Celebrating the Top 25 Women in Business – Grand Forks Herald

Prairie Business is pleased to announce its Top 25 Women in Business list for 2024. More than 40 qualified and experienced business leaders were nominated for the recognition.

Each of the women on the list brings a wealth of experience and depth of knowledge to their workplace and industries, highlighting their strong leadership qualities.

We are proud to recognize so many of the excellent top women business leaders in our region and this year’s class continues that tradition.

Congratulations to each of these talented individuals for being selected, and we thank them for their hard work to help make the Dakotas and Minnesota a great place to work!

Editor’s note: Biographical information was taken from the nominations as well as from the honorees.
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Stephanie Aalund
Account director
Noridian Healthcare Solutions
Fargo, N.D.

Stephanie Aalund, CPA, is the lead account director at Noridian Healthcare Solutions in Fargo. She received her Bachelor of Arts in accounting from the Rasmussen Business College in Fargo, and her Master of Business Administration from North Dakota State University in Fargo. Aalund is a certified public accountant (CPA) and holds an active CPA license in North Dakota.

Aalund pursued an advanced education as a single parent and trained herself to become the business leader that Noridian needed. Through her Noridian business career and community involvement, Aalund has impacted the lives of millions of Medicare beneficiaries and hundreds of Noridian employees in the Plains states. In the community, she has donated her business acumen as a financial adviser to the United Way and served as a mentor to many in the area – particularly members of single-parent households.

She brings 18 years of Medicare experience to the role of Jurisdiction F project manager. From 2018-2021 she was Noridian’s manager of finance and Medicare CFO. She was responsible for meeting all compliance requirements of the Medicare financial operations as well as the financial reporting and regulatory reporting.

Aalund has performed a cost impact analysis of disclosure statement changes for revision submissions to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). She has been a key contributor to the estimate-at-complete projections by ensuring budgeted costs and accounting changes are incorporated into the forecast.

Her colleagues say she is an extraordinary businesswoman who never loses sight of elevating the lives of those around her. She routinely organizes volunteer time with her Noridian colleagues at the Great Plains Food Bank, packing items for their general pantry. She’s also involved with Schwetty Inc. Annual Golf Tournament fundraiser and the Red River Valley Figure Skating Club.
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Paula Anderson
President and owner
Sterling Carpet One Floor & Home, Sterling Siding & Remodeling
Grand Forks, N.D. 

Paula Anderson is the president and owner of Sterling Carpet One in Grand Forks, which has been in business for 15 years. A Grand Forks native, she stepped in when she discovered Grand Forks Glass and Paint was about to close for good, and turned it into the thriving business it is today that offers much more than flooring. It’s become a homegrown home improvement center with a staff of more than 30 who pride themselves on excellent customer service. She’s also opened a satellite office in Drayton, North Dakota.

Anderson believes if you surround yourself with great people, great things happen. She appreciates and values a positive working culture for herself and her employees.

“I hire the people that know what they’re doing. I take care of them and try to provide a fun environment. If I’m not having fun, you’re not having fun,” she tells her staff.

In addition to running a thriving business in the northern Red River Valley, Anderson has been involved in her community in several ways. She’s currently the president of the Greater North Dakota Chamber Board of Directors, on the UND Nistler College Advisory Council from 2020-present, was on the Carpet One Advisory Council 2018-2022, was president of the Grand Forks Parks and Recreation Foundation in 2008, and was on the Grand Forks-East Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors from 2016-2021 and held the position of chairwoman in 2020.

As the chair during the start of the pandemic, Anderson was part of the day-to-day strategy sessions the Chamber held, working to best serve the needs of the business community during a very difficult and uncertain time. Anderson also spearheaded the effort to get Grand Forks Mayor Brandon Bochenski to hold listening sessions with contractors and local businesses to ensure the city was as business-friendly as possible.

Anderson earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of North Dakota.
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Anita Bahr
Chief people officer
Moore Holding Company
West Fargo, N.D., and Plymouth, Minn.

Anita Bahr is passionate about creating a workplace where all people can thrive. As the chief people officer with Moore Holding Company, she believes employees become empowered when they are trained, provided tools to complete their job and receive regular feedback on what’s working and what’s yet to be developed.

Bahr’s nearly 20 years of human resource experience in developing talent is systemic and includes technical training, professional and leadership development. In less than one year with Moore Holding, Bahr has engaged leaders with the entrepreneurial operating system ways of working to establish both freedom and accountability, leveraged technology to engage in performance and merit conversations, and promoted a regular cadence of goal setting. She is ready to embark on bringing future-focused leadership development to ensure the company is an attractive organization for top talent to join, develop and grow.

Bahr holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Stout and a Master of Business Administration from the University of St. Thomas.

Her community involvement includes coaching youth basketball and youth soccer for five years, leading the youth music ministry program for eight years, and being township clerk for Bergen Township, McLeod County, for four years. Bahr is also part of the career mentorship program for Women in Transition, where she assists women with interviewing skills, supports high school youth in welding programs, and has been a blood donor for more than 15 years.

Bahr wants to be known as a confident, yet humble leader, who desires to inspire others to offer grace to those who need it and appreciate we are all on a journey together.
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Lacey Bergh
Senior vice president, health delivery
Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota
Fargo, N.D.

As the senior vice president of health delivery with Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota and a member of the company’s senior executive leadership team, Lacey Bergh provides leadership, builds partnerships with providers and helps direct programs to improve the health of North Dakotans. She is passionate about changing health care by modernizing how success is measured through quality, not quantity, of care. Through this work, she is leading the health delivery team to further the BCBSND mission of establishing a new level of health and well-being in North Dakota and beyond.

Bergh’s impact in the state is influenced by her unique combination of health care, clinical management and business experience – which includes time in patient care and leadership roles at MeritCare and Sanford Health. She joined the BCBSND team in 2013 and has used her expertise to create and advance innovative partnerships and approaches with health-care providers, employers and other organizations to influence the way care is delivered and paid for in North Dakota.

As the state continues to face a mental health crisis, Bergh has led the effort to provide more behavioral health resources to BCBSND members and expand access. With her help, the organization has built a network of more than 1,000 behavioral health providers in North Dakota and nearly 100% of the state’s psychiatrists. Her efforts also include establishing BCBSND’s first Behavioral Health Advisory Committee with representation from multiple health providers across the state.

Bergh earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing in 2005 from North Dakota State University and a Master of Science in business in 2018 from the University of Mary-Bismarck.

Community involvement is important to Bergh. She volunteers as secretary of the Kindred Renaissance Zone Committee for the city of Kindred, North Dakota, which works with the state to revitalize older portions of the town and strengthen the city’s overall economic development program. She’s a volunteer mentor with BCBSND’s leadership program. She provides strategic insights for the company’s Caring Foundation health-care scholarship election process, and she’s been appointed by the state to serve on the North Dakota Health & Human Services Autism Spectrum Disorder Task Force.

Bergh brings her childhood experience of living and working on a farm to her present life. She is often called upon to provide insights into the health care needs and opportunities of rural communities, especially through her relationship with the BCBSND Caring Foundation, her colleagues said. Her work will leave a lasting, positive impact on the lives of North Dakotans from Wahpeton to Williston for years to come.
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McKenzy Braaten
Chief communications officer
EPIC Companies
West Fargo, N.D.

McKenzy Braaten is the chief communications officer at EPIC Companies, West Fargo. Since joining the real estate development firm in January 2017, she has played a crucial role in helping steer the company’s remarkable growth by evolving the brand and highlighting the impact of EPIC’s innovative developments on entire communities. She currently oversees office, communications, marketing and writing for a team of 100.

As a vital member of EPIC’s leadership team, she actively contributes to public relations, internal and external communications, and event marketing, finding joy in sharing the story of EPIC. With a master’s degree in communications from Purdue University, Braaten discovered her passion for effective communication and collaboration with diverse teams, which is integral to her role. She attributes EPIC’s success to her outstanding teammates and places significant importance on cultivating relationships with colleagues, vendors, and individuals devoted to enhancing standards and adding unique elements to EPIC’s developments.

Her achievements and accomplishments spread beyond the office doors. Braaten has impacted many of the projects at EPIC, allowing the company to grow and build brand recognition from the ground up. Her innovation and creativity shine through her approach to solving problems and mentoring other employees. Above all, her leadership and positive impact are what truly matter to the community, the organization, and the development industry. Braaten’s dedication and commitment show her passion for her work along with her ability to collaborate and contribute to a positive team dynamic.

In addition to her professional commitments, Braaten is a graduate of the 19-20 FMWF Chamber Leadership Class, a 2022 40 under 40 recipient, and serves on the North Dakota Special Olympics board. She actively contributes to the community as a member of the EPIC volunteer committee and has previously volunteered with organizations such as Junior Achievement and Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Originally from Mohall, North Dakota, Braaten, alongside her husband, Zach, enjoys spending quality time with their son Chezney and stepdaughter Aubrie. Her involvement in community service, dedication to fostering professional relationships, and commitment to effective storytelling underscore her as a valuable asset to EPIC Companies.
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Gwen Butler
President, partner
Odney
Bismarck, N.D.

Gwen Butler is the president and partner at Odney in Bismarck. Her professional passion for the past 15 years has been bringing brand strategies to life. She’s worked on national campaigns such as North Dakota tourism, as well as niche programs for national brands like Chick-fil-A and Denny’s. Her philosophy is to always keep the big picture in mind while working through the countless details that can make or break a great idea.

In her role at Odney, she not only oversees the client-focused account services team, but also manages some of Odney’s largest accounts. With experience working for national brands, her expertise includes managing large media budgets, complex strategic plans and high-end custom creative campaigns.

Butler believes in using innovative ideas to supplement traditional channels to sell a client’s brand. Under her direction, the company has influenced audience beliefs and actions with unprecedented results using highly targeted digital ad placement, native advertising, retargeting and audience tracking.

Her community involvement includes volunteering at Ministry on the Margins and she is a contributor to the Power of 100 in Bismarck.

Butler earned a Bachelor of Science in marketing/marketing management from Montana State University-Bozeman and studied chemistry at South Dakota Mines.

Butler is not only one of the smartest and most respected marketers in the region, she is a shining beacon for her staff and the people she interacts with every day, her colleagues said.
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Meghan Compton
Chief clinic operations officer/executive vice president
Altru
Grand Forks, N.D.

Meghan Compton is the chief clinic operations officer and executive vice president at Altru, a position she’s held since 2020. In this role, she oversees the outpatient operation and administrative functions of the organization. With the company since 2012, Compton was previously Altru’s chief legal officer for four years, and manager of compliance and legal services. She’s also been the patient safety/quality improvement coordinator.

Compton earned her undergraduate degree in 2006 and her Juris Doctorate from the University of North Dakota School of Law in 2010.

Throughout her career, she has served in significant industry and public service leadership roles. Compton has served on Valley Senior Living’s board of directors, Edgewood Senior Living board of directors, Greater Grand Forks Downtown Development Association board of directors and is currently on the Greater Grand Forks Economic Development Corporation board of directors as well as the Chamber of Commerce board and Grand Forks Foundation for Education board. Most recently, she accepted and completed the Next Generation Leadership fellowship through the American Hospital Association as a fellow.

For the past seven years, she’s been on Altru’s executive team. Compton has influence over a large scope of Altru’s operations and key administrative functions. She’s made a significant impact on the community through her service on several noteworthy boards. Her accomplishments were recently recognized as she received the Young Alumni Sioux Award from UND in 2022. Compton is an influential leader and trusted adviser to many, leading with grace, humility and a deep passion for making health care better for our community.
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Elaine Doerfler
Owner/speech-language pathologist
Myna Therapy Services, PLLC
Fargo, N.D. 

Elaine Doerfler has worked as a speech-language pathologist in a variety of settings, including hospitals, private practice and nursing homes. She received her nursing home administrator’s license in 2021, and the following year she opened Myna Therapy Services, PLLC. The private practice offers speech, occupational and physical therapy in Fargo.

Doerfler earned her Master of Science in speech-language pathology at Minnesota State University Moorhead in 2012, graduating summa cum laude.

Since launching her practice, it’s grown to include 34 therapists. A driving force in Doerfler’s decision to start her business was recognizing a significant need in our region and community. Myna Therapy Services partners with schools in North Dakota and Minnesota to provide districts with speech-language pathologists and occupational therapists, which ensures that students are receiving the therapies they need. She also partners with rural school districts that have no onsite therapists to provide therapy to students. Faced with a significant shortage of therapists across our region, Doerfler and her business are helping to ensure that our community is getting all the services they need.

Most recently, Myna Therapy Services donated $500 each to 16 different families in the metro area who were struggling to make ends meet during the holiday season. Doerfler and her family also volunteer monthly at their church, working in the coffee shop and ushering.

She and her husband have five children, three of whom have been adopted out of the foster system. The family also has three rescue dogs.

Doerfler started her company with no formal training in how to run a business. Her work ethic, faith and passion to serve others have been the recipe for her success.
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Stacy DuToit
Chief executive officer-elect (current COO) and shareholder
Brady Martz & Associates
Bismarck, N.D.

Stacy DuToit is the chief operations officer and the chief executive officer-elect with Brady Martz & Associates in Bismarck, where she has been instrumental in building a framework for talent development. Her experience is in auditing, accounting, tax and business consulting services primarily for small businesses and their owners with an emphasis on the construction industry. DuToit is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the North Dakota Society of Certified Public Accountants (NDSCPA).

DuToit has played a key role in the growth of the company. She was vital in completing the most recent merger of Brady Martz, adding two offices, nine shareholders and almost 90 team members. She developed Brady Martz University to ensure team members are developing critical skills for success.

DuToit can process complex business challenges into manageable action steps. She is also an excellent communicator and has the unwavering respect of her fellow shareholders.

She serves on the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber Foundation board and is a former Trustee of the North Dakota Certified Public Accountants Society Foundation. She is a past member of the public relations committee of the NDSCPA as well as a past board member of Bismarck Downtowners Association and volunteers with the North Dakota Jumpstart Coalition.

DuToit has a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from North Dakota State University.

She has shown a passion for the future success of the firm and its people by living the firm’s core values and showing stewardship for the future generations of the firm’s team and clients. This dedication is shown by leading teams to build a coaching process, serving as current COO, past service on the firm’s board, and being voted in as CEO-elect.
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Janette Esala
Senior director, performance marketing
DigiKey
Thief River Falls, Minn.

Janette Esala has been with DigiKey for 25 years. Starting in an entry-level help desk support position, she worked in the IT and learning and development teams for nine years before switching to the marketing team more than 15 years ago. As the senior director for performance marketing, she has supervised DigiKey’s in-house media production, coordinated search engine marketing (SEM) and web content, and began overseeing all performance marketing for SEO, SEM, email marketing, content, translations, web analytics and global marketing analysis more than four years ago.

Esala is a pioneer and leader in the digital marketing industry. She leads a global team that operates 45 websites in 21 languages, utilizing 26 different currencies. Her team is responsible for translating complex engineering content into these regions using both human and machine-learning tools.

About 80% of DigiKey’s new customer growth and 55% of all DigiKey revenue comes through marketing channels that Esala oversees. Her responsibilities also include managing DigiKey’s database of over five million current and former customers and developing email strategies to engage and retain engineering prospects, so they keep coming back to DigiKey for their electrical component needs.

“Janette is highly respected by her team, her peers and her business partners where she is known for being pragmatic and fast-paced. DigiKey’s digital growth has accelerated under her leadership – reaching over $3 billion of online revenue in 2023. Much of this growth has come from markets including China, Japan, South Korea, India and Turkey which have complex digital landscapes,” said DigiKey President Dave Doherty.

Esala is a life-long learner. She was nominated as a participant in DigiKey’s first Advanced Leadership Program, where she spent 18 months with a cohort of peers honing skills to be the next generation of DigiKey leaders. She delivered her recent successes at DigiKey while concurrently completing a Bachelor of Science in marketing from the University of Minnesota Crookston. She also holds an associate degree in information networking management from U of M.

Esala is a busy volunteer with the Thief River Falls Amateur Hockey Association (TRFAHA), active in her church and is co-chair of the Parish Education Board. She is also an active member of the Women in Electronics organization, where she mentors women who are new to the field and growing in their leadership roles.
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Angie Hillestad
National assurance partner
Eide Bailly, LLC
Sioux Falls, S.D.

Angie Hillestad joined Eide Bailly in 2007 and initially provided services in a variety of industries, later focusing on nonprofits, higher education and single audits. More recently she was chosen to join the firm’s National Assurance Office (NAO.) Eide Bailly’s NAO plays a critical role in ensuring the quality and consistency of audit and assurance services for the firm. The NAO’s primary functions are quality control, technical guidance, risk management and providing continuous development of the Eide Bailly audit and assurance staff across more than 40 offices of the firm.

Hillestad continues to lead the way for her counterparts at Eide Bailly. She is focused and no-nonsense in her role with the NAO, yet always makes the time to teach and mentor staff. Her leadership and technical skills have helped Eide Bailly continue to grow and maintain the highest level of quality in serving its clients.

She is highly respected among her peers at Eide Bailly, which is among the Top 25 largest CPA firms in the nation. Hillestad always challenges herself and others not to be complacent in their thinking. She is a leader within the firm who is also dedicated to the public accounting industry.

She gives back to the community and is involved in organizations that improve the quality of life for residents. Her involvement includes serving as past chair of Sioux Empire United Way, Community Impact Division; South Dakota CPA Society, Advisory Council; American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Private Company Practice Section, Technical Issues Committee; South Dakota Synod Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Audit Committee chair and Sioux Falls Downtown Rotary Club, treasurer.

Hillestad earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting and a master’s degree in professional accountancy from the University of South Dakota, Vermillion.
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Jessica Jarmin
Executive vice president
Tactis
Fargo, N.D.

Jessica Jarmin is the executive vice president at Washington, D.C.-based Tactis, LLC. In this role, she has shown exceptional leadership in the development and management of significant projects for the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Census Bureau. She was instrumental in the establishment of two major call centers, achieving a noteworthy 97.9% service quality rating while overseeing a substantial team expansion from 20 to 2,000 employees. This significant growth under her management not only reflects her excellent managerial skills but also her ability to stimulate substantial business development, securing major state and federal clients and handling multi-million-dollar budgets.

Jarmin’s career is marked with significant achievements in various challenging roles. At Maximus and General Dynamics Information Technology, she managed complex projects like the CDC INFO Customer Contact Center and the Medicaid Benefits Coordination & Recovery Center. In these roles, she effectively led teams, upheld high performance and quality standards, and ensured compliance with contractual obligations. Her ability to manage complex projects, from implementing the CMS Exchange Operations Support Center to leading special projects for CMS CCIIO, underlines her versatile expertise and strategic foresight.

Jarmin earned her diploma in Professional Photography Technology from Ridgewater College, and quickly mastered emerging digital tools, like Photoshop, at a time where film was still dominant. Her innovative mindset was demonstrated as she seamlessly transitioned from analog to digital without skipping a beat. Today, she continues to pursue the latest and greatest technological advancements in her work, leading her team to embrace new technologies.

As a founding member of the Power of 100 Red River Valley – a women-led organization that has donated over $325,522 to local nonprofits in the last nine years – she has significantly impacted local nonprofits. Her leadership roles in the FM Area Contact Center Council and on the Forum Communications Company Readers Board in Fargo demonstrate her commitment to industry development and ethical media practices. Additionally, Jarmin’s volunteer work at the Homeward Animal Shelter shows her compassion and dedication to societal improvement.
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Tracy Jordre 
Principal architect & workplace expert
JLG Architects
Fargo, N.D. 

Tracy Jordre, AIA, LEED AP, is a principal architect and workplace expert at JLG Architects in Fargo. As the commercial studio leader and workplace design expert, she works with over 200 employee-owners across nine JLG offices throughout the Midwest. She is responsible for executing business development strategies across JLG’s commercial portfolio, in addition to creating an overall vision, project direction, and design solutions for commercial clients.

Through the integration of progressive, human-centric architecture, Jordre contributes to the culture of our community daily, bringing an unparalleled passion for inclusive environments and healthy workplaces. She is a professional and personal advocate for mental health in the workplace, determined to make an enduring impact in our region with vibrant environments that help us thrive, collaborate, grow, learn and prosper together.

She believes workplaces can be designed to support a spectrum of mental health and sensory-sensitive needs while fostering holistic well-being, team collaboration, and individual productivity. Jordre is committed to creating a workplace of the future that is a destination of choice, not of obligation – where all can feel valued and truly thrive.

Throughout her career, Jordre’s projects have won multiple awards, including the Merit Award for the First International Bank & Trust building in Rugby, North Dakota, and the top Honor Award for the Mill City Studio project in Minneapolis, for the ND AIA (American Institute of Architects).

She is a member of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and has achieved accreditation with leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED AP). Jordre is in the process of becoming a WELL Building Accredited design professional, furthering her education and commitment to advancing human health and wellness throughout buildings and communities.

She’s involved with a wide range of community organizations including chair of the Arts and Culture Commission for the city of Fargo, FMWF Chamber’s Leadership Class and is a 2013 graduate of the program, and contributes time to Fargo’s Growth Plan Advisory Committee. Jordre is a guest critic for NDSU’s architecture program and provides one-on-one mentorship with NDSU architecture students. Most recently, she was voted into the executive committee for the North Dakota American Institute of Architects. Outside of JLG, Jordre is a proud Oak Grove parent who volunteers her time serving on the Oak Grove Building Committee.

Jordre earned a Bachelor of Architecture and a Bachelor of Environmental Design with a minor in art from North Dakota State University in 1996.
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Audri Lagge
Senior project manager
Great States Construction
Fargo, N.D.

Audri Lagge is a senior project manager at Great States Construction, Fargo, where she’s been since 2019. In this role, she focuses on building multi-family homes and has completed a variety of projects both in Fargo and across multiple states.

She’s worked on more than 30 projects with 386 units total. Those include the company’s largest project to date, 10Bedrock in Box Elder, South Dakota, as well as Whispering Creek II in Fargo, and Lakeland Courts II in Devils Lake, North Dakota.

Lagge is a mentor to other project managers and helps guide them through running projects to successful completion. In her role, she’s responsible for estimating, scheduling, project management and project closeout, among other tasks.

Lagge earned her bachelor’s degree in construction management in 2019, with a minor in business administration, from Minnesota State University Moorhead.

Lagge is actively involved in volunteer work, contributing to various community organizations. As a dedicated member of the Fargo-Moorhead Icelandic Klub, she volunteers annually at the Scandinavian Festival, actively participates in club meetings, and helps organize club picnics. Additionally, she is a longstanding member of the Nonamee FCE Club in Fargo, focusing on projects related to improving the community. These projects include making blankets for local nonprofits, assembling gifts for Giving Trees, preparing care packages for the YWCA, crafting dog toys for shelters, and more. Lagge extends her volunteer efforts to Churches United, where she serves meals through her church, and also participates in volunteering with Ruby’s Pantry, distributing food boxes to the community.

In a male-dominated industry, Lagge stands out for the contributions she has made at Great States Construction, from her commitment, leadership, and skills. She is truly one to watch in our community.
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Sherri Leonard
Director of collaborative delivery
Rice Lake Construction Group
Deerwood, Minn.

Since graduating from college, Sherri Leonard has moved through the ranks of the male-dominated construction industry to become a recognized leader in the area of collaborative delivery projects in the wastewater and water treatment fields. Her list of successful projects is long and varied. She has been a mentor to numerous young women, helping them succeed and advance in their careers in the construction industry.

Leonard is the director of collaborative delivery with Rice Lake Construction Group in Deerwood, Minnesota. In three short years at Rice Lake, Leonard has built the collaborative delivery team into a formidable group and leads Rice Lake’s pursuit of collaboratively delivered wastewater and water treatment projects throughout North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota.

Leonard relocated to Grand Forks in 2016 to be the senior project manager on the construction of a $134 million water treatment plant for the city of Grand Forks. In this role, she oversaw a workforce of over 140 construction workers and was ultimately responsible for safety, quality, schedule, budget, commissioning and ensuring the city’s satisfaction.

Leonard graduated from the University of Toledo with a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering in 2005. Her community involvement includes serving on the board of directors with the Cuyuna Lakes Chamber of Commerce, an associate member of the Water Collaborative Delivery Association and she takes part in activities and events with Kinship Partners.

Her drive and passion for the industry have allowed Rice Lake to grow and as it grows, she continues to encourage women to join Rice Lake and find a career in the construction industry. Her contributions to the company and the communities it builds these facilities for are something to admire.
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Lindsay Mack
SVP/HR & training director
Cornerstone Bank
Fargo, N.D.

Lindsay Mack is the senior vice president and human resources training director at Cornerstone Bank, where she’s known as a strong leader who is professional, fair, understanding and compassionate. She provides leadership to the bank on all things HR-related and also provides leadership for the team on all things benefits. She knows the HR profession inside and out.

She joined the company in 2015 as human resources director and in 2015 was promoted to vice president, human resources director. Training director was added to her role in 2019 and in 2020 was promoted to her current position. In 2023, Mack became a member of Cornerstone Bank’s executive team.

Her community involvement includes serving on the Rape and Abuse Crisis Center board, and she volunteers with the United Way, Salvation Army and Junior Achievement. Mack is active in volunteering for Cornerstone Bank projects in the community, as well.

A graduate of Minnesota State University Moorhead with a Bachelor of Science in accounting and a minor in business administration, she’s a certified professional in human resources as well as a certified professional by the Society of Human Resources Management and Human Resource Standards Institute.

Mack can be relied upon to find the right answers, no matter what it takes to get there, and she embodies the core principles of what makes Cornerstone Bank unique in our markets. She is a leader, an advocate for women, and a mentor for many.
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Amy Mazigian
SVP of Western North Dakota
Gate City Bank
Bismarck, N.D.

Amy Mazigian joined Gate City Bank in 2018, starting as the assistant vice president retail manager overseeing three Bismarck locations. She was then promoted to vice president retail manager of the Bismarck-Mandan area, overseeing six locations. In 2023, Mazigian was promoted to her current role as senior vice president of Western North Dakota where she is now a regional leader and oversees 10 locations (soon to be 11) in seven different communities. Her growth at Gate City Bank over the past five years reflects her hard work, great leadership and passion for supporting others.

Mazigian attended Dickinson State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in business administration with a concentration in banking and finance. Upon graduation and joining the banking industry, she became active with the Wyoming Bankers Association. Later, she joined the North Dakota Bankers Association when she moved to North Dakota. Through these associations, Mazigian has committed to various educational programs. Most recently, she completed the program She Gets It – Women Bankers Mastermind. She has continued her education through participating in leadership and mentorship programs. In 2021, she graduated from the Leadership Bismarck-Mandan program held by the Chamber, which invests in developing local leaders who support their community. She has also attended numerous John Maxwell leadership seminars over the past 15 years.

With a strong passion for helping others and supporting her community, Mazigian is engaged in a variety of leadership roles within nonprofits. She is the vice president of the Child’s Hope Learning Center Board of Directors and is approaching her 10-year anniversary serving the organization. She also serves with United Way Women United. Throughout her 10 years with United Way, she has held roles such as vice president and president. As a current workforce subcommittee member of the Greater North Dakota Chamber, she focuses on impacts on the business community relating to North Dakota’s workforce.

She also volunteers annually with USA Hockey, Bismarck Hockey Boosters, Heavens Helpers Soup Café, Great Plains Food Bank, Bismarck Emergency Food Pantry, Bismarck Public Schools, Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation, the United Way Summer Food Service Program, and the United Way Little Black Dress campaign.

Her passion for serving others is remarkable. Mazigian is an inspiration to those around her and a great role model.
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Shea Miller
Member-owner
Ebeltoft . Sickler . Lawyers
Dickinson, N.D.

Shea Miller is a member-owner of Ebeltoft . Sickler . Lawyers. Originally from Mandan, North Dakota, she attended University of North Dakota, where she graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in sociology. Miller graduated from William Mitchell College of Law in 2014, in St. Paul, Minnesota. During law school, she served as a law clerk for the Ramsey County State Attorney’s Office where she assisted prosecutors by representing Ramsey County at criminal sentencing hearings.

After graduation, she served as a law clerk to the state district court judges for the Southwest Judicial District of North Dakota. She then served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Magistrate Charles S. Miller of the United States District Court for the District of North Dakota. Shea joined Ebeltoft . Sickler . Lawyers as an associate lawyer in 2016 and became a member/owner of the firm in 2022 at just 33.

Miller advises and represents employers in a broad range of employment law matters, from discrimination, retaliation, wrongful discharge, and harassment, to cases involving contract disputes, restrictive covenants and trade secret theft and misappropriation. She routinely litigates cases in state and federal courts and frequently represents employers in various state and federal administrative agencies, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the North Dakota Department of Labor and Human Rights, and the Department of Labor.

Miller also provides employers of all sizes with day-to-day preventive counseling on topics such as FMLA and ADA compliance, employee handbook and policy development, and litigation prevention strategies. In addition to quickly becoming one of the state’s leading employment law lawyers, she regularly represents businesses in their daily needs as well as in “bet the company” issues. Her professional accomplishments have resulted in her being recognized as a “Great Plains Super Lawyer Rising Star” in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

Miller is a go-to person not only by the firm’s clients, but also her community. She does not shy away from a challenge and thrives on forging innovative results One of her most outstanding qualities is putting her talents to work for her clients and her community.

In the community, she serves on the Board of Directors of ABLE Inc., which supports nearly 100 people with intellectual disabilities and employs approximately 200 support staff. She is also the past president of the Downtown Dickinson Association, in which she played an instrumental role in successfully bringing the community together to construct the Dickinson Downtown Square. Miller’s efforts in the community have been recognized in the “Dickinson Press’ 30 Under 30.”
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Melissa L. Miranda, CPA
Owner
Step By Step Accounting
West Fargo, N.D.

Melissa L. Miranda, CPA, is the owner of Step By Step Accounting in West Fargo, which she opened in 2020. Her team has grown to six employees serving 30 businesses in the Fargo-Moorhead area. Prior to starting her business, she worked in public accounting as an auditor and in private accounting working with commercial real estate.

She’s passionate about helping small business owners understand their financial position and use that knowledge to create positive change in their companies. Miranda specializes in managerial accounting, where she works with financial statement preparation, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, cash flow forecasting and budgeting.

Miranda was a double major at North Dakota State University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting and business administration, graduating magna cum laude in 2012.

She provides accountability and positive growth-oriented solutions through daily, weekly and monthly client contacts. She’s purpose-driven in her belief that the bottom lines of small businesses are not just numbers on profit and loss statements.

Last year, Step By Step Accounting was named among the Woodard Institute’s Top 50 Accounting Services Practices. Miranda also recently graduated from the Goldman Sachs 10K Small Businesses program, proving her dedication to continuing education.

She is actively involved in several community organizations, including the Downtown Community Partnership, North Dakota Women’s Business Center, and The Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber. Over the last three years, she has had many opportunities to provide teachings and presentations to small business owners in the community, educating them on best practices in their business accounting. Twice a year, she and her team seek out a local organization doing great work to donate a percentage of Step By Step Accounting’s profits. In addition, she and her team volunteer with local organizations throughout the year.
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Heather Novak
Executive director
United Way of Grand Forks-East Grand Forks 
Grand Forks, N.D. 

Heather Novak has been the executive director of United Way of Grand Forks-East Grand Forks since October 2021. In this position, she provides visionary leadership to the United Way staff and board of directors. She’s responsible for connecting with a constituency of givers, businesses, agencies, education partners, government officials, program participants and community members. Novak develops strategic goals to provide opportunities for community members to thrive.

Her entire career has revolved around the communities she serves. She’s been the chief operations officer at United Way, is the owner of HN Management Services, has been the administration manager of Northlands Rescue Mission, and the executive director of United Day Nursery.

Novak currently leads a staff of seven full-time and two part-time employees who provide clothing, food and shelter to individuals and families during their time of need. Her service area is roughly from Devils Lake to north of the Canadian border to Fisher, Minnesota, and south to Hillsboro, North Dakota. Her dedication and tireless work to enrich her communities is unwavering.

Programs she oversees include the backpack program, which delivers meals to local schools for children to take home on weekends; Kidz Closet, which provides donated clothing to children and adults; Families First, which provides shelter and social services to families in need; Winter Wish List, which provides Christmas gifts and Thanksgiving baskets to clients in the Families First program; and Larimore Food Pantry.

In fiscal year 2023 over 100,000 meals were provided to 500 children enrolled in the Backpack Program. The Families First Emergency Shelter program provided 1,584 nights of shelter to homeless families and 558 children received clothing, hygiene products and school supplies through the Kidz Closet under her leadership.

Novak also served on the Third Street Clinic Board and is the current president of the Larimore Library Board.
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Rammie Olson
Vice president, business relationship manager
Bremer Bank
Fargo, N.D.

Rammie Olson is a business leader, role model and community advocate in her role as business relationship manager vice president at Bremer Bank in Fargo.

Her professionalism, ability to build relationships quickly with stakeholders, and her high level of staying current with her industry make her stand out as a business leader within the community. She served as the business manager for Doug Burgum while at the Kilbourne Group from 2014-2015. In her current role at Bremer Bank, she has garnered a league of followers and universal respect among her customers, co-workers, and the Fargo business community due to her friendliness, confidence, dedication and leadership abilities.

Anyone who knows Olson, knows that she is a professional to partner with as she is known for rolling up her sleeves to get the job done. She loves the F-M area and consistently contributes to the well-being of the community at large. Olson is the kind of person who adds value to any room she walks into, and can always be counted on to give her best, help anyone in need, and provide for her community, her colleagues say. She is a proven leader in her career and displays herself as a leader in the community through her networks and connections.

Olson holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration from Mayville State University, with specializations in management and real estate and a minor in science.

She is a past graduate of the Chamber Leadership Program as well as the United Way of Cass-Clay Women’s Leadership 35 Under 35 Program. Additionally, she teaches financial literacy lessons to elementary students through volunteering with Junior Achievement and served as a risk management association credit competition coach. She has opened doors to success for organizations such as the United Way and the North Dakota Autism Center by expressing true concern and taking the initiative to lead with passion and purpose to execute her volunteer duties in the highest, most effective manner.

Olson truly and wholeheartedly makes our community a better place because of her leadership and passion.
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Sue Salter
President and CEO
Make-A-Wish South Dakota and Montana
Sioux Falls, S.D.

Sue Salter is a dynamic and caring leader. As the president and CEO of Make-A-Wish South Dakota and Montana, she has helped to grow the impact of the organization that assists children with critical illnesses and their families as they receive their one true wish. She is a champion for other women in leadership, taking the time to professionally and personally invest and mentor the women around her who strive to grow their skill sets and impact. Both inside and outside her organization, she is generous with her time, her feedback, and her attention to anyone who wants to grow and needs support. Salter provides feedback and open communication in a caring, yet direct manner, always intending to advance the individuals and ultimately the results and impact on the community.

Salter dedicated her early career to civic engagement, including working as a city administrator, and as executive director within non-profit regional community development. Having now built her professional career back in Sioux Falls for the last nearly 30 years, she previously served as education coordinator for the South Dakota Bankers Association, CEO of Sioux Empire Fair Association, executive director for the Ice Sports Association and major gifts officer for Sanford Health Foundation.

Salter earned her Bachelor of Science from South Dakota State University and her master’s degree in public administration (MPA) from the University of South Dakota.

She has been involved in the nonprofit space for many years both professionally and personally. She has served as an advocate for philanthropy in general and led the fundraising efforts of millions of dollars to support a variety of healthcare initiatives including the construction of Ava’s House in Sioux Falls for dedicated multi-generational hospice care including one of only a few across the country for pediatric care. Her other volunteer involvement has included: Board of Directors of the South Dakota Association of Fairs and Celebrations, Sioux Empire Red Cross Board of Directors as secretary, and SD State Fair commissioner, appointed by former Gov. Mike Rounds.
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Gretchen Stenehjem
First International Bank & Trust
Marketing director
Watford City, N.D.

Gretchen Stenehjem is the marketing director at First International Bank & Trust in Watford City, North Dakota. In this role, she spends her time across the company’s four-state footprint (North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Arizona) staying connected and bolstering employee relations. She serves as an enthusiastic ambassador for the bank at customer and community events and is a steward for directing the generous community support and donations on behalf of FIBT and the Steve Stenehjem Family Foundation.

She is quick to give others the accolades and allow them to shine. She is the first to jump in when there is a need. Whether you are an employee of FIBT, with her on a committee or the recipient of her generosity, you instantly feel the warmth of her genuine care, a colleague said.

Stenehjem is engaged with her community in ways large and small. She and her husband, Stephen (FIBT CEO and chairman), made a significant donation of land on which the Rough Rider Center, a full-service event center, was constructed, as well as a new high school building for the McKenzie County School District. The Stenehjems have also donated funds to enhance medical facilities and expand daycare services in Watford City, helping the community keep pace with growth spurred by a booming energy industry.

In her community, she has been actively involved with Art in the Park, Relay for Life, the Missoula Children’s Theater residency program, and the Watford City Figure Skating and Hockey Clubs. She also assists with planning special events at her family-owned restaurants, Stonehome Brewing Company, Slow Ride Tequila Cocina, Wild Cow Coffee and Cream and Outlaws Bar and Grill. She is active politically and gives of her time, both locally in her district and on a state level.

Stenehjem currently serves as a volunteer board member for organizations including the McKenzie Health Benefit Fund Board of Directors in Watford City; the Anne Carlsen Center Board of Trustees in Jamestown, North Dakota; and the First Lutheran Church Council Finance Committee in Watford City. She previously volunteered on the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation Board of Directors in Medora, North Dakota.

Perhaps her most inspiring new venture is her work as a children’s author, which has been a life-long professional goal. In 2022, Stenehjem became a published author with her book “Buddy the Dog,” which brings to life the stories of her family’s real-life canine companion of 13 years, and published a follow-up book, “Buddy’s Christmas,” in late 2023.
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Fredel Thomas
Vice president of admissions and marketing
Dakota Wesleyan University
Mitchell, S.D.

Fredel Thomas is the vice president of admissions and marketing at Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, South Dakota. She began her career at DWU as director of the Kelley Center for Entrepreneurship, where she taught entrepreneurial leadership courses and served as a resource for regional businesses in South Dakota. She was named dean of admissions in 2015 and was promoted to vice president of admissions and marketing in 2018.

As an extension to her work at DWU, she serves on the South Dakota Freedom Scholarship Advisory Council, is a guest consultant for Credo, a higher education consulting firm, and is a frequent speaker for the annual National Small College Enrollment Conference. Prior to DWU, Thomas worked 12 years in the telecommunications and technology industry as a programmer, quality assurance officer, project manager and director of product management.

Her colleagues describe her as hardworking, intelligent and very professional. She has spearheaded numerous successful initiatives at DWU through her unwavering focus and determination. Thomas is someone who sets clear goals for herself and her team and takes the necessary steps to achieve them. She is organized and efficient, and she knows how to prioritize her time and resources to maximize her productivity.

“Fredel truly has a gift for strategizing and creating effective processes. She is also someone who is not afraid of hard work and is willing to put in the extra effort to achieve success,” one colleague said. “Overall, she is a reliable and responsible individual who can be counted on to deliver results. In her role at DWU, she is constantly striving to expand access and opportunities for students, while building long-lasting and relevant partnerships to address workforce shortages and increase the area’s workforce needs.”

Thomas is committed to the Mitchell area community and is always willing to step in and serve when called. She serves as a board member for the Weekend Snack Pacl and the Mitchell Area Chamber of Commerce, and is active in her church, teaching youth Sunday school. She has previously served as a board member of the Safe Place of Eastern South Dakota and the Rotary Club of Mitchell. She and her husband, Jason, have four children.
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Sidney Van Schepen
Mechanical engineer
TSP, Inc.
Sioux Falls, S.D.

Sidney Van Schepen is a licensed professional engineer in South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska and Wisconsin. As a mechanical engineer with TSP, Inc., of Sioux Falls, she has demonstrated a passion to share knowledge and help others discover possibilities within the engineering field.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from South Dakota State University. She also holds the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Accredited Professional certification with an added Building Design and Construction designation. The credentials demonstrate her expertise in sustainable design, construction and operation standards.

Van Schepen has served on TSP’s Innovation Team, an internal group that explores answers to questions and recommends promising strategies to TSP leadership. For two years, she led this grassroots group that looks to advance the firm through innovation.

She is also dedicated to the well-being of the mechanical engineering industry, which she demonstrates through board service with the South Dakota Chapter of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers.

She serves on the board of directors for the South Dakota Chapter of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), an organization dedicated to technology advancements to better serve humanity and promote a sustainable world. She is scheduled to serve as ASHRAE South Dakota’s first woman president in 2025 and 2026. In addition, Van Schepen has demonstrated a willingness to develop skills perhaps outside of the traditional engineering disciplines by taking on a fundraising role to support ASHRAE research, scholarships, and continuing education.

“Sidney’s involvement in our industry, especially at her alma mater, reflects her commitment to fostering talent and advancing our field,” said Jared Nesje, chief executive officer at TSP, Inc. “Her dedication to mentoring the next generation and collaborating with peers highlights her influential role in shaping the future of our industry.”

Her other community involvement includes membership in the Young Professionals Network of Sioux Falls, and previous service with the National Association of Women in Construction and has volunteered in GEMS (Girls in Engineering, Math, and Science) workshops at South Dakota State University.