“I’ve got a few surprising things about me that people might not guess at first glance. For starters, I’ve been bitten by a brown recluse spider—and I lived to tell the tale! On a lighter note, despite that, I’ve never broken a bone or even had a cavity.

I’m also dyslexic, which has taught me to approach challenges with creativity and determination. My hometown is unique too—it’s home to Carhenge, a quirky replica of Stonehenge made entirely of cars.

A fun connection to my past is that the Governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz and his wife, Gwen Whipple-Walz, were my high school teachers. And before I transitioned into nonprofit work in 2022, I spent 21 years in banking—a career path most wouldn’t associate with where I am today.”

“I remember facing the dreaded Presidential Physical Fitness Test in school as early as 5th grade. It felt like an impossible task when it came time to run the timed mile—especially since running wasn’t exactly my strong suit. To push through, I latched onto the lyrics of Break My Stride by Matthew Wilder. Over and over, I would sing to myself:

‘Nothing’s gonna break my stride, nothing’s gonna slow me down, oh no! I got to keep on moving!’

That song became my lifeline, helping me put one foot in front of the other until I crossed the finish line.

To this day, Break My Stride remains my personal anthem. When life gets tough, and I need a reminder to stay resilient, I hum the tune or belt it out loud. It reminds me that no obstacle is too big to overcome with determination and a positive mindset.

More than just a catchy song, it symbolizes the power of self-motivation and the belief that setbacks are temporary. Whenever I feel like giving up, those lyrics remind me to keep moving forward, no matter what.”

“If I could instantly master any skill, it would be fluency in multiple languages.

In retirement, I dream of living in another country and fully immersing myself in its culture, traditions, and way of life. I believe language fluency opens doors not just for oneself but also for building a more connected and empathetic world.”

“Throughout my career, I have had some amazing mentors, but the one who stands out most was Bud Olsson. He was a source of strength and guidance. He believed in me and celebrated my successes, no matter how small. Bud has since passed away, but the one piece of advice he shared was simple yet powerful and has stuck with me: ‘Be you. Be the best version of yourself and keep growing, but be you.’

This advice helped me embrace my individuality while striving for growth. Instead of trying to fit into others’ expectations, I focused on refining my strengths and working on areas I could improve. My authenticity is my greatest asset. Growth doesn’t mean changing who I am but enhancing the best parts of myself. That mindset transformed my outlook and gave me the confidence to face challenges head-on.”