The Bismarck-Mandan Young Professionals Network (YPN) was founded in 2005 with the goal to create and connect a positive community for local, young professionals and aspiring entrepreneurs.
Membership with the Young Professionals Network is open to anyone who is between the ages of 21 and 40 and plays an active role within the Bismarck-Mandan professional community. They welcome recent college graduates and industry veterans alike, just as they do long-standing members of our community and recent additions to the group.
In this feature, we’ve gathered many of YPN’s Board Members to ask them about their work in the Bis-Man business community, their goals for the future and more!
Meghan Karch
Capital Credit Union Senior, Accountant
Q&A with Meghan Karch
Tell me a bit about yourself.
I have worked at Capital Credit Union (CCU) for 13.5 years and held several positions including teller, help desk representative, call center representative and loan clerk. I have been in the accounting department for just over eight years. I’ve been married to my husband, Justin, for just over 9 years, and we’ve known each other for 13 years. We have a senior cat named Cora who is coming up on her 13th birthday.
How do you believe that being in the YPN has given you an advantage since joining?
I’ve been a member of the YPN since Q3 of 2016. I joined when a co-worker and friend suggested that I should. I’ve really enjoyed the events that the YPN has to offer and I’ve learned a lot. ‘Failing Successfully’ is the one event that puts things into perspective when you hear about tales of struggle, but they still come out on the other side and are better than ever. It’s inspiring.
What are your plans for 2023?
To thrive instead of just surviving. My department has been through the wringer for the last several years and I’m hoping for a stress-free (ha) year.
What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in 2022?
That you should do what you love, both personally and professionally. Personally, I love to read. I’d gotten away from that and have given myself a reading challenge in January. I’m aiming to read 75 books by the end of the year, which still blows my mind. If you told me in January that I could read 10+ books in a month, I would have laughed. But it’s gotten me off of social media, away from the TV and sharpened my mind, which I have loved. I’m in a bit of a transitional period at work, so I’m hoping once the dust settles, I can work on making my position something that I love professionally.
Will you be making any major business changes in 2023?
Not necessarily, as I’m still learning my role. I accepted a promotion in September of 2021 but haven’t had the chance to fully transition with turnover and new hires in our department. I’m excited to not straddle two positions.
Will you be integrating any new software into your business life in 2023?
Actually, yes. We are getting new payroll software in 2023 and while change is hard, we are excited for what is hopefully an easier process for accounting and human resources.
Have any mentors been instrumental so far in your business career?
My boss, Kyla, has been tremendous. She is a rehire at CCU but started in the accounting department around eight months before I did. We have been through a lot and are the last two remaining of the original department that was there when I started. She is empathetic, knowledgeable, kind, understanding and so much more. I’m lucky to work with her.
What is your biggest hope for 2023?
I’m hoping for it to be a good year. I think that ever since 2020, everyone has been struggling to get back to normal. 2022 wasn’t a bad year, but I’m not sure it was good either. My hope is that good people stand up and make a difference, whether it’s in a big way or a small way.
What’s your favorite memory in business from 2022?
The Chamber brought back ‘20 Under 40’ and a few people that I know were featured. I always like to see people that deserve to be recognized get their moment.
What has been your biggest accomplishment so far? How do you plan on topping that in 2023?
I think that going back to college to earn my Accounting and HR Management degrees while working full-time was definitely one of my biggest accomplishments. It was seven years after I initially graduated college and spurred on by my interview for Accounting Specialist at CCU. Since then, I try to do one thing out of my comfort zone each year. It’s hard and I don’t always enjoy it, but it has also been rewarding. Those things have spanned from co-teaching Junior Achievement to being a board to volunteering in the community. I haven’t thought too hard about what I will try in 2023, but hopefully, it will be great and fulfilling.
What is one thing you think the Bismarck-Mandan community could improve upon?
I love this community and I don’t find a lot wrong with it. I think Mandan’s addition of the Lights on Main was great for 2022. Both downtowns are bustling and new businesses pop up here and there. I love to support the locals, and this is a great community to do so.
Contact Capital Credit Union
Web: capcu.org
Facebook: /CapitalCreditUnion
Twitter: @capcu_ND
LinkedIn: /company/capital-creditunion-nd
Mallory Green
North Dakota Department of Transportation, Talent Acquisition Manager
Q&A with Mallory Green
Tell me a bit about yourself.
I am the current Vice President of the BismarckMandan YP Network. I’m a Bismarck native and graduated from NDSU. I currently work as the Talent Acquisition Manager at the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT). In my free time, you can find me playing with my dog, sewing and crafting!
How do you believe that being in the YPN has given you an advantage since joining?
Networking with other professionals in the community and making new friends.
What are your plans for 2023?
My goal is to grow professionally in my role at the NDDOT.
What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in 2022?
I learned that it is okay not to have everything perfect, life is a learning experience and we are all doing our best!
Have any mentors been instrumental so far in your business career?
Yes, I have a few mentors in the HR community in Bismarck that have been instrumental in my growth and guidance with my career.
What’s your favorite memory in business from 2022?
Traveling to career fairs and getting lost with the help of Google Maps, sadly more than once! I also learned to always have a phone charger so that I can still navigate home when my phone dies.
What is one thing you think the Bismarck-Mandan community could improve upon?
I think that the Bismarck-Mandan community is wonderful! There are events and things to do for a young adult if you look for them!
Contact NDDOT
Phone: (701) 328-2500
Web: dot.nd.gov
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: /nddot
Instagram: @northdakotadot
Twitter: @NorthDakotaDOT
LinkedIn: /company/north-dakota-department-oftransportation
Mailing Address: 608 East Boulevard Ave, Bismarck, ND 58505
Travis Vatnsdal
Northwestern Mutual Financial Advisor
Q&A with Travis Vatnsdal
Tell me a bit about yourself.
Personally, I love to learn, especially about all sports (SKOL!), meet new people, board games, have deep conversations with people (more than, “What’s up?” or “How are you?”), outdoor activities and get a good sweat in every day! Professionally, I’ve heard too many horror stories of what subpar financial advising can do to a family.
My goal is to educate the public more on what financial planning should look like so they can live their lives without worrying about finances all of the time. I strive to relieve people of all financial stress and put together a unique, comprehensive, personal financial plan for all my clients so they are aware of where they currently stand (in all aspects of their financial lives, not just with what we can personally help with), what risks their plans face and how to reach all of their life goals.
How do you believe that being in the YPN has given you an advantage since joining?
YPN is such an amazing organization that I believe that every young professional in the Bismarck-Mandan area should be a part of. First off, it’s a great way to get involved in the community and give back to those who don’t know where to start. Second, it’s a learning experience a lot of the time. It’s great whether you are meeting business owners around the city and hearing their stories, going to the book club and having high-level discussions about what we read or listening to other speakers they bring in to push/ motivate you to be your best in business and life. Lastly, it’s great for meeting new friends and getting more connected in the Bis-Man area.
What are your plans for 2023?
I plan to learn more, travel more, give back more and get more involved.
What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in 2022?
On average, 80% of thoughts you have every day are negative. Surround yourself with motivation and positivity because life is hard!
Will you be making any major business changes in 2023?
I will be becoming a retirement income specialist.
Will you be integrating any new software into your business life in 2023?
Yes, we have brand new, updated planning software that makes putting together a comprehensive plan easier than ever!
Have any mentors been instrumental so far in your business career?
Yes, too many to count honestly. The best thing about Northwestern Mutual is that they let me run my business the way I want it, but we aren’t in competition with each other. This means whenever I run into something I haven’t before, I have access to a fast network of advisors with a ton of experience to learn from and ask questions.
What has been your biggest accomplishment so far? How do you plan on topping that in 2023?
To date, my biggest accomplishment has been helping people. In 2023, I plan to help even more!
What is one thing you think the Bismarck-Mandan community could improve upon?
I believe that we should utilize the river more! Also, we should push for more community involvement and big events that bring people together!
Contact Northwestern Mutual
Phone: (701) 232-7175
Web: northwesternmutual.com/financial/advisor/travis-j-vatnsdal
Facebook: /TravisVatnsdalFinancialAdvising
Address: 107 W Main Ave, Suite 175, Bismarck, ND 58501
Influential Podcasts
Megan J. Vatnsdal
Onyx & Evergreen Travel and Behind the Scenes Events, Owner
Q&A with Megan J. Vatnsdal
Tell me a bit about yourself.
I’m a passionate travel advisor and wedding planner who gets to help create joy for people. I love meeting new people, being inspired by others’ dreams and living life to the fullest.
How do you believe that being in the YPN has given you an advantage since joining?
My husband and I both adore meeting new people, so it’s been great to enhance our network with other like-minded professionals.
What are your plans for 2023?
I plan to travel! I also plan to continuously seek joy and, hopefully, inspire others to do the same.
What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in 2022?
I learned that even if someone sees what I see, they still see it differently. We all have our own perspectives and past experiences that tie into the way we perceive a situation, and that’s okay
Will you be making any major business changes in 2023?
I’ve been shifting my demographic lately to be that of an older and more traveled crowd, who want assistance with every last detail of their trip, and to create a seamless itinerary for them. My wedding business – I will continue what I’m doing!
Have any mentors been instrumental so far in your business career?
My colleague at my host agency, Cali, has introduced me to powerhouse travel advisors from around the world.
What is your hope biggest hope for 2023?
It’s year two in my travel career, and this is a tough year. I’m still in the “grind” phase, without much payoff. That’s the nature of business! My hope is to be resilient throughout the frustrations, persevere with a happy and positive attitude and not let “overwhelm” have a name in my life.
What’s your favorite memory in business from 2022?
Making the jump and becoming a full-time entrepreneur, as that has been a goal of mine forever!
What has been your biggest accomplishment so far? How do you plan on topping that in 2023?
Financially supporting myself in my career! I have bigger sales goals this year and I plan to be more diligent in following those numbers.
Are there any books or podcasts that have been influential on your career to date?
“The Goal Digger Podcast” by Jenna Kutcher “The Big Wedding Planning Podcast” by Michelle Martinez “The Go-Giver” by Bob Burg and John David Mann “The Energy Bus” by Jon Gordon
What is one thing you think the Bismarck-Mandan community could improve upon?
I’d love to see a wine club with a mix of all-aged professionals!
Support Onyx & Evergreen Travel
Phone: (701) 226-4125
Web: onyxandevergreen.com
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: /Onyx.And.Evergreen.Travel
Instagram: @onyx.and.evergreen.travel
Pinterest: /MeganVatnsdal
Support Behind The Scenes Events
Web: behindthescenesevents.net
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: /BehindTheScenesEvents
Instagram: @behind.the.scenes.events
Pinterest: /BehindTheScenesEvents
Catherine R. Jones
National Information Solutions Cooperative (NISC), HR Analyst
Q&A with Catherine R. Jones
Tell me a bit about yourself.
I am a North Dakota native and have worked in HR for 13 years. I’m currently an HR Analyst at the National Information Solutions Cooperative (NISC) and President of the Bismarck-Mandan Young Professionals Network. I’ve been involved with the YPN since 2016 and served as a co-lead before being elected to the Executive Team in 2021. In my downtime, I enjoy baking, spoiling my two cats and rewatching Keanu Reeves movies.
How do you believe that being in the YPN has given you an advantage since joining?
YPN has helped me grow personally and professionally. When I first joined, I was hoping to meet a few new people and ended up making lifelong friends. It is a welcoming group that allows you to be yourself while at the same time growing and expanding as a person. I’ve become more confident in myself through the organization. YPN has also enabled me to give back to the community through different nonprofit partners each year and various service projects. I feel it is important to give back to the community in which you live and work.
What are your plans for 2023?
I plan to transition into the Chairperson role with YPN Leadership Board and support the new President.
What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in 2022?
Never say never, as just about anything is possible if you’re willing to put in the time and effort.
Have any mentors been instrumental so far in your business career?
Heather Sheehan was my resident supervisor way back in college at Bismarck State. She helped set the groundwork for being the person that I am today. Her encouragement to become involved in student government helped me realize my passion for community organizations, engaging with peers and giving back to the community.
What is your biggest hope for 2023?
I hope to be healthy and happy.
What’s your favorite memory in business from 2022?
Working with YPN to raise money for our current nonprofit partner, Dakota Children’s Advocacy Center.
Are there any resources that have been influential on your career to date?
The Central Dakota HR Association (local SHRM chapter for HR Professionals) has been great for providing a group of peers to engage with and learn from specifically in the human resources profession.
Contact NISC
Web: nisc.coop
Facebook: /NISCSolutions
Instagram: @NISC_coop
Twitter: @NISC_coop
LinkedIn: /company/nisc
Kathryn Spilman
Denizen Partners, Communications Manager
Q&A with Kathryn Spilman
Tell me a bit about yourself.
I am an extrovert to the MAX. I enjoy gathering people and feeding off other people’s energy. In my spare time, I enjoy volunteering across town, spoiling my chickens and hosting friends and family.
How do you believe that being in the YPN has given you an advantage since joining?
YPN has forced me to be better at communicating with a variety of personality types, which has led to many conversations about growth.
What are your plans for 2023?
To learn as much as I can, work as hard as I can and maintain a healthy “me” while doing it!
What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in 2022?
No matter how far an individual brings your name down; your professional morale is what will keep you moving forward.
Will you be making any major business changes to your business or how you go about your job in 2023?
Yes, just jumping into a new role. It’s exciting and complicated, although it’s high-energy constantly. I enjoy collaborating with other local business owners. At the same time giving individuals a chance to experience what our flourishing community has to offer!
Will you be integrating any new software into your business life in 2023?
We’ll be integrating many new software platforms in 2023, including TLOxp, Tippy, Buffer, Apollo.io and maybe a couple more. We’re constantly growing, and with growth, comes improved software. HAVE ANY
Have any mentors been instrumental so far in your business career?
My brother, Jordan Rohrich. He is the most humble individual that I know and look up to. He provides excellent care to his patients while having an entrepreneurial character. His love for his home life also inspires me!
What is your biggest hope for 2023?
I hope to build memorable relationships with the Trestle tenants and be the best point of contact a tenant has ever had.
What has been your biggest accomplishment so far? How do you plan on topping that in 2023?
Receiving the Crystal Reid Award through the YPN. Not wanting to top that recognition, my next accomplishment would be to gather various YP networks across the state together in one room.
What is one thing you think the Bismarck-Mandan Community could improve upon?
To support one another’s businesses. No one can choose what side of the river they are born on. It doesn’t matter. It’s a body of water with a current. Our community is ONE; we should treat ourselves and our businesses that way.
Influential Books
Support Denizen Partners
Phone: (701) 989-5943
Web: denizendev.com
Facebook: /DenizenPartners
Jake Adducci
National Information Solutions Cooperative (NISC), Programming Team Lead
Q&A with Jake Adducci
Tell me a bit about yourself.
I was born and raised in Bismarck, ND. Back in high school, I attended a career development course that allowed me to job shadow various businesses around Bismarck and Mandan. That is where I first learned about NISC and took a further interest in software development. I attended NDSU where I got my degree in computer science and statistics. During my junior year, I worked as an intern at NISC.
After graduation, I started working full-time at NISC as a software developer. I took an education assistance opportunity provided by NISC to further my professional development and received my MBA at the University of Mary. I recently became a programming team lead, where I manage a team of software developers. NISC as an organization has played a vital role in my career development and I am proud to work there with other exceptional individuals.
How do you believe that being in the YPN has given you an advantage since joining?
The YPN is a great opportunity to branch out and meet other professionals in the Bismarck-Mandan area. It allows for those with similar ambitions to share in those goals and help build each other up.
What are your plans for 2023?
My goals for 2023 are to continue coaching and mentoring others on my team and in my circles whenever possible. I will continue to learn new technologies and build upon my existing skill set. I will focus on pushing myself past what I was before.
What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in 2022?
Some of the most important things I’ve learned are to stand up straight and walk with purpose. Also, never stop learning and never give up.
Will you be making any major business changes in 2023?
I will keep pushing myself, while also making sure to rely on others around me for their support and guidance.
Will you be integrating any new software into your business life in 2023?
We’ve recently started looking toward the software Pluralsight for expanding knowledge across the teams. We’re also looking at better documentation and workflow tools, such as LucidChart.
Have any mentors been instrumental so far in your business career?
My manager, Jay Schlenker, as well as Alexander Dietz, a fellow programming team lead.
What is your biggest hope for 2023?
To follow through on the specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and timely goals that I’ve set for myself and my team.
What’s your favorite memory in business from 2022?
Our team came together to meet a tough deadline on a project. We reached that goal by working extra hours. It was great to let the team enjoy a shorter workday on the following Friday.
What has been your biggest accomplishment so far? How do you plan on topping that in 2023?
Putting a great team of developers together to push one another to be the best that we can be. I want to push us further, either by learning something brand new or creating an area of strength that others can rely on.
What is one thing you think the Bismarck-Mandan community could improve upon?
I would love to see more comradery in our own neighborhoods. Getting to know who is around you today and how you can support each other, as that’s the kind of Bismarck that I grew up with.
Influential Books
“The Phoenix Project” by Gene Kim, Kevin Behr and George Spafford
“The Mythical Man-Month” by Frederick P. Brooks, Jr.
“12 Rules for Life” by Jordan Peterson
Contact NISC
Web: nisc.coop
Facebook: /NISCSolutions
Instagram: @NISC_coop
Twitter: @NISC_coop
LinkedIn: /company/nisc
Grant Docker
Moore Engineering Inc., Project Engineer
Q&A with Grant Dockter
Tell me a bit about yourself.
I was born and raised in Bismarck, ND before attending UND for four years. After graduation, I returned to Bismarck to begin working as a civil engineer. I immediately wanted to get involved in the community in which I grew up. I joined the YPN to meet like-minded individuals while growing my professional network.
How do you believe that being in the YPN has given you an advantage since joining?
The YPN has introduced me to a lot of great people. It has also opened my eyes to the Bismarck-Mandan area and what it has to offer. The YPN does a great job of highlighting the local area and giving people a new perspective on Bismarck-Mandan.
What are your plans for 2023?
My plans for 2023 include passing my professional registration test and growing as a professional. I want to be more involved in my organizations. For YPN, I want to help grow the Network and see where it can lead.
What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in 2022?
I have learned the power of confidence. Confidence is a huge mind game that can open many doors. Being in YPN, I have been put in public speaking positions that have increased my confidence.
Will you be making any major business changes in 2023?
I will try and bring that confidence into my workplace. Whether it’s in office meetings or council meetings, I want to be a good public speaker and make a difference in meetings.
Will you be integrating any new software into your business life in 2023?
Moore Engineering has been growing in recent years. In order to scale our business, we have been looking into new software in a few different areas.
Have any mentors been instrumental so far in your business career?
I have had great bosses throughout my career. Having good bosses has taught me the power of good leadership.
What is your biggest hope for 2023?
My hope for 2023 is for Bismarck-Mandan to be noticed as a great place for young professionals to start their careers.
What’s your favorite memory in business from 2022?
I don’t think I could pinpoint one single memory from 2022. My year was filled with many great memories. Whether it was completing meaningful projects, making new connections or spending time with coworkers and solving problems, 2022 was a great year for me professionally.
Are there any podcasts that have been influential on your career to date?
On top of YPN, I also coach youth hockey. One podcast I have enjoyed is The Hockey Think Tank Podcast. It’s geared toward hockey coaches, but it talks a lot about leadership and the power of perseverance, which applies to many aspects of my life.
What has been your biggest accomplishment so far? How do you plan on topping that in 2023?
My biggest accomplishment so far is the credibility that I have been able to gain with clients. As a young engineer, gaining the trust of clients can be a hard task. In 2023, I plan to obtain my professional engineer’s license and become more confident in front of clients and increase my technical knowledge.
What is one thing you think the Bismarck-Mandan community could improve upon?
I would love to see the Bismarck-Mandan community embrace the young professional demographic. With a shortage in the workforce, creating a place that young professionals want to live in can help attract a new talent pool. Fun living areas, downtown attractions and community events are all great examples of opportunities to attract younger talent.
Influential Podcasts
Scott and Jeff LoVecchio
Contact Moore Engineering Inc.
(Bismarck Location)
Phone: (701) 751-8360
Fax: (701) 751-2954
Web: mooreengineeringinc.com
Facebook: /MooreEngineeringInc
Instagram: @moore_eng
Twitter: @Moore_Eng
LinkedIn: /company/mooreengineering-inc
Address: 4503 Coleman Street, Suite 105, Bismarck, 58503
Josh Fisher
National Information Solutions Cooperative (NISC), Software Engineer
Q&A with Josh Fisher
Tell me a bit about yourself.
I’m a software engineer for National Information Solutions Cooperative (NISC) who has been in the industry for almost a decade now. As a tennis enthusiast, I was on the Bismarck-Mandan Tennis Association (BMTA) board from 2016-2022 and served as president from 2020-2022.
Furthermore, I am volunteering on the technical side with the new Mandan Tennis Center. Personally and professionally, I find great reward in the creative and problem-solving processes. However, I think the greatest reward is when undertaking these processes, as difficult as it may be, makes a positive difference.
How do you believe that being in the YPN has given you an advantage since joining?
It has helped me develop personally and professionally by connecting me with a diverse community of young professionals and a variety of opportunities. Despite being nearly a decade into my career and considered accomplished in it when I joined last year, I’ve learned that there is a lot to learn from others and have pushed myself to do a lot of things [including participating in this questionnaire] that I probably would not have done just two years ago.
Also, it is nice to be able to get a good group of young professionals together and have an enjoyable time, whether that’s doing a professional development activity or just gathering to have fun, especially being in a job where I am working remotely most of the time.
What are your plans for 2023?
I plan to continue to push myself to learn and meet my goals, but also take time to appreciate what I have done in the first decade of my career.
What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in 2022?
One of the most difficult parts of success is knowing when it is time to move on from a project or something you are involved with. The long-term success of these projects is often bigger than you or any one person.
Will you be making any major business changes to your business or how you go about your job in 2023?
I have been involved in a lot of things over the last few years, and while it ultimately was for the better, this year I realized this is not sustainable long term. I plan to scale back my level of involvement in some things and the number of projects I am involved in, which I believe will allow me to be more focused and productive in my work.
Will you be integrating any new software into your business life in 2023?
There is always something new, being in the software business, but I recently have been using PyCharm by JetBrains to do some Python programming on personal projects and I think it will end up being useful at work as well. I think that I will be learning a lot more new software involved with running the Mandan Tennis Center—court booking, point of sale, live streaming—to help the staff operate efficiently.
Have any mentors been instrumental so far in your business career?
Yes, I will not try to name all of them. However, I think it is worth noting that some of the most influential people in my career are not necessarily in my workplace or part of a traditional mentor-mentee relationship, but I am grateful for the difference they have made in my life.
What is your biggest hope for 2023?
I hope that I can find some peace of mind and that I can look back at the first decade of my career and see that my efforts were worthwhile.
What’s your favorite memory in business from 2022?
I faced a rather difficult technical issue that went on from March to November and continued delaying introducing some important changes into products relying on this component. I spent many hours trying to understand the issue and communicating it with others who had more control over fixing it but had virtually given up on it by September.
In November, I chose to learn about new technology as part of an organizational initiative to spend 10 percent of my work hours on research and exploration of things not necessarily related to one’s main work. After learning about it, I decided to revisit the original problem and apply what I learned. After about a week, I had a solution that turned out to not only avoid the issue out of our control, but also was a significant improvement over what had been used for almost 15 years.
Are there any podcasts that have been influential on your career to date?
Alongside these books, and a podcast, the story of Rareware in the 1990s has also been influential on my career.
Contact NISC
Web: nisc.coop
Facebook: /NISCSolutions
Instagram: @NISC_coop
Twitter: @NISC_coop
LinkedIn: /company/nisc
Courtney Hamilton
Bismarck Title Company, Closing Officer
Q&A with Courtney Hamilton
Tell me a bit about yourself.
A little about me, I grew up in Chestnut Hill, a suburb of Philadelphia and attended Springside Chestnut Hill Academy. For college, I attended the University of Miami, played squash there and lived in South Miami until moving up to Mandan in January 2021. I was then hired at Bismarck Title Company and joined the YPN.
Furthermore, I was elected to the BisMarket board as a member and Secretary, got accepted for the Leadership Bismarck Mandan Class of 2023 and recently joined the Bismarck Dollars for Scholars Board. Some of my hobbies include reading, racquet sports, board games and learning about other cultures, especially through cuisine.
How do you believe that being in the YPN has given you an advantage since joining?
Bismarck-Mandan YPN was such a crucial place for me to start building a community in this area. I’ve gotten to know great people who are in a similar stage of life and we get to bounce ideas off each other. The events that YPN puts on have taken me all over town; I’ve gotten to know this area far better than I might have on my own and found some of my favorite go-to spots along the way. .
What are your plans for 2023?
My plans for 2023 are to stay active! Body, mind and career. I love getting to explore a new part of the country through hiking, paddling and road trips. I’m always looking to learn and grow. My favorite thing is to find people who are passionate about something that I know nothing about. I love to learn about their area of knowledge and expertise from them.
What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in 2022?
The most important lesson I learned in 2022 is about trust and belief. I was fortunate enough this year to be promoted to a new position. Change can be exciting but also nerve-wracking! I needed to trust in the skills I had gathered so far, as well as my team to continue to help me when I got stuck. The courage to ask questions is vital and it’s something I’ve called on a lot this year. Progress can be hard to see and feel on a daily basis but that belief that I was growing kept me going through difficult moments.
Will you be making any major business changes to your business or how you go about your job in 2023?
For the real estate world, 2023 requires a shift from everyone after the wild booming markets of the last couple of years. Only having started in 2021, I’m excited to grow and expand both myself and Bismarck Title in a slower market than we’ve seen. I want to be here for the next generation of home buyers and business owners in their pursuit of real estate acquisition and sales. I’m always hungry to expand my skill set to exceed expectations for the closing experiences for our current and emergent members and leaders of the community.
Will you be integrating any new software into your business life in 2023?
Real estate transactions have seen a huge upward tick in fraud activity. At Bismarck Title, we stay vigilant about our cyber security. We are constantly updating our cyber software and best practices to stay ahead of fraudsters and protect our clients. It’s been exciting to see the legislation and innovation in and around remote closing, spurred on by the pandemic.
We have a current platform to do remote online notarization and closing but I’m always reading about upgrades and updates that will enhance this technology. Maybe 2023 will see our perfect software match for online closings!
Have any mentors been instrumental so far in your business career?
I’m very fortunate to have a number of people I count as mentors in my workplace. We all work well together across our different jobs and I look forward to continuing to learn from them.
Another great place I’ve found mentors is the peer mentorship found in the YPN. Particularly during book club, I have received so much guidance on how to handle complex issues, both personally and professionally.
What is your biggest hope for 2023?
Every year, the answer for my biggest hope is health, happiness and prosperity for myself and my loved ones, whatever that may look like!
What’s your favorite memory in business from 2022?
My favorite memory was my first closing that I conducted entirely on my own!
What has been your biggest accomplishment so far? How do you plan on topping that in 2023?
Working at Bismarck Title Company has provided me the unique opportunity to work my way up from Receptionist to Closing Officer in a very short amount of time. This is a testament to my coworkers who have taught and guided me. On my first day, I couldn’t have told you what title insurance was. I don’t have plans to top this because it’s so important and deserves its place as a continued top accomplishment for me. So this year, I look forward to stepping my game up even more as a Closer.
Outside of my career, I look forward to growing BisMarket! Having this market (Saturdays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. June-October on Sweet Ave next to Kiwanis park) as a place of gathering for the community means so much to me. It’s a place to celebrate the growers and makers and what these amazing folks provide on a local level and showcase the best of what Bismarck and Mandan have to offer.
What is one thing you think the Bismarck–Mandan community could improve upon?
Moving to the Bismarck-Mandan area gave me a renewed appreciation for the strength of a community that believes in and bets on its own. It shows its honor and integrity to have a network of individuals and businesses working their hardest to see their city and fellow citizens grow and thrive.
But let’s talk about that immense growth, it’s not slowing down any time soon! It’s great to be where we are but because of how well the current ways have worked up to this point, there can be a reticence to look critically at the status quo, moving forward and possible change. I believe we must look at growth and the infrastructure to maintain it as an opportunity to learn, to fail and to find better, creative, dynamic solutions that allow for continuous learning and failure. Let’s look hard and discover what it is we aren’t staying vigilant on. If something is working, why is it working? Can we replicate that in areas that aren’t working as well?
Influential Books
Contact Bismarck Title Company
Phone: (701) 222-4247
Web: bismarcktitle.com
Facebook: /BismarckTitle
Instagram: @btcnd
LinkedIn: /company/bismarck-titlecompany-&-morton-county-titlecompany
Address: 207 S Washington St, Bismarck, ND 58504
Ashley Wooledge
Dakota Printing and Embroidery Promo Princess – AKA Account Manager
Tell me a bit about yourself.
I have lived in Bismarck all but three months of my life working mostly in hospitality and customer service. I’ve always loved to stay busy with multiple jobs and activities at any given time.
My love for the print industry started with my first job at the Bismarck Tribune—writing at 14 and working there at 16. I stayed there for ten years, but I never knew what I really wanted to be “when I grew up.” I had the desire to be creative and work with a good group of people. Beyond that, I didn’t know where that would lead me. Jane Halverson, the owner of Dakota Promotions, gave me an opportunity to put that creativity to use as a sales and production specialist, and I remained with that company for nearly six years. It put into play a lot of the tools I had been given throughout all my other jobs and it seemed like the perfect fit for what I wanted for a career.
This past fall, I got a push to go outside of my comfort zone and started with a new company. I’m very excited to see how this company will grow and can’t wait to run alongside this team!
Individual Memberships for Employees
If your company or organization is a Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce member, your employees are eligible for a $35 per year membership to the Young Professionals Network. The non-chamber member fee is $50 per year.
How do you believe that being in the YPN has given you an advantage since joining?
In the past year, I’ve invested in myself personally and professionally around the community and realized that I should have been doing that a lot sooner! I jumped into the YPN in January of 2022 and joined the board shortly after. I have met amazing people, been able to take part in service projects and have been able to network with other like-minded young professionals.
What are your plans for 2023?
With YPN, I hope we gain new members, have kick-butt events and make memories.
Personally, I want to continue to grow in having a work-life balance.
Professionally, I know that we are going to have a great 2023. Dakota Printing and Embroidery (DPE) is less than a year old. Some of our staff are seasoned pros and others had never been in this industry. We are excited to bring jobs to the community, awesome merchandise to our customers and some of the greatest-looking apparel to businesses and schools!
What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in 2022?
I am worth it! Had I not joined the YPN and attended a leadership course through the Women’s Business Center, I know that I still wouldn’t be as trusting in myself as much as I have. I had some major losses personally this year. I know that I have an amazing support group of family and friends who will be there to help me land on my feet if I do fall—but I can take those risks and attempt to jump into the unknown.
Will you be making any major business changes in 2023?
My major change happened in 2022, but it will roll into 2023. I am excited to work for the new ownership at Dakota Printing and Embroidery, as they lead with the intent to create jobs and give back to the community. Working for a company that makes the employees feel appreciated, supports a work-life balance and understands that families have to come first is something that is very important to me.
Have any mentors been instrumental so far in your business career?
I truly believe every person I have worked with or have worked for has helped form me into who I am today. I take the things some do that I appreciate and try to integrate them into my life. I take the things others do that I didn’t like and try to avoid doing so if at all possible.
I can’t possibly list all of the mentors I’ve had, but I think a manager that I once had at Starbucks was probably the biggest influence on who I am today in my career. She showed me that it was possible to love co-workers even if we didn’t get along. She taught me to show up and work hard, even if I knew that staying there was not my end game. She was a leader who knew our personal lives and wanted us to do the best we could professionally. My motto tends to be “Be a Bitsy.” I want to be that kind of co-worker/manager/friend that people remember with a smile.
What is your biggest hope for 2023?
I hope that the YPN as a group is able to celebrate successes and lift each other up when those successes don’t happen. I also hope to hit the ground running in 2023 with Dakota Printing and Embroidery.
The Dakota Printing and Embroidery team hasn’t been able to trailblaze yet, as the new owners just took over in April. It’s a completely blank canvas, and I know that whatever we put into the year, we will be able to get even more back out of it.
What’s your favorite memory in business from 2022?
There were so many great merch projects I was a part of this year! I joke that I am blessed to see my hard work “out in the wild.” I love getting to drive downtown and see the Bismarck 150-Year banners or being handed a challenge coin that we did for them. I love going to restaurants and seeing the apparel that I helped them pick out.
I love seeing businesses completely redoing their logos. I love seeing pictures of my friends’ kids on social media playing basketball in warmups that we did. I get the opportunity to see start-up businesses bring in a logo idea and we create for them something better than they expected.
What has been your biggest accomplishment so far? How do you plan on topping that in 2023?
I was able to land a couple of larger regionwide nationwide clients in 2022. My hope for topping that in 2023 is to help the rest of our team get clients they are excited to work with.
What is one thing you think the Bismarck-Mandan Community could improve upon?
I think we as a community need to support the locals much more by planning events and supporting them, whether it’s checking out local bands at local breweries, drinking local coffee, eating at locally-owned restaurants or shopping at these great boutiques. I don’t think that the general public knows just how many great things that really happen here.
I know I didn’t realize how much Bismarck-Mandan had to offer until I started getting more involved. By joining the YPN, I started to feel connected to the community. I then started attending One Million Cups on Wednesdays, BisMarket and Urban Harvest. I attend Chamber EDC events, and try to hit as many events as I can. If a person starts investing in themselves and their community in this way, the benefits will come!
Contact Dakota Printing and Embroidery
Phone: (701) 224-9879
Web: dakotape.com
Address: 3138 N 10th St, Suite 2, Bismarck, ND 58503
Kenzie Meide
Arvig Media, Media Account Executive
Q&A with Kenzie Meide
Tell me a bit about yourself.
I grew up in a small town in Southeast North Dakota. I went to college at the University of Minnesota-Crookston and played basketball there. From there, I moved to Apple Valley, MN and worked as a recruiter for a staffing agency for two years. I moved to Lincoln in 2018, bought a house, changed careers and married my husband Caleb, all within 6 months.
We now have a son named Maverick and another baby on the way, in addition to our Golden Retriever puppy named Talley. In my free time, I enjoy being outdoors, golfing, hiking, boating and any kind of sport. I recently graduated from the University of Mary with a Master’s Degree in business and work at Arvig Media as an Account Executive. I love helping clients hit their goals and grow their customer base by providing advertising solutions.
How do you believe that being in the YPN has given you an advantage since joining?
I have grown professionally and expanded my leadership and planning skills by being on the board and executive team. I have also gained many friendships along the way.
What are your plans for 2023?
I will be finishing my term as YPN Chairperson and having a baby in May.
What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in 2022?
I have learned that you have to pick and choose what is most important in order to not feel constantly overwhelmed.
Will you be making any major business changes to your business or how you go about your job in 2023?
Due to having a baby during my busy season, I will need to adjust when I meet with my clients.
Will you be integrating any new software into your business life in 2023?
We will be potentially integrating Salesforce within Arvig Media.
Have any mentors been instrumental so far in your business career?
I have a great networking group (Master Networks) that I turn to for mentorship.
What is your biggest hope for 2023?
I hope that I can balance my work, family and personal life.
What’s your favorite memory in business from 2022?
Going over advertising results with clients. Specifically, helping a client get their listings corrected on Google had been a pain point for them for several months. I also loved getting the YPN website updated with a fresh look and more user functionality!
What has been your biggest accomplishment so far? How do you plan on topping that in 2023?
My biggest accomplishment personally has been becoming a parent. I don’t think that I can top that but I will be adjusting to a growing family in 2023!
What is one thing you think the Bismarck-Mandan Community could improve upon?
I think that the Bis-Man community could have more places to do family-friendly activities.
Influential Books
Contact Arvig Media
Phone: (701) 222-1050
Web: arvigmedia.com
Facebook: /ArvigMedia
Instagram: @arvigmedia
LinkedIn: /company/arvigmedia
Address: 4007 State St, Suite 50, Bismarck, ND 58503
Nikhil Kalothia
Essential Health – Mid Dakota Clinic, Quality Manager
Q&A with Nikhil Kalothia
Tell me a bit about yourself.
In my free time, I enjoy watching real sports, playing tennis, teaching fitness classes, traveling around the world, hiking in national parks and eating delicious food. I am frequently attending unique community events, especially those featuring art, classical music and food. I like to think I can do it all in a day, so I try my best
How do you believe that being in the YPN has given you an advantage since joining?
Being in the YPN has allowed me to meet people, build connections and experience events that I otherwise would not have had the opportunity to do. Certain events like ‘Entrepreneurs Among Us’ and ‘Failing Successfully’ have allowed me to hear from business owners and others about how they got started and overcame challenges.
What are your plans for 2023?
My plans for 2023 are to live it up and enjoy every moment. I hope to travel somewhere grand once I plan it out.
What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in 2022?
The most important thing I’ve learned in 2022 is the importance of taking care of myself and prioritizing my needs and wants.
Will you be making any major business changes in 2023?
I anticipate and look forward to changes because my organization was recently acquired by Essentia Health. I envision having more support and better processes in my role.
Will you be integrating any new software into your business life in 2023?
My organization will be switching EMR (Electronic Medical Record) Systems next year, so that will be a large undertaking.
Have any mentors been instrumental so far in your business career?
I am looking to find a mentor in 2023.
What is your biggest hope for 2023?
My biggest hope for 2023 is to stay healthy after a year filled with many injuries.
What has been your biggest accomplishment so far? How do you plan on topping that in 2023?
The largest team accomplishment from 2022 is that one of the clinics at my organization scored tied for best in the nation in delivering primary care. It’ll be tough to top that, but we’ll try.
What is one thing you think the Bismarck-Mandan Community could improve upon?
There is a lot, but for starters, the Bismarck-Mandan community could do a better job of creating a culture that values and retains young professionals. It’s important to create a community that offers opportunities, both professional and recreational, for young professionals to learn, grow and enjoy life.
Influential Books
Contact Essentia Health-Mid Dakota Clinic
Web: essentiahealth.org/findfacility/mid-dakota-clinic
Jade Scherr
Hexahive, CEO, Chief of Creative
Q&A with Jade Scherr
Tell me a bit about yourself.
I’m the founder and CEO of HexaHive, a marketing agency that helps companies reach their business goals through strategic marketing. Since 2019, my team and I have been partnering with Midwest companies ranging from billion-dollar businesses to local startups. Year after year, I’ve tripled the growth of HexaHive by pairing my business sense with my education and prior experience in marketing and graphic design.
No matter what I’m working on, you can often find me sipping a latte. My husband, Tyler, and I have two kids that keep us pretty busy. In the free time I do have, I enjoy playing volleyball, heading to the lake and bow-hunting.
How do you believe that being in the YPN has given you an advantage since joining?
I love that the YPN treats youthfulness as an advantage and as an opportunity for employers and the community to invest in the upcoming generation. Being around like-minded, career-oriented young professionals has allowed me to build valuable connections that have helped move me forward in my career and in my confidence.
What are your plans for 2023?
In 2023, I plan to invest in both myself and my team so that we can grow our profitability and our client base, and continuously elevate what we do as a marketing agency.
What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in 2022?
To focus on the things that have the brightest future ahead and leave behind the things that don’t. This has always made sense to me, but I really started to embrace it in 2022 after reading a book that expanded on the concept further.
Will you be making any major business changes to your business or how you go about your job in 2023?
The biggest change for me in 2023 is that I’ll be spending the vast majority of the time working on the business, rather than working in it.
We’ve grown a lot in the past 2 years, so 2023 is emphasizing fine-tuning roles and what our team looks like before we grow more. We’re reducing our billable hours to avoid burn-out and set employees up for success, setting profitability incentives and focusing on training so that we are always doing better and better work for our clients.
Have any mentors been instrumental so far in your business career?
I hired John Meyer as a business coach in late 2022 and he’s been a game changer. I always looked up to what he did with his infographic agency, Lemonly, and how he balances people-focused business with doing stellar work.
What is your biggest hope for 2023?
Elevation. It’s one of our core values, but it’s what we’re prioritizing this year—growing and elevating what we do, how we do it and what people know us for.
What’s your favorite memory in business from 2022?
There are so many to choose from! I could go on about proud moments in seeing team members gain confidence, overcome obstacles and more, but one client project comes to mind. We had a client that switched to us from another agency for an annual campaign they do.
We had the same budget, timeline and overall theme that we promoted as the former agency, but with our different approach and a fresh perspective, we were able to land more than 2x the results in every key metric that they were looking for. It was really rewarding to see that the extra effort we put in for clients pays off, especially with such an even comparison.
Are there any books that have been influential on your career to date?
“The Pumpkin Plan” by Mike Michalowicz. If you have a business, you have to read this book! There are so many others that I could list, but overall I’d just encourage people to continuously learn and look to podcasts, audiobooks or even social media accounts that help them grow every day.
What has been your biggest accomplishment so far? How do you plan on topping that in 2023?
I was a shortlisted candidate for Forbes’ North American ‘30 Under 30’ this year. While I didn’t get the award, it was an honor to be considered next to some of the most talented entrepreneurs and young professionals in the continent and I learned a lot through the rigorous vetting and interview process.
In 2023, I don’t plan on chasing any crazy awards, but I do plan to focus more effort on intentionally investing in myself and my team so that we can continue to grow personally and professionally.
What is one thing you think the Bismarck-Mandan Community could improve upon?
I believe that everyone should try new things and embrace failure more!
Contact Hexahive
Phone: (701) 409-0488
Web: hexahive.co
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: /hexahive.co
Instagram: @hexahive.co
LinkedIn: /company/hexahive
Address: 811 E Interstate Ave Suite B, Bismarck, ND 58503
Show Support for YPN!
Phone: (701) 223-5660
Web: ypnetwork.org
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: /BismarckMandanYP
LinkedIn: /company/bismarck-mandan-young-professionals-network
Address: 1640 Burnt Boat Dr, Bismarck, ND 58503