In shortOccasionally, an event emerges that shakes things up—one that challenges your perspective and leaves you inspired. That event is DisruptHR!
3 things to know
1Occasionally, an event emerges that shakes things up—one that challenges your perspective and leaves you inspired.
2DisruptHR is the ultimate knowledge exchange designed to energize, inform, and empower thought leaders in HR and beyond.
3on October 23, you’ll experience 12 expert speakers, each with just 5 minutes to share their insights.
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Occasionally, an event emerges that shakes things up—one that challenges your perspective and leaves you inspired. That event is DisruptHR!
DisruptHR is the ultimate knowledge exchange designed to energize, inform, and empower thought leaders in HR and beyond. Starting at 4:30 p.m. on October 23, you’ll experience 12 expert speakers, each with just 5 minutes to share their insights. Think of it as speed dating with innovative ideas poised to transform HR and the companies they support.
To give you a taste of what to expect, we’re highlighting the fantastic speakers you’ll hear from at this high-profile event.
A: I’ve had a lot of jobs— from dream gigs to “never again” moments—each one teaching me something that shapes how I work today. Now, as the founder of DevelopHR Consulting, I help small businesses ditch the HR overwhelm and build workplaces where people can thrive. I’m a Midwestern wife, mom of two teenagers, and firm believer that a good laugh can solve almost anything— well, that and good coffee.
Q: What will you be speaking about at DisruptHR?
A: Eight years ago, I wrote “A Place to Grow: Finding My Way Through 19 Jobs.” Back then, I felt like I was drifting. Today, with 24 jobs behind me and a business I love, I see it as a purposeful redirection. My talk is about rethinking growth, releasing the need for a perfect plan, and trusting that detours lead to the good stuff.
Q: Why are you passionate about this topic?
A: For years, I felt embarrassed by my career path and wasted energy trying to hide it. Running my own business showed me that every stop gave me skills I use today. Growth looks different for everyone, and every step is a chance to learn something new.
Q: What general business advice do you have for readers out there?
A: Don’t focus on what others are doing—get excited about what you’re doing. I recently learned that the Latin root of “compete” means to strive for something, not against someone. That stuck with me. There’s room for all of us, and I’d rather compete for the clients and work I want than against another business.
Q: Can you share a specific experience that has significantly shaped your career?
A: I can’t point to just one. Looking back, there were goals I thought I’d “failed” at—getting a promotion, hitting a certain salary by a certain age, or, yes, becoming an Olympic gymnast (my “career” started and ended at age five, but in my head it was going places). Over time, I’ve realized that resilience has been the constant. God’s given me the ability to eventually see the bright side, pivot when something doesn’t work out, and dream up the next idea.
Q: How do you stay motivated and inspired in your professional journey?
A: I don’t stay motivated and inspired all the time—and I’ve stopped expecting to. Those things come and go. What matters is showing up in the “in-between,” when the work feels routine or I’m running low on energy. Early in my career, I’d jump to a new job the minute the spark faded, thinking I should feel inspired every single day. Turns out, that’s not reality. Now I see motivation as the bonus fuel, not the engine.
Q: What do you think are the key traits of successful leaders today?
A: Great leaders start as great team players—humble, hungry, and smart. Add in curiosity, the guts to fail, and the grace to own your mistakes, and you’ve got the real deal. A title might put “leader” on your signature line, but how you show up is what earns it.
Q: How do you handle setbacks and challenges in your career?
A: Depends on the day. I’d love to say I handle them with grace, immediately learn the lesson, and move on. But the truth? I overthink, get way too critical of myself, throw a mini pity party, and cry to my husband… then I get back to work. The older I get, the faster that cycle goes—which I’m calling progress. From the outside, it might look like I’m handling it well, but there’s usually a whole lot of internal noise before I get there.
Q: What advice would you give to young professionals looking to make an impact in their field?
A: Be intentional—and realistic— about how you define impact. We tend to romanticize achievement at a young age… started varsity in 8th grade, made “40 under 40,” youngest to ever (fill in the blank). That mindset can make you feel like a failure when your first job doesn’t involve radically changing the world in nine months. Sometimes impact looks like earning the trust to lead a client meeting, being asked to train a new teammate, or improving a process that makes your team’s day a little easier. Be ambitious and passionate, but don’t confuse speed or youth with impact.
Q: How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance?
A: By admitting it’s not really a balance. It’s more of a see-saw, shifting toward whatever needs me most in the moment—sometimes my kids, sometimes my husband, sometimes work, and sometimes me. Letting go of the idea of perfect balance is something I’m actually proud of. Everyone has a different tolerance for how much they can juggle, and sometimes you have to fall flat on your face to figure yours out.
Q: What are some emerging trends or technologies that excite you the most?
A: Sometimes a quick scroll leads you down an intriguing rabbit hole. That happened when I saw a LinkedIn post from Andrew Stone about a video shoot for Chipp—a company that builds and integrates AI agents for businesses. I was intrigued enough to check out their site and testimonials, and now I’m excited to learn more. Granted, I haven’t done a deep dive yet, so if anyone from Chipp wants to give me the inside scoop, I’m all in.
Q: How do you approach personal and professional growth?
A: My goal is to stay curious and not limit myself to strictly business books or “self-help.” Some of my biggest lessons have come from the most random places. There’s a novel I’ve read no less than ten times because of the personal and professional lessons it teaches me. I’ve built trainings and pulled quotes from a movie I watched (Mulan is full of leadership lessons). Growth can come from anywhere if you’re paying attention—and I’m always on the lookout for it.
Q: Can you share an example of a project or initiative that you’re particularly proud of?
A: I don’t know that I can point to one specific project or thing that I am particularly proud of. It might be because I tend to see everything through the lens of “what could I have done better?” But I am proud (and still a little surprised) that I’m running a successful business. It was a dream I didn’t even know I had until later in life, and even then, I half-expected to fall on my face. I think that’s part of why it’s worked, I’m not holding on too tightly. I’ve learned to embrace pivots, trust the process, and believe that God will keep guiding and providing.
Q: What qualities do you believe are essential for fostering a positive workplace culture?
A: I promise I’m not getting a kickback for saying this again, but if every employee, business owner, and board member focused on being an ideal team player—humble, hungry, and smart—workplace culture would take care of itself. I’ve seen it over and over: when those three traits are present, trust grows, teamwork clicks, and the culture becomes the thing that keeps people around.
A: I’m a wife. A mama. A learner. A reader. A dreamer. A problem-solver. A scientist. A traveler. A Gilmore Girls fanatic. A work in progress.
Q: What will you be speaking about at DisruptHR?
A: Normalizing failure at work.
Q: Why are you passionate about this topic?
A: As a scientist we are taught that failure is not only a normal part of breakthroughs, but a critical part of the process. It’s only through the iterative cycle of experimenting, failing, making adjustments, and experimenting again that you *might* find success. However, when you transition to the corporate world, the focus tends to be on the success itself—the end result. You lose sight of the critical learning experience— the journey—that must happen along the way to achieve the goal, making success elusive and perhaps unrewarding.
Q: What general business advice do you have for readers out there?
A: Find what motivates you, what you’re passionate about and follow it.
Q: Can you share a specific experience that has significantly shaped your career?
A: In graduate school I worked on building a start-up company around our technology and pitched it to investors, scientists, and business leaders at business school competitions. Though we didn’t move forward with the company, I found my passion for the business side of science, and it inspired my focus on how we bring novel therapies out of the lab and to the patients who need them most.
Q: How do you stay motivated and inspired in your professional journey?
A: When I’m having tough moments, I come back to my why—my goals, how what I’m doing drives that journey—and I take risks on exciting opportunities. If I’m not feeling outside my comfort zone at least 25% of the time, it’s time to take a new step.
Q: What do you think are the key traits of successful leaders today?
Q: How do you handle setbacks and challenges in your career?
A: I reflect, focus on what I learn from them and use that to fuel my next steps.
Q: What advice would you give to young professionals looking to make an impact in their field?
A: Build meaningful connections with others in your field—get to know them, learn from them, share with them. You never know where opportunities to work on exciting projects or new roles may come from.
Q: How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance?
A: Work life balance has looked different for me at different stages but something I keep constant is being present for the small daily moments—like taking the kids to school and reading books together at bedtime.
Q: What are some emerging trends or technologies that excite you the most?
A: I firmly believe learning is a lifelong journey so I’m excited about the development of nearly endless opportunities, formats, and topics of certificates and educational programs designed for working professionals to build their skills and networks, outside of their organization.
Q: How do you approach personal and professional growth?
A: With curiosity. I love to learn new things that challenge me and the way I view the world.
Q: Can you share an example of a project or initiative that you’re particularly proud of?.
A: My prior role at Aldevron was building our client-facing project and program management organization from the ground up. It was a challenging journey full of learning from failures and successes that taught me so much about leadership and about myself. They are a team of incredible humans who make a difference in the world every day and I’m proud to have worked alongside them.
Q: What qualities do you believe are essential for fostering a positive workplace culture?
A: Somewhere people feel they can be their authentic self, do meaningful work that fuels them, and with colleagues who support them in achieving their goals.
A: I’m an Army brat, born in Germany and raised all over the U.S.—a journey that shaped my love for people, stories, and adaptability. I’ve been happily married for 14 years to an HR professional, and we’re proud parents to three incredible kids: Haylee (18), Harper (12), and Paxton (10). We call Forest Lake, MN home, and I love to cook, plan our next international adventure, coach my kids’ travel basketball team, or just hang with the family.
Professionally, I’ve spent the past decade partnering with HR leaders and teams, offering both strategic insight and practical support. I love being a go-to resource who helps turn challenges into growth opportunities.
Q: What will you be speaking about at DisruptHR?
A: “FBI (Freakin’ Brilliant Ideas) for HR”
Q: Why are you passionate about this topic?
A: In my early days working alongside HR teams, a CHRO once told me, “HR—just two letters, but so much between the H & R.” That insight stuck with me, and over the years, those two letters have come to represent an even greater breadth of challenges, responsibilities, and impact. HR sits at the heart of every organization, driving culture, strategy, and results.
What excites me most is discovering clever, out-ofthe-box ideas—sometimes surprisingly simple ones—that help chip away at the evergrowing HR to-do list. I love being part of the journey that turns smart ideas into meaningful change.
Q: What general business advice do you have for readers out there?
1) It’s a small world, don’t be an asshole.
2) If you don’t believe and love what you do, do something different, or for someone different.
Q: Can you share a specific experience that has significantly shaped your career?
A: Growing up as an Army brat, constantly on the move every few years, I picked up some powerful lessons early in life that have shaped both who I am and how I approach my career. I learned that you don’t need travel internationally to experience different cultures—just a few states away or they’re right in your own backyard. I developed a deep appreciation for people and the rich tapestry of their differences. I developed a deep appreciation for people and the rich variety of their differences. And above all, I came to understand the value of finding common ground and building authentic connections..
Q: How do you stay motivated and inspired in your professional journey?
A: I’m fortunate to be surrounded by the unwavering support of an incredible wife and three amazing kids—they’re the heartbeat behind everything I do. Their encouragement fuels my motivation every single day. I also feel deeply connected to the company I work for—what we stand for, the mission we drive, and the people I get to work alongside, both colleagues and clients. That shared sense of purpose is what keeps me inspired and passionate about the work.
Q: What do you think are the key traits of successful leaders today?
A: In my experience, the most successful leaders share a few defining traits. It begins with a genuine care for their people—no matter their title, tenure, or role. Great leaders understand that respect and empathy should extend to everyone, not just those in their inner circle. They also welcome fresh perspectives and aren’t threatened by team members who may excel in areas beyond their own expertise. Instead of feeling challenged, they feel energized by collaboration and growth.
Q: How do you handle setbacks and challenges in your career?
A: One piece of advice my mom gave me—long before I even understood what it meant—was, “You can get bitter or better.” Over time, those words really sank in. Don’t get me wrong, I still have my bitter moments, but these days they show up less often and don’t linger nearly as long.
Q: What advice would you give to young professionals looking to make an impact in their field?
A: Before signing on with any employer, do your homework. Research thoroughly, ask the tough questions, and be unapologetically selective. Your list of “must haves”— whether it’s purpose, culture, flexibility, or growth—should be your compass, not a wishlist. Surround yourself with like-minded individuals who inspire you, challenge you, and help you stay aligned with your values. And don’t forget to cultivate a tight inner circle of mentors—people who’ll call you out, lift you up, and help you level up.
Q: How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance?
A: A truly healthy work-life balance starts at the top. It’s embedded in the culture an employer creates and reinforced by the leaders we report to directly. If that culture prioritizes wellbeing, flexibility, and respect for life outside of work, it trickles down into every corner of the organization.
Q: What are some emerging trends or technologies that excite you the most?
A: AI it still carries an element of the unknown, and with it, a healthy dose of fear. But when thoughtfully implemented, it becomes a powerful HR asset—one that gives time back to teams by automating routine tasks and streamlining processes. This shift allows teams to redirect energy toward strategic initiatives, deeper employee engagement, and impactful cultural development. It’s not about replacing the human touch—it’s about amplifying it.
Q: How do you approach personal and professional growth?
A: Growth is a lifelong process. Personally, I try to focus on self-awareness through reflection and feedback. Professionally, I seek environments that align with my values and offer opportunities to stretch my skills. Mentorship, continuous learning, and surrounding myself with inspiring people are key. For me, growth is about progress, not perfection.
Q: Can you share an example of a project or initiative that you’re particularly proud of?
A: One of the most meaningful initiatives in my career has been helping to build a collaborative platform through the “Between HR” events in Fargo. These gatherings and my time up here the past four years have brought together incredible HR professionals, local leaders, and nonprofits, creating space for innovation in benefits and human resources. It’s been incredibly rewarding.
A: If there is a hard way to get somewhere or a path less traveled, it is almost a certainty I will end up on that journey! My name is Tansey, I have spent my lifetime, my career has been no exception, finding myself navigating through ambiguity. Challenges, exciting opportunities, goals not for the faint of heart, this is where I have learned I fit best; of course, it took me a hot minute to quit resisting where the universe was guiding me before I just began accepting it. I value the unique opportunity I’ve had to gain perspective from different angles that not everyone gets to experience. It’s these experiences and perspectives that are the reason I’m a disruptor. The status quo has never been something I could understand, nor get comfortable in.
As I look back, I can now see that this way of navigating life has allowed me to learn some pretty impactful lessons, as well as gain a true appreciation for those relationships along the way. I feel very fortunate to know I can be a risk taker and not only be able to come out the other side stronger, but also have a powerhouse of family, friends, and network by my side. Through each experience I can truly say I understand the reason, the lesson, and I have found friendship. For that I know I am blessed!
I hope that the way I tackle life, career, and family and the attitude I show up with will also reflect in my children as they begin their own journeys. My partner Matt and I have a full home with our blended family. Kendra is 17, Ty 14, Alex 12, and Claire 9. It is such a joy watching them grow and getting to share with them the lessons I learn, as well as teach them to share with us and each other in the same way. We stay busy yet still enjoy most our times together connecting; family dinner around the table each night or some pretty emotionally charged game night competitions!
Q: What will you be speaking about at DisruptHR?
A: The layer in the middle of the org chart.
Q: Why are you passionate about this topic?
A: The middle is where everything connects, and where so much potential often goes unnoticed. I care deeply about this layer of leadership because middle managers quietly carry the weight of culture, performance, and people. They translate vision into action, keep teams aligned and engaged, and grow future leaders—often through much ambiguity. I believe when we empower the layer that leads from the middle, we don’t just fix what’s broken—we unlock what’s possible.
Q: What general business advice do you have for readers out there?
A: You are worth trusting! Your gut is always right for you so make sure you check in there first every time for everything, trust yourself. True alignment in your role is the game changer. From there, it is a smoother path to align with others and build connections that resonate with who you are, the work you’re doing, where you’re headed, and the way in which you want to get there.
Q: Do you have any book or podcast recommendations?
A: I greatly enjoy reading case studies and finding ways to apply that knowledge and those lessons to my own work. I know I may be a bit different than others in this regard, so my top two book recommendations could be slightly more on the analytical side than some prefer. However, I’ve read each of these multiple times and each time I always take away something new that I’ve been able to successfully apply.
The first book I always recommend is “Creating a Kaizen Culture: Align the Organization, Achieve Breakthrough Results, and Sustain the Gains” by Jon Miller, Mike Wroblewski, Jaime Villafuerte.
Second is “The High-Velocity Edge — How Market Leaders Leverage Operational Excellence to Beat the Competition” by Steven J. Spear.
Q: Can you share a specific experience that has significantly shaped your career?
A: This is hands down the experience I had leading the last team I was a part of. I was an outsider coming in to lead a team of diverse cross-functioning roles. For the most part everyone was either very established in the company and their role, or brand new to one or both. This team had already been through different managers with varying leadership styles, as well as quite a bit of consistent change. Their resilience is still something I admire most from any of my experiences so far in my career. I compare my own resilience to them as my north star in everything I do.
They did not need me to show up with yet another set of different focuses and directions. Instead, they just needed someone to support them and clear the way so that they can do what each of them do best. Being mindful of showing them the potential they have always had but just needed some clarity around. When I recognized this, I knew transparency and trust had to be our primary focus as a team. This team challenged me to be authentic in every step we took—they would not let me show up in any other way than my authentic self. It was through them challenging me that I grew more in this role than I ever had before. Authentic and transparent leadership was a catalyst not only for the growth of this team, but for my growth as an individual as well.
I am so blessed to have had the experience working with that group of amazing people. Not only for the potential they tapped into in themselves and each other, but for holding me accountable to growing and finding my own potential as well.
Q: How do you stay motivated and inspired in your professional journey?
A: I am always hungry to learn; my mindset is constantly on continuously improving. Through that it leads me to always have new and fresh ways of looking at my professional landscape. It’s almost impossible to lose motivation when there is always something new and/ or progressive to learn how to tackle.
Q: What do you think are the key traits of successful leaders today?
A: I think for anyone, especially leaders, it is critical to be mindful of being self-aware. That is the foundation and from there leaders can have a growth focus on other key traits. Amongst those that I continue to focus on growing in are authenticity and the ability to collaborate cross-functionally.
Q: How do you handle setbacks and challenges in your career?
A: I’m ashamed to admit that in the past I didn’t always handle this with a clear mind, in the best way. However, I have changed and grown to be focused on trusting the journey. I find that when I’m confidently aligned with those I trust around me (trusting myself as the first step), I can trust that I will overcome the setbacks and challenges as I am meant to. And as always, there is a lesson in everything. Embracing the lesson and applying it forward has been my approach throughout.
Q: What advice would you give to young professionals looking to make an impact in their field?
A: Show up as yourself and never be afraid to ask the questions no one else is! Build that network, it will be your sounding board, your support system, and you never know when it will be your next opportunity
Q: How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance?
A: For me there are two primary focuses for this. The first is communication, both with work and with my personal life. That clarity opens the door for authentic, meaningful, and usually needed conversation as you’re trying to navigate finding balance. The second is my planner and daily planning routine. I am a highly organized person and it all lives and dies by my planner.
Q: What are some emerging trends or technologies that excite you the most?
A: Of course, AI—this for me is a given. And not just to jump on a bandwagon. I have been an early adopter for quite a while and where the future is headed is exciting! I not only want to embrace the progress and opportunities, but I also want to help carve the path forward.
Q: How do you approach personal and professional growth?
A: I have always been a very goal driven person; I think this may come from just an inherent competitive nature I was born with. So, for me, I always have a fully developed goal, or a few, that I am focused on with milestones for progress. This is true in both my personal and professional life.
Q: Can you share an example of a project or initiative that you’re particularly proud of?
A: Leading the last team I was a part of! We knew we had a challenging road ahead of us to achieve what we set out to. In order to get there, it was such an honor to have them put their trust in my leadership as I developed and lead them through an organizational change model focused on Kaizen. The journey came with a lot of new learning, expectations, and accountability for everyone. To see the team become change agents, embrace continuous improvement in each of their departments and roles, and build a level of respect for each other and ownership of their outcomes—that was something I will never forget being a part of!
Q: What qualities do you believe are essential for fostering a positive workplace culture?
A: A positive culture starts with transparency, thrives through open communication, and is sustained by accountability. When people know what’s expected, feel safe to speak up, and see follow-through on what’s said, trust grows. And trust is the foundation of any great workplace.
A: I was born and raised in Fargo-Moorhead. I grew up in Sabin, MN, as the daughter of two hard-working parents and three sisters—each of them inspiring me in their own way with distinct God given gifts. I am a mother to two daughters enrolled in Fargo Public Schools. I’m currently pursuing my bachelor’s degree in business management with an emphasis in banking. When I can, I enjoy volunteering in the community, serving on both the Atonement Lutheran Church and Jefferson Elementary School PTA board of directors. I have a soft spot for organizations that exist to serve young people or marginalized populations.
Q: What will you be speaking about at DisruptHR?
A: I’ll be talking about my profession as a compliance manager and how it’s a calling to serve people beyond just enforcing rules
Q: Why are you passionate about this topic?
A: When people hear my job is in banking compliance, their eyes gloss over, and there’s often a joke about being in the group no one wants to deal with or working where “dreams go to die,” but I see the role so much differently. One of the keys to success in any role is the ability to build and maintain relationships— compliance is a people business at the heart of it. Yes, I must be able to read and interpret very technical details of the law, but beyond that, I am just making sure that we are thinking about whether what we do is the right thing for our internal and external customers. To effectively do my job, I get to live out my core values of integrity, curiosity, and fairness every day to inspire growth, solve problems, and achieve shared objectives that deliver products and services our customers want. We spend a substantial amount of time at work each week, and to enjoy what we do, we must recognize what our values and mission are so that we can align our work to them. I found it in an unlikely field, but I’d love to help inspire other people to find joy in their work.
Q: What general business advice do you have for readers out there?
A: Be authentic. It’s easy, especially early in your career, to try to replicate the successful model others have used, but their secret sauce isn’t yours. Your value is the gifts you were given—the authentic way you communicate, your grit, your knowledge. Be confident in your strengths and don’t underestimate the importance of the talents that are uniquely yours.
Q: Can you share a specific experience that has significantly shaped your career?
A: When I was young, I was a shift manager at a local restaurant. The time came to hire an assistant manager, and I wasn’t given the role. When I asked the owner why I wasn’t given the opportunity, she said, “I didn’t know you were interested.” As simple as that is, it was formative for me. Since then, I have made sure that I show my desire for growth both by direct communication and indirectly through action. The willingness to continue to learn and grow by taking on additional responsibilities that give me that extra depth and breadth of experience (even when it isn’t “my job”) has proven the best way for me to grow personally and professionally. I eventually became the General Manager at that restaurant before they sold to new owners, and I started my career in banking. Since then, most of my promotions were not roles that I applied for but roles I slid into because I was never afraid to do the work that enabled growth.
Q: How do you stay motivated and inspired in your professional journey?
A: I am purpose-driven; when I understand where I’m going and why I’m headed there, the motivation is there naturally. I find that when I am in a period where I am feeling unmotivated or uninspired, it’s time to seek out a new opportunity. That doesn’t necessarily mean a new job; it may be as simple as finding a new task or project to take on where I can learn, grow, and find my inspiration.
Q: What do you think are the key traits of successful leaders today?
A: I believe that grit is the most critical skill you can have. Never be afraid to lead with curiosity, fail forward, and try again. I can teach someone how to read a law, how to find appropriate processes to understand if they comply, but I cannot teach the ability to take the initiative to solve a problem. Effective communication is another skill critical to success. This doesn’t simply mean that you know how to present information or that you can write an email; it means catering your communication to your audience. It means getting to know the people you work with enough that you know how to approach challenging topics and provide appropriate influence rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.
Q: How do you handle setbacks and challenges in your career?
A: I am a processor and take things personally, so initially, I struggle with letting my emotions drive. Once I get past the emotional reaction, I can rationalize and create an action plan to move forward. Generally, each setback or challenge I’ve had has made me a better person, stronger, more intelligent, and more adaptable, so I try at the end of those challenging periods to remember to look back at the growth that happened as a result. This approach means I don’t allow myself to dwell on setbacks or challenges too long before looking to the future.
Q: What advice would you give to young professionals looking to make an impact in their field?
A: Don’t let yourself fall into the “it’s always been done that way” or “we tried that before, and it didn’t work” traps. If you aren’t learning and growing, you’re falling behind. Be innovative, look for ways to do better, and ask the question even if you think it’s been asked before. Be bold in pursuing growth—you don’t make a difference by standing in the background and following along with the status quo.
Q: How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance?
A: This is a lifelong battle. I enjoy what I do for work, so sometimes it’s hard to disconnect. It’s beneficial to have people at work and in your personal life to hold you accountable for disconnecting and remind you why it’s crucial. I see work-life balance a little differently than most. I am a whole person both at work and in my personal life. Sometimes, when I am at home, I’m working to get things done or because I found inspiration and have an idea I want to think through—I am still an employee when I’m home. Sometimes when I’m at work, I need to make an appointment or leave to take care of a family member. Work-life balance to me is about the flexibility to be a mom, daughter, employee, etc., regardless of the time of day.
Q: What are some emerging trends or technologies that excite you the most?
A: Oh gosh. As a risk manager, the pace of change in banking is both alarming and exciting for me. The FinTech companies out there are driving us bankers to think creatively to offer innovative products and services (even if I am occasionally frustrated by the lack of regulation in that space). Use of AI makes me nervous because I fear that people won’t remember that it’s a tool, not an answer, so we need to use it wisely. That said, it’s great to be able to use this to gain efficiency in my work so that I can spend more time adding value.
Q: How do you approach personal and professional growth?
A: Every situation has a lesson for me to learn from it, and I believe there’s a plan for my life and a purpose I’m here to serve. I have goals I want to accomplish, but I keep myself open to possibilities.
I think growth is equal parts intention and chance—most of my development opportunities came from experiences I didn’t set out for intentionally. I enjoy reading non-fiction and finding correlations to my everyday life. I joke sometimes that I am like a toddler. I always say, “But why?” Staying curious helps me continue to grow, and even if something is unrelated to my field, there’s something I can take away from it.
Q: Can you share an example of a project or initiative that you’re particularly proud of?
A: I helped launch a few products at my former employer that were new to the industry and unproven from a regulatory perspective. We moved at a rapid pace to get to market and were creative in how we balanced risk and rewards. This allowed me to partner with people whose primary concern was moving quickly and thinking creatively, and with people who were concerned with everything that could go wrong in uncharted territory. It was fun to negotiate with both sets of people and bring them together, think creatively, and be a part of the solution. We launched quickly. The launches were not without problems, but because the team had learned to work so well together, we were able to identify and address concerns quickly. The launch of these products is one of my favorite accomplishments in my professional career, and I still watch the news and celebrate the successes of the teammates I learned so much from.
Q: What qualities do you believe are essential for fostering a positive workplace culture?
A: Honesty, integrity, and the ability to put other people ahead of yourself. Trust and collaboration drive a positive workplace culture, which cannot be cultivated when we’re all looking out for ourselves. Getting people to buy into a shared mission and knowing you’re in the trenches together makes a big difference. Giving honest information as soon as possible builds trust, which makes the difference between a workplace where you work together and one where you’re afraid to make a mistake.
Q: Do you have any book or podcast recommendations?
A: I enjoyed “The Situation Room” by George Stephanopoulos and Lisa Dickey. The book takes you through each presidency since the Situation Room was formed under the Kennedy administration. It gives insight into key events throughout history and a glimpse into various leadership styles of our nation’s leaders. There’s a quote I always come back to: “Trust is the foundation of teamwork. It enables people to express dissent—another vital component of an effective Situation Room. No president is served well by sycophants and groupthink; a healthy debate is critical to finding the best path forward.” Beyond presidents and the situation room, this is a valuable reminder for leaders as well—we should aspire to create an environment where healthy debate is encouraged, where our teams and our colleagues feel safe providing a different perspective or opinion because those are the conversations that drive us forward.
A: I’m an executive coach, keynote speaker, and founder of Perspective Shift Consulting. I work with high-achieving leaders and leadership teams to help them reconnect with purpose, rebuild capacity, and lead with greater clarity and alignment.
After years in executive leadership, I started noticing a pattern: leaders who were successful on paper but quietly disengaged or burned out. That experience led me to define and develop a concept I call Leadership Drift, when leaders lose connection to why their work matters, often without realizing it.
To help address that, I created the Radical Clarity framework, which helps leaders reflect on their values, voice, energy, and vision, so they can lead with intention and authenticity. My work focuses on realignment, not just performance, because when leaders are clear, they make better decisions, inspire stronger teams, and shape healthier cultures.
This has become the throughline of my career: helping leaders get back to the core of who they are so they can lead with presence and impact.
Q: What will you be speaking about at DisruptHR?
A: “Want Employee Engagement That Inspires? Start With the Drift No One’s Talking About.”
Q: Why are you passionate about this topic?
A: I believe burnout is the most urgent and misunderstood challenge companies face today. The truth is, what we call burnout is often something deeper. It’s Leadership Drift.
It’s the slow, quiet disconnect that happens when high-performing leaders, especially managers, lose touch with their purpose, their energy, or their sense of alignment. And when that happens to a leader, it doesn’t just affect them it ripples across the entire team.
That’s why I care so much about this work, because I’ve been that leader. And now, I help others name what they’re feeling, reconnect with what matters, and lead from a place of clarity again.
I want leaders to have tools, not just to manage their own drift, but to recognize it in others and create space for realignment inside their teams. Because when leaders are aligned, cultures heal, teams reengage, and companies regain the capacity they didn’t even realize they had lost.
For the organizations that lean into this? It’s a game-changer. It’s the difference between a burned-out workforce and a culture built on clarity, energy, and purpose. That’s the impact I want to make.
Q: What general business advice do you have for readers out there?
A: The next big risk to your business isn’t burnout, it’s Leadership Drift. Your managers aren’t just tired, they’re disconnected. And when they drift, so do their teams. In Gallup’s 2025 State of the Global Workplace study, they found that manager burnout is driving overall disengagement. Gallup found that 70% of team engagement is attributable to the manager. Start measuring what really drives engagement: alignment, energy, and clarity.
Build cultures where leaders don’t just perform, they pause, recalibrate, and lead with purpose. Because when leaders are lit up, teams follow. And that’s how you turn drift into momentum.
Q: Can you share a specific experience that has significantly shaped your career?
A: A pivotal moment in my career was working with a leadership team during an intentional strategic shift. I saw firsthand how disengagement wasn’t about performance; it was about misalignment. That experience clarified for me how critical it is to equip leaders with the tools to reconnect with their purpose, and it inspired the development of my Leadership Drift and Radical Clarity frameworks.
Q: How do you stay motivated and inspired in your professional journey?
A: I stay motivated by staying aligned. Motivation, for me, doesn’t come from chasing milestones anymore; it comes from reconnecting with meaning. When I feel off track, I return to my purpose: helping leaders realign with their values, vision, voice, and vitality through Radical Clarity
I’ve learned first-hand that burnout begins with misalignment. So I build in space to reflect, reset, and listen both to myself and to the leaders I serve. I believe that’s where real inspiration lives. Helping others find clarity has a way of deepening my own. And when I’m aligned, I don’t have to force motivation; my purpose does the work for me.
Q: What do you think are the key traits of successful leaders today?
A: Successful leaders today are those who prioritize clarity, curiosity, and coaching. They invest in their own growth by seeking coaching outside their organizations, creating space for honest reflection, fresh perspective, and deeper alignment. That external support helps them stay grounded, selfaware, and strategic in high-stakes environments.
But they don’t stop there; they bring that mindset into their teams. They ask powerful questions, develop others intentionally, and create cultures of trust and growth.
Leaders who both receive great coaching and know how to coach their teams to greatness are the ones driving engagement, resilience, and lasting impact.
Q: How do you handle setbacks and challenges in your career?
A: I’ve learned to see setbacks as signals and opportunities to realign. When challenges show up, I pause and ask: What is this trying to teach me? Where might I be out of alignment?
I rely on the same Radical Clarity framework I teach others, checking in on my values, vision, energy, and voice. That helps me move forward with confidence and purpose.
Q: What advice would you give to young professionals looking to make an impact in their field?
A: My advice to young professionals is this: Don’t just chase success, pursue alignment.
Get clear on your values early and check in with them often. Understand what energizes you, what you stand for, and what kind of impact you want to make. When you’re aligned with who you are, your work becomes more meaningful and your influence more powerful. Impact doesn’t come from having all the answers; it comes from showing up with intention, curiosity, and a willingness to evolve.
Q: How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance?
A: Work-life balance is something I’ve definitely had to work at. It doesn’t come naturally to me. I’m driven, I care deeply about the work I do, and it’s easy for those lines to blur.
What’s helped me most is shifting the question from balance to alignment. When I’m aligned with my values, energy, and purpose it becomes easier to set boundaries, protect my time, and stay present in both life and work.
I don’t always get it right, but I’ve learned that when I start to feel stretched thin or disconnected, it’s usually a signal to pause, reflect, and realign before burnout sets in. Alignment doesn’t guarantee balance, but it gives me a compass to come back to. reading books together at bedtime.
Q: What are some emerging trends or technologies that excite you the most?
A: One of the trends that excites me most is the growing use of executive coaching as a strategic advantage, not just a remedial tool. More leaders are recognizing that self-awareness isn’t a soft skill; it’s a performance edge. The smartest, most forward-thinking executives are investing in coaching to sharpen their clarity, expand their influence, and stay grounded in fast-changing environments.
Editor of Fargo INC! — covering the founders, companies, and ideas shaping business in Fargo-Moorhead. Eleven years in, still no opinions, no politics, all business.
