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.

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.

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.

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.