Marketing and Content Specialist, Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch & Special Projects Coordinator, Churches United
Q: Tell us about yourself.
A: I am a mother to two teenage girls, a wife, and an animal lover. Our home is full of life thanks to our dog, two cats, and a fish. My daughters and I are campaigning to begin fostering dogs as well.
Professionally, I work full‑time as the Marketing and Content Specialist for the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch Thrift Stores, overseeing marketing and social media for eight locations across Fargo, Dilworth, Grand Forks, Bismarck, and Mandan. These thrift stores help fund the Ranch’s mission of providing Christ‑centered psychiatric treatment and education for at‑risk children and their families, with campuses located in Fargo, Bismarck, and Minot. I’m involved in every aspect of creative communications for the thrift stores, including daily digital content, billboards, radio partnerships, and major campaigns.
I also work part‑time as the Special Projects Coordinator at Churches United, connecting departments and keeping organization‑wide initiatives moving. Churches United serves the community through Micah’s Mission homeless shelter, the Dorothy Day Food Pantry, and two supportive housing apartments for families, seniors, and individuals who experience chronic homelessness.
Outside of work, I love supporting my husband in his community musical theater productions. I’m an avid reader, a frequent concert‑goer, and I try to spend as much time as possible skateboarding in the summer or relaxing at the lake. I also love to travel, especially to maintain my tradition of visiting Las Vegas at least once a year with friends.
Q: Who has been the most influential mentor in your life, and why?
A: I can’t choose just one mentor, because I’ve been fortunate to work alongside several incredible women in leadership who have shaped me in different ways. At the Ranch, my direct supervisor, Tammy Noteboom, VP of Communications, has been a steady source of wisdom. She has a way of helping me stay focused, tuning out the noise, and moving forward with clarity and purpose. Our CEO Joy Ryan is another woman I deeply admire. She led the Ranch through the challenges of COVID and continues to guide our growth. Watching her make big decisions with confidence, compassion, and long‑term vision has been inspiring.
At Churches United, Shelley Brooks, our Shelter Director, has also made a huge impact on me. She has completely rewritten the playbook for staff, centering genuine human connection, meaningful support, and truly being the safety net our guests and neighbors in need deserve. Her leadership is grounded in empathy and action.
