Q: Tell us about yourself.
A: I grew up in the Twin Cities, calling Maple Grove, MN, home. After high school, I attended NDSU (go Bison), where I earned my degree in marketing and communications in 2015. Fargo-Moorhead quickly captured my heart, and I knew it was the perfect place to build my home and career.
Since then, I’ve been lucky to channel my love for marketing and relationship-building into several rewarding roles. Today, I work as the marketing and professional relations specialist—optometric liaison at Vance Thompson Vision. Combining creativity and connection every day with a team that feels like family!
When I’m not working, you can find me at the lake in Walker, MN, soaking up the sunshine with Jake, and our mini Goldendoodle, Kota.
Q: Who is someone who has been influential in your journey?
A: I’ve been fortunate to have incredible mentors throughout my life who have shaped me into the person I am today. These include inspiring coworkers, my mom, and my grandma.
From strong and talented colleagues, I’ve learned how to grow professionally and navigate the path to success with confidence and purpose. My mom has been my greatest teacher in kindness, showing me how to treat others like family and lead with heart. And my grandma—what an extraordinary woman! She’s the one who sparked my love for fashion and interior design and taught me the importance of strength, resilience, and pursuing my dreams fearlessly.
Q: What drives you?
A: What drives me is the sense of accomplishment that comes from setting goals, working toward them, and seeing the results come to life. There’s nothing more motivating than watching hard work pay off and plans come together.
Q: What do you think can be improved in our business community?
A: Business doesn’t have to be all work and no play. Let’s build a vibrant, supportive community where we share resources, connect with great mentors, and collaborate to make things happen—together!
Q: Tell us about a professional development experience that has changed the way you view leadership.
A: One professional development experience that truly stands out was with a coworker and former mentor, someone who was highly experienced in corporate education and career development. He would often say, “Get comfortable being uncomfortable,” and reminded me that the only constant in life is change. These lessons have profoundly shaped my approach to both personal and professional growth. They taught me to embrace discomfort as a catalyst for learning and development, while also recognizing the power and potential that comes with change.
