Q: Where are you originally from? What was it like growing up in North Dakota?
I was born in Minot, North Dakota, and grew up in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Growing up in Grand Forks, I was surrounded by the love of family and friends and a truly supportive community that instilled in me the North Dakota values of hard work, resilience, grit, and gratitude as well as the importance of integrity, reputation, and relationships (at the end of the day, it really is all about people and relationships). My parents believed in me, encouraged me, and helped me to see that anything is possible. Graduating from the University of North Dakota, I was given the gifts of critical thinking, curiosity, and lifelong learning as well as many of our lifelong friends.
Q: What has your career and work been focused on thus far?
Early in my career, I discovered that I love business and had a passion for developing people and creating something of real value. I was fortunate to get into AT&T’s Management Development Program gaining experience with our customers, and building skills in the areas of sales and service, operations, management, marketing, as well as strategic planning. Serving as a Vice President in four major business units of US West, a global media and communications company, provided me with opportunities to integrate regulated and unregulated businesses, create a new business unit, lead a turnaround, and build general management, P&L, and leadership skills. And I was blessed to work for and with some extraordinary people.
In 1995, I had the opportunity to go to the United Kingdom to help US West expand internationally as well as to run a business we had recently acquired. Eventually, we completed a management buyout backed by private equity thus igniting the more entrepreneurial and international phase of my career. My desire to invest, grow, and create real value was taken to a new level. Over the next 12 1/2 years, we innovated and grew businesses, built new businesses, and created joint ventures across Europe. When I retired as Chair and CEO, I was incredibly grateful for the remarkable team I worked with and what we built. Back in the US, I continue to be involved in private equity and investing.
Q: What drew you to the TRPL project?
First, it was the bold vision of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library and the desire to ensure that the vision becomes a reality in the Badlands. As a result, we will learn from TR—his values, courage, and adventures—and create a special place and special experiences that will inspire action, change lives, and impact our world!
Our aspirations, our donors, our partners, and our team made it all pretty compelling to jump into the arena. The people who were leading the charge, our generous donors and collaborative partners who were investing in and supporting the project, and the passionate library team were all people that I trust, respect, and admire. No one does it alone. Our success is dependent on everyone working together. I continue to be grateful for everyone’s unwavering commitment, generosity, and the opportunity to work alongside them every day.
On a personal note, I am also doing it to honor my late husband, Mark. He, too, loved North Dakota…he loved Presidential Libraries…and he loved TR. Mark would be “all in”—wanting to do anything we could to support this effort with our time, talent, and treasure. And we are!
Q: What is your favorite TR quote or story?
There are so many truly powerful TR quotes, and being from North Dakota, they have always been a part of our lives. Here are a few of my favorites that really seem to resonate as we work to make the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library a reality.
“The best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.” As I always add: with people you admire.
“Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground”. It is so important to aim high and dream big combined with the ability to execute and deliver.
Personally, I have found TR’s “The Man in the Arena” speech inspiring and elevating at so many critical junctures of my life. These words ring particularly true today as we work to build something of real value to honor the life and legacy of TR and to inspire future generations. Literally and figuratively, our faces are marred by dust and sweat and blood as we strive to dare greatly for this worthy cause!
““It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
― Theodore Roosevelt
Q: What do you like to do for fun?
Serving on a variety of corporate and non-profit board boards is actually “fun” for me. There is real joy in learning, investing, and making a difference in the lives of others.
Travel has played a significant role in my life. Our travel adventures spark curiosity, broaden our understanding of the world, other cultures and even ourselves.
Living in the mountains, I enjoy hiking and skiing (although I don’t do as much as I would like these days). I love spending time with my daughter, our family and friends…great dinners/great conversations…discussing books, sports, music, politics…no topic is off limits. We are a game playing family (I have a reputation for being a bit competitive).
