Human Resources Specialist, SCHEELS
A: I’m an HR Specialist at Scheels campus. I grew up in Litchfield, MN, and moved to Mankato to attend Minnesota State University Mankato. While I was living in Mankato, I started working part-time at Scheels. At the time, I didn’t realize how big a role the company would eventually play in my career. After graduating, I moved to the Twin Cities and jumped into the world of talent acquisition at a research and development company. It was a great experience, but after a while, I found myself wanting a change. When I came across the opportunity at Scheels campus, it felt like the perfect mix of familiarity, opportunity for growth, and a company where I genuinely saw myself building a career. And now here I am in Fargo, ND! Outside of work, I’m usually doing something active. I love working out and staying busy. I’m also involved in my local church, which has become an amazing community for me. When I’m not doing those things, you’ll find me with family or friends, visiting a coffee shop, or trying a restaurant I haven’t been to yet. Life is extra full lately in the best ways as I’m planning my wedding with my fiancé, Chandler, and training for Grandma’s Marathon.
Q: What inspired you to get involved in your community at a young age?
A: What inspired me to get involved in my community at a young age were several strong influences in my life. First, my parents served as major role models. They were actively involved in volunteering through our church and in community events, and their commitment showed me the value of giving back. Secondly, being part of our church’s faith formation program introduced me to community service early on. We regularly participated in events such as the annual bazaar, fundraising meals, and delivering Christmas cookies to homebound members, which helped me see how meaningful even small acts of service can be. Finally, joining FCCLA in middle school gave me additional opportunities to volunteer, including creating tie blankets for those in need. Together, these experiences shaped my desire to serve and taught me the importance of helping others from a young age.
Q: Who has been the most influential mentor in your life, and why?
A: Two mentors who have been impactful in my life have been my parents and my current leaders at Scheels. My parents have been great examples of teaching me the importance of hard work, volunteering, showing up for others, and following through on commitments. Without their guidance, I would not have the same character and resilience that continue to help me in my personal and professional life today. My current leader at Scheels has also had an impact on my growth in the workplace. She has shown me what effective leadership is by encouraging me to take initiative, trusting me with responsibility, and providing constructive feedback to help me learn and grow in my role. Her mentorship has pushed me out of my comfort zone and given me the reassurance that I am capable of more than I realize. Without the direction and guidance of my parents and my leader at Scheels, I would not have the same confidence, strong foundation, and motivation as I do today. Their influence has helped me learn and grow in areas of life and work, and I am working to offer that same type of mentorship to others with their help.
Q: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
A: The best advice I have ever received came from a couple of my leaders at Scheels in the form of a question: “Who would you want packing your parachute if you were going skydiving?” This advice stands out to me because it makes me consider the trust I put in others, and the trust they are able to have in me. I take pride in supporting and caring for others, whether I am directly asked to help or I step in without being asked. I strive to be the person that others can count on to take on and complete any task, meet deadlines, and deliver high-quality work with consistency.
Q: Why is our local United Way important to you?
A: Our United Way is important because it takes a holistic approach to caring for our neighbors—such as working to prevent hunger and homelessness, as well as providing food stability; preparing children to succeed by having access to resources and tools; and strengthening families by providing stable employment, job skills, and access to mental health support.
Q: What is a hope you have for our community?
A: My hope for our community is to one day see an end to hunger, poverty, and homelessness. United Way of CassClay is cultivating solutions and addressing barriers to make meaningful, long-term change. My hope is for our community to continue to support these efforts and address the needs and challenges some of our friends, family, and neighbors face every day.
