Q: Tell us about yourself.
A: My name is Morgan Ellis Larson, and I am a 32-year-old staff accountant at Bell Bank. I grew up in Webster, SD, and moved to the Fargo-Moorhead area for college. I earned my Bachelor of Science in accounting in 2015 and my master of science in accounting and finance in 2017, both from Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM).
I live in North Fargo with my husband, Erik, and our two children, Emerson and Elaine. In the moments not spent with my family, I enjoy reading, crafting, thrifting, listening to podcasts, and savoring a good cup of coffee.
Q: Who are some people who have been influential in your journey?
A: My children have been, and always will be, the most influential people in my life. My son, who made me a mother, has helped me grow in ways I never expected, especially as we navigate our journey with autism together. God gave me my son because He knew I needed him to teach me some of life’s most valuable lessons—trust, patience, and unconditional love.
Q: What drives you?
A: My desire for connection and community drives me to participate in events and programs like the United Way 35 Under 35 Women’s Leadership Program. I firmly believe that we are stronger as a society when we support one another, build meaningful relationships, and create a sense of belonging.
Q: What do you think can be improved in our business community?
A: I believe the business community needs to play a bigger role in addressing the childcare crisis. It truly takes a village to raise a child, and businesses should be more involved in providing access to affordable, high-quality childcare and early education. When children are empowered and families are supported, it strengthens the entire community and helps break cycles of poverty.
Q: What are some important life lessons you have learned?
A: Over the years, I have learned that despite what society defines as “worthy” of recognition, all moments—big or small—deserve to be celebrated.
Q: What are some of your favorite things to do in our community?
A: As a young, active family, we love exploring the many parks and outdoor playgrounds in Fargo-Moorhead. One summer, my husband and son set a goal to visit every park in the area. They even created a map to track their progress. While they didn’t make it to all of them, the experience took them to different parts of town and created some of the best summer memories.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A: In the next 10 years, I hope to advance my career at Bell Bank and pass down my knowledge through mentorship. I also plan to continue my advocacy work for individuals with disabilities— specifically neurodiversity—and build a strong network within the autism community.
Outside of work, I imagine I will still be deeply involved in the activities and passions of my children, and hopefully, I will have found some new hobbies of my own.
Q: What are you hoping to gain from the United Way 35 Under 35 Women’s Leadership Program?
A: Initially, I pursued this opportunity to become a better advocate for my son with disabilities. However, as I move through the program, I see it as an opportunity to develop leadership skills that will not only help me in my personal advocacy work but also allow me to take on greater leadership roles within my company and extend my impact in the broader community.
Q: Tell us about a book that has changed the way you view leadership.
A: “Developing the Leader Within You 2.0” by John Maxwell deeply resonated with me. One of my favorite takeaways from the book is the idea that “leaders become great not because of their power, but because of their ability to empower others.”
As someone who holds leadership roles outside of work, I found this book’s principles applicable to both personal and professional settings. It also reinforced something I strongly believe—parenting is a leadership role, too. Mothers, in particular, often forget that they are shaping future leaders every day.
Q: What are your passions outside of work?
A: My passion for inclusion and connection in the special needs parenting community has led me to serve on the board of directors for the House of Everyday Learning, where I currently serve as treasurer. This community-based nonprofit provides comprehensive support services for children and families of all abilities, and I am honored to be part of their mission.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to share with the readers?
A: Advocacy and leadership don’t always have to come from a place of authority—sometimes, the most impactful changes come from simply using your voice and standing up for what matters.
