2025 Leaders Lab participant profiles

Leaders Lab is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to engage Minnesota’s developing business leaders. It will enhance your personal and professional growth, connect you with business leaders statewide, and provide understanding into what drives Minnesota’s economy and how policy affects the success of business in our state. To learn more about Leaders Lab, click here. 

Check back to this page as more of our wonderful 2025 Leaders Lab participants are profiled!  

Profiled on May 16

Tell us a piece of good news that happened this past year.
I started at Midco! It was an unexpected opportunity that I am so thankful for.  

What is your favorite thing made in Minnesota?    
With two little kids at home, I would have to say Jonny Pops are a household favorite! My kids love the delicious flavors and bright colors. While my husband and I appreciate the real ingredients used and no artificial dyes! 

Where did you grow up and what was special about your town or home?    
I grew up in Coon Rapids and was fortunate to have my grandparents very close by in Anoka. With sports, activities and family close by I always felt such a strong sense of community throughout my childhood. I was taught from a young age that civic and community involvement is vital to creating a great place to live. This is something I still value today and seek to get involved where I can. With that said, Anoka Halloween events are still some of my family's favorite memories! Downtown Anoka can feel like it's straight out of a Hallmark movie! 

What piece of advice has most impacted you so far in your leadership journey?  
You don't have to change THE world, but you can change YOUR world. I think this is great leadership and life advice. I view it as a reminder that sometimes we can get so ahead of ourselves and focus on things outside of our control. When really, we need to focus on how I can be the best coworker, partner, mom, sister, friend to the people that need me the most. 

Tell us something super interesting about yourself.
I was fortunate enough to the opportunity to move to Washington, DC and work for a member of Congress. It was such an amazing adventure, and I got to experience things I never imagined.        

Profiled on May 15

Tell us a piece of good news that happened this past year.
After eight years of planning and saving my wife and I built a new house for our family!            

What is your favorite thing made in Minnesota?    
Wild rice and walleye.

Where did you grow up and what was special about your town or home?    
I grew up in Melrose, MN. I was originally born in neighboring Albany MN, and we moved to Melrose in 1992 when I was 8 years old. Both towns had Kraft plants that manufactured cheese produced from local dairy farmers and my mother's family were all dairy farmers. The Kraft plant in Melrose had burned down in 1989 and the ruins stood as a constant reminder of the displaced local workers and reduced prices farmers were getting for milk due to needing to ship it further to market. Eventually Kraft did build a new factory on the edge of town and when that new plant was going to be sold by Kraft several years later a group of farmers (Dairy Farmers of America) and business people (Land O' Lakes) formed a joint venture to buy and operate the facility.

What piece of advice has most impacted you so far in your leadership journey?  
I don't know that there is one piece of advice that stands out but a vast number of small incremental lessons.  When I think about how I have learned and applied those lessons it is usually by engaging and learning from others that have more or different experience than myself applying those improvements to new or more repeatable solutions.  So, if I were to create a memory of the most impactful piece of advice it would be, list and ask questions. 

Tell us something super interesting about yourself.
I joined the electric utility industry right out of college and in my 17 years I have built nuclear, coal, gas and solar generating plants and most recently I led the development of one of the largest solar generating plants in the US that is being built in Becker to replace retiring coal generating capacity.

Profiled on May 1

Tell us a piece of good news that happened this past year.
I got engaged to my best friend and am getting married this July! While wedding planning can be overwhelming for most people, for me it's been a treat to plan and think about all of our favorite people in one place!    

What is your favorite thing made in Minnesota?    
My favorite thing made in Minnesota has to be maple syrup. I am a huge fan of it! You will only ever find me using maple syrup on pancakes, waffles, and sometimes even in coffee!     

Where did you grow up and what was special about your town or home?    
I grew up in Lakeville, Minnesota, and it will always have a piece of my heart. Some of my favorite memories growing up were at Lake Marion. Whether it was playing volleyball on the beach, swimming in the lake, or tubing, it holds such precious memories for me. We also have the cutest little ice cream shop in our small downtown called Dairy Delite! As a big fan of soft serve, it's the perfect spot to go in the summer.    

What piece of advice has most impacted you so far in your leadership journey?  
It's okay to make mistakes because it will ultimately make you a harder worker and a better leader. Without setbacks, it's hard to grow and while making mistakes is never fun, it typically leads to the most growth.    

Tell us something super interesting about yourself.
I can play the cello! I am a huge fan of music and am constantly listening to music, going to concerts, or making my own music. When I was younger, I was gifted a cello and taught myself how to play it. I don't recommend teaching yourself how to play an instrument like the cello, but it made me appreciate the technical skills and beauty of music!
 

Profiled on April 25

Tell us a piece of good news that happened this past year.
2024 was a big year! I started a new role within my company, began working on my second master's degree in organizational leadership, and my husband and I celebrated 10 years together!  

What is your favorite thing made in Minnesota?    
I absolutely love Aveda products. They have been staples for me since I was a kid! 

Where did you grow up and what was special about your town or home?    
I grew up on a cattle farm in eastern Iowa, and the area I'm from is best known for being the film site of the movie Field of Dreams.  

What piece of advice has most impacted you so far in your leadership journey?    
Not necessarily one piece of advice, but the general principles of both adaptive and servant leadership have been particularly relevant and helpful throughout my leadership journey. Recognizing when someone needs a different approach and being willing and able to adapt to what they need is my favorite thing about people leadership. 

Tell us something super interesting about yourself.
I am not one to sit still for long! I am a certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor, teaching kickboxing and strength training. I am also a huge animal lover, so I work and volunteer in animal rescue and emergency veterinary medicine in my free time.