Tell us about yourself. Tell us who you are and what you do.
My name is Kassidy Olsen and I grew up in both Fargo and Valley City. I have two younger brothers, Damien and Tyler who keep the whole family busy with hockey and 4-H. I am the Market Retail Leader at Dacotah Bank for the Fargo Market. I joined the banking field after working as a barista for about a year. I knew that I wanted to make a difference and help people, I just didn’t know what that meant for me. The door to banking opened up as I was talking with a customer one morning over coffee and I decided to make the leap. I quickly found my passion in leading a team and leading my customers to financial success. When I’m not in the office, I am likely reading, either outside or in the garage as my fiancé tinkers on his motorcycles.
Who are some people who have been influential in your journey and why? Who inspires you?
Every leader in my career has been influential throughout my journey in one way or another. Each person has taught me something about myself that has helped me grow, helped my leadership style to develop, and has molded me into the person that I am today. I have a grocery list of people that inspire me but most all have the same qualities. Strong leaders, who lead with compassion. People who stand next to you and say, ‘Let’s do this.’ People who use their voice to build others up and people who say, ‘Have we thought of doing it this way instead?’
What drives you?
That ‘A-ha!’ moment. Whether it be coming from my team or a customer, that moment shows me that what I am doing is making a real difference.
What do you think can be improved in our business community?
Giving back to the community. There are several fields of business and several companies that are very prevalent in the community either giving their time or money to help support the community. Companies dedicate hundreds of hours and hundreds of dollars, but if we all just gave tens of hours and tens of dollars, that would make a huge impact.
What are some important life lessons you have learned?
Failure is not fatal. Not so long ago, the prospect of failure would raise my heart rate and nearly give me hives. It was when I stepped outside of my comfort zone and allowed myself to fail, that I truly started to grow personally and professionally. I learned things about myself, that I never would have if I had stuck to ‘what I have always done.’ I learned that I am creative when thinking of solutions, that I am able to see five steps ahead and anticipate roadblocks, and that if I ultimately fail, I am not starting over from scratch—I am starting over from experience.
What are some of your favorite things to do in our community?
Professionally, I enjoy volunteering with my team. It’s great to get out of the office, laugh, move around, and make an impact all at once. We frequently volunteer with United Way and The Great Plains Food Bank, two amazing organizations that impact not only the Fargo community but as with the Great Plains Food Bank, impacts the entire state. In my personal time, both my fiancé and I are active in the motorcycle community so we attend many motorcycle events with Harley Davidson of Fargo, bike nights, and many benefit rides.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
This is a tough question for me because my only destination is better. I don’t have grand plans to be the CEO of a huge multi-million-dollar corporation or a plan to rule the world. I just want to be better than I was 10 years ago whether that be in the same professional position as now, or up the ‘ladder’ 10 steps. I just want to be the best version of me that I can be, wherever I may be. Somewhere warmer wouldn’t hurt.
What are you hoping to gain from the United Way 35 Under 35 Women’s Leadership Program?
I hope to gain new insight into myself and my current leadership model and insight into other leadership models. I hope to gain new friends, connections, and a support system from the 34 other women in this program and some more opportunities to be able to give back to the community.
Is there anything else you would like to share with the readers of Fargo INC?
My favorite app right now is Good Reads! It’s an app where you can follow friends to see what they have/ are reading and see their reviews. Give me a follow, I always need more book recommendations!
