Q: Tell us about yourself.
A: I was born and raised in the Minneapolis area, where I basically lived in my backyard pool each summer as a kid. I learned about teamwork early on with my involvement in year-round sports. My husband is my high school sweetheart—we met on the cross country running and skiing teams. We’ve run half marathons and skied full marathons together. We both moved to Fargo to attend NDSU (go Bison), and I received my doctorate of pharmacy in 2014. I accepted a staff position at Dakota Clinic Pharmacy, and my husband purchased a local small business in town—so we planted our roots in Fargo after graduation. I have been with Dakota Clinic for 10 years, and recently upgraded my title to Pharmacy Manager. I work with a great crew, and I am proud to serve patients in the FM area. After years of struggling with infertility, my husband and I were blessed with three amazing rainbow babies (ages 5, 4, and 7 months). I love being a mom more than anything, and it is a title I definitely don’t take for granted. In our free time, we love to make memories with our kids. We have a goal of trying to take two family trips a year—in hopes of eventually making it to all 50 states. I also love spending summers at the lake with family— we do a huge Fourth of July boat parade every year, and last summer I swam across the lake with my 68-year-old mom!
Q: Who is someone who has been influential in your journey?
A: My inspiration to lead comes from my manager, Laura Morris. She has paved the way in advocating for females to feel empowered in what was once a mostly male-dominated industry. She demonstrates inclusivity with her kindness to our patients, has fought for her voice to be heard when it matters most and cares to move the needle forward in our profession. She allows me to be recognized as a human and mother in the workplace, and not just a number. She is the ultimate “girl-boss,” and her work is going to have a positive effect on future female generations to come.
Q: What drives you?
A: I truly believe my drive is inherent. Even as a kid, I always wanted to go above and beyond what was expected—learn more from the textbooks, keep improving my race times, etc. I find that this drive is still very much a part of me today. I am constantly trying to better myself and creating ways to use that betterment to help other people.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A: My husband once asked me, “When we are old and rocking on the front porch together, what memories will we be talking about that we haven’t lived yet?” That question is one I am always trying to live out. I hope that 10 years from now, I will have 10 more years of family memories/traditions added to my belt. I hope to still be in my role at work, with the goal of impacting hundreds of patients.
Q: What are you hoping to gain from the United Way 35 Under 35 Women’s Leadership Program?
A: With this opportunity, I am hoping the program will get me away from the pharmacy dispensing counter for a bit and get me out in the community so that I can actually meet and have a better understanding of the patients I am serving. I’d love to learn more about different organizations in town and find a couple I can become passionate about. I also would love to gain skills to help me genuinely do right by the team I am leading.
