Stacie Iken

Senior Organizational Effectiveness Consultant

Sanford Health Bismarck, N.D.

Stacie Iken, PhD, ACC, has spent nearly 30 years coaching individuals and groups to develop skills in communication, emotional intelligence, leadership, and teamwork. Her philosophy: meet people where they are at and guide them to where they want to grow.

Iken’s professional journey began as an occupational therapist before shifting her focus into higher education. She trained future health care practitioners and advanced into a variety of executive roles which influenced learning at an organizational level. Iken joined Sanford Health six years ago lending her skills in developing effective strategic partnerships to support key business initiatives. She completed undergraduate and graduate degrees in occupational therapy from UND and Colorado State University respectively and a doctorate in education from UND. She is a Certified Executive Coach and achieved advanced certification through the International Coaching Federation.

Iken enjoys engaging in a variety of personal and professional activities, including serving as a Peer Reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission and mentoring several individuals in their professional journey. She previously served on state occupational therapy boards in Wyoming and North Dakota. She is most proud of one role that outshines all others: the privilege of being called “mom” by her two adult children, Abby and Tommy.

Bolton & Menk Fargo, N.D.

With a passion for her community, Alex Larson has always loved being a part of its growth. Larson was raised in Moorhead, Minnesota, a place she and her family still call home.

Staying close to her roots has given her a strong sense of belonging and a desire to be part of her community’s success.

This passion was easily complimented with her career in engineering. As a design engineer for development and site designs at Bolton & Menk, Larson is directly involved in Fargo-Moorhead’s growth and development. Working with both developers and municipalities,

Larson has an incredible ability to understand the needs of her clients. She brings their designs to life, delivering projects on time and exceeding expectations. She has developed a reputation for understanding a project’s needs and delivering a well thought out and clear plan. Larson has proven herself to be an excellent project manager time and time again.

Larson strives to be a leader in all aspects of her life. She continues to be part of innovative projects in engineering, expanding her growth in the industry. As a mentor for women in her company as well as a mother of girls, she is an advocate for women both throughout her company and for young women interested in STEM.

Nan Larson

Senior Vice President Frandsen Bank

East Grand Forks, Minn.

Born and raised in East Grand Forks, Minnesota, Nan Larson started her banking career working part-time as a teller while attending the University of North Dakota. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, she stayed on at Citizens State Bank (now Frandsen Bank & Trust) to create an audit and operations department before transitioning to a lending position with the company in 1991. Currently a senior vice president, Larson is a mortgage loan specialist and an integral part of her home town office leadership team.

For more than 30 years, Larson has focused on developing relationships with clients that extend beyond their immediate credit needs. Her personable approach to advisory banking provides multiple opportunities for her customers to achieve financial success, and her greatest satisfaction is facilitating and nurturing those connections. Her work experience across many facets of the banking industry have made Larson a valued and trusted resource for coworkers and clients alike.

A supporter of all things community, Larson has served on numerous boards, including the Chamber of Commerce, the East Grand Forks School Board, and the East Grand Forks Economic Development & Housing Authority. She is a passionate volunteer and shares her time and talent with several church and civic organizations in the region. Larson and her husband, Darin, have two grown children and reside in East Grand Forks.

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Kaeko Leitch

PE, LEED AP Strategic Operations & Innovation, Vice President, Office Manager Widseth Mankato, Minn.

Kaeko Leitch is an innovative thinker, problem solver, designer, and engineer. Her precise yet thoughtful approach permeates her work, community and family activities, and creative pursuits.

With more than 25 years’ experience, Leitch is licensed in five states as both a mechanical and an electrical engineer. Her projects have ranged from pro bono work for non-profits to the $200 million Minneapolis Public Service Building. Having joined Widseth in 2022 as a vice president, Leitch has seamlessly woven herself into the firm’s culture. With an emphasis on strategic operations, she is guiding firm leaders to identify innovative approaches to client management, talent development, and providing clients with an exceptional project experience. She serves on the program advisory committee for the Architectural Drafting & Design program at South Central Community College, North Mankato, Minn., and has served as a volunteer and board member for organizations such as VINE Faith in Action.

She is committed to fostering community among young adults, particularly international students, and encourages young people to explore engineering careers and to persevere in their aspirations. Leitch balances her technical vocation with hands-on pursuits that tap her creativity. Leitch is a strong leader and a calming, forward-thinking influence across the firm.

Rachel Martin Corporate Governance & Legal Operations Manager

Ulteig Engineers, Inc. Fargo, N.D.

Rachel Martin has a passion for leadership, innovation, and helping others, which is what led her to pursue a career in the legal field. After many years in private practice, Martin joined Ulteig Engineers, Inc., where she is the corporate governance and legal operations manager. In this role she is able use her talents to elevate her team through strategic thought leadership.

Ulteig provides Martin the opportunity to delve into her real passion, helping women help women. She serves as co-chair of Ulteig’s first Employee Resource Group, Women@Ulteig. This group is dedicated to advancing the voices of women by building awareness, advocating for equitable representation, and providing opportunities for women to be valued, seen, and heard. Through this ERG, Rachel helped launch a women-centered mentorship program to provide a path for employees wanting to further their careers.

Outside the office, Martin is a board member of the Red River Valley Paralegal Association, as well as the MState Paralegal Advisory Board. In addition, she volunteers her time with many local organizations, including Hope Blooms, Junior Achievement, Ronald McDonald House, Cats Cradle, and the Great Plains Food Bank. She and her husband, Shawn, make their home in Fargo with their two children.

Kristi Nicholson’s 23-year career started at the front desk and her responsibilities have progressed to where she has become the “go-to” person for the operations and administration team at Apex Engineering Group.

She has worn many hats over the years and is now the operations coordinator. When Apex was formed in 2010, her role in managing administrative tasks was vital as the company established itself. Nicholson was also the one that prepared proposals and reports for the project managers, which allowed her to learn what every engineer in the company did and who Apex’s clients were.

As the company has grown to more than 100 people across five offices, Nicholson still communicates with many people across the organization in a given week. Company leadership leans on her for assistance in getting key company initiatives kicked off and completed.

Kristi Nicholson contd.

She helped launch, develop, and volunteered to lead Apex’s Employee Engagement and Brand Ambassador Group. Nicholson has always had a reputation for going above and beyond what is expected, and then she does a little bit more. 2023 continued on page 24