duluth with degrees in criminology and sociology. From there, she earned her law degree from the University of North Dakota. Her professional experience includes time as a judicial law clerk in Minnesota and senior corporate counsel for the Schwan Food Co. She joined Sanford Health in 2017 as executive director, Legal based in Bismarck, North Dakota. She is licensed to practice law in Minnesota and North Dakota.

In her role, Sersha is a member of Sanford’s Bismarck executive team, providing long-term strategic legal planning as well as addressing day-to-day legal issues. Beyond the role of legal counsel, she is part of a team coordinating employee experience, the co-executive sponsor for Sanford’s diversity, equity and belonging strategy, and is co-founder of Sanford Cares, a program partnering with Bismarck Public Schools Foundation supporting second-grade students enrolled in Title I schools.

Sersha resides in Bismarck with her husband, Nick; sons, AJ and Jackson; their German shepherd, Lena, and yellow Lab, Ole.

Jenae Ste. Marie Director of Operations

Marsh McLennan Agency

Fargo, N.D. & Sioux Falls, S.D.

Traci Sletmoe has always had a passion for helping people solve problems. Since beginning her traffic engineering career in 2017, she has worked on a wide array of projects in the Midwest, including small traffic studies of developments, extensive traffic data collection to support larger studies, major corridor studies that redefine communities, and traffic signal design and construction. She strives to provide a quality deliverable for all stakeholders and is willing to do whatever is necessary to ensure the project is completed as efficiently as possible, with the highest quality possible, to make the greatest impact in communities.

Not only is Sletmoe a strong leader and resource within her company, she also takes on leadership roles with organizations within her community. She has served as an officer in the Fargo-Moorhead chapter of Women in the Wind, supporting local charities each year through fundraising efforts and working to promote a positive image of women motorcyclists. She is also the secretary-treasurer of the Fargo-Moorhead Indian Motorcycle Riders Group, which supports local food banks with an annual food drive and other local charities by participating in charity rides.

Jenae Ste. Marie joined Dawson Insurance in 2018, bringing a wealth of experience in management, client relations and process improvement. As the executive responsible for all operations, Ste. Marie has led many initiatives, from the transition of Dawson Insurance to Marsh McLennan Agency, a migration of their office-wide management system, merger and acquisition activity, coupled with a transition in leadership, an office relocation and ownership of the organization’s COVID-19 response.

Ste. Marie is passionate about organizational culture and ensuring all colleagues in their multiple office locations thrive in their career and enjoy coming to work. With a hybrid work environment, she brings next level commitment to innovating ways to nourish world-class culture while maintaining efficient processes that support the team.

Ste. Marie values being active in the community in which she lives and works. She is an alumna of Leadership Fargo Moorhead West Fargo class of 2020/2021, where her project proposal on mental health is now an initiative in the community. Ste. Marie also enjoys volunteering at the local schools and organizations influencing youth.

Traci Sletmoe

Traffic Engineer Bolton & Menk, Inc. Fargo, N.D.

Mari Volk Dean of Current and Emerging Technologies Bismarck State College

Bismarck, N.D.

Originally from Herreid, South Dakota, Mari Volk first came to Bismarck State College as a freshman in 2002. Today, she’s an academic dean at her alma mater.

Volk earned her medical laboratory technician (MLT) degree from BSC and was immediately hired as a laboratory technician at Medcenter One, now Sanford Health, in Bismarck. While working full-time, she earned a bachelor’s in medical laboratory science followed by a master’s in health care administration.

After 17 years in health care, Volk returned to BSC to serve as MLT program director. After two years, she was named BSC Dean of Current and Emerging Technologies, encompassing health science, cybersecurity, computer and office technology, construction and transportation, agriculture, graphic design and electronics programs. She has a sincere passion for serving students as they navigate their career pathway, and for developing and fostering industry partnerships that benefit the education of tomorrow’s workforce.

Volk is currently pursuing a doctorate in education leadership to better serve students and industry, and she volunteers both on campus and in the community anytime her schedule allows. Volk, her husband, Grant, and son Jaxon, live in Lincoln, North Dakota.

Wendy Wills Chief Experience Officer First International Bank & Trust Sioux Falls, S.D.

Wendy Wills is a forward-thinking agent of change and positivity within First International Bank & Trust. She brings nearly 25 years of experience in community banking and marketing.

She is a servant leader who constantly looks for ways to build successful, cohesive teams that exceed expectations and create inspiring environments. Her influence is built through her creativity and collaboration. She has been a cornerstone of many key initiatives that were a catalyst for significant growth. These include marketing strategies, digital transformations, customer service efficiencies, and activities to enhance FIBT’s corporate vision.

Wills has a keen focus on culture and experience and uses it as a guide in everything she does. She is a valued trusted advisor for so many and is often called upon for her unique ability to add different perspectives. She enjoys volunteering her time for Sioux Falls organizations and plays an active role in finding ways FIBT can collaborate and support the Sioux Falls area.

Originally from Magnolia, Minnesota, Wills earned a B.A. in studio art and communications from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. She resides in Sioux Falls with her husband, Thomas.

CO NG RA TU LA TI ON STOT HE 20 22 TOP25WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Autonomous farming

How new technology on the farm –such as autonomous tractors – can help with workforce challenges

By Sam Easter

In early January, John Deere revealed its new autonomous tractor. It’s a big, green machine that can do everything you’d expect a John Deere tractor can do — sans driver.

“Autonomy is no longer just a concept or a demo,” Jahmy Hindman, the company’s chief technology officer, declared on stage at a Las Vegas technology conference. “It’s real, it’s ready, and it’s helping farmers today.”

John Deere’s pitch is simple: the world’s population is expanding, and farmers need all the help they can get to match food demand. That makes new farming tech — which lets farmers squeeze extra efficiencies out of fixed labor and land — a major premium. Marketing copy for the new tractor (available later this year) highlights farmers’ ability to get it working, walk away and “focus on other tasks.” It makes it all sound simple: set it up and send it to work, and let its stereo camera sensors do the rest.

John Oncken is the CEO and owner of True North Equipment, a John Deere dealer straddling the border of Minnesota and North Dakota. He argues that anyone working in agriculture has the same workforce shortages as other sectors — maybe more so. That makes it the perfect time for farmers to make the leap into something new.

“We’ll see them this fall. And I think into 2023, it’s going to be those that see the value of it and aren’t scared of that next step in technology who are going to be the ones that innovate into that space quicker,” he said. “It has the potential to shift the way ag production is done today.”

Mark Watne is the president of the North Dakota Farmers Union. He absolutely thinks you’ll see them in the field soon.

“I really do think they’re for real,” Watne said. “I think you’re going to see them in a little smaller setting, in the sense that they’re not going to be an extremely large tractor that’s not pulling a 60-foot air drill, but they’ll be a small tractor that can run 24 hours a day and do a specific job.”

Their introduction comes as workforce shortages roiling the country find their way to agriculture. In October, American Crystal Sugar’s beet harvest had to press through a shortage of truck drivers and plant workers. A senior official for trucking company Transystems said at the time that they were so short on drivers they couldn’t meet customer demand.

And on the farm itself, labor shortages could get worse. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the agricultural labor sector will show “little or no change” between 2020 and 2030, maybe even backsliding by about 1% — despite an average growth rate across other sectors of about 8%.

“AUTONOMY IS NO LONGER JUST A CONCEPT OR A DEMO. IT’S REAL, IT’S READY, AND IT’S HELPING FARMERS TODAY.”

JAHMY HINDMAN, CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER OF

DEERE

“The core challenge we have, especially in Northern Plains agriculture, we have really seasonal labor needs,” said Frayne Olson, an agricultural economist with NDSU. The short growing season isn’t the real pinch, he argued — it’s the spike in labor needs at planting and harvesting, combined with a lack of a well-trained labor pool to help staff the big, expensive machines that make it work. Not just anybody can show up to the farm and help, he said.

“You jump in today’s tractors, today’s combine, and you look at the instrument panel and say, ‘this is like a spacecraft’,” he said.

This is the kind of conversation that’s been going on for years at Grand Farm, the farm tech research site near Fargo. Brian Carroll, Grand Farm’s director, imagines a future with more than just autonomous tractors; one of the site’s current projects explores how to track produce from seed to consumer. Blockchain — the same ledger technology behind cryptocurrencies — is one way to help get it done.

“Why that’s important is by connecting the grower to the consumer, consumer behavior can start to drive and monetize different behaviors,” he said.” ... A good example is if you look at some soybeans, there are markets that are out there that will pay a premium if it knows where the soybean is being processed, how it’s being handled and what quality it is, what the protein level is as well. The only way that you’re able to pass that on to the grower is through traceability.”

This is all part of the farm of the future. But it’s not here, exactly, just yet — and it’ll take some buy-in from farmers to make it happen.

When it comes to the autonomous tractor, Olson said he doubts the technology will promise a life of luxury anytime soon — with farmers sipping coffee indoors while their machines do all the work. Early buyers, he pointed out, will be making an expensive bet on the value of farm tech. That means autonomous farming is only likely to come to the big, deep-pocketed farms first.

In other words, there are those that want to jump in, Olson said, and “those that are going to wait and say ‘I don’t have the finances or the time and effort to be the guinea pig.’”

JOHN

JOHN ONCKEN, CEO AND OWNER OF TRUE NORTH EQUIPMENT, BASED IN GRAND FORKS, N.D., ARGUES THAT ANYONE WORKING IN AGRICULTURE HAS THE SAME WORKFORCE SHORTAGES AS OTHER SECTORS, MAYBE MORE SO. THAT MAKES IT THE PERFECT TIME FOR FARMERS TO MAKE THE LEAP INTO SOMETHING NEW. IMAGE: ERIC HYLDEN/GRAND FORKS HERALD

Resources for women to start or grow their business

By Andrew Weeks

What might seem unexpected during a global pandemic has happened: More people are seeking to open their own business. At least that’s what Sheila Bruhn has noticed. Bruhn is co-chair and mentor at SCORE Grand Forks, the local chapter of the national group SCORE that helps entrepreneurs grow or start their own business.

“We have had more target conversations, if you will,” she said of current trends. Those conversations are with people wanting to open their own business, but also with those who maybe want to do things a little differently. “Maybe they had to pivot or they had to do something different during the pandemic. … That doesn’t mean that all new ideas become a business, of course, but we saw an increase in that.”

SCORE GF helps entrepreneurs and business professionals, regardless of gender, but Bruhn said many of the people who contact the organization are women. When Prairie Business spoke with her on Jan. 26, Bruhn said she had 14 mentor appointments the following day, of which about half were women.

SCORE, in part, works like this: If a person says she or he would like to open a label processing plant, the organization will put the person in contact with a mentor who has specialized training in that particular field, or something closely related to it, so the individual can benefit from personalized and experienced mentorship. Sometimes mentors are shared outside of a given area, depending on where the expertise might be found.

SCORE is a great resource, Bruhn said, but it also works with other agencies and groups to further enhance individuals’ efforts to turn their business idea into real life. It is only one resource on a plate of many.

Below are organizations in the region that can help individuals develop their entrepreneurship plans or help them grow their company. It is not a complete list, but hopefully one that can help those seeking information to glean more:

NORTH DAKOTA

SCORE ND

https://www.score.org/

find-location?state=ND

North Dakota

Women’s Business Center

https://www.ndwbc.com/

Small Business AdministrationNorth Dakota

https://www.sba.gov/offices/ district/nd/fargo

North Dakota Small Business Development Centers https://ndsbdc.org/

Women’sNet

https://ambergrantsforwomen.com/

MINNESOTA

WBDC - Minnesota (Women’s Business development Center)

https://wbdc.org/mn/

Women Entrepreneurs of Minnesota

https://wemn.org/

Women and Minority Business

https://www.womenandminoritybusiness.org/minnesota-grants-and-loans-for-minority-and-women-owned-businesses/

Women Venture

https://www.womenventure.org/

SOUTH DAKOTA

SCORE

South Dakota

https://southdakota.score.org/

SD Business Help

https://sdbusinesshelp.com/

SD CEO Women’s Business Center

https://www.bhsu.edu/SDCEO/

Startup Sioux Falls

https://www.startupsiouxfalls.com/

Essentia Health to open new clinic at The Lights in West Fargo

By Andrew Weeks

Essentia Health is bringing a new clinic to the West Fargo community.

The one-story clinic, comprising some 14,500 square feet of space and slated to open in late fall, will be located in the high-visibility development called The Lights, by EPIC Companies.

Representatives from Essentia Health said they are excited about the new clinic and its location, noting it will offer a number of services to the residents of a growing community.

Essentia already sponsors the development’s entertainment plaza, said Suzanne Zeltinger, senior director of operations at Essentia, and it has wanted to do more at the development.

“I think Essentia Health has been interested in opening a clinic since The Lights project began,” she said. “I think that our interest grew when we gained the naming rights of the plaza. And from there, we really wanted to have a bigger connection with the area and the community.”

Kerry Carlson, senior director of operations at Essentia Health, said joining The Lights has been part of its strategic plan to make health care more accessible to residents.

“It’s more than just the opportunity to be in that facility,” he said. “It’s always been our desire to continue to build our collaborative relationships with the West Fargo community at large. … The

THIS RENDERING DEPICTS THE LOBBY AND RECEPTION AREA OF ESSENTIA HEALTH’S FUTURE CLINIC AT THE LIGHTS IN WEST FARGO. THE CLINIC IS SLATED TO OPEN IN LATE FALL. IMAGE: EAPC ARCHITECTS ENGINEERS

community members of West Fargo are extremely important to us, as are all of our patients, and we want to make sure that we are bringing health care closest to their homes. That is our role. That’s our job as we move forward in all of our communities – we want to be present.”

Carlson said the company has for a long time been developing clinics near schools and neighborhoods to provide better access for nearby residents.

“I don’t think it’s setting a trend,” he said. “I think we’ve already set the trend. We’ve been building clinics throughout the entire region … in our communities and neighborhoods over the past five years. This is just another extension of that same strategy.”

The Lights is a mixed-use development that, when fully functional, will have more than 20 businesses and nearly 300 residential units. Current buildings at The Lights include EPIC and ECHO, but at least two more are currently under construction or in development.

The Lights will open a third phase, for instance, called ENVY at The Lights, in early 2023, according to McKenzy Braaten, vice president of communications at EPIC Companies.

“This building will have commercial space, apartments, and condos in it,” she said. “It’s a chance for people to purchase a home instead of lease a home in this location while enjoying upgraded amenities. It’s also a front-row seat to anything happening outside in the plaza space or take a quieter view and face the west side.”

The city-owned transformable plaza – the Essentia Health Plaza – hosts concerts and other types of entertainment, dining and shopping.

EPIC also is slated to add a fourth building, called the EDGE at The Lights, which Braaten said will be either a build-to-suit or mixed-use building, depending on the commercial tenants or need of housing. And expanding its reach, The Lights will soon have sister properties in Grand Forks with The Beacon and in Minot with The Tracks developments.

“We are always thinking of new ways to enhance our communities through innovative development,” she said.

Blake Nybakken, COO of EPIC Companies, said The Lights is a great place for Essentia to open a clinic because it is in a prominent location.

“There is a lot of activity here, a vibrant space with great exposure,” he said. “They’ll be a great fit and will provide an important service for a quickly growing part of the West Fargo community. They currently have a great relationship with West Fargo Events and we look forward to starting our relationship with them as a major tenant at The Lights.”

‘You Have to at Least Try’: Empowering your Team to Lead

By Erica Johnsrud

“There’s no such thing as can’t. You have to at least try.” Words I heard many times growing up from my Dad. Whether he realized it at the time or not, those words would shape my outlook on many areas of my life. I continued to watch as the adult influences in my life growing up supported each other and cared for each other as community members and friends. There’s no such thing as “can’t” when you have a whole community behind you.

Early on in my career I was met with a challenge when an experienced woman told me that I shouldn’t be in my position because I was too young and had no experience. My boss at the time assured me that was NOT the case and continued to empower me to trust my gut, keep learning, and always focus on my strengths. Even with all that powerful positive empowerment, at times I focused on that small voice telling me the opposite.

I feel so fortunate to have had mentors, leaders, and friends who believe in me and see more in me than I have ever seen in myself –I’m working on trying to see those things, too! Recently, my leader said to me, “I wish you could see yourself how I see you.” And that really stuck. Why don’t we focus on telling people those things and empowering them to be their favorite selves?

Empowering each other to know that, “There’s no such thing as can’t…”

The support I have seen throughout my life is rare – especially as a woman being lifted up by other women. I know many of my friends and colleagues have not been as lucky, especially in sectors that are historically primarily male.

Dale Carnegie & Associates recently did a study on employee engagement that showed feeling valued, confident, connected, and empowered are key emotions for engagement. A lack of support and empowerment affects all areas of our lives, and especially affects our performance in the workplace. When we flip that on its head, we will see women overcoming fears to “…at least try.”

At Dale Carnegie Training it is a pillar of who we are as a team to empower each other, and the outcomes are multiplied both in team cohesiveness and performance. Alexis Scott, people development strategist, shares:

“As a recovering stay-at-home mom with a large busy family, taking the leap into a career after on and off work experiences made

me nervous for my performance, and perceptions of my talent … This imposter syndrome became more magnified when my family came down with COVID in the fall of 2021 and I spent over 20 days caring for my family through quarantine and working from home. My team and leadership reached out almost daily, checking in with me as a human and mother—not just an employee with a task list. I was supported and empowered to focus on the needs of my family and felt valued and understood in a time of crisis and a situation that was out of my control. The extension of compassion was what I needed as a woman and mother with so many other responsibilities

Erica Johnsrud

and stressors. There was never a doubt from my leadership on my commitment or desire to perform and being uplifted in a stressful time made me empowered to come back even stronger when life went back to normal.”

Our newest employee at Dale Carnegie, Gabbie Sharp, shared her experience throughout the hiring process of joining a new, all female team:

“From the first coffee meeting with one owner, to an informational interview with the other, I have felt challenged and supported all along the way. I knew when they asked me to prepare a presentation for my final interview, they weren’t looking for perfection but instead to examine my potential and my fit before joining this loyal close-knit team.

“They were pushing me out of my comfort zone because that’s exactly what I asked for. My little piece of advice? Trust your intuition. As women, we need to learn to trust our intuition when it comes to feeling like we are in an environment where we are supported and encouraged to grow.”

When you elicit these emotions amongst your team, you’ll see a powerful shift in engagement and motivation for success. You’ll see your team trying new things and stretching their comfort zones leading to innovation and growth in your market.

It’s important to remember that the emotions employees experience at work directly affect their performance and, in turn, your bottom line. How do you want to show up every day as a leader to make sure your team is feeling valued, confident, connected, and empowered? How can you make sure that they feel supported to try to accept new challenges and projects? Because as my Dad said, “There’s no such thing as can’t.”

Erica Johnsrud is the client experience and brand champion for Dale Carnegie Training of North Dakota and Northwest Minnesota.

Heals In More Ways Than One

Steve Ohns tadof North Dakota hasn ’t hadacigaret te since September 2021. But his journey to giving up smoking wasn ’t exactly typical.

It began when the wor st blister he ever had app eared on thre e toes of his right foot . While painful, Ste ve didn ’t think too much of it until it st ar te d to change color, eventually turning black . Concerned and in pain , Steve decide d to visi t the emer genc y room at Essent ia Heal th in Fargo.

Abou t one in four people wi th diabetes develop painful footulcers , or openwounds on the bottom or side of the foot . Not onl y can these wounds be uncomfor table, bu t they can also lead to infection , gangrene and ampu tation. This was the case for Ste ve

At the emergency room , Ste vewas told he had gangrene of the foot ,a bad infe ct ion that caus es tissue to die He immediatel y had one toe ampu tate d bu t would eventually los e all the toes on his right foot af tera sc an showe d very limi te d blood flow

Follow ing the ampu tation of his firs t toe, Steve immediatel y began hy perb aric ox ygen therapy (HBOT) under the care of Dr. Olay inka Ajay i and nurs es Sharon Hanson and Tere sa Johnson. Firs t perfor med in the1930 s by the U. S. Navy to treat de compre ssion sick ne ss , HBOT is now used for anas sort ment of injurie s, illne sses andcondit ions – including wound care

For Ste ve,HBOT wasus ed to heal his wound and tr y to prevent furt her ampu tation.

A person ’s body tissue ne eds enough ox ygen to func tion; when someone is injured, their body re quireseven more ox ygen That ’s where HBOT comes in. Inside a hy perb aric chamber, the

air pres sureis higher than normal, allow ing the patient’s lung s to take in more ox ygen than they would ot her wise be able to. When the blood carries this surplus of ox ygen throughou t the body, it helps fight bacter ia , as well as st imulate s grow th factor s and stem cells, thus helping the healing proces s.

Steve de scribes the proces s sur rounding HBOT as “ver y st rict .” He re calls onl y being permit te d to wear acotton gown in the clear tube where he re ceived treatment s. He also remembers having to go through an ex tensi ve check list pr ior to each ses sion to ensure he wasn’ t wear ing any thing that isincompat ible wi th the treatment, such as de odorant or shaving lotion And much to Ste ve ’s dismay, he would have to gi ve up smok ing

A self-described “s tubbor n old Norwegian,” Steve jokes that he init iall y didn ’t see eye to eye wi th Sharon ,his nur se w ho ins tr uc te d him to quit smok ing for the duration of his treatment Bu t they got on the same page af ter Sharon ex plaine d that smok ing would counteract the bene ficial effec ts of HBOT.

Today, Ste verave s abou t the care he re ceived from Essent ia.Endear ingl y referring to Dr. Ajay i as “t he capt ain,” Ste ve st ates that he “is an ex tremel y caring physician.” Ste ve has similar prais e for Sharon and Tere sa , re calling when they would come to wor k at 5 a.m. jus t to fit him in on days when they were booked.

WhileSteve los t the toes on his right foot , HBOT save d him from furt her amput at ion. A tr ucker, Ste ve says that “t hing s are now basicall y back to nor mal.” He has returned to the ro ad, dr iving 30 0-70 0 mile sa day wi th the as sist ance ofdiabet ic wor k boots .

Bu t one thing hasn’ t gone back to nor mal: Steve hasn’ t smoked a pu ff since quittingfor his treatment back in September. He says wi th a laug h, “I st ill call Sharon sometimes to let her know that .”

In 2021, Es sentia Heal th -Far go begantoofferhospi tal-based HBOT in the FM WF area Currentl y, Essentia uses HBOT to treat 14 conditions approved by the U. S. Food and Dr ug Adminis tration, as well as the Center s for Medicare and Medicaid Serv ices . These conditions include facili tating healing in diabetic patients wi th foot wounds, thus preventing ampu tations; treating tissue damageresulting from radiation therapy ; andreducing hear t and/orbrain damage in carbon monoxide poisoning

To learn more about wound careand HBOT, visit EssentiaHealth.org and search “wound care.”

Dr Olay inka Ajay i

Gender or Attitude?

By Matthew Mohr

Employers in our region and nation wide continue to struggle with a shortage of workers. With only 67 available workers for every 100 job openings, it’s hard to achieve enterprise goals, serve customers and grow. Most business owners have a hard time understanding how this tight labor market occurred or why it persists. Some of this situation was caused by the pandemic, government encouraging people not to work and a record number of people dropping out of the workforce. Many people chose family over finances and left gainful employment last year, which compounded the shortage of available workers. Women comprise a large portion of our current workforce. Statistically 57.4% of all women work and are part of our labor force. This percentage has continued to grow over many decades. In comparison 69.2% of men work today. The peak for men, as the percentage of all men working, occurred in 1948 at 86.6%. Part of the increase in women working came from a dramatic change in society’s attitude over time. Many continue to believe women are unfairly exempted from higher responsibility roles, even though women actually account for 51.8% of all workers employed as management professionals.

We highlight 25 great women achievers in this issue of Prairie Business, every one of them are certainly successful. Many years ago, my great aunt had aspirations to become a successful business woman. My great aunt was very intelligent, strong, and a hard-working person. She grew up in Fargo-Moorhead, then moved to Minneapolis. At one time she felt she had saved enough money to buy a business called the Dutch Maid Grill here in Fargo. (Nicole’s Fine Pastry and Café currently occupies the building that housed the Dutch Maid at the time of my great aunt’s interest.) My great aunt was determined to buy the business and felt she had the money, but her father forbade it. Apparently her father felt women were not supposed to be sole proprietors, even though by today’s standard he and his wife would be considered co-owners of their corner grocery store.

After being forbidden at becoming her own business woman, my great aunt spent time on the west coast helping the family establish a large and very successful chain of ice cream stores. Although my great aunt completely respected and loved her father, she carried some resentment toward him for not “allowing” her to pursue the business opportunity until she died. Nicole’s is certainly a very successful enterprise today. Perhaps the Dutch Maid would have thrived under my great aunt’s leadership, and became a huge success, but she never got the chance due to her respect of her father and what appears today to be a very outdated set of standards concerning women in business.

Fortunately for our whole society, attitudes about women in the workforce and as business owners has changed.

We knowyoutakepridein yourcommunity.

Itiswhywetakepridein theexceptionallyhigh qualityofourmunicipal engineeringservices.

TheAckerman-Estvoldteam understandsthe demandsofreplacing aginginfrastructureand weprovide personal servicewhendesigning andimplementingcost effectivesolutions.

Matthew Mohr

Cassandra Ryckman Black Hills State University

Majors: Accounting

Graduation Date: Spring 2022

Career path: Open own accounting business

“I think it’s so exciting because when you get the debits and credits to balance, there’s just something about it. It’s problem-solving, getting the answer, and your job is always different; you’re never doing the same thing.”

Building a career with numbers

Black Hills State University student readies for graduation, targets career in accounting

By Andrew Weeks

When Cassandra Ryckman enrolled at Black Hills State University, she didn’t have an interest in becoming an accountant. Now, it’s a career path that excites her to no end.

Ryckman is an accounting major at the university in Spearfish, South Dakota, and will graduate this spring after spending the past four years at the school. It’s been a fun-filled adventure, she told Prairie Business, one that has kept her busy and has prepared her well for the next steps in her journey through life and work.

Choosing to major in the numbers field – even though she wasn’t excited about it at first – came easy for her once she gave it a try. Her mom might have had something to do with that.

“My mom is an accountant and she highly encouraged me to do accounting,” Ryckman said, noting she questioned it at first and didn’t think she was going to pursue it. But then she decided otherwise, got into the school’s accounting program, and was influenced by her professors. She noticed they had the same passion as her mom did for accounting and that helped propel her forward.

Her take on it now: “I think it’s so exciting because when you get the debits and credits to balance, there’s just something about it. It’s problem-solving, getting the answer, and your job is always different; you’re never doing the same thing.”

Besides focusing on her academics, Ryckman is involved with a number of clubs on campus, serving as president and vice president, respectively. They include Beta Gamma Sigma, a business honors club; investment and marketing clubs; and campus ministries. She said they all have been “amazing” to be a part of and have helped her to hone her communication and leadership skills.

“The clubs have been a large part of my enjoyment here,” she

CASSANDRA RYCKMAN, LEFT, ACCOUNTING MAJOR AT BLACK HILLS STATE UNIVERSITY IN SPEARFISH, S.D., IS SET TO GRADUATE THIS SPRING. WHILE AT SCHOOL SHE HAS BEEN INVOLVED WITH A NUMBER OF CLUBS AND STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS THAT SHE SAYS HAS HELPED HER TO HONE HER COMMUNICATION AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS. IMAGE: COURTESY OF CASSANDRA RYCKMAN

CASSANDRA RYCKMAN, AN ACCOUNTING MAJOR AT BLACK HILLS STATE UNIVERSITY, PARTICIPATES WITH CLASSMATES IN AN ACTIVITY AT THE SCHOOL IN SPEARFISH, S.D. IMAGE: COURTESY OF CASSANDRA RYCKMAN

said, explaining that BHSU has been an exceptional place for her to learn and grow as a student and individual. She enjoys the size of the campus, its cultural diversity, and the opportunity it has given her to meet students from many countries and backgrounds.

“That’s one of my favorite parts, all of the friends that I have (who come from countries) like Pakistan and South Korea and different places around the world,” she said.

She also appreciates the on-campus job fairs and internship opportunities the school helps students to tap. When Ryckman spoke with Prairie Business in February, she said she was getting ready to intern with a firm in Spearfish, where she expected to keep busy during tax season. As such, she was excited for the on-thejob experiences it would provide.

Instructors at the school encourage internships, and Ryckman has nothing but good things to say about her teachers. They not only have helped increase her knowledge of the accounting and business fields, but have inspired her to set an agenda for her future career and life outside of school.

In turn, they say this about Ryckman: “Cassandra brings a consistent level of enthusiasm into the classroom that is difficult to match,” said accounting instructor Christopher Wardell. “She is an engaged and active participant during our discussions of the material, and her aptitude makes it so that I never have to worry about her not earning top marks across her graded work.”

Good accountants are generally filtered into two categories – those who are naturally inclined to numbers and those with good interpersonal skills, according to Wardell. “It is an exceptional accountant that can combine these disparate skill sets, and Cassandra has distinguished herself in the classroom as being one who should have no issues demonstrating both of these sides in practice,” he said.

Closer to the vest for Ryckman, as a woman of faith she credits God for any successes she has or will yet achieve and hopes her life’s work will be a reflection of that belief. If she were to have a motto or theme of her career, it’d be this: “I will do my best work for others, because my motivation in life does not come from myself, it comes from God, and doing all to glorify Him.”

Ryckman is excited about the future and offers this advice for anyone considering a career in accounting: “Just do it,” she said. “Absolutely pursue this career. It is a rewarding job where you get to problem solve and help others.”

A ‘peoplefirst’ mindset

New leadership at Noridian Healthcare Solutions talks goals, growth and people

By Andrew Weeks

Jon Bogenreif greeted the new year with a new role.

On Jan. 1 he became the chief executive officer of Noridian Healthcare Solutions, based in Fargo, North Dakota. He spent a year working alongside previous CEO Paul Wilson, who retired at the end of 2021.

Bogenreif said he is up for the challenge of leading a company whose biggest client is the federal government.

Noridian was established in 1966 as a department of Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota, where Bogenreif served as senior vice president of operations before joining the company early last year, and is today a sister company of BCBSND. But even after more than 50 years in business, people are still becoming familiar with the company that is a Medicare administrative contractor.

“It’s interesting,” Bogenreif said. “We’re in the Fargo market, but when we start describing what we do and the scale at which we do it, I think people are surprised to not know more about Noridian.”

Prairie Business wanted to learn more about the company and so it spoke with Bogenreif and Ranga Nutakki, senior vice president, general consul and corporate secretary. These also are new roles for Nutakki, who leads legal services for new business, government contracts and other corporate ventures.

Wilson said the company’s future is in good hands.

“Jon’s tremendous talent and background are what Noridian needs to stay focused and on course for long-term success,” Wilson said in a prepared statement sent to Prairie Business. “Noridian’s foundation is solid, and the stage is set for expansion into additional markets that will benefit from the organization’s expertise.” ***

Noridian Healthcare Solutions contracts with federal, state and commercial health care programs through a full suite of innovative offerings, including claims processing, medical review, and provider administrative services. It has clients across the country, but it is the government contracts that keep the company hopping.

The company’s federal contracts are “how we’re best known as an organization,” Bogenreif said. “But we do also have some Medicaid contracts within the state of North Dakota. … I would say our contracts with the federal government are in three buckets. One is for Medicare Part A and B, which are the hospitals and doctors and clinics and things of that nature. For that workload we process about 17% of all the Medicare claims in the country.”

The second bucket, as he describes it, covers durable medical equipment for Medicare – “things like wheelchairs and scooters and other kinds of medical supplies seniors need,” he said. Third are the supplemental medical review contracts in all 50 states and US territories.

***

Bogenreif said Noridian has “immense capabilities” that scale its administrative services, and over the next three years the company hopes to pursue “a growth strategy that really takes these services to new markets,” he said. “When we talk about new markets, we’re talking about other Medicaid states we could provide services to, and we want to grow our footprint within that service line.”

He also wants to grow its commercial line. A trend, he said, is for some provider organizations to have their own health insurance plan.

“We could be a good solution for organizations to administer the health insurance aspect of their business and allow them to continue to focus on care delivery,” he said.

Bogenreif, of course, has his own personal goals as the company’s new CEO, one of which is to keep its people-first priority. He said he is impressed by how people-focused Noridian is, something Nutakki also has noticed since taking on his new roles last year.

Nutakki said the company prides itself on exemplifying the motto “people first.” It is not only a mindset, he said, but a practical culture event at the company.

Jon Bogenreif

Ranga Nutakki

Before moving to Fargo, Nutakki lived in Minneapolis. He has nothing bad to say about that city, but said Fargo has been a more welcoming community, demonstrating some of the “people first” mentality that Noridian tries to exemplify.

“For me it has been a really good learning experience,” he said. “Since coming here I feel like the work I do resonates personally a little more than it did for me previously. I think that speaks to the people-first mindset of not only the community but this company.”

He said the employees he speaks with regularly say something similar about how they are impacted by the work they do, in large part because of the personal connection.

“It’s been a heartwarming experience for me just to work in that environment, in a space right where people are doing things for what are called the right reasons. … I think there’s a much more personal and direct tie to the way we operate here.”

Nutakki echoed what Bogenreif said about expanding Noridian’s model outside of the government sector.

“A lot of my time and effort is going to be exploring those spaces and working with the respective functions within the company on how to do that,” Nutakki said. “There are a lot of regulations within the industry and so getting up to speed on those better than I am today. I have the blessing of a really talented group of people that were here before I came that I’ve been working with, learning from, and helping me to take that next step forward for this company.”

Bogenreif said he plans to continue the history of success developed during Wilson’s time at the organization and live out the company’s core values of constant innovation, service excellence, responsible stewardship, integrity and effective collaboration.

“One of the things we did is update our mission statement as an

organization, to kind of memorialize that aspect of Noridian’s culture,” he said. “Our new mission is to enable access to health care, to eliminate barriers and to elevate people.

“Elevating people applies to customers, certainly … but also to our fellow employees as we work with each other on how we help people live the best version of themselves as we engage with them on a daily basis.”

LeNear Douglas

Three

new hires join

Houston Engineering

FARGO, N.D. • Houston Engineering Inc welcomes three new hires to its teams in Fargo, North Dakota, and Thief River Falls, Minnesota.

Beverly (Bev) Jung joins HEI’s Thief River Falls team as an administrative assistant. She will be the friendly face greeting clients, leading the daily operation of administrative duties, coordinating social events for the Thief River Falls team, and assisting technical staff with preparing reports and other client deliverables locally and cross-office, as needed.

A Minnesota native, Jung attended the Secretarial Program at East Grand Forks Technical College and has many years of experience in administrative and facility management related roles, which has helped her hone her skills to ensure smooth day-to-day operations.

Jackson Kamrud joins HEI’s Fargo team as a civil engineer. In his role, he will perform a variety of engineering tasks supporting primarily water resources and municipal projects. A native of Finley, North Dakota, Kamrud earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from North Dakota State University. He previously interned at HEI.

Clarence Zimmel joins HEI’s Fargo team as a civil construction technician. Originally from Wheaton, Minnesota, Zimmel earned his bachelor’s degree in construction engineering from North Dakota State University, where he also obtained his EIT certificate.

As a civil construction technician, he will work with civil engineers on project specifications, plans, and reports; prepare CAD designs; complete construction inspection and management; and provide landowner and contractor coordination.

Paulsen adds member to account service team

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. • Paulsen hired LeNear Douglas to serve as an account coordinator.

The South Dakota State University alumnus earned a bachelor of science in advertising and communications and is excited to get his start in agency work.

Douglas began his collegiate studies in SDSU’s aviation program before switching to leadership

and management of nonprofit organizations. A communications course within that track nudged him toward his eventual degree in advertising and communications.

He said he likes learning what drives people and influences their decision-making. He is results-driven and likes working with people. At Paulsen, Douglas will work closely with a handful of clients to ensure they have the assets and support they need to reach their marketing objectives.

Beverly (Bev) Jung Jackson Kamrud

Clarence Zimmel

Three earn PE licenses at Houston Engineering

FARGO, N.D. • Three individuals at Houston Engineering Inc. have earned their Professional Engineer (PE) licenses: Ryan David, Cody Oltz, and Paul Strong.

Ryan David is a civil engineer serving clients from HEI’s Bismarck office. He is actively involved in project design, drafting, document preparation, and construction observation on a variety of projects. In addition, he was a licensed water plant operator and has experience in the operation and maintenance of water plant systems and equipment.

Cody Oltz is a civil engineer serving clients from HEI’s Fargo office. He specializes in water resources and modeling services that support flood protection, transportation, and site development projects throughout the region.

Paul Strong is a civil engineer serving clients from HEI’s Fargo office. Strong’s six years of engineering experience on a variety of hydrology and hydraulics, environmental, solid waste management, and site design projects has given him the knowledge to comprehensively assess projects to ensure that exceptional results are achieved.

How do you continue to grow and develop as a leader?

Q.INSIGHTs & INTUITION

Growing as a leader is a big priority in my life. In order to make growth and development happen, I intentionally prioritize and schedule the time and energy required. If time is not utilized wisely, it will be consumed by something else. It is also very important to me to have a “growth mindset” – realizing that challenges help me grow and discover new ways to succeed. So I lean into everyday life to implement growth from situations. There are many great leadership development resources available to us at no cost. I seek out quality examples of leadership. For me this means finding the books, podcasts, and leaders who are ahead of me on the path of life. Once I consume the new information, time is needed to absorb their insights. Then analyze and determine how to take my next step in applying that valuable input into being an impactful leader.

Leaders need to double down on agility to continue developing and growing. Being in tune with your team needs to be more than words. What they need now may be different in two months based on office returns, COVID concerns or the significant amount of change occurring in most companies. Markets, supply chains and customers all continue to evolve. The best leaders are thinking ahead, using data, and anticipating the future so they can stay ahead of changes and/or adapt quickly. Leadership agility is the ability to effectively lead organizational change, build teams, and navigate challenging business conversations and changes. Leaders who get too siloed in their thinking, leadership and growth will struggle with agility. Leaders need to be aware of how they show up for their team. How do you improve your agility? Ask. Simply ask your team where they need you more. Where do they need you less? Am I listening enough? Am I asking the right questions? Asking will show vulnerability and willingness to be transparent. In turn, your team will be more open to giving you feedback and asking you questions, all the while building trust and confidence in both your leadership and within your team.

Shane Zutz Vice President of Human Resources Digi-Key Electronics Thief River Falls, Minn.

Andy Bachmeier Director of Strategic Alignment Nexus Innovations Bismarck, N.D.

Building relationships and networking are important. They help ensure I’m not only communicating but connecting. We need diverse people in life to learn and develop personally and professionally to become the best version of ourselves. For me, this means having a mentor and being a mentee. I also find it rewarding to participate in learning circles, particularly centered around change, technology, work, and learning; involvement in community volunteering, serving on boards, and committees.

Self-reflection is a must. You can’t give what you don’t have! Equally important is observing people and discovering how you can make an even greater impact or add increased value to their work and life. Uncertainty, change, failure, and adversity are all great teachers. Times like these are not easy, but important in teaching us invaluable life lessons: trust, authenticity, acceptance, compassion, love, support, and being vulnerable in that there is no shame in asking for help. Learning and development does not mean to improve you must constantly be learning something new. Every leader must find their balance. Interestingly, some of my biggest wins as a leader have been brought about by focusing on improving what I already may be good at and simply doing more of it.

Nikkee Rhody

EVP, Strategy Central Payments Co-founder & Executive Director at Falls Fintech Sioux Falls, S.D.

Dan Uhlir Human Resources and Employee Relations Manager 3M Aberdeen, S.D.

“Books, podcasts, mentoring…anything I can get my hands on. I’m convinced of one thing - you never ‘arrive’ as leader. In other words, leadership requires continual investment. In a world where everything else is evolving, so should our ability to lead well, serve others and improve outcomes.

I’m a big fan of micro-content - these bite sized nuggets from people that have pioneered this leadership terrain and are willing to share information, best practices, humble experiences and lessons learned. My go-to leadership podcasts are Defining and Adapting Your Leadership Style as well as Club Capital Leadership Podcast. There is inward work that is required to develop as a leader. Selfawareness is often improved over time and the best way to get there is being mentored and mentoring. If it’s true that you can’t see yourself through your own eyes, find another trusted individual with a very different vantage point that can challenge you and encourage you and consistently remind you it’s a journey, not a destination.”

NONFARM BUSINESS PRODUCTIVITY

Nonfarm business sector productivity grew 1.9% in 2021, as output increased 7.4% and hours worked increased 5.4%, according to a recent report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The increases in output and hours are the largest annual increases since 1984, when the measures increased 8.5% and 6.1%, respectively. Unit labor costs in the nonfarm business sector increased 3.3% in 2021, reflecting increases of 5.2% in hourly compensation and 1.9% in productivity. Real hourly compensation, which considers changes in consumer prices, increased 0.5% in 2021; consumer prices grew 4.7% in 2021, which was the highest annual growth rate since a 4.9% increase in 1990.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

TRANSPORTATION DEMAND

The final demand for transportation declined 15.4% ($295.2 billion) from 2019 to 2020 (adjusted for inflation) according to the most recent analysis by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics of data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The drop during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic was the largest year-over-year decrease since the start of the current data series in 2002. The second largest decline (7.4%) occurred in 2009 at the end of the Great Recession.

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics

MEDIAN EARNINGS FOR WOMEN

In 2021, median weekly earnings for wage and salary workers who usually worked full time were $998. Median earnings for women were $912, or 83.1% of men’s earnings. The women’s-to-men’s earnings ratio varied by race and Hispanic ethnicity. White women earned 82.2% as much as their male counterparts, compared with 94.1% for Black women, 78.5% for Asian women, and 87.6% for Hispanic women.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

TRANSPORTATION GOODS AND SERVICES

In 2020, the final demand for transportation goods and services was $1.6 trillion, or 7.7% of U.S. GDP – the smallest percentage contribution of transportation goods and services to GDP since the start of the current data series in 2002. The second smallest contribution (8.6%) occurred in 2009, also at the end of the Great Recession.

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics