Tell us about yourself.
I graduated from NDSU in 2018 and have worked in HR ever since. I have a love for people, programming and planning. I stayed in Fargo until June 2021, when my husband and I moved to Hawley, MN to be closer to his work at the high school. I was raised in many small communities around Minnesota and North Dakota and have enjoyed getting back to the small-town way of life. My family and friends mean the world to me, and that includes my 4-year-old Golden Retriever, Bear. On the best days, I’m either at the lake with a good book, snowshoeing at a local state park with my husband and Bear or enjoying a glass of wine over conversation with my closest friends!
I have been in HR for six years, one of which was completing an internship while in school that focused on background checks and campus recruiting. In 2018, I started full-time in a benefits role while still assisting with campus recruiting efforts, before transitioning fully to campus recruiting in January 2020. I was promoted to manager of the campus recruiting team in June 2021!
One of the most important things to me about the work that I do is the relationships I form. I have strived to create a team environment that is welcoming and supportive. I get to mentor the people on my team and help them find strategies for building relationships with their external stakeholders. The connections we have to others can make a big difference in our line of work. Outside of my team, I get to form relationships with a variety of other stakeholders and students, and I find joy in forming a connection with each of them.
What drives you?
I am driven both by the relationships in my life—such as my spouse, family and friends—and by the impact I can make on someone. The relationships I have drive many of the decisions I make because I value each of those people and want to do all that I can to continue building those relationships. At Eide Bailly, I facilitate a women’s leadership program for college students called BOLD. I created this program five years ago because I felt there was a gap in learning at the college level. Our program focuses on mentorship, building confidence and other skills that are important when you enter the workforce some day. I am driven by the lightbulb moments I see in each of our participants when they’ve gone outside of their comfort zone and are better because of it. I love that I can help facilitate those moments and be a part of their growth journey.
What are some important lessons you have learned in your lifetime?
One important lesson I’ve learned is that your mental health matters. Because relationships are so important to me, I tend to want to put others first, but I can’t do that until I’ve put myself first. I’ve learned to be comfortable talking about mental health, therapy, self-care and other topics that are typically taboo. The more we talk about it, the less stigma there is around taking care of ourselves. Another lesson I’ve learned is to advocate for yourself both personally and professionally. You are the only person who knows what you need and unless you voice those needs, you can’t expect someone to guess them. In my personal life, this has looked like recognizing when my calendar is too full and I have to say no to things. In my professional life, this has looked like having uncomfortable conversations with my trusted leaders when I feel burned out and asking for help, even if I don’t want to.
What are some of your favorite things to do in our community?
I love exploring the local parks in our community. Before getting a dog, I had no idea how extensive the park system is in Fargo and Moorhead. I am so thankful to be in a community that values nature and encourages people to get outside and provides ways to do so! We love going on long walks at the various parks and enjoying both the warm summers and bright winter days. We also love supporting the various restaurants, breweries and wineries in the community. We have just about every option at our fingertips and it allows us to spend time with our loved ones, enjoying great food and drinks!
What is your dream job and why?
In a non-serious manner, being an extra in Hallmark Christmas movies because I would be surrounded by Christmas spirit year-round.
In a more serious manner, I don’t know that I could name a title, but it would be a job that allows me to use my strengths of planning and programming to develop content that helps early career professionals discover their purpose, build connections with others and continue growing in their personal development.
Do you have any book or podcast recommendations for our readers?
I have a few podcasts that I recommend, depending on a listener’s interests.
Armchair Expert – this is a great listen if you are interested in people’s stories. I am endlessly fascinated by how people got to where they are and what they’ve learned along the way.
You Flourish Podcast – hosted by two women in the Fargo community, this podcast features professionals in our area and their stories. It covers leadership and career topics, personal experiences, faith journeys, and more.
Therapy Thoughts – if you are interested in mental health topics, this podcast from a mental health counselor is very relatable and easy to comprehend. This has been one of the biggest game-changers for me!
What the Actual Fork – two intuitive eating dieticians host this podcast that helps listeners learn more about diet culture and work towards food freedom. It is an amazing listen!
What are you hoping to gain from the United Way 35 Under 35 Women’s Leadership Program?
I hope to gain confidence in my own abilities. Imposter syndrome is something I’ve struggled with in the past and leading a team of others, I want to have confidence in my abilities so that I can instill confidence in each of them. I want to learn more about myself and who I am as a leader to then be the best leader I can be for my team.
Is there anything else you would like to say to the readers of Fargo INC! magazine?
Step out of your comfort zone—as someone who likes things planned out and doesn’t do well with the unexpected, I can attest to just how scary that is. Many of my best experiences have come from leaning into something that made me feel uncomfortable or nervous but has all ended in me being thankful I took a chance on myself.
