FROM THE INSIDE OUT
NISTLER COLLEGE MAGAZINE
Featuring UND Alumna Angie Tebbe
Pg. 5
3 5 9 11
Message from the Dean
From the Inside Out: How Angie Tebbe Built a Life and Business Grounded in Wellness The NistlerEdge Advantage
From Small-town North Dakota to the Sweet Success of Dairy Queen
Leading the Way: UND’s Herr School
17
19
23
Establishes North Dakota’s First Low-Income Tax Clinic
A Haven of Inspiration
Rooted in North Dakota: Jaci Praska’s Journey from Small-town Values to Statewide Leadership
9 THE NISTLEREDGE ADVANTAGE
11 FROM SMALL-TOWN NORTH DAKOTA TO THE SWEET SUCCESS OF DAIRY QUEEN
5 FROM THE INSIDE OUT
17 LEADING THE WAY
19 A HAVEN OF INSPIRATION
$1.5 M AWARDED IN SCHOLARSHIPS
Approximately 450 students received scholarships
The Nistler College has hit a record high awarding $1.5 million in scholarships for the 2025-26 academic year.
We are tremendously grateful to all the donors that have supported this impactful initiative for our students.
MAKE AN IMPACT
To make a gift towards this important initiative please visit the UND Alumni Association & Foundation at https://undalumni.org/guide-to-giving or contact our Development Directors below:
Jay Erickson Sr. Director of Development 701.777.3693
JayE@undfoundation.org
Joel Schwenzfeier Director of Development 701.777.3680
JoelS@undfoundation.org
Editorial Team
Editorial
Management
Laura Arneson Director of External Relations
Contributing Writers
Averi Haugesag
Laura Arneson
Marissa Burian
Joe Banish
Copy Editor
Averi Haugesag
Assistant Editors
Laura Arneson
Shannon Smidt
Nikkie Dvorak
Design
Shelby Forsberg
Contributing
Photographers
Shelby Rae Photography
Marissa Burian
Shawna Schill, UND
Photography
UND Alumni Association & Foundation
Jeff Wegge Photography
Joe Banish/UND Today
Jasmine Koenig/UNDAAF
MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN
Greetings! Welcome to our fall 2025 edition of the Nistler College of Business & Public Administration magazine.
The Nistler College has had a record-breaking fall enrollment! Our total number of graduate and undergraduate students reached 2,130, an 8.2% increase from last academic year. This includes 441 incoming first-year students, up 19.2% from the previous year.
Nistler Hall continues to be a game-changer for prospective students. When students visit campus, they experience our outstanding facilities firsthand—along with our tremendous faculty, staff, and outstanding advising and career preparation services. Significantly, 95% of the incoming first-year students are on-campus students!
In addition to strong enrollment, we are also seeing higher retention among first-year students and increased graduation rates. Students who come to the Nistler College find not just an education, but a community that helps prepare them for their journey ahead.
Our students benefit from a variety of experiential learning opportunities. Through student organizations, class projects, and college-wide events, we prepare them for life after graduation by fostering meaningful connections and collaborative experiences.
Our faculty continue to be leaders both in research and in the classroom. They remain committed to innovative teaching and continuously adapt their curriculum to stay fresh and relevant—ensuring our graduates have the skills and confidence to stand out to employers as they enter the workforce.
In this issue, you will discover a range of impact stories from our passionate alumni. We are deeply proud of their journeys beyond UND and the positive difference they are making in their communities and professions. You will also find exciting updates on new initiatives and student success stories that showcase the great things happening here in Nistler Hall.
From all of us at the Nistler College, thank you for your continued generosity and support. We look forward to connecting with you soon!
With gratitude,
Patrick B. O’Neill, Ph.D.
Interim Dean, Nistler College of Business & Public Administration Professor of Economics
HOW ANGIE TEBBE BUILT A LIFE AND BUSINESS GROUNDED IN WELLNESS
The Leap: Turning Intuition into Entrepreneurship
ANGIE TEBBE
From the time she was five, Angie Tebbe was taught to listen – not just to the world around her, but to herself.
Tebbe’s father believed in energy and intuition. “He should have been a healer,” she says. “He taught us reiki, homeopathy, and I was meditating at the tender age of five.”
Her mother, a nurse, balanced that spiritual curiosity with science and care. Together they showed her that wellness isn’t something you buy – it’s something you build from within.
“We were the weird ones on the block in Fargo,” Tebbe says with a laugh. “But my parents always made sure we knew the world was large and that we weren’t the weird ones. The world is full of all types of people, and it’s up to you to decide what you believe.”
That early practice of stillness – of tuning in instead of out – became the foundation for everything that followed for Tebbe. It taught her to pause, to notice, and to trust her inner voice long before the world told her what success looked like. In the years ahead, that instinct would guide her through the structure of corporate life to the uncertainty of entrepreneurship – and ultimately, to the creation of Rae Wellness – a company grounded in the same truth she learned as a child: everything starts on the inside.
North Dakota
When it came time for college, Tebbe cast a wide net. She landed on two, both in the Midwest. “At the end of the day, UND offered great scholarships, so that made my decision easy.”
From the moment Tebbe arrived in Grand Forks, she dove head-first into campus life. “I was the most involved from day one,” says Tebbe.
Tebbe triple-majored in Marketing, Management, and Spanish. She also rushed Alpha Phi, where she lived for three of her four years at the University. “I met my lifelong best friends there,” she says. “There’s eight of us who stay endlessly tight to this day.”
Tebbe’s leadership instincts showed up early. With Alpha Phi, she took on several roles – most notably serving as Vice President of Marketing for the sorority.
Beyond Greek life, Tebbe became a well known face across campus. She joined the University of North Dakota Programming Council (UPC), the studentled group responsible for organizing campus events.
“I led UPC which meant booking musicians, magicians, and speakers. We did all kinds of things – from smaller entertainment to big name concerts. One of my claims to fame was helping organize one of the first major concerts on campus – Sugar Ray,” she says with a smile.
Tebbe’s success with UPC eventually led her into student government, where she ran for and was elected Student Body Vice President. The role would become one of the most formative experiences of Tebbe’s college career.
“It was foundational in learning how people think,” Tebbe says. “And in understanding what it means to be both a front-of-house and behind-the-scenes leader,” she adds.
During her term, Tebbe and her peers helped pass referendums that paved the way for two of UND’s cornerstone buildings: The Wellness Center and the Memorial Union.
“When I visited campus recently, I got to tour those buildings for the first time,” says Tebbe. “It was incredible to see what we helped bring to life actually standing there – it was very full circle.”
As Student Body Vice President, Tebbe also learned what it meant to manage and motivate others.
“We had an office of seven people,” she says. “We did performance reviews, managed projects, and learned how to lead. That experience taught me how to negotiate, how to move major financial initiatives forward, and how to work as part of a team.”
Looking back, Tebbe says her time at UND gave her the foundation for
everything to follow – combining classroom learning with hands-on leadership.
Washington
After graduating in 2004, Tebbe landed a job at Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, Washington. She was one of just 25 participants selected for the company’s newly launched Marketing Leadership Program, a cohort largely made up of graduates from the nation’s most elite universities.
That didn’t intimidate Tebbe – if anything, it reinforced what UND had already taught her: that preparation, curiosity, and hard work can hold their own anywhere.
“It doesn’t matter where you come from,” Tebbe says. “It matters what you’ve done, what you continue to do, and how capable you are.”
Tebbe’s role in Microsoft’s OEM division – the team responsible for partnerships with computer manufacturers and software preinstallation – had her traveling around the world.
“One day I was fighting piracy in Mexico, and the next day I was getting a government contract in Germany,” says Tebbe.
The experience was a crash course in global business – one that expanded Tebbe’s perspective far beyond what she could have imagined.
“It helped me understand scope,” she says. “Sometimes the smaller accounts could mean more in revenue five years down the line than the larger ones. It taught me how to prioritize and think in terms of long-term relationships and how to nurture relationships that last.”
Minnesota
After two years at Microsoft, life and opportunity pulled Tebbe back to the Midwest. Her husband accepted a position in Minnesota, and a friend from UND who worked in retail encouraged her to explore a new path.
“LinkedIn didn’t exist back then,” Tebbe says. “So I just found his phone number
and gave him a call. I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do next; I completely fell into retail.”
That one decision launched Tebbe into a 13-year career at Target, where Tebbe found her true professional passion: understanding consumers.
“I found a love of the consumer industry,” she says. “I became obsessed with understanding behavior – being intuitive about macro and micro trends and knowing when they’re going to hit the mass retail consumer,” she adds.
Throughout her tenure, Tebbe worked across the home and apparel categories, helping to create new products and build brands from the ground up.
“It wasn’t about bringing existing brands into our stores,” she explains. “It was about asking what consumers want, creating it from scratch, then figuring out
how to source, position, and scale it.
Tebbe’s career at Target moved and evolved quickly – she worked in 12 roles in 13 years, each expanding her perspective on leadership and understanding the consumer. Among them was a pivotal assignment in Toronto, Canada, where she was chosen as an expat to help lead the launch of Target’s Canadian operations.
“That did not go so well,” she says with a laugh. “But it certainly taught me a lot. I’ve always been what they call an ‘intrapreneur’ – someone who builds things within a larger company. That experience showed me how to make decisions amidst uncertainty. Even when things are chaotic, you find five options, pick one, and start moving. That’s what really creates momentum,” Tebbe says.
That experience, Tebbe says, sparked something deeper. “That kind of fueled my bug to be an entrepreneur,” she says. “But I was fiercely loyal to the company and when I came back, I continued to lead business units representing up to $15 billion in annual revenue across the company.
She didn’t make the leap right away – but the seed had certainly been planted.
The lessons she learned at Target –how to lead through ambiguity, trust her intuition, and drive innovation with purpose – would ultimately pave the way
for her next chapter: Entrepreneurship.
Rae
After more than a decade in corporate life, Tebbe found herself at a crossroads. She had built a thriving career and led billion-dollar businesses, but somewhere along the way, her own wellness had slipped.
“I was not taking care of myself and I noticed a lot of women around me weren’t either. I hit a certain point where I pulled my dad’s books off the shelves, and I really started reflecting on what he had taught me. I knew it was time to focus on wellness for myself and other women,” says Tebbe.
So – in late 2018, Tebbe took a leap of faith and left Target. Within a few months, that same intuition took shape as Rae Wellness, a brand built on the belief that feeling good starts from within.
“What inspired it was the idea that most things can be fixed from the inside out,” she says. “I hate the words self-care and self-love, I think true wellness is about making sure your insides are well first. When your mind is clear, your body follows.”
Rae launched in early 2020 and quickly resonated with women who saw themselves in the brand’s honesty and accessibility.
“If you take care of your mind first, which is what many of our products do, with mental acuity, anything is possible,” says Tebbe. “So our products range from taking care of women around their stress, their sexual wellness, hormones, digestion, skin, whole body. What’s important about that is there’s not just one thing, our bodies and minds are complex, our emotions are complex – so to hit it across a portfolio of products was very important from the beginning,” she adds.
That instinct proved right. Rae has reached nearly five million customers to date – loyal, dedicated, repeat customers who often buy two or three products at a time depending on their needs. It’s proof, Tebbe says, that women understood the
brand’s mission on a deeper level: to meet them where they’re at, not where they “should” be.
The brand’s growth was fast and instinctdriven – powered by a founder who trusted her gut above all.
“Your own fingers point to yourself. I’ve always been a ‘figure-it-out-er’ but at the end of the day, snapping out of the corporate ‘just ask and thou shall receive’ mentality that is corporate was one of the biggest mental shifts for me and my team,” says Tebbe. “Don’t tell me what you’re going to do, tell me what you did. It’s a completely different mindset to take the steps forward, do the things, and then tell me what you learned – especially with limited resources.”
Tebbe’s leadership lessons from Target carried over, too.
“The best one? Trust your gut. Especially as a woman, you have a high degree of intuition and every time I haven’t trusted my instincts or my initial thoughts on something and I allowed someone to convince me how to move in a different direction, things have never worked out well,” says Tebbe. “So that is something I had to learn over and over again – trust yourself. You’re not going to know all of the answers, but most of the time you have a visceral reaction when something is right or wrong, so knowing when to trust it.”
For Tebbe, that trust in herself paid off. Rae struck a chord almost immediately – and she could feel it.
“You know the day you feel momentum. And what I mean by that is you know when you’re on to something when there is very fast, exponential adoption and brand-level identity with what you’re doing,” says Tebbe. “The number of people who personified our brand and called it Rae Rae – heyyyyyy Rae Rae,” she sings with a laugh, “those are the moments that you remember the most because at that point you know there is true love for something that you created.”
That emotional connection, Tebbe explains, is really what set Rae Wellness apart.
“When people fall in love with something you created from nothing, it’s not just about a product anymore – it’s about belonging,” she says. “That’s when you know you’ve built something that truly matters.”
It’s a perspective that mirrors how Tebbe thinks about wellness itself – not as something to acquire, but as something to nurture.
“I think what’s really important is that people are starting to understand wellness isn’t one-size-fits-all,” she says. “There was never actually anything wrong with you in the beginning. Our work has always been about nurturing what already exists and helping people shine even more.”
That idea – that strength and balance comes from within – continues to guide her as both a founder and a leader.
“When you have the right team and the right learnings, you can build incredible things,” Tebbe says. “At the end of the day, it’s about helping people feel well, think well, and live well.
Today, Tebbe’s work has expanded beyond the business world and back
to where it all began – the University of North Dakota Nistler College of Business & Public Administration. In 2025, Tebbe returned to the University as a speaker for the BeBold Women’s Leadership Conference and joined the UND NCoBPA’s Business Advisory Council.
“What I would love to do is continue to become more involved with the students – that’s where my passion is. Spending more time nurturing the entrepreneurial mind, especially with women, is a huge passion of mine,” says Tebbe.
For Tebbe, ties to UND have always seemed to surface in meaningful ways.
“Two of my best bosses at Target – two of the most senior leaders I ever worked for – were both from UND,” she says. “There’s a sense of integrity that comes along with that. Honesty, humility, hard work. When you meet another UND grad, you just know the baseline of goodness comes with it.”
That shared sense of integrity, Tebbe says, traces back to the foundation UND gave her – one that combined curiosity, courage, and the confidence to carve her own path.
“Did I always want to be an entrepreneur? No, absolutely not,” she says. “I wasn’t surrounded by it. I didn’t know anyone who built their own company. When I left Target, people thought I was crazy. I was raised to get a good job, work hard, and build my 401K. Entrepreneurship was seen as all risk,” she adds.
That mindset, she says, was the norm where she grew up – centered on stability and security. However, Tebbe says she eventually realized that fulfillment comes from alignment, not safety.
“Anchor on your why,” she says. “Your what and how will always change – your job, your city, your path – but your why stays constant. If you’re clear on that, it becomes your compass for everything.”
Tebbe pauses and reflects.
“Everything I’ve built – every decision, every risk – has started from the inside.”
THE NISTLEREDGE ADVANTAGE
An experiential learning platform helping UND students track experiences, build skills, and stand out to employers.
How do Nistler graduates stand out in a crowd? Beyond our exceptional curriculum and dedicated faculty, students now gain an additional advantage through the newly launched NistlerEdge platform. This innovative tool allows Nistler College students to build an experiential learning transcript by tracking engagement and activities outside the classroom.
Students can create digital portfolios, showcase achievements on LinkedIn, and compete for leaderboard recognition—all while earning prizes and gaining real-world experiences that help them stand out to employers.
With an average of 250 applicants per entry-level position nationally, the Nistler College is committed to providing its students the edge they need to shine.
Launched in fall 2024, NistlerEdge is powered by Suitable, a mobile-driven software platform designed to support student engagement and success beyond academics. Through the platform, students are empowered to tell their unique stories by showcasing the badges they’ve earned and the competencies they’ve developed.
“Employers want to hire business and public administration graduates who are not only academically accomplished but also possess real-world experience and industry-relevant skills,” says Kathy Lund, Director of Career and Professional Development in the Nistler Pancratz Center. “Through NistlerEdge, employers can gain a more comprehensive view of a candidate’s abilities.”
DENVER FLANAGAN, NISTLER COLLEGE STUDENT
Lund, along with Nikkie Dvorak, Assistant to the Dean, led the initiative to customize the Suitable platform for Nistler College. With their leadership and input from Nistler faculty and staff, the college identified nine core competencies that reflect the essential skills students develop as they prepare for their careers. Each competency includes a series of verified activities students complete to earn points and badges. These badges highlight key professional attributes such as leadership, communication, and ethical behavior.
“These nine competencies were derived from what employers want to see in their future employees—skills developed beyond the core curriculum,” says Dvorak.
In its first academic year, NistlerEdge saw impressive engagement, with 213 students logging in and 147 tracking activities. Moving forward, the focus will be on engaging first-year students early to help them build their cocurricular transcripts and strengthen their connection to the college.
NistlerEdge Core Competencies
• Thinking & Problem Solving
• Communication
• Relationship Management & Networking
• Self-Awareness & Personal Development
• Global & Cultural Agility
• Leadership
• Digital Literacy
• Professional & Ethical Behavior
• Civic Engagement
“NistlerEdge has really encouraged me to get involved beyond the classroom. It has connected me with events and experiences I wouldn’t have come across otherwise, and I know that kind of involvement is something employers will look for. It has helped me build skills and confidence that will definitely benefit me as I start my career,” says Denver Flanagan, a current Nistler College student.
Students enrolled in Nistler’s career development courses, as well as those participating in classroom visits and outreach events, are being introduced to NistlerEdge—and learning how achieving the NistlerEdge can help them stand out in today’s competitive job market.
FROM SMALL-TOWN NORTH DAKOTA TO THE SWEET SUCCESS OF DAIRY QUEEN
A childhood love for Dairy Queen became a lifelong lesson in leadership, perseverance, and staying true to one’s roots.
For those who reside in Elgin, North Dakota – a town with a population just shy of 900 people – the nearest Dairy Queen is an hour and a half away.
“Like many kids at the time, if we were well behaved when we went to Bismarck, we would be able to get a cone at the Dairy Queen and have it on the way home to Elgin,” says Troy Bader. “The power of a Dairy Queen treat as a motivator for good behavior was amazing.”
Troy Bader grew up throughout North Dakota. Though born in New Town, Bader’s father was a school teacher and administrator, so he and his family moved around throughout his younger years. Bader began grade school in Goodrich, a town of just 340 people at the time, before moving to Elgin, where he spent most of his grade school years. The family relocated once more the summer before he began junior high — this time to Rugby.
“I was not happy,” says Bader. “I was going from a town of 900 people to a town of 2,800 people. How would I ever meet people and find my way around this big town after leaving all my friends? I remember whining all the way on the drive to Rugby,” Bader says with a chuckle.
Bader had never been to Rugby before the move. Still upset when he and his family pulled into town, he saw something on the corner of the highway that completely changed his tune: a Dairy Queen sign.
“I remember the feeling that overcame me when I saw that sign to this day – the, ‘you know something? Maybe things won’t be so bad here.’ And I’ll never forget that feeling as I absolutely loved Dairy Queen,” says Bader. “Never at the time did I think I’d one day become the CEO.”
Higher Education
While thinking about college his senior year of high school, Bader’s parents told him they would help with both room and board and tuition under one condition: he go to school in the State of North Dakota.
“For me, it was an easy choice,” says Bader. “I knew I wanted to go into business so I went to the University of North Dakota for a quick visit. I’d been to the University before and had a sense for it since my brother had attended a few years prior to me. It was a no brainer. It was where I wanted to go and it just felt good when I got on campus.” It was the right decision for me and I’m very happy I did it.”
Of all the classes Bader took in his undergrad years at UND, the class he says had the biggest impact on his future was macro economics.
“In that class I was able to see how all aspects of our economy correlated with each other and how they impacted business and finance. Scot Stradley was the professor. The class really made things click for me and heightened my interest in a career in business,” says Bader.
After graduating from the University of North Dakota Nistler College of Business & Public Administration in 1985 with a B.A. in Business Administration with an emphasis in Banking and Finance, Bader made the decision to go to law school at the University of Minnesota. Bader says there was no outside influence to go to law school, as he was the first in his family to pursue law.
“For me, it has always been about continuous learning,” says Bader. “When I think about life, and I think about doing the same thing day in and day out, that frightens me, because that’s not what I want. So when law school became a consideration, it was less about the law –though I found it interesting and liked the intellectual challenge – it was really about creating another educational opportunity that could expand my horizons and potentially open doors to a breadth of opportunities that might not otherwise be available in the future. For me, that’s what it was all about,” Bader adds.
Post-Graduation
After graduating from the University of Minnesota, Bader took a job at a firm known at the time as Gray Plant Mooty.
Bader’s initial plan was to practice corporate law. But once he arrived at the firm, he found himself facing something he’d always disliked in law school: speaking in front of people.
“I have always been a big believer that if there’s something you believe is going to be important in your career that you don’t feel you do as well as you’d like, you need to face it head on and challenge yourself to develop those skills more fully. Although my strong interest was pursuing a legal career in corporate law, I decided to begin my career in litigation. The sole purpose of doing this was to further develop my public speaking skills and comfort,” he says.
To assure that Bader received the experiences he wanted, he even took on legal matters early in his career that were not the most glamorous and sought after opportunities because those matters provided him the opportunity to take depositions and get into court far more quickly – both of which served to develop the skills he was focused on developing.
Eventually, Bader’s hard work into building a diverse skillset paid off: he
was given the opportunity as a young principal in the firm to become CoChair of a practice group that was still developing: Franchise and Product Distribution.
“One reason I was given this opportunity was that I had gained experience managing and litigating matters as well as managing client relationships, even as a younger lawyer. That was an advantage and differentiator for me. That’s one thing I think is really important: what can you do to really differentiate yourself, and then how can you take advantage of and leverage that differentiation. That’s what I was fortunate to be able to do,” he adds.
Having practiced law for thirteen years, Bader felt accomplished being a Principal at the firm and loved the work he was doing with many franchise businesses on a daily basis.
In early 2001, Bader was recruited by one of the clients he did business with. The CEO had contacted him asking if he had any interest in doing something different – heading up a business unit that had just been created within the company.
“Obviously being a lawyer who had never run a business or business units before, receiving such an offer was intriguing. However, I was very hesitant. After all, I was a principal in a large law firm, enjoyed my work and had a great legal career ahead of me. Why would I leave that behind and take on a new, unknown pathway? I did feel a little hypocritical in that while I was advising franchise clients every day how they should run their businesses, I had never actually walked in their shoes. But was that really enough to take this type of risk? But the CEO was a pretty persuasive individual,” says Bader with a chuckle. “I thought to myself, ‘this is no different than developing your communication skills and other types of things – learn it, and you’ll be better because of it.’ I had advised people often to get outside of their comfort zone. Now it was my turn to practice what I had been preaching to others.”
So – Bader said yes to the offer and joined the brand he loved most: International Dairy Queen.
The Final Interview
In late 2017, Bader was informed that the then current CEO would be retiring at the end of the year and that he would be the successor. However, there was one final step in that CEO succession process. That step is one that Bader calls one of the most memorable and rewarding moments of his life: he flew to Omaha, Nebraska to interview with Warren Buffet.
Buffet was CEO and Chairman of the Board for Berkshire Hathaway, the parent company of International Dairy Queen.
“I knew my business and I knew the numbers, but I had a lot of anxiety going down to meet with Warren Buffet because the man is brilliant,” says Bader. “I kept asking myself, what might he ask that I hadn’t even considered?”
To Bader’s surprise, Buffet started asking questions of himself and his predecessor centered around fuel centers and convenience stores and what it’s like to run restaurants there – did they perform as well as the freestanding locations? Were there unique aspects of running restaurants in a fuel center environment? He asked the two men all sorts of questions about their knowledge and experiences with food service and retail in convenience stores and fuel centers. Though confidential at the time, Buffet was picking their brands ahead of purchasing Pilot Oil Company.
“Get outside your comfort zone. Do things that make you uncomfortable. Take roles you’re not sure you’re fully prepared for, because that’s where the greatest growth happens.”
TROY BADER
“What was amazing to me was that when we walked into that meeting –he had already considered that there might be something that I knew about this particular area of business that he might not know,” says Bader. “His primary focus wasn’t about sitting back with any arrogance, like a person as accomplished as Warren Buffet would have had every right to do. He didn’t treat us like it was a privilege for us to be there – he approached things differently. It was more about, ‘you might know something that I don’t; something I’m thinking about and want to better understand and I want to pick your brain and see what I can learn from you.’”
A lesson Bader says he’s carried forward since that day.
“Whoever you meet in the world – it doesn’t matter who they are – there’s something they know or some experience they’ve had that you can learn from. If you truly are committed to continuous learning, there are many places to learn and much we can learn from everyone we meet every single day. Take the time to do it because the results can be pretty incredible,” says Bader.
International Dairy Queen
In 2025, Dairy Queen hit a number of notable milestones: the brand itself turned ‘85 years young,’ the Blizzard brand is in its 40th year, and the franchise has officially expanded into 21 different countries.
“I’m really proud of what we’ve done to evolve and modernize the brand,” says Bader.
Under Bader’s leadership, Dairy Queen has continued to grow while holding on to the small-town sense of community that’s long defined it – the same spirit that once made a cone in Bismarck feel like a reward worth behaving for.
“Dairy Queens are very connected to their communities,” Bader says. “We have amazing products and are the leader in the treat category.”
From its first small shop in Joliet, Illinois, in 1940 to more than 7,800 locations
worldwide, Dairy Queen has grown into a global brand that still feels local at heart. Under Bader’s leadership, the company has continued to build on what made it famous in the first place – its treats. He championed innovation around the Blizzard and other dessert offerings, keeping Dairy Queen at the center of sweet memories for generations of fans while ensuring the brand stayed relevant in a fast-changing market.
The same spirit of evolution extends beyond dessert. Bader has also overseen the development of the Grill & Chill concept, which expanded Dairy Queen’s menu far beyond soft serve and helped the company strengthen its position in the food category.
“The DQ Grill & Chill concept and heightened emphasis on food brought Dairy Queen to another level within the quick service restaurant industry,” he says. “We made sure it was sustainable and presented a solid economic model for our franchisees.
Above all, Bader says what gives him the most satisfaction is the success of Dairy Queen franchisees.
“Many of them are now third, fourth, even fifth-generation owners. It’s fulfilling to know the brand has helped change the trajectory of their lives and their communities,” says Bader.
Looking ahead, Bader remains focused on sustaining that legacy – ensuring Dairy Queen continues to grow while staying true to the values that have guided it for 85 years. Whether it’s a blizzard enjoyed on a hot summer evening after a football game or a family running their local Grill & Chill, he sees each moment as part of the same story.
“If we keep creating positive memories for everyone who touches DQ,” Bader says, “we’ll be doing well for another 85 years.”
That forward-thinking mindset carries into Dairy Queen’s newest strategic plan – the company’s 10x30 Ambition, introduced in early 2024. The goal: to position Dairy Queen for $10 billion in annual sales by the end of the decade.
To get there, Bader and his team outlined what they call the brand’s “Future Trues” – priorities focused on delivering exceptional guest experiences, embracing digital transformation, unifying the brand, and ensuring franchisees remain competitive and profitable. While technology plays a growing role in that vision, Bader believes the human connection will always matter most.
“Digital is really important, but you have to balance it,” he says. “We want to meet consumers where they are, but we also have guests who still value that personal connection at the counter.”
That philosophy ties back to Dairy Queen’s mission: to create positive memories for everyone who touches DQ – fans, franchisees, and vendors alike.
“If we focus on making every experience personal – that smile, that sincere thankyou – we’ll continue to be the world’s favorite quick-service restaurant for another 85 years.”
North Dakota
As much as Bader is focused on Dairy Queen’s future, he’s equally reflective about the people and experiences that helped shape his trajectory – including his time at the University of North Dakota Nistler College of Business & Public Administration.
He admits that he lost touch with the University for a while, keeping up from a distance as life and career took over. That changed when UND Alumni Association & Foundation CEO DeAnna Carlson Zink reached out several years ago.
“I have loved being back involved,” Bader says. “Having been re-engaged and reconnected with UND and the community, I’m prouder now than I’ve ever been before,” he says. “To see what the University is doing in terms of growing facilities, programming, and opportunities for students — it’s beyond anything I could have imagined when I was there. I’m incredibly proud to have been a part of it and to know it was foundational in my life and who I am today.”
Today, Bader serves on the board of the UND Alumni Association & Foundation and continues to stay connected with the Nistler College of Business & Public Administration, supporting efforts that help create more opportunities for future students.
“There are moments in life that really shape who you are, and one of those for me was the University of North Dakota,” he says. “I grew so much there — as an individual, as an academic, and personally. When I look at my life, that was one of the biggest periods of growth and opportunity.”
That belief in lifelong learning continues to drive Bader today.
“I want to continue to learn, and I try to be a continuous learner every day,” Bader says.
It’s the same lesson he shares with young professionals he mentors.
“Get outside your comfort zone. Do things that make you uncomfortable. Take roles you’re not sure you’re fully prepared for, because that’s where the greatest growth happens. You have to believe in yourself.”
It’s advice he’s lived by – from the moment he left a small North Dakota town to attend the University of North
Dakota, to the day he took a leap of faith from the courtroom to Dairy Queen.
“When I accepted that first role with International Dairy Queen, I expected to be there for maybe three or four years, then go back to be a better, more differentiated franchise lawyer — that was twenty-four years ago” After a pause, he adds with a smile, “I’ve been blessed to have continued growth opportunities within the company that brought me to where I am today. Dairy Queen is the brand that I love the most, and I feel incredibly honored to do what I do and to have achieved what we have,” says Bader.
For UND – and for North Dakota –Bader’s story is more than a professional success. It’s proof that the lessons learned in small classrooms and on snow-covered sidewalks can carry farther than anyone might imagine. That a kid from a town of 900 people can grow up to lead a global company, yet still see every achievement through the lens of gratitude and home.
Because no matter how far life has taken him, Bader still carries North Dakota with him — in the way he leads, in the way he learns, and in every smile sparked by a Dairy Queen cone. A reminder that sometimes, the sweetest success is coming full circle to the place where it all began.
EMPOWERING NORTH DAKOTA’S ENTREPRENEURS
UND’s Small Business Development Center leads innovation through AI training, student research, and statewide collaboration.
The Nistler College of Business & Public Administration has been a proud host of the North Dakota Small Business Development Centers (ND SBDC) for nearly fourty years, with the first grant written by Nistler College Dean Emeritus Dennis Elbert.
The ND SBDC is part of America’s SBDC, the nation’s largest and most effective small business assistance network. Across the United States and its territories, SBDCs support entrepreneurs in launching, managing, and growing their businesses. Recent data has shown that the network has helped create more than 80,995 new full-time jobs, with a new business started every 33.3 minutes.
Being integrated within a higher education institution creates endless opportunities for research collaboration, hands-on student internships, and classroom engagement.
Advancing Innovation: The AI U Project and Google Grant
Through a recent grant from Google.org, America’s SBDC launched the AI U Project, a national initiative to empower small businesses with AI skills and education. The funding supports the creation of AI curriculum and clinics that help entrepreneurs learn how to leverage AI for growth through free training and consulting.
The ND SBDC’s first cohort of advisors received AI certification in September 2024, with two additional advisors completing their certifications in fall 2025.
“The certification provides us with tools to support our clients in using AI to improve their business operations,” says Tiffany Ford, Director of the UND Center for Business Engagement & Development, and State Director of the ND SBDC.
“AI tools can help us evaluate client materials, but we always ‘keep the human in the loop,’” adds Marnie Schuschke, Associate Director of the Center for Business Engagement & Development and the ND SBDC.
Internally, the ND SBDC already uses five different bots to create efficiencies in their work with small business clients and internal operations. “We have mini programs that can be tailored to deliver specific outputs,” says Ford.
“As a network, we’re already seeing the benefits of integrating AI.”
The ND SBDC remains focused on meeting clients where they are and helping them identify tools and strategies that fit their stage of business development.
Fostering Student Research
Through the AI U Project grant, three UND students were selected for a competitive, hands-on internship opportunity. The interdisciplinary team includes Jordan Gudim, an undergraduate student in the Nistler College; Aditya Sapkota, a graduate student in computer science; and Mohamed Ben Miloud, a Ph.D. student in computer science.
Together, they are developing a “ND Comps” database, a user-friendly tool for searching and analyzing historical small business data across industries, regions, and demographics in North Dakota.
“This internship provides a great opportunity to use modern tools to solve real problems,” says Gudim. “I’m excited to design and build a database that enables efficient data search and retrieval.”
Ford adds, “There can sometimes be a gap between business and technical communication. With this team’s diverse expertise, we’re confident they’ll develop a system that’s intuitive and practical.”
“Through this internship, students are working on a real-world problem from the ground up,” Ford continues. “Rather than
researching within an existing system, they get to build one from scratch.”
Continued Collaboration Efforts
The Center for Business Engagement & Development (CBED) serves as UND’s central business outreach hub, supporting three national business assistance and resource programs:
• North Dakota Small Business Development Centers (ND SBDC)
• North Dakota APEX Accelerator (APEX)
• Veterans Business Outreach Center of the Dakotas (VBOC)
These outreach programs were intentionally created as a partnership between government, small businesses, and higher education. They have created over $1 billion in total economic impact.
SBDC INTERNS
Aditya Sapkota and Jordin Gudim
CBED collaborates closely with Nistler College faculty through the Institute of Policy & Business Analytics, leveraging faculty expertise in data and economic analysis. CBED staff also visit BADM courses and marketing courses to discuss entrepreneurship and business development, while faculty are invited to lead professional development sessions for CBED teams.
“We make it a priority to engage in the classroom and also invite faculty to teach us new things,” says Ford.
At the Nistler College, the impact of CBED continues to expand through student engagement, faculty collaboration, and partnerships that strengthen communities and drive economic growth across North Dakota.
LEADING THE WAY: UND’S HERR SCHOOL ESTABLISHES NORTH DAKOTA’S FIRST LOW-INCOME TAX CLINIC
Herr School of Accountancy faculty and students expand taxpayer support from North Dakota to neighboring states.
JANE WEISS, CLINICAL ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, AND MARWA ZAMAN, GRADUATE ASSISTANT
The Herr School of Accountancy continues to make an impact through the outstanding education and hands-on experiences it provides for students. Now, those efforts have expanded beyond the classroom—offering taxpayer advocacy and education across North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, and western Minnesota.
In 2024, the Herr School applied for and received a grant to establish a Low-Income Tax Clinic (LITC) to serve taxpayers throughout the state. The school was awarded an initial oneyear grant and has since applied for a three-year renewal to continue and expand its work.
There are currently more than 135 LITCs across the United States, but only six are affiliated with business schools. Most operate through legal aid organizations. The UND clinic is the first of its kind in North Dakota, launched under the leadership of Ken Bulie, Clinical Assistant Professor of Accountancy.
The primary goal of an LITC is to represent taxpayers dealing with the IRS on issues such as identity theft, collections, or other tax-related disputes. “UND already has a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program that helps with tax preparation, so it was a natural fit to establish an LITC to support what happens after you file the return and something may be wrong with it,” says Jane Weiss, Clinical Associate Professor in the Herr School of Accountancy.
From VITA to LITC
The VITA program at UND began in 2017 and now operates as a course with twenty-seven students providing free tax preparation services. With the success and growth of that program, the Herr School hopes to see similar student engagement with the LITC.
“Every state is supposed to have an LITC,” explains Kate Campbell, Professor and Chair of the Herr School of Accountancy. Dr. Campbell notes that the program focuses on three key areas: representation, education, and advocacy.
The first focus, representation, gives taxpayers access to trained advocates who can assist with tax disputes or even represent them in tax court. “This is a great opportunity for students to work alongside practitioners on real cases,” says Campbell. The school is also building a pro bono panel of tax professionals to support these efforts.
The second focus, education, aims to raise awareness of taxpayer rights and responsibilities. Herr faculty and students have conducted educational events on tax-related topics across the Midwest, including Veteran Stand Down events, campus programs, and community workshops.
The third focus, advocacy, allows the clinic to identify recurring taxpayer issues and bring them to the attention of the National Taxpayer Advocate, potentially influencing policy changes.
When significant patterns are found, the team can submit a Systemic Advocacy Management (SAM) Report to help address those concerns at the federal level.
Building Awareness and Community Connections
Since launching, the LITC team has placed strong emphasis on outreach and relationship-building. “Very few people know what an LITC is,” says Weiss. To spread the word, Campbell, Weiss, and graduate student Marwa Zaman have traveled throughout the region—visiting community action agencies, libraries, Salvation Army centers, United Way offices, and other local organizations—to raise awareness of the clinic’s services.
“We’re trying to connect with other businesses and community partners who can help share information about our services with the populations they serve,” adds Campbell.
Currently, the LITC team includes Kate Campbell, Ken Bulie, Jane Weiss, and graduate assistant Marwa Zaman. In its first year, the clinic has worked on eleven active cases and provided numerous consultations. As they await renewal of their three-year grant, the team hopes to expand further with the help of alumni and friends interested in providing pro bono legal, accounting, or outreach support.
A HAVEN OF INSPIRATION
Brianna Castillo builds a family-and faith-focused business.
When Brianna Castillo says, “give it all away,” she’s not just talking about money. To her, it means sharing wisdom, resources, and opportunities so that others can flourish.
Through her company, Haven Realty Group in Dallas, Texas, Brianna lives out that philosophy daily. Her faith-led team helps Dallas families turn what can be overwhelming real estate decisions into confident, meaningful moves.
“I’m proud of building a business that centers people first — where families can be seen, heard, and truly cared for during one of the biggest moments in their lives,” says Castillo, Partner and Real Estate Broker at Haven Realty Group.
Haven Realty Group ranks among the Top 50 small real estate teams in the United States. Castillo has been recognized with numerous honors, including REMAX 40 Under 40, the City of Dallas Women in Business Award, and ranking in the Top 1.5% of Realtors nationwide. She’s also been named a Best Realtor and Top Producer by D Magazine annually for the past seven years, in addition to being recognized among the Dallas and Texas Top 500, and ranking as the #1 agent in Texas and #35 globally for small REMAX team.
It All Starts with Family
Growing up in Fosston, Minnesota, Castillo was surrounded by examples of hard work and entrepreneurship. Her family owned a hardware store where her father and grandfather taught her the value of perseverance — and where her first business, a lemonade stand out front, was born.
With her mother a University of North Dakota alumna (Class of 1984) and an early interest in aviation, UND was a natural choice for college. Brianna changed focus away from an aviation career in high school, but her heart was still set on UND, and she decided to pursue a degree in Marketing.
At UND, Castillo immersed herself in campus life, joining organizations that honed her leadership and entrepreneurial skills. As a member of the Dakota Venture Group, the nation’s first student-led venture capital fund, she gained hands-on business experience. She also served as a resident assistant, played trumpet in the hockey band, performed with the color guard for football, interned for Continuing Education, and competed regionally with Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE).
Through SIFE, she was encouraged to add a second major in entrepreneurship — a decision that became pivotal to her future.
“Craig (Silvernagel) was more than a teacher; he was a mentor who truly believed in us,” Castillo says as she recalls her SIFE advisor and former UND entrepreneurship professor. “The faculty pushed us hard and challenged us like no other. They saw something in us we couldn’t yet
BRIANNA & OSCAR CASTILLO WITH DAUGHTERS
The Leap of Faith
That entrepreneurial mindset gave Castillo the courage to take her first big leap. While studying in Gamble Hall, she received a call offering her a sales position in Dallas, Texas — selling power tools. Though hesitant at first, her background in her family’s hardware business gave her the confidence to take the chance.
Little did she know it would ignite a passion. “Sales is all about building relationships,” she says. That love for connecting with people led her cousin, a REMAX agent in Minneapolis, to recruit her into real estate — and she has not looked back.
Brick by brick, Castillo built her business. Today, Haven Realty Group is on track to close $60 million in annual sales, driven by a mission grounded in faith, family, and service.
Work-Life Balance
“I remember sitting in the Gamble Hall computer lab on a Friday night at 11 p.m., thinking, ‘I can’t wait to graduate and get a real job and only work 40 hours a week,’” Castillo says with a laugh.
Now, a wife and mother of two, as well as a business owner, balance looks different for Castillo. “I’ve had to learn it over time,” she says. “If you’re not putting the right things first, why does it matter?”
Together with her husband Oscar, Castillo strives to prioritize family and faith while pursuing professional excellence. “You can have it all — but you can’t do it all,” she explains. “You don’t have to sacrifice your goals or your family. You just need the right people around you to help lift you up.”
Coaching and Mentorship
Castillo credits much of her growth to the people who believed in her. “My mother always empowered me,” she says. “She’d tell me, ‘If you want to walk on the moon, you need to learn how to fly a plane.’”
Throughout her career, Castillo has worked with professional coaches to help her refine her goals and maintain her priorities. Now, she is paying that wisdom forward through coaching and speaking engagements. Castillo hosts webinars and has private coaching clients nationwide, helping them scale their businesses to seven figures — without sacrificing their families or values.
Give It All Away
“God has led me down a path to share with others and live life open-handedly,” says Castillo. Her motto, give it all away, was inspired by her mentor, Ben Wilson.
Together with her husband Oscar, Castillo weaves philanthropy into everything they do. For every real estate transaction, she donates a portion to the Children’s Miracle Network.
“I want to leave a legacy,” she says — and she’s doing just that. Through her business, coaching, and generosity, Castillo is showing that when passion meets purpose, greatness follows.
JACI PRASKA, NISTLER COLLEGE STUDENT
ROOTED IN NORTH DAKOTA:
From counting change in her family’s hardware store to advising on North Dakota’s economic future, UND junior Jaci Praska is proving that hard work and heart can go a long way.
Growing up in Oakes, North Dakota, Praska learned the value of hard work at an early age. Her first lessons came from working in her parents’ hardware store, Praska Hardware. Because she was so young, her parents taught her how to count back change to customers — a small task that sparked her lifelong interest in business and accounting.
Growing up, Praska has fond memories of coming to campus for UND hockey games on the weekends. Recently, she even found a UND onesie from when she was little. “UND has always been in my family,” Praska says with a smile.
Upon arriving at UND, Praska knew she wanted to get involved right away. “UND has helped so much with developing my leadership skills,” she says.
A distinguished Page Leader through the Nistler College of Business & Public Administration, Praska received a four-year scholarship recognizing her leadership and achievements. She is currently majoring in Accounting and Public Affairs. “I really like the government side of helping people,” she explains.
JACI PRASKA’S JOURNEY FROM SMALL-TOWN VALUES TO STATEWIDE LEADERSHIP
Community involvement has always been a priority for Praska. In high school, she served on numerous state boards, including the North Dakota State Student Council, and was recognized as a North Dakota High School Activities Association Distinguished Student. She also remains passionate about giving back through volunteer work at her local food pantry.
At UND, Praska has taken advantage of every opportunity to grow as a leader. She has attended several Nistler College events such as the Morrison Leadership Summit, the Olafson Ethics Symposium, and the BeBold Women in Leadership Summit.
Now a junior, Praska has found many ways to stay active on campus. She is involved with the UND Sales Team, Marketing Club, Women in Business Club, Student Ambassadors, and serves as a Pancratz Peer Mentor in the Pancratz Career Development Center.
In her second year working alongside Kathy Lund at the Pancratz Career Development Center, Praska found new doors opening. “Kathy Lund is really
good at finding opportunities for students to get the ball rolling,” Praska says. Encouraged by Lund, Praska applied for a student member position on the North Dakota Economic Development Foundation Board.
After submitting her application, resume, and references nearly a year ago, Praska received exciting news this summer — she was appointed by Governor of North Dakota, Kelly Armstrong as a student member of the North Dakota Economic Development Foundation State Board for a two-year term. In this role, she participates in quarterly meetings and collaborates with business professionals to advise on ways to strengthen North Dakota’s economy.
“I’m excited to be even more connected to North Dakota,” Praska says. “Being from a rural community, I’ve seen many ups and downs. I attended my first meeting in August and felt included in the discussion — the board truly valued my perspective.”
Praska continues to be inspired by the alumni network and connections within UND. “It’s incredible to hear the success
stories of so many UND Nistler College alumni,” she says.
Looking ahead, Praska sees many leadership opportunities in accounting and public affairs. But one thing is certain: “I really do love North Dakota,” she says. “There’s just something so special about it.”
FROM CORNERBACK TO CEO: HUDSON FLOM HUSTLES BEYOND THE GAME
Hudson Flom is redefining what it means to be a student-athlete at the University of North Dakota. As a cornerback and marketing student, he also runs his own business and actively serves the community. In this spotlight, Hudson shares insights on how he’s able to do it all, showing that dedication extends far beyond the field.
About Hudson Flom
Born and raised in Grand Forks, Hudson Flom has always had a vision for balancing big goals with hard work. Now a junior marketing major at the Nistler College, he suits up as a cornerback for UND football while also managing life as an entrepreneur and community leader.
Hudson operates his own company, H2, in Griggs County and works alongside a former teammate at Cutting Edge Resources. Outside of academics, athletics, and business, he enjoys wake surfing, golfing, and spending time with family and friends.
Balancing It All
For Hudson, the key to balance is time management. Balancing football, classes, service and business requires structure, and he’s learned to treat every hour like it matters.
“One of my greatest strengths is the ability to manage my time. Each day is limited to a certain amount of hours and I do my best to make the most of every minute throughout the day,” he explains.
Whether it’s preparing for a game, finishing coursework, or planning a business project, Hudson approaches every task like a play in a playbook, tackling it strategically, deliberately, and with an eye on the end goal.
Commitment to Community
Volunteering has been one of the most rewarding parts of Hudson’s UND journey. In just two years, he has completed nearly 300 hours of service, earning him the “Male Individual Community Service Award” for the 2024–25 season.
“The most rewarding part of being active in the Grand Forks community is the ability to give back to the community that raised me. Grand Forks is a great community that always comes together to support one another, that is the beauty of this city.” Hudson says.
He remembers growing up seeing UND football players active in the community or at fan events and wanting to be like them. Now that he’s in that position, he’s intentional about inspiring others and making a positive impact in the community he was raised.
Game Plan for Success in Business and the Classroom
For Hudson, the lessons from football carry directly into the classroom. Discipline, preparation, and time management have become the foundation of how he approaches academics and business.
“Being held accountable in football has translated into my academic and work life,” he explains. “It’s about showing up and completing tasks at the highest level.”
Balancing his marketing coursework with running H2 and working at Cutting Edge Resources has taught him the value of consistency and flexibility. Just like studying a playbook, staying on top of assignments requires focus, patience, and attention to detail—skills Hudson continues to sharpen both on the field and in class.
Advice for Other Students
Hudson’s message to his peers is simple: take chances. He believes that real growth comes from trying new things, even if they don’t work out.
“Why not join a club, start a business, try something new? What’s the worst that happens? You fail? You don’t like it? Oh well, you learn from it. You can’t grow if you’re afraid to fail,” he says.
He encourages fellow students to seek out opportunities that push them, whether that’s in leadership, service, or personal hobbies, and to treat every experience as a chance to grow and improve.
Q&A with Hudson:
How would your teammates describe you in one word?
“Ambitious, they see that I am a very hard worker and determined to do better and succeed every single day.”
What’s your favorite restaurant in Grand Forks and what’s your go-to order?
“My favorite restaurant has to be Harry’s Steakhouse. I usually get a steak with truffle mac and cheese and smashed red potatoes.”
If you could spend the day with a business leader or professional athlete, who would it be?
This is a curveball, but I’d love to chat with Jimmy Donaldson aka Mr. Beast. He has mastered marketing and the understanding of social media algorithms. His ability to grow and understand so much would be so fascinating to hear and learn on how he did it and how I can do it as well.
UND JUNIOR GREYSON ORNE AWARDED PRESTIGIOUS TRUMAN SCHOLARSHIP
University of North Dakota junior Greyson Orne received a surprise of a lifetime on April 10 when UND President Andy Armacost and Provost Eric Link walked into his classroom in Robin Hall. Their visit was to deliver a prestigious announcement: Orne had been awarded the 2025 Truman Scholarship, one of the nation’s most competitive and distinguished academic honors for undergraduates pursuing careers in public service.
A double major in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Operations and Political Science, Orne is now the 15th UND student to earn the Truman Scholarship since the program’s inception in 1977. He is one of only 60 students selected nationwide this year, representing 54 colleges and universities.
Originally from Camden, Maine, Orne transferred to UND in the fall of 2022 after completing his first year at Colby College. Since then, he’s made a mark at UND through leadership roles in student organizations and internships with both the Northern Plains UAS Test Site and General Atomics.“Winning this award places Greyson in a powerful network of scholars committed to public service,” said Mark Jendrysik, professor of political science and public administration, and Orne’s lead advisor throughout the application process. “When you join the Truman community, you gain access to a group of people who are deeply invested in your success. People are going to meet Greyson and say, ‘We’re going to help him go further than he ever thought possible.’”
Yee Han Chu, UND’s academic support and fellowship opportunities coordinator, also played a key role in Orne’s success. “It was a delight working with Greyson,” Chu said. ”He demonstrates both academic excellence and a genuine passion for public service. I see great potential for him as a Truman Scholar.”
The Truman Scholarship provides up to $30,000 for graduate or professional studies in fields dedicated to public service. As part of his award, Orne plans to participate in the Truman Summer Institute in Washington, D.C., where he hopes to intern with the Federal Aviation Administration’s UAS division or with congressional committees focused on transportation and UAS integration into national airspace.
The Truman Foundation, established by Congress in 1975 as the nation’s living memorial to President Harry S. Truman, supports the next generation of leaders committed to careers in public service.“President Truman wanted a living monument—not of stone, but of people,” said Jendrysik. “Greyson’s selection is a reflection of that vision, and of UND’s continued excellence in preparing students for leadership and impact.”
JUST DO IT:
AT UND, NIKE EXECUTIVE SAM MCCRACKEN TALKS ENTREPRENEURSHIP, N7S
‘Take a chance on yourself,’ says former forklift driver, now director and founder of Nike’s N7 program
LAINE LYONS AND SAM MCCRACKEN
In spring 2025, Sam McCracken, founder and general manager of Nike’s N7 program, visited the Nistler College of Business & Public Administration for a fireside chat with students, faculty, and staff.
A member of the Sioux and Assiniboine Tribes of the Ft. Peck Indian Reservation in northeast Montana, McCracken appeared onstage opposite Laine Lyons, director of development at the College of Arts & Sciences for the UND Alumni Association & Foundation.
With her questions, Lyons–herself a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians–helped chronicle McCracken’s journey from rural Montana to heading a division at one of the world’s largest manufacturers of athletic apparel.
After high school, McCracken moved to the San Francisco Bay Area with his mother and began coaching youth basketball, an activity that instilled in him a lifelong passion for the sport. Off the court, he ran a forklift at a local warehouse during an especially challenging shift: 5 a.m.to 1 p.m.
McCracken continued coaching in the Bay Area—rising through the ranks to the high school level—until 1997, when he was hired as a forklift operator at Nike’s West Coast distribution center in Wilsonville, Ore.
“When I got the opportunity I said,‘Well, I get the best of both worlds,’ he said. “I could use my certification and be around sports.”
Shortly after his hiring, Nike’s U.S. director of human resources reached out to McCracken. The director wanted to revitalize Nike’s Native American employee network, and offered McCracken the chairmanship of the group. The catch? The role was unpaid and in addition to—not in replacement of—McCracken’s full-time job.
“There was an article in my hometown paper that said, ‘Tribal member becomes chairman of Nike’s Native American network,’” he said with a laugh. “No mention of my 50-hour-per-week job; they thought I was just chairman!”
Despite his being a volunteer, the position paved the way for McCracken’s future business ventures–including his patented N7 brand, he said. In 2000, McCracken proposed his business plan to Nike executives. It worked: As Nike’s website attests, the N7 Collection today supports the N7 Fund to provide sport and physical activity programming to kids in Native American and Aboriginal communities.
“At Nike, we’re naturally storytellers, and that’s what allowed me to be successful,” he said. “I wasn’t afraid to tell stories.”
According to Nike’s website, the N7 Fund has provided $12.1 million to more than 300 organizations since 2009.
N7, McCracken said, represents the Native American concept of the wisdom of seven generations—that is, drawing from the experience of preceding generations, and weighing the impact one’s decision will have on progeny.
In recognition of his success, McCracken was named Nike’s Employee of the Year in 2004. In 2010, he was appointed by President Barack Obama to the U.S. Department of Education’s National Advisory Council on Indian Education.
Despite these accolades, McCracken stays grounded, saying he no longer works for himself, the company or his family, but for “my community of 4.3 million people.”
“If I were to fail in my job, I’d be failing them, not me,”he said. “The kids in our community are the driving factor behind me showing up for work every day. I have a special place in my heart for our youth. When I left Ft. Peck in 1979, my grandfather sat me down and reminded me, ‘You’re leaving this rural reservation, but never forget where you come from. Always remember who you are and what you represent.’
McCracken, who has announced plans to retire from Nike later this year after 28 years of service, has already named his successor–a person whom he came to mentor via a chance meeting.
Following a speech he gave at a university, a student approached McCracken and told him, “I’m going to work for you someday.” McCracken cited this anecdote as an example of the importance of dreaming big, and “taking a chance on yourself.”
“She emailed me later and said,‘I want to job shadow you,’” he said. “That was back in 2007, and now she’s taking over N7 for me in four months. It can happen to any of you.”
McCracken, who has met and worked with many luminaries throughout his career–including company founder Phil Knight and elite athletes–concluded his visit by encouraging students to embrace their authentic selves.
“I’m the forklift driver from Ft. Peck, and people at Nike know that,” he said. “No matter if I’m talking to our current CEO Elliot Hill, or the guy who brings my mail to my desk. It doesn’t matter who you are if you are always yourself.”
THE POWER OF LEADERSHIP: 13TH ANNUAL MORRISON LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
This fall marked 13 years of hosting the Morrison Leadership Summit, an event dedicated to fostering leadership, growth, and connection among students and professionals.
Held in honor and memory of Dale Morrison, a distinguished UND alumnus and business leader, the summit continues his legacy of developing the next generation of business professionals through mentorship and shared experience.
Roundtable Discussions
The event began with a series of roundtable discussions where students engaged in meaningful conversations with business and community leaders from across the region. These sessions gave students the opportunity to ask questions, gain insight, and hear firsthand experiences from professionals in a variety of industries.
This year’s table leaders included:
• Nancy Pederson, Vice President of Finance and Operations, UND Alumni Association & Foundation
• Haley Rosaasen, Human Resource Manager, City of Grand Forks
• Amy Sansaver, Corporate Marketing Manager, Edgewood Healthcare
• Tiffany Ford, Director, Center for Business Engagement and Development at the University of North Dakota
• Steve Moser, SCORE Member and Former Associate Dean, UND CoBPA
• Brennan Bergdahl, CEO, Premier Wealth Management Group
• Alyssa Bernhardt, Chief Development Officer, BIO Girls
MARYBETH HAYS
Morrison Keynote Speaker 2025
• Alli Bauman, Technical Program Manager II, Amazon Web Services
• Michelle Schumacher, Chief Financial Officer, Stoneridge Software
• Gracie Lian, Project Coordinator, Grand Forks County
• Cassie Gerhardt, Senior Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, University of North Dakota
• James Lyght, Senior Vice President, Community Lending Executive
“It was an incredible experience sitting across the table from professionals who have been in our shoes,” said CJ Elrichs, a Nistler College student attendee. “They didn’t just talk about success; they talked about failure, perseverance, and the importance of staying authentic. It felt like they were truly investing in us as the next generation of leaders.”
Following the roundtable sessions, students gathered in Barry Auditorium for a luncheon and the keynote presentation delivered by Marybeth Hays, Board Member at Reckitt and Senior Advisor at Kearney.
Defining Leadership Superpowers
With more than 25 years of experience in retail and consumer products, including executive roles with Walmart U.S., Walmart China, Sam’s Club, Lowe’s, and Hanesbrands, Hays brought a wealth of experience and practical wisdom to her presentation, Leadership Superpowers.
Her presentation explored the qualities that set exceptional leaders apart. Super leaders take time to get to know their teams, listen closely, and adapt to challenges. They do not confuse success with potential but work to develop both. They create and clearly communicate their vision, reinforcing it consistently so others can connect to it. They understand their impact and possess strong selfawareness of their own strengths and weaknesses. They lead with intention, embrace their individuality as a strategic advantage, and recognize that the
collective power of the team is greater than any single individual.
For students, her message was both insightful and applicable, emphasizing that leadership is not defined by position or title but by action, awareness, and the ability to inspire others.
“Marybeth’s talk made leadership feel personal,” said CJ Elrichs. “It wasn’t about climbing a ladder—it was about growing as a person and helping others along the way. That really stuck with me.”
The Nistler College of Business and Public Administration extends its appreciation to Marybeth Hays, this year’s table leaders, and the faculty and students who made the event a success. The Morrison Leadership Summit continues to honor Dale Morrison’s legacy by empowering UND students to lead with integrity, vision, and purpose.
PHIL GISI
Alumni Honors Award Recipient
HIGHLIGHTS HOMECOMING 2025
Nistler College Alumni Honors Luncheon
The Nistler College proudly celebrated Alumna Lisa Persuitt-Huber for receiving the UND Alumni Association & Foundation Young Alumni Achievement Award. Additionally, three Nistler alumni—Jill Newby, Phil Gisi, and Dave Hakstol—were honored with the Alumni Honors Award.
To recognize the 2025 award recipients, the college hosted a luncheon where their accomplishments were celebrated, and they shared insights about their post-UND journeys with students and faculty.
Nistler College Career Fair
The Pancratz Career Development Center hosted our Fall 2025 Nistler College Career Fair on September 17.
Fifty-four outstanding employers participated in the event, sharing their opportunities for internships and full-time roles with a record-setting number of 626 students in attendance.
The Nistler plaza was filled with great conversations and the energy and excitement of building new connections.
The Herr School of Accountancy-Accounting Hall of Fame
The 2025 Accounting Hall of Fame inducted two distinguished new members: Jarod Bickler, Partner at Deloitte, and Tammy Peterson, Senior Business and Agricultural Banking Director at Old National. This prestigious award recognizes individuals for their exemplary career achievements and significant contributions to the Herr School of Accountancy, the University of North Dakota, and the broader community.
Additionally, the John C. Berg Award was presented to Libby Moore West in recognition of her remarkable accomplishments in the field of accountancy shortly after graduating from UND, as well as her exceptional character and dedication to the university.
HOT CHOCOLATE & COFFEE
BOOTH AT PARADE
2025 NISTLER COLLEGE CAREER FAIR
Congratulations to the Nistler College of Business & Public Administration alumni who were recognized at the 2025 Alumni Honors Banquet on September 18.
Phil Gisi, ’82, Jill (Erickson) Newby, ’83, and Dave Hakstol, ’96, were honorees for this year’s Sioux Award for Distinguished Achievement & Leadership.
Lisa Persuitti-Huber, ’05, ’08, won the Young Alumni Achievement Award.
A defining moment at UND: A class trip to Minneapolis changed everything. We visited the Minnesota Twins, and I asked President Dave St. Peter — a fellow alum — how to break into sports. He told me, “Go back to campus, walk into the Sports Information Office, and say you’ll do anything.” I did just that. His story taught me the value of starting small and working your way up. That moment changed my life.
Young Alumni Achievement Award
Lisa Persuitti-Huber, ’05, ’08
Vice President of Marketing & Business Development, University of Minnesota Alumni Association
Hometown /// Andover, Minnesota Area of Study /// Communication and Business Administration
Proudest professional accomplishment: Founding the Minnesota Alumni Market — a platform that started with 14 alumni-owned businesses and now features 250 — has been incredibly rewarding. We’re just scratching the surface.
Scan the code to learn more about this year’s Alumni Honors. UNDalumni.org/events/alumni-honors
What does UND mean to you? Everything. It’s where I met my husband, Max, and built the foundation for my life and career. Our daughter is named Dakota — a daily reminder of what UND gave us. The names you carry and use matter.
Advice for today’s students: Be scrappy. Ask for what you want. No one is thinking about you — so raise your hand, speak up, and make the most of your time here.
