REGISTRATION AND BREAKFAST 7:30 – 8:30 a.m.
WELCOME AND KEYNOTE #1 8:30 – 9:00 a.m.
BUILDING MEANINGFUL CAREERS AND LIVES IN RURAL COMMUNITIES
Rural communities create unique environments where relationships, collaboration, and purpose drive success. This session explores how embracing rural strengths enhances both career development and personal fulfillment.
Keynote Speaker: To be announced
BREAKOUT SESSIONS #1 9:00 – 10:15 a.m.
TRACK 1 – LIVE
Connecting Locally: Building Professional Networks in Smaller Cities
In rural or small-urban communities, networking is personal, relational, and often long-term. This session explores how engaging locally, showing up consistently, and building trust can open doors professionally and strengthen community ties.
Speaker: Erica Dunsen, Administrative Director at Jersey Mikes Subs
TRACK 2 – GROW
Intentional Growth: Mindset, Self-Leadership, and the Power of Daily Choices
What you think, practice, and repeat shapes who you become. This panel focuses on how intentional mindset, self-leadership, and small daily actions compound into meaningful personal and professional growth..
Speakers: Troy Bichler, Assistant Professor at University of Mary; Sam Ingman, Leadership speaker & Growth Strategist at Ignite Growth & Development
TRACK 3 – LEAD
Say It Better: Growing Confidence in Providing Feedback and Resolving Conflict
How we communicate during moments of tension defines our effectiveness as leaders. This session examines feedback, conflict resolution, and mindset tools that help professionals communicate clearly, respond intentionally, and build stronger teams.
Speakers: Nicholas Flom, UAS Account and Portfolio Director, Thales USA; Brooke Tofte, Account Executive at Anchor Marketing, Jeff Beck, Senior Director of Online at The University of Mary
NETWORKING BREAK 10:15 – 10:45 a.m.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS #2 10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
TRACK 1 – LIVE
Serving Beyond Your Title: Leadership in Advocacy and Community Organizations
Advocacy and community leadership require collaboration, trust, and commitment. This panel highlights how individuals can contribute meaningfully through boards and community organizations while strengthening the places they live and work.
Speakers: Amber Flynn, Owner/Realtor at Grand Forks Real Estate; Barry Wilfahrt, President & CEO at The Chamber Grand Forks East Grand Forks
TRACK 2 – GROW
Time Management Matters: Strategies for Focusing, Setting Priorities, and Creating Smarter Systems
How you structure your day shapes how effective you are at work. This panel highlights practical strategies for managing time, maintaining focus, and creating routines that support productivity and longer-term growth.
Speakers: Meslissa Thury, Business Coach at Balance & Businesses with Melissa; John Friend, Human Resources Manager, PS Industries; Autumn Ricke, Marketing Manager, Pinnacle Marketing Group
TRACK 3 – LEAD
Entrepreneurship In Action: Lessons From the Real World
This panel explores practical, experience-driven lessons from entrepreneurs who have built and sustained businesses through action, adaptability, and persistence.
Speakers: Rachel Racoczy, Founder and Owner at Rachel’s Property Solutions; Sandi Luck, Founder and Owner, Bully Brew Coffee, Board Room Coffee & Taphouse, ND Coffee Roastery
LUNCH AND NETWORKING 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS #3 1:00 – 2:15 p.m.
TRACK 1 – LIVE
Building Work That Works: Creating Environments People Want to Stay In Belonging is a powerful driver of
Belonging is a powerful driver of engagement and retention. This panel examines how organizations and community leaders build cultures of trust, inclusion, and shared purpose that strengthen both teams and the communities they serve.
Speakers: Shilo Virginia Previti, Director of Advocacy at Live Well Grand Cities; Kristina Stepps, Director of Human Resources at Community Violence Intervention Center (CVIC)
TRACK 2 – GROW
Speak Up! Using Your Voice to Vouch for Your Team, Your Project, and Yourself
This panel focuses on using clear, confident communication to advocate for your team, your work, and yourself. Learn practical ways to lead conversations, present ideas, and speak up with credibility in meetings and professional settings.the communities they serve.
Speakers: Mandy Iverson, RN, BSN, Community Mental Health Coordinator, State Opioid Response Grand Manager at Grand Forks Public Health; Lea Greene, Owner at Top Ten Communication; Karel Sovak, Dean, Gary Theraldson School of Business at University of Mary
TRACK 3 – LEAD
From Peer to Leader: Practical Skills for First-Time Managers
First-time managers are often asked to lead without a playbook. This session breaks down how to transition from individual contributor to people leader, communicate clearly, manage competing priorities, and develop an engaged team. Panelists will share practical frameworks, lessons learned, and simple habits that help new leaders stay steady, effective, and human.
Speakers: Marla DeFoe, Senior Marketing & Advertising Manager at BBI International; Dee Baker, District Manager at Casey’s; Kevin Miller, President at ITCB Consulting
NETWORKING BREAK 2:15 – 2:30 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS #4 2:30 – 3:45 p.m.
TRACK 1 – LIVE
Keep Great People: Retention, Growth Paths, and Strong Starts
Strong retention is built through clear growth paths, supportive culture, and access to skill development. This session connects workforce programs, onboarding practices, and leadership strategies that keep talent engaged long-term.
Speakers: Brittany Love, Director of Prevention and Education, Community Violence Intervention Center; Evan Moser, Grant Administrator, State of North Dakota Department of Commerce; Doug Peters, Leadership Speaker, Trainer, Coach, Leadership FM
TRACK 2 – GROW
Building Financial Confidence: Tools for Smarter Money Decisions
Building financial stability starts with understanding the basics. This session focuses on essential financial skills and accessible resources that support smarter decisions around spending, saving, borrowing, and planning for the future.
Speaker: Rachel Grossman, Education Outreach Coordinator at Bank of North Dakota
TRACK 3 – LEAD
Building Equitable and High-Performing Teams
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential drivers of organizational performance, workplace culture, and effective leadership. This session explores practical DEI strategies for building psychologically safe, inclusive teams and demonstrates how equity-centered leadership strengthens retention, engagement, innovation, and long-term success.
Speaker: Everett C Jones, Sr. Executive Director at Love in Action
KEYNOTE #2 3:45 – 4:15 p.m.
Building Equitable and High-Performing Teams
This session examines how technology and AI are changing everyday work, leadership, expectations, and career development, with insight into how professionals can adapt and stay competitive..
Keynote Speaker: To be Announced
FOOD TRUCK & PUB CRAWL SOCIAL Evening
BREAKFAST AND NETWORKING 7:30 – 8:30 a.m.
KEYNOTE #3.1 8:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Setting Unbreakable Boundaries: Protecting Your Energy Without Losing Momentum
This interactive workshop focuses on recognizing early signs of burnout and learning how to set clear, values-aligned boundaries that protect time, energy, and focus. Drawing from You Flourish Company’s boundary-setting framework, participants will explore how overcommitment, unclear expectations, and lack of boundaries quietly erode performance and wellbeing and how to interrupt that cycle before burnout takes hold. Attendees leave with practical language, tools, and reflection prompts they can apply immediately to sustain their work and personal lives.
Keynote Speaker: Kelsey Buell, Founder at You Flourish Company
NETWORKING BREAK 9:30 – 9:45 a.m.
KEYNOTE #3.2 9:45 – 10:45 a.m.
From Goals to Growth: Why You Can’t Do It Alone
Building on the boundary-setting foundation from the first workshop, this session shifts from self-protection to sustainable growth. Participants examine why trying to “do it all alone” is a major contributor to burnout and stalled progress. Through guided exercises and small-group discussion, attendees identify support networks, clarify goals, and practice collaborative problem-solving using the “Growth Seat” method. The workshop reinforces that long-term success–and resilience–comes from shared accountability, intentional support, and realistic growth strategies.
Keynote Speaker: Kelsey Buell, Founder at You Flourish Company
NETWORKING BREAK 10:45 – 12:15 a.m.
WORKSHOPS 11:00-12:15 a.m.
TRACK 1 – LIVE
Mentors, Mentees, and Momentum: How to
Guide Others Through Growth
Mentorship is one of the fastest ways to grow and one of the best ways to give back. This panel shares practical ways to find the right mentors, build trust quickly, and turn guidance into real momentum at work and in the community. Attendees will also learn how to mentor others through growth with simple habits, strong questions, and a “lead where you are” mindset.
Speakers: Steve Gander, Minnesota State Representative at MN House of Representatives; BG Tucker, Executive Director at College Possible
Minnesota
TRACK 2 – GROW
Building Your Personal Brand: Communicating
Your Value With Confidence
A strong personal brand shapes how employers, colleagues, and community leaders perceive your value. This workshop helps professionals define and communicate an authentic personal brand while strengthening the writing and messaging skills needed to reinforce that brand across emails, reports, and professional materials. Attendees will leave with practical tools to increase visibility, credibility, and alignment between their strengths and career goals.
Speaker: Chelsea Mellenthin, Director for Career Engagement at University of North Dakota
TRACK 3 – LEAD
From Ideas to Execution: Leading Creativity
From Concept to Completion
Real impact comes from generating ideas into action. This session explores practical tools for producing stronger ideas and moving them through decision-making, development, and execution. Attendees will learn how structure, creativity, and personal work styles intersect to help individuals and teams move from brainstorming to meaningful results.
Speakers: Tamara Bertram, Founder at Bertram Studio LLC; Amanda Voigt, Assistant Director at University of North Dakota, Center for Innovation
THANK YOU AND FAREWELL 12:15 – 12:30 p.m.
AFTERNOON EXCUSIONS 12:30 p.m.
○ Ralph Engelstad Arena Leadership Tour
○ North Dakota Mills (Limit 15 People)
○ Grand Sky UAS Business and Aviation Park
○ Red River Vineyard or Taproom Networking Experience
