Wadena, MN in winter. It's cold, but you learn to make the most of it.

Family selfie: me, my husband and three lovely daughters. Yes, my husband lives in a house of women, that lucky guy. Our cat is a girl too.

I grew up in a small town in the middle of Minnesota. What it lacked in worldly experiences, it made up for in many ways: building a great foundation for a strong work ethic, devotion to family and friends, and an ability to make the most of even the worst weather.

I’ve been extremely fortunate in my career to have always had positions that were challenging and rewarding. I love being a problem solver, innovator and creator. I’ve been leading teams since my first job out of college (unless you go ALL the way back to my 4th grade leadership stint of a play I wrote and directed), and am happy to have seen so many of the people I’ve mentored become strong, confident leaders themselves.

I believe that a creative mindset is helpful in almost every aspect of life, and when you couple that creativity with analytical ability, experience, determination and a healthy sense of humor—there isn’t much you can’t accomplish. I’ve received awards and accolades related to product development, marketing, branding and personal writing, and I look forward to continuing to build my skills and experiences in new ways.