HR Specialist II, Doosan Bobcat
Q: Tell us about yourself.
A: Hi—I’m Hunter! I grew up in Beulah, North Dakota, and moved to Fargo to attend NDSU, where I earned my degree in business administration. I now work at Bobcat as an HR Specialist in People Relations, supporting the full employee lifecycle, day‑to‑day relations needs, and community engagement.
Outside of work, I’m happiest spending time with family and friends, traveling, serving at church, playing volleyball, being outdoors, reading, and cooking. Strong, authentic relationships matter deeply to me, and I take every opportunity to connect, listen, and support the people around me.
Q: Who has been the most influential mentor in your life, and why?
A: I’ve been extremely fortunate to have many great mentors throughout my life—both formal and informal—and I could easily list more than a handful of people who have shaped who I am today. From my parents, who always encouraged me to work hard at all I do and to do the right thing, to the colleagues and leaders who have supported and encouraged my growth in the workplace, I’m grateful for each of them.
One mentor I’m continually thankful for is my friend Sarah. She is selfless, caring, honest, and consistently stands up for what’s right. She advocates for those who are underserved or overlooked and challenges others to do the same. Even though we work in different industries, I deeply admire her character and wisdom, and I hope to carry those same qualities forward in my own life and career.
Q: What does success look like to you right now?
A: Right now, success for me looks like learning how to thrive in a business and world that is constantly evolving, continuing to learn, building confidence, making a meaningful impact where I am, and being someone who elevates the people and environment around me
Q: What community issue do you feel deserves more attention?
A: One issue that weighs on my heart and something I feel deserves more attention is supporting kids who are going through tough circumstances. Foster families play such an important role, and the ones who step up do incredible work. I also know fostering isn’t easy—it takes patience, flexibility, and a lot of compassion. I truly admire the people who take on that responsibility, and I know there’s still so much opportunity to support both these families and the children they care for.
Q: What’s a lesson you’ve learned that you wish you knew earlier in your career?
A: The lesson I wish I’d learned sooner is to fail fast, own it, and move forward. Early in my career, I found myself being overly cautious and hesitating because I didn’t want to get something wrong, which often slowed things down more than it helped. What truly builds trust is acknowledging a miss quickly, fixing it, and sharing what you learned so it doesn’t happen again. I still feel the pull toward perfection at times, but I’ve found transparency and honesty are important tools to help with learning and growth. You can’t undo a mistake, but you can turn it into a better process and outcome—and extend that same grace to others so everyone can grow faster.
Q: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
A: A piece of advice that’s always stuck with me is: “People think about you far less than you think they do.” For a long time, I spent too much energy worrying about what others thought of me for the wrong reasons. I’ve learned it’s far more important to let our values and beliefs guide what we do, rather than the assumptions we make about others’ opinions. This reminder has given me a lot of freedom in how I show up and helps me return to what really matters.
Q: Why is our local United Way important to you?
A: Our local United Way matters to me because it brings together businesses, non‑profits, and individuals around shared goals that truly strengthen and uplift our community. So many people want to give back but don’t always know where to start, and United Way creates a clear, trusted avenue to make a meaningful impact. Their ability to unite resources, partners, and people makes a real difference for those who need it most.
Q: What is a hope you have for our community?
A: I hope our community continues to come together to support the needs that matter most. Growing up in a smaller town showed me the impact of people showing up for one another, and it has been encouraging to see that same spirit reflected in the Fargo–Moorhead community. My hope is that we continue strengthening this culture of connection and mutual support.
