How (The Hell) Did I Get Here?: Recent Episodes
Dr. Rachel MK Headley & Meg Kokesh McNeese
This show is all about the journey and a pivotal moment in a person's life or career where they stopped and said "How did I get here?" either at the start or end of a significant transitional period.
In 2004, as a freshman in college, Lanissa used Christmas break as an opportunity to obtain her real estate license. What began as a part-time endeavor quickly evolved into a passion that has since become second nature - guiding clients towards the best purchase for them and their financial future.
In 2008 Lanissa joined REMAX, the experienced franchise cultivated her knowledge and led her to become one of the top agents in the area. Her passion for Real Estate prompted Lanissa to invest in her own portfolio and offered her the opportunity to purchase her own rental properties and ultimately establish a building company with her husband in 2016.
Lanissa’s knowledge of the market and entrepreneurial spirit led her to open her own agency in 2017. Now overseeing 13 agents, Lanissa is proud to call 4 Seasons Real Estate home. Lanissa currently holds nine designations and currently serves on the Board of directors for the Realtor Associations on the local and state levels and has served on the Local, State, and National RPAC Committee helping to fight for private property rights.
Her passions in life not only include Real Estate and Construction, but also being the mother to two stepchildren, 13 and 11, and an active 1-year-old who has followed in mommy’s footprints with plans to conquer the world each morning, but not before breakfast.
Connect with Lanissa:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lanissarealtor
Website: http://lanissafortner.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lanissafortner
Aaron Flint is the host of Montana's leading statewide radio talk show "Montana Talks." Aside from serving in Iraq and Afghanistan with the military, he also spent over two decades working in Montana politics and broadcasting. This included a stint as the State Director for Ryan Zinke’s Congressional offices in Montana, and as communications director for the gubernatorial campaign of now-Congressman Greg Gianforte. Prior to that, he grew a statewide radio show in Montana from 10 signals to more than 20 across the state. His work has been featured nationally by Fox Business, The Drudge Report, Huffington Post, Politico, and others. As an officer in the Army National Guard, he served four military tours overseas including time in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa, and the Arabian Peninsula. He enjoys combining his real-world background and Montana roots, to hopefully give listeners a side of the story they don't get to hear anywhere else.
Connect with Aaron:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-flint-47590279
Website: https://montanatalks.com/author/aaronflint
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FlintReport
Twitter: https://twitter.com/aaronflint
Dr. Jeri V. Kurtz finished her career as the Director of Budget and Institutional Research at South Dakota State University. Born and raised in Sacramento, California, she moved to a farm in rural South Dakota after marrying her sweetheart (crazy husband of 52 years). She has degrees in Home Economics, Mathematics, and Education Administration with a Finance emphasis. She now focuses on supporting her four amazing children (Rachel is her favorite), nine adorable and brilliant grandkids, and the fine and fiber arts communities.
Mitch Nachtigall (Night-en-gale) lives in Rapid City with his wife, Tracy, and two daughters, Sadie and Molly. Mitch is the Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Elevate Rapid City and Director of the Elevate Rapid City technology start-up incubator. He currently serves as a traditional South Dakota National Guard Soldier in the role of Battalion Executive Officer for the 109th Engineer Battalion and is the Community Ambassador for Bunker Labs Rapid City.
Mitch also dabbles in strategic plan consulting on the side through his company, PB&J Solutions, believing that everything is best learned in the simplest terms. Mitch and his family are active indoors and out. He has logged a workout every day for over 630 consecutive days (as of March 1st, 2020) and reads at least 52 books a year, all in an effort to keep up with his amazingly talented wife and daughters.
Connect with Mitch:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchnachtigall
Website: https://elevaterapidcity.com
Lee DeLange is the Chief Operating Officer for GenPro Energy Solutions, a Black Hills based energy service organization with a global depth of experience in solar and energy efficiency technologies. Prior to coming to GenPro Energy, Mr. DeLange spent 23 years with Rapid City-based Black Hills Energy. He earned a Bachelor of Applied Technical Sciences degree from Black Hills State University, and a computer-aided drafting degree from Western Dakota Technical Institute. His proven track record has led to him being highly sought after for various speaking engagements about leadership. He is a 2017 graduate of Leadership South Dakota, and a 2001 graduate of Leadership Rapid City. He and his wife, Amy, have three grown children and enjoy spending time in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota.
Connect with Lee:
Website: https://genproenergy.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lee-delange-5135b432
Chief Master Sergeant Rochelle M. Hemingway is the Command Chief, 28th Bomb Wing, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota. Chief Hemingway leads the wing’s enlisted force and serves as the primary advisor to the commander on all matters concerning the morale, welfare, warfighting effectiveness, operational utilization and professional development of nearly 3,200 enlisted Airmen who support the largest B-1 combat wing in the U.S. Air Force.
Born at RAF Lakenheath, England, and raised in Kokomo, Indiana, Chief Hemingway entered the Air Force in August 1991. After completing basic training she began her career as a medical service technician. In 1999, she graduated from the Independent Duty Medical Technician (IDMT) program and deployed in support of various humanitarian missions in Jamaica, Curacao, Vietnam, Africa and Southwest Asia. Prior to assuming her current position, Chief Hemingway served as the superintendent, 56th Medical Group, Luke Air Force Base, Arizona.
Connect with Rochelle:
Website: https://www.slaytosuccess.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rochelle-hemingway-1109548a
What you believe affects your actions and, ultimately, your outcome. And because your beliefs are shaped by the narratives you tell yourself, they must be genuine, regardless of how offbeat they seem.
But even the most experienced leaders need help finding their true personal brand story. When they do, they become more influential, generate more buy-in, and become the best version of themselves.
Seasoned brand and leadership coach and consultant Cassa Grant shares how you can find your authentic rhythm at any point in your career, regardless of how “weird” it may be. Listen to her amazing journey!
Connect with Cassa:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassagrant
Website: https://www.cassagrant.com
Twitter: @cassa_grant
From the front desk of an FBO in Minnesota, to the captain's seat of a commercial airliner, Erika Armstrong has experienced everything aviation has to offer. During her piloting career, she was a Red Cross, charter, corporate, cargo, hazmat and air ambulance pilot and captain, flying 28 different aircraft before going to the airlines. She is also an aviation professor at MSU Denver, VP of Business Development at Advanced Aircrew Academy and author of A Chick in the Cockpit. Erika has also been able to use the power of social media to educate and share the joys of aviation to 500,000 followers which help inspire the next generation of pilots
Connect with Erika:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/achickinthecockpitb727
Twitter: https://twitter.com/armstrongerika1
Website: https://achickinthecockpit.com
Brian Lassiter was elected president /CEO of the Performance Excellence Network (Minnesota Council for Quality) in the summer of 2001. Before his election, Brian held positions with the following organizations: Ian Alliott Consulting (Managing Director), Norstan Consulting (Principal Consultant), The St. Paul Companies (Corporate Quality Consultant), Price Waterhouse (Consultant), and Boatmen's National Bank (Quality Manager). In these roles, Brian has worked with hundreds of organizations in a variety of industries to help them improve their performance and competitiveness.
Brian has served nearly 25 years in various roles with the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program, including Examiner, Senior Examiner, Alumni Examiner, and on the Board of Overseers (2012-15). Before his appointment as president, he served as a volunteer Senior Evaluator for the Minnesota Quality Award (1996-97), served as a Judge for the Veteran’s Administration Baldrige-based Carey Award (2004-06), served as a judge on the Baldrige-based Army Communities of Excellence (2009-10), and is serving on the Panel of Judges for the American Health Care Association’s Baldrige-based Awards (2013, 2016-20).
Brian serves as Chair of the Alliance for Performance Excellence, the national consortium of all state/regional quality/excellence awards and is on the board and faculty of Communities of Excellence 2026, a nonprofit that is working to apply the principles of Baldrige to solve community challenges and improve community outcomes.
Brian was on the Review Panel for the University of Minnesota Carlson School’s Juran Fellowship program (2003-08), served on the Benedictine Health System Board of Trustees (2009- 2018) serving as chair from 2011-15, and served from 1995-2003 and 2004-2014 on the Board of Directors for Goodwill/Easter Seals of MN.
Connect with Brian:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-lassiter-9309616
Website: https://www.performanceexcellencenetwork.org
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LassiterBrian
Email: brian.lassiter@performanceexcellencenetwork.org
Legend Suspensions began in 1998 when Jesse Jurrens introduced the first Air Suspension system for The Harley-Davidson Softail Chassis. Jesse invented the product and started the company in his parent’s basement in Watertown, SD. The company officially incorporated in 2000 and celebrated its 20-year anniversary in 2020.
Legend Suspensions now manufactures three lines of suspension for Harley-Davidson and Indian motorcycles: an air suspension line, Legend Air, a coil suspension line, Legend REVO/REVO ARC, and Legend AXEO, a front-end suspension line. Offroad UTV air suspensions systems are also offered. The company distributes globally and is known for high quality products, a Lifetime Warranty, as well as outstanding customer service.
Jesse lives in the Black Hills with his wife Tyna and their children Garet, Cole, Morgan, and Gresen. They enjoy spending their time on two wheels, biking, motorcycling and any activity that takes them outdoors.
Website: legendsuspensions.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LegendSuspensions
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legendsuspensions
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/legendsuspensions
David K Richards is a dad-preneur, long time educator, change maker, and a movement builder. His life’s purpose is to be an ambassador to change systems of learning and human development. David is a leadership coach (davidkrichards.com), the founder of Growth Public Schools (growthps.org), and most recently the Founder and CEO of Heart of the Matter, a movement to reform learning and human development (heartofthematter.io). David has seen schools and learning environments from multiple perspectives and angles as a teacher, principal, and a founder of multiple nationally ranked schools in the U.S. He intuitively knows that it is time for change.
The pandemics of COVID and racial injustice are showing us that there needs to be a new way. It is a time for a paradigm shift in how we lead, how we educate our children, and how we heal forward together. David is being called to share his wisdom as an educator, dad, husband, innovator, a graduate of UC Berkeley and Stanford University, but most importantly as a student of life. His work on himself and finding his own intuitive leader within is what he is most called to share with the world. David knows that in this time of great change it is time for each of us to show up in our most authentic light, and build a better world for our children, together. The time for change is NOW.
Websites: davidkrichards.com / heartofthematter.io / growthps.org
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-k-richards-a1b43753/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeartoftheMatter.io/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartofthematter.io/
"Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all." - Aristotle
Jennifer is the Founder & President of LeaderShift Insights Inc., a firm known for helping leaders dealing with disruptive change who want to increase their organization’s capacity to adapt so they can emerge stronger and more effective faster. A consultant, coach, best-selling author and speaker, Jennifer has a passion for creating alignment and resilience so your team can do more with what you already have. She is a masterful facilitator known for creating shared agendas and unraveling tough issues that hinder results.
With a unique ability to align diverse stakeholders and global experience in consulting and corporate roles, Jennifer’s integrated approach to creating alignment, develops leaders at all levels while enabling learning and productive dialog. She is the creator of RapidOD, a collaborative fast approach to organization restructuring, highly charged workshops on Influence, Resilience and Driving Sustainable Change.
With over 20 years of Coaching Experience, Jennifer has coached entire leadership teams as well as officers and directors of many Fortune 500 companies. She is known for repositioning personal brands, driving behavior change and increasing senior leader’s ability to drive performance through others. Her book, Resilience: It’s Not About Bouncing Back is a #1 international best seller.
Jennifer is a former Partner with Cambridge Leadership Group, Vice-President, Leadership Development & Learning for Bank of America and has held several other senior roles in Learning, Organization & Leadership Development at AutoZone and Coca-Cola Enterprises. She has designed and executed large-scale initiatives including mergers, enterprise restructuring, talent management, performance-management and team development. Her kitchen English approach and proprietary research backed solutions resonate equally well from the shop floor to facilitating complex strategy and issues resolution sessions with C-Level Executives. She is a Strategic Partner with University of Georgia Executive Education, an Advanced Practitioner in Adaptive Leadership, and a member of the Adaptive Leadership Network at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.
Connect with Jennifer:
Website: www.leadershiftinsights.com
Email: info@leadershiftinsights.com
Buy the book: https://bit.ly/JenniferEggers
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eggers
Jennifer helps businesses thrive by avoiding lawsuits, designing business models, developing marketing strategies and everything in between. She is the owner of National Compliance Group, Omni21 Digital Marketing, TombCodes, McPherson Buzz and Flood Ventures. She has managed and/or owned businesses in the digital marketing space for many years and has shared the conference stage with Forbes, Lending Tree, Google and a host of others. She is considered an expert in digital compliance and has developed solutions for online trademark violations, marketing compliance and most recently, a solution for making the internet usable for people with disabilities.
Connect with Jennifer:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferfloodjd/
Website: https://www.nationalcompliancegroup.com/
Coming of age during the civil rights movement, then attending college as anti-Vietnam war protests grew from whispers to claim a national voice, it is not surprising that change took root in Brian Gorman early and has never let go. For five decades, he has been engaged with change at the individual, organizational, and social levels. Today, Brian works as a certified professional coach. Through his business TransformingLives.Coach, he serves clients who are facing major personal and professional transitions in their lives. He is an International Coach Federation (ICF) certified professional coach; a member of ICF-New York City; a member of Forbes Coaches Council, and a Board member of the Gay Coaches Alliance. Brian addresses change in the workplace, and the leader’s role in change, in his articles for Forbes Coaches Council. In December he will be presenting at TEDx Hartford on the journey through change. Brian’s business, TransformingLives.Coach, is a Certified LGBT Business Enterprise.
Connect with Brian:
https://transforminglives.coach
Julie Anne Eason helps business people write and publish world-changing books that Inspire, Educate, and Sell.
She is an author, speaker, and CEO of Thanet House Books—a boutique book production company that helps people through the entire process from early book development through writing, publishing, and distribution.
She has ghostwritten multimillion-dollar books for senior leaders and founders in a wide variety of industries, including New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today best sellers.
Julie Anne’s passion is helping mission-driven business people change the world through the written word.
Learn more about Julie Anne at ThanetHouseBooks.com.
Jaime L. Wood joined the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in October 2014 and currently serves as the District Director for the South Dakota District Office. She is responsible for promoting small business resources across South Dakota including access to capital, counseling and training, government contracting, and disaster relief.
Previous to her SD assignment, Ms. Wood served as the Deputy District Director in the SBA North Dakota District Office. She also previously served at SBA Headquarters in Washington, D.C., as the Director for Policy and Engagement, in the Office of Veterans Business Development, where her focus included SBA veteran related programs for active duty, National Guard and Reserve, service disabled veterans, military spouses, and survivors. While at SBA Headquarters, Ms. Wood participated in an interagency detail with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to expand veteran small business ownership in agricultural and rural areas.
She began her U.S. Government civilian career in March 2006. Prior to joining SBA, she served with the U.S. Department of the Army in multiple military public affairs, strategic communication, and staff positions in U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command, in Stuttgart, Germany. Her duties included several deployments to Africa and within Europe. She is a U.S. Army veteran having served as a military broadcast journalist.
Originally from Mobridge, SD, Ms. Wood is a Class of 2016 graduate of the U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, where she earned a Master of Strategic Studies. She also holds a Master of Arts in Public Administration from Bowie State University, Bowie, Maryland.
Evan Helle is a 4th generation sheep rancher from Dillon in Southwest Montana. The Helle’s are known for growing exceptionally high quality wool that’s used in their vertically integrated apparel company: Duckworth. Evan stays busy with the hustle of a startup company and gets hands on with every aspect of the business but when he gets a chance, he escapes the office to work out on the ranch. Listen to his entrepreneurial journey of manufacturing "sheep to shelf".
Learn more about Duckworth here: https://www.duckworthco.com
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Tom Johnson is President and CEO of Elevate Rapid City. Previously, he was the Director of Community Engagement and Economic Development at Colorado State University (CSU) with community and economic development responsibilities for all of Colorado. At CSU, Johnson created several new initiatives and signature programs including The CSU Market Research Center, which specialized in helping decision-makers in industry, education, and government use data, including organizational network analysis, to make better decisions about policies that shape Colorado’s economic future. Johnson also helped employers and organizations use CSU’s online training resources to train and help upskill employees. Additionally, he managed the Family Leadership Training Institute (FLTI), a unique leadership training program that targeted leaders in underserved communities across Colorado.
Previous to his work at CSU, Johnson was the Chief Performance Officer (CPO) for Wyoming Business Council (WBC), where he created a system for measuring the financial and qualitative impacts of every economic and community development program for the State of Wyoming. Johnson led several initiatives on behalf of the state, including recruiting, business development, and community development. He specialized in recruiting to rural areas, incentive negotiation and tax modeling and was instrumental in bringing Weatherby Inc., one of the nation’s leading rifle manufacturers, to Sheridan, Wyoming from California. Johnson has significant experience in New Market Tax Credits, business valuation, workforce development, and entrepreneurship. Johnson also created the Economic Development Building Blocks model used by the Wyoming Economic Development Association (WEDA) to explain economic development to constituents, stakeholders, and elected officials
Johnson is a former planning commissioner and small business counselor with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC). He also served as an adjunct professor at the University of Wyoming (UW) in community and economic development and was on the advisory board for UW’s College of Business. He is a past board member for The Wyoming Humanities Council and is a 2016 Graduate of Leadership Wyoming.
Johnson regularly gives talks on economic and community development issues regionally and nationally and has spoken to numerous groups about placemaking and using social network analysis (SNA) to blaze new trails in economic development recruitment.
Johnson grew up in rural central Wyoming and is a former college baseball player. He received his bachelor’s in English literature from the University of Wyoming and his Master’s in Finance and Accounting from Regis University.
In his free time, Johnson is a published poet, with over two hundred poems published in the last decade in various literary journals and magazines.
Three years after receiving a set of paints from his wife, Sharon, for Christmas, Scott became the first officially licensed Harley-Davidson artist in 1993 after Harley representatives saw his work at an art expo in New York City. He still proudly holds his license as well as many others he's acquired along the way. Licenses including Chevrolet, Ford, Mattel, Marilyn Monroe Estates and Elvis Presley Enterprises.
Although Jacobs drew pen and ink illustrations for his school newspaper, Scott began his career in the art industry not with his painting, but by purchasing a failing gallery at nineteen with money he saved from working odd jobs. At twenty-one, Scott had the cash and customer base to open the doors of Reflections On Canvas in Westfield, NJ; a gallery that was met with much success.
In 2004, Scott and Sharon decided to open Scott Jacobs Studio, their own publishing company.
"The decision to become self-published was the best decision we ever made for our family and our future as a company", said Scott.
In 2016, they moved their operations from CA and opened Jacobs Gallery in Deadwood, SD. You can see original paintings and a large collection of vintage Harley-Davidson's on display in this historic, western town.
Scott’s images can also be seen on many objects from limited editions graphics to Franklin Mint Collector Plates, coffee mugs, beach towels, clocks, and many others. In 2010, he released his second coffee table book, The Art of Scott Jacobs — The Complete Works which showcases works as early as the late 80s.
As director of South Dakota Center for Enterprise Opportunity (SD CEO), Michelle provides business counseling and resource guidance to aspiring and established entrepreneurs. She and the SD CEO team bring outstanding workshops, networking opportunities and conferences to professional women across the state while promoting entrepreneurship, leadership and thinking outside the box.
Prior to joining SD CEO, Michelle owned Black Hills PR, a public relations firm she launched in 2011. Headquartered in Spearfish, Black Hills PR designed marketing, social media and PR programs for local, regional and national clients including three years traveling with a professional rodeo association.
Michelle’s experience as a small business owner fuels her ability to help entrepreneurs define and grow their business. Her experience as an employee, project manager, people manager and now an intrapreneur shapes her ability to encourage, lead and inspire those who work for someone else but still want to do big things by accessing the entrepreneurial toolbox of creativity, resilience, grit and innovation.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in Advertising from San Jose State University and is a fourth-generation Californian who says that she “found her spot” moving to Spearfish in 2005.
Michelle believes that there is a room in the workplace for focused kindness, gratitude and self-care along with hard work and getting results … and that THIS is the intersection where becoming a successful intrapreneur begins.
Married to Mike for 29 years, they have one son, Jack, and live in Spearfish.
QUOTE:
“While a company can support real innovation and growth, being an intrapreneur starts with you. What you think is what you become so think big and look to create real change in your workplace!” – Michelle Kane
Daniella Mestyanek Young is a speaker, writer and organizational behavior specialist. Daniella works with CEOs, government, military and non-profit leaders to help them intentionally craft a workplace that balances both people and profits—creating a healthy and productive environment for everyone. Daniella has spent over 3 decades studying leadership and culture in some of the world’s largest and most extreme organizations.
From surviving a childhood in an extreme religious cult, through the war-torn streets of Afghanistan and into the boardroom, Daniella draws from her experience working with different people in vastly different situations to illuminate how you can use cultural awareness to craft a culture that will benefit your business and employees. Daniella is a former US Army Captain, with two combat deployments, where she became one of the first women who broke the gender-barriers of deliberate ground combat in US Army history. In her signature talk, The Only Woman on the Sand: the Business Case for Diversity, Daniella illuminates lessons that changed history in one of the oldest organizations in US history and shares important insights that translate from the battlefield to the boardroom.
Daniella’s passion is in helping large organizations, small teams, and individuals embrace innovation, overcome conflict and build collaboration. Her Cultivating T.E.A.M.S.™ seminar (amongst others) helps senior leaders to proactively engage in building high-passion/high performance teams, strong organizational culture and a place where diversity and personal strength are actively cultivated.
Daniella is the host of the podcast, Culture Hacking with Daniella Mestyanek Young and is working on her memoir, Uncultured.
Currently I serve as the Communications Director for the Sanford Underground Research Facility, a world-leading physics laboratory, where I oversee media and community relations liaison, plan events, work on strategic planning and fundraising, write articles and manage a team of incredibly creative people. I even got to meet one of my childhood science heroes—Buzz Aldrin, who showed up for a tour of our underground facilities. I like to say I have the best job in the world—and not only because of the Buzz Aldrin thing. It’s challenging, always exciting and I get to work with so many terrific people from all walks of life: former miners, brilliant scientists and engineers, educators, students and so many others. Going to work every day is a treat.
In my long career, I’ve been an entertainment editor at the Lincoln Journal Star in Nebraska; the communications director for the College of Engineering at the University of Nebraska; the assistant director of the Peru State College Foundation in Peru…Nebraska; and the director of university relations at Dickinson State University. And before becoming the communications director at Sanford Lab, I operated my own marketing consulting firm, working with individuals and businesses; represented a regional entertainer; and produced concerts.
I have a BA in English (with a minor in communication arts) and an MS in Organizational Management with an emphasis in entrepreneurship and economic development. I am a member of the Interactions Collaboration, a group of physics communicators, and an ex-officio member of Sanford Lab’s Cultural Advisory Committee. I also am participating in the Women’s Vote Centennial Celebration, serving on the Fundraising and Events Committee.
In all my many years of living and working, I’ve had the pleasure of knowing people from all walks of life; most of them just want to be happy and do some good in the world. I like that. It gives me hope for the future.
This show is all about the journey and pivotal moment in a person's life or career where they stopped and said "How did I get here?" either at the start or end of a significant transitional period.
Kristal Hamm, CPA graduated from National American University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Business Management in 2007 and joined the Ketel Thorstenson Tax Department in 2014. Hamm is a Senior Associate in the Tax Department in the Rapid City office. She is a mom, wife, active community member, and tax guru. Listen to her story of how she balances it all!
The show is all about the journey and a pivotal moment in a person's life or career where they stopped and said "How did I get here?" either at the start or end of a significant transitional period.
Deborah “Deb” Soholt, a prominent state legislator, women’s health pioneer, award-winning registered nurse and engaging podcast/radio host, speaks nationally and internationally on issues of women’s influence, women’s health and professional development.
Deb recently left behind the corporate world to cut through the muck as a women’s influence truth-teller, harnessing her decades of hard-earned experience establishing authoritative platforms in the arenas of government, health care and business. In 2019, Deb teamed with Dr. Melody Schopp to create Influential SHE LLC, a fresh voice in an old conversation to accelerate the influence of women in the world. Deb and Mel believe that instead of constantly working harder to chase success, women should uncompromisingly embark on joyful journeys that align with their authentic selves.
As a current four-term South Dakota State Senator who co-chairs a National Council of State Legislatures (NCSL) health innovation task force, Deb uses her expertise to influence state and federal legislation. As a dreamer and a doer, she is known for rolling up her sleeves and tackling big issues. This is evident in having co-led statewide education funding reform that resulted in historic raises for teachers. Her diligence and leadership have improved mental health care, expanded small businesses and opened new channels for access to health care in every corner of the state. Deb introduced a groundbreaking children’s health bill that established the Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment, charged with ending child sexual abuse. She also earned an NCSL early childhood fellowship and was selected by the Council of State Governments to attend the prestigious Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development. Deb was part of a U.S. lawmaker’s health care advisory group, reviewing federal health legislation and providing input on such issues as Medicare reimbursement, telehealth services and the Patient Bill of Rights.
Deb’s career has taken her from the bedside to the boardroom. In her former long-term role as women’s health director for Avera McKennan Hospital and University Health Center, a national benchmark consultation site for organizations across the country, the service she led was named one of America’s top ten best maternity units by CHILD magazine. With an organizational reputation as an “intrapreneur” she led the development of a next generation functional primary care clinic for women – the first in the nation imbedded in a health system.
Deb served on the board of directors and as education chair for Women in Balance, a national nonprofit dedicated to helping women take charge of their hormone health, which has since morphed into a program under the National University of Natural Medicine. Deb has authored journal articles on women’s health and spent six years co-hosting the weekly health information show House Calls on South Dakota Public Radio.
Deb’s resume heralds the depth of her national/international speaking engagements in women’s health and professional development in the cities of Charlotte, Fort Worth, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Orlando, Portland, San Antonio, Mexico City and more. Always interested in being part of something “bigger than herself”, throughout her career Deb has served on statewide and national boards, most often in the top leadership role.
Qusi Al-Haj has an amazing array of experiences as an American who has served his country in numerous ways. Although he now lives and works in Rapid City, South Dakota, he has spent his career working and supporting activities in Washington DC and beyond.
Debbie is a COO with a diverse background. Qualified in psychology and Law, she speaks multiple languages and has lived and worked on 3 continents and traveled on 5.
She has worked the full remit of startups to large organizations managing budgets of 100 million plus in financial services and other fascinating and strange worlds.
She found her home with Nate and Leah Kievman, at Linked Strategies and works alongside a truly extraordinary team.
It is a conscious based marketing solution by day, and by night it is a remarkable tech solution that transforms the sales and marketing universe.
She has been a visiting lecturer at both Oxford University (UK) and Harvard University (USA) and loves learning.
She is passionate about building a better world for her 3 children.
Lisa Artz currently serves as Executive Director of Corporate Relations at Choice Bank, a $2.3 billion locally-owned community bank with 21 locations in North Dakota and Minnesota.
Lisa has been with Choice Financial since 2004, and has extensive experience in bank marketing, communications, training and project management. She is a member of the bank’s executive leadership team, senior management committee and asset/liability committee. She works closely with the bank’s board of directors and ownership group comprising of 350 shareholders.
Lisa is a native of Grand Forks, N.D. She graduated from Minnesota State University Moorhead with a bachelor’s degree, and became a Certified Financial Marketing Professional in 2006 – the first in the state of North Dakota. Lisa has served in the following capacities:
- Advertising Federation Board Member and Secretary (2003-2006)
- Independent Community Banks of ND Board Member (2007-2011)
- Independent Community Banks of ND Communications Committee (2011-2015)
- North Dakota Bankers Association Marketing Committee (2008)
- Junior Achievement Volunteer (2007-2012)
- American Institute of Banking Board Member (1995-1998)
- MSUM Student Mentor (2010)
- NDSU Foundations of Leadership Student Mentor (2015-2018)
- Named a Rising Star in Banking by NorthWestern Financial Review (2009)
- Diamond Choice Employee Recognition Award Nominee (2009-2010)
- Dale Carnegie Graduate & Recipient of the Human Relations Award (2011)
- United Way Women’s Leadership Council (2011-2017)
- Ben Franklin Middle School PTA (2016-2017)
- Legacy Children’s Foundation Board Member (2016-2019)
- Sunday school guide
Outside of work, Lisa stays busy attending her son’s sporting events and would describe herself as a developer of people and ideas, futuristic in thought, empathetic and responsible.
Dr. Melody Schopp, a nationally recognized thought leader, dutifully chaired several national professional organizations, compellingly addressed audiences from Washington, D.C. to Malawi, Africa, and served as South Dakota’s top education official. But she didn’t wait for those fancy titles before showcasing her “just get it done” tenacity.
In 2000, as an innovative school teacher with 24 years of classroom experience in the tiny, remote town of Lemmon, South Dakota (the nearest McDonald’s is 125miles away), Melody usurped a janitor’s closet, wired an unused phone line to a modem-equipped computer lab and used her own AOL account to bring the nascent internet to elementary students. The statewide wiring of South Dakota schools exposed the innovation occurring in Lemmon, prompting a CNN feature that showcased Melody’s lab and opened an opportunity for Melody to re-envision her
career.
Melody’s journey led to the state’s capital, where she took on the positions of technology integrationist, director of accreditation and teacher quality and deputy education secretary while earning her doctorate from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, penning her dissertation on women’s leadership. She rose to education secretary in 2011, yet humbly told her neighbors when gathering her mail or cutting her grass that she was “just a secretary.” As head of the South Dakota Department of Education, Melody used her growing influence to spur the passage of legislation to boost teacher retention, created a new accountability system and built a statewide coalition of education groups, businesses, retailers and communities to successfully lobby to boost teacher salaries.
Now, as a women’s influence truth-teller and podcast co-host, Melody shares her vast experience and insight through Influential SHE LLC, partnering with her colleague, State Senator Deb Soholt to raise a fresh voice in an old conversation about women’s influence. Melody and Deb believe that women should uncompromisingly embark on joyful professional journeys that align with their personal values rather than constantly working harder to chase success.
Melody served as a charter member of the School Superintendents Association’s National Women’s Leadership Consortium, a mentoring program funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation designed to bring together successful women thought leaders in the education, business and nonprofit communities. Melody and her colleagues helped identify and address the barriers faced by women, leading her to personally mentor two women aspiring to top leadership positions in K-12
education across the country.
Stephanie Dowling currently leads the community affairs team at Black Hills Energy. Prior to her role with Black Hills Energy, Stephanie was appointed by the Governor of Arizona as the Deputy Director for the Arizona Office of Tourism (AOT). In her role as Deputy Director and Chief Marketing Officer, her area of focus was strategic alignment and development of AOT's branding, advertising, public relations and communications programs. She led the agency in international tourism, policy and constituent and delegate relations.
Stephanie has nearly 25 years of experience in communications, public relations and advertising. Her career started in London, England as a public relations representative for the Bank of England, and was nominated for two National Emmy Awards for work as a senior researcher and field producer with “NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw.” During her time with NBC, she interviewed world leaders and celebrities, covering breaking news, world events and politics. She then moved on to manage and direct public relations and marketing for Tommy Hilfiger-USA where she led the development of their first website www.tommy.com.
In addition, she traveled to all fifty states to produce and manage a nationwide marketing campaigns for the Tommy Hilfiger brand. From there, she joined New York City nonprofit, The Fresh Air Fund, where she redeveloped marketing campaigns, produced celebrity galas, and handled board relations. She then joined the team at GoDaddy to build their public relations department and set the stage for worldwide brand awareness.
She has won several awards for her professional work and has been appointed to several boards and committees throughout her career. Stephanie is a graduate of the University of South Dakota with a BA degree in Mass Communication
Rachel graduated from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in May 2017 with a degree in Geological Engineering. She currently works for Coeur Mining as a Project Manager in Northern British Columbia, Canada! She lives in Sturgis, South Dakota with her husband and 4 dogs (Winston, Copper, Leroy, and Corb). Rachel spends her time cheering on the Pittsburgh Steelers and enjoys all the dog cuddles. Listen to her incredible story of finding her place in the world of Geological Engineering.
Jennifer Pharr Davis is a hiker, author, speaker, and National Geographic Adventurer of the Year who has covered over 12,000 miles of long distance trails on six different continents.
In 2011, Jennifer covered the 2,185-mile Appalachian Trail in forty-six days, eleven hours, and twenty minutes, maintaining a remarkable average of forty-seven miles per day. By doing this, she claimed the overall (male or female) fastest known time on the “A.T.” and became the first woman to set the mark.
Jennifer has written five books, including three North Carolina guidebooks and two hiking memoirs, called Becoming Odyssa and Called Again. She has also written articles for the New York Times, Outside magazine, and Trail Runner, and has been featured in the Washington Post, the New York Times, the Daily Beast, NPR’s Talk of the Nation and the CBS Early Show.
Jennifer is a professional speaker who has shared her trail adventures with corporations, conferences, schools, and libraries across the country. She is the founder and owner of Blue Ridge Hiking Company, a guiding service that strives “to make the wilderness accessible and enjoyable” for hikers of all ages, genders, and ability levels. Jennifer lives in Asheville, North Carolina, with her husband Brew and their three-year-old daughter Charley.
Learn more about Jennifer at jenniferpharrdavis.com