Tell us about yourself. Tell us who you are and what you do.
Howdy! I was born and raised in Bemidji, MN, along with my two younger sisters, and relocated to the Fargo-Moorhead area to attend NDSU in 2016. By the time I was graduating in late 2019, the FM area had charmed me into staying here permanently! Currently, I am working as the Staffing Programs Specialist on the Human Resources team at AgCountry Farm Credit Services. I am lucky to work with amazing, knowledgeable teammates and be a part of the Farm Credit system. I have been in this role for just over one year, and it has given me a much stronger appreciation for our farmers and ranchers in rural America, who help feed the world from right here in our backyard!
Outside of work, the past year has been one of many big milestones— last June, I got married to my husband (Nick) surrounded by friends and family in Detroit Lakes, and in August, we bought our first home in Glyndon, MN! Being that we were both raised in small towns (although Nick would argue that Bemidji is a city compared to his little hometown of Hawley), we’ve agreed that we love being able to live in a smaller community like Glyndon. However, we also love being able to still have access to a metro area full of opportunities and entertainment right down the road. We already have big plans to start our vegetable garden this summer in our new yard!
Who are some people who have been influential in your journey and why? Who inspires you?
Both of my parents have been hugely influential in who I am, and I find myself referencing how they did things more and more as I age. My mom, Genny, truly has a heart for others. She has worked as a middle school lunch lady for nearly 20 years and goes out of her way to find small ways to connect with the children she interacts with and brighten their days and let them know that they are seen and cared for.
My dad, Rob, has been a sounding board for years (especially after moving away from home) when I needed advice, wisdom, or a different perspective than my own. I have always admired my dad’s “get ‘er done” attitude in life. Sometimes things will be challenging, stressful, or confusing, but there really is no option besides pressing forward, even if it’s into the unknown.
What drives you?
I am driven by an internal desire to be an even better me—I want to push myself to keep improving and seize new opportunities so I don’t have to look back and ever wonder “What if I had tried harder?” I would rather know that I gave my best effort, even if I didn’t get as far as I wanted, rather than look back and wish that I had truly challenged myself. My faith also drives me. Particularly in harder times, when I don’t feel the internal push, spiritual faith is what continues to refuel my energy. For myself, personally, it is comforting to know that when I feel that life has tired me out, I can lean on my faith and know that I am not pushing forward alone.




