Amy Longtin is an IT professional leader, that invests in leadership of young women in technology and a positive role model for young women in her community. Amy is the Founder and CEO of Tech4Kids, a non-profit designed to repurpose used laptops, Ipads, and MacBooks that are donated to children that do not have access to technology in their home. She is also a Senior Systems Administrator Lead at Tharaldson Hospitality Management.

Amy is the current Mrs. North Dakota America, 2020, and is committed to inspire, empower, and give opportunity to women of all ages to help build self-confidence, invoke inspiration, and help mold young girls into becoming strong independent women. Amy and her husband Mark, live in Horace, ND and have two beautiful girls Brooke and Alayna.

Amy is a powerhouse of a woman full of drive, passion, and kindness. Even though I struggled capturing great audio for our episode, I couldn't pass up sharing Amy's great wisdom and advice. Grab your headphones to listen in and hear more about Amy journey representing North Dakota in the Mrs. America pageant on March 19-27 in Las Vegas.

 S2:E9 // March 2, 2021

Teri Winkelman is a community leader whose empathy, compassion, and kindness for others is inspiring and deeply humbling. Teri works for Bushel as a Talent Acquisition Specialist where she creates strategy around building future pipelines of talent for the organization as well as assisting with implementation around new strategy around employee engagement and positive company culture. 

A graduate from North Dakota State University, she spent time traveling various parts of the world before settling back down in Fargo and has visited 14 countries and lived on three different continents. 

She has worked in several roles in human resources such as recruitment, training and workforce development; and sits on various committees and boards in the Fargo-Moorhead area regarding workforce initiatives, employee engagement and company culture. She is currently the President Elect for NDSU's Communication Advisory Board and a graduate of the United Way 35 Under 35 program. Shifting goals, the impact of community, and career growth are at the forefront in this conversation. 

"To experience a culture different than your own is extremely rewarding! How are we to understand and appreciate others from various backgrounds if we aren't willing to understand their culture?  I learn something new from each trip that makes me a more empathetic and understanding person." - Teri Winkelman

To connect with Teri:

• Email: twinkelman@bushelpowered.com
• LinkedIn: Teri’s Profile 
• Website: Bushel

 S2:E8 // February 16, 2021

Nyamal Dei is a fearless community leader, activist, and visionary. Nyamal is the founder of Kondial Kel International, formerly known as South Sudan READS, a nonprofit focused on improving lives through education and community outreach efforts. Nyamal envisions a world whether everyone has the opportunity to learn and be empowered, especially in her hometown of South Sudan, where illiteracy affects 71 percent of women and girls. 

 Nyamal’s journey of fleeing war, escaping to a refugee camp, coming to the United States as a young child unable to speak English, to now earning her master’s degree at Benedictine University, is an inspiring and heart wrenching story of resilience, strength, and determination. It is women like Nyamal who truly make our community and world a better place. 

 S2:E7 // January 28, 2021

“I may not have the whole world in my hand, but the small thing that I have as long as I can share it and make someone else smile, that’s okay with me.” - Nyamal Dei

To connect with Nyamal:

Email: nyamaldei@gmail.com

LinkedIn: Nyamal’s Profile

Facebook: 

• Kondial Kel International
• International Women’s Day Fargo-Moorhead

Karli Moch is the Director of Business Development with Bio Girls, an impressive nonprofit organization spanning across the Midwest whose focus is building self-worth in girls. She is also the founder of Create Your Crew, a blog where Karli shares her personal experiences with motherhood, relationships, career, and health to provide an inclusive and welcoming space for others. Karli’s journey has taken her on several life altering and life-threatening circumstances, one being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, an autoimmune disease that affects the lower digestive tract. We discuss the need for community, the strength of persevering in the worst of moments, the importance of mentors, and life pivots. Here is one honest conversation from one momma to another.  

 S2:E6 // January 12, 2021

“Make your voice heard, be authentic, be vulnerable, and be a shameless truth teller. You just might change someone’s life.” - Karli Moch

To connect with Karli:

Email: karli@biogirls.org

LinkedIn: Karli’s Profile

Website:

• BIO Girls
• Create Your Crew

Facebook: 

• @BIOGirlsInc
• @createyourcrew

Instagram: 

• @biogirlsinc
• @karlimoch

Coffee in one hand, confidence in the other. 

Christy Dauer and Kayla Mediger are the Strong Women, Strong Coffee duo brought to the Fargo-Moorhead area community by the North Dakota Women’s Business Center (NDWBC). Christy and Kayla’s passions are focused on empowering women in their entrepreneurial journey along with giving their time and talents to local nonprofits, including Furniture Mission. Life changes, shifting goals, and taking risks are on the docket for this conversation with these two powerhouse women. 

 S2:E5 // December 29, 2020

"Go after that goal, take the risk, do something you love. Your whole life will change when you find and do something you are passionate about!" - Kayla Mediger

"I would tell you quit doing that negative self-talk and go after it, because you can." - Christy Dauer

To connect with Christy and Kayla:

LinkedIn:

• Kayla’s Profile
• Christy’s Profile

Email: 

• Kayla’s Email: kayla@ctbnd.com
• Christy’s Email: christy@ctbnd.com

Website: www.ndwbc.com

Facebook: @ndwbc

Instagram: @ndwbc

Tim Eissinger is the Chief Executive Officer for the Anne Carlsen Center, serving over 4,000 individuals and leading an organization of 700 team members  across North Dakota and western Minnesota.

Tim is a life-long North Dakotan and has over 35 years in the non-profit sector, where prior to Anne Carlsen he worked in the adolescent residential treatment field.  He is known as a servant leader, a trust builder, and a leader with a talent for approaching problems from multiple points of view.

Tim resides in Fargo with his wife, Becky, and has two grown daughters. In his limited spare time, he likes to build his own computers and has produced computer graphics and animations which have aired on networks such as the History Channel, Discovery Health and PBS.

S2:E4 // December 15, 2020

Alissa Leedahl is one of those women whose calming presence immediately puts you at ease.  The kind of woman who walks into relationships with an intentionality to encourage and lift those up around her. 

Alissa is a labor and delivery nurse at Sanford Health. She also serves as a ministry leader and volunteer with Northview Church, and is mom to three children under the age of five:  Jay, Harper, and Jones. 

In our conversation, Alissa shares the moment where she knew she had to make a pivotal change in her life, to the honest feelings we women may experience of trying to measure up to the high expectations we set on ourselves, to small and impactful ways we can be intentional with our relationships during this challenging season. 

Alissa’s thoughtfulness, honesty, and wisdom will leave you inspired to take a breath, a pause, and see the beauty around you.

“My eyes were really opened to the importance of sharing your life with others, making others feel loved, and accepting people where they are at. At the end of your life, what really matters? ” — Alissa Leedahl

 S2:E3 // November 24, 2020

Continuing the Uncharted theme for Season 2, Tajae Viaene, the Chief Flight Instructor at the Fargo Jet Center, shares her journey on the podcast. 

With more than 3,000 flight hours and an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate earned, she chooses to focus her energy on teaching our next generation of pilots and flight instructors. Tajae frequently publishes flight training articles, speaks at safety seminars, and spends her free time soaring the air in her very own Cessna 180 taildragger aircraft.

"If you can find a job where your passion lies, and where you find contentment in inspiring others...you'll never work a day in your life." - Tajae Viaene

To connect with Tajae: 

Email: tviaene@fargojet.com

Facebook: @fargojetcenter

Twitter: @fargojetcenter

Instagram: @fargojetcenter

Website: www.fargojet.com

Laken Samis was so much fun to connect with. Her smile, laugh, and kind demeanor immediately puts you at ease and makes you want to get to know her more. She is mom to Greyson, a real estate agent, and the Operations Director for You Betcha, a Midwest entertainment channel media company taking the internet by storm with their hilarious videos, media content, and You Betcha Radio of what it’s like living in the Midwest. 

We connected on personal and professional pivots, who she finds her inspiration in, how she works through her anxiety being in a very public position, and words of advice for someone who is thinking about trying something new. 

In typical You Betcha fashion, you’re going to laugh at how our conversation starts (hint: it involves donuts) and leave inspired by this incredible and authentic woman.

"Be you, don't worry about other people's perception of you." - Laken Samis

To connect with Laken: 

Instagram: @lakenoperationsgal

Website: www.ohhyoubetcha.com

There are so many things to admire about Karla Rose Hanson. She is the founder and owner of KRH Communications, is a legislator in the North Dakota State House of Representatives, mom of two boys, smart, community-focused, and driven. 

Karla Rose Hanson worked at Microsoft and Great Plains Software for 13 years in various communications and marketing roles before starting her own corporate communications business. She co-founded two grassroots public policy advocacy groups and serves on the Fargo Theatre board. Karla is also the Assistant Minority Leader for the North Dakota State House of Representatives and has provided leadership on issues such as paid family leave, suicide prevention, veterans advocacy, and criminal justice reform. 

Karla’s goals every day are to be open-minded, accessible, and to find common ground. 

To connect with Karla: 

Website: KarlaRoseHanson.com

LinkedIn: Karla’s Profile

Facebook: @karlarosehanson44

Twitter: @karlarosehanson

Email: krhanson@nd.gov (legislative related)

Email: karlarosehanson@hotmail.com (campaign related)

Kathy Schommer  is the founder and owner of Fargo Mom, a locally-focused parenting website that was launched in January 2020 written by Fargo moms, for Fargo moms. 

Kathy’s professional journey began in marketing and communications along with earning her master’s degree in Social Work. Her work helping children and families, dedicating her time to organizations supporting mothers, along with being a mother herself led to the passion of forming Fargo Mom in 2019.  

Kathy is an incredibly talented woman, with a drive and passion to ensure all moms feel supported in their journey as a mother.  Friends, I am looking forward to sharing Kathy’s journey with you. I know you will feel supported and encouraged by her story. 

Kathy is mom to three little girls: June, Lucy, and Margot. 

“Everyone’s motherhood journey is unique, and no one person can judge someone else for that journey. Support and encouragement help change the world. Judgement and criticism does not.”

— Kathy Schommer

To connect with Kathy and Fargo Mom: 

• Website: https://fargo.momcollective.com/
• LinkedIn: Kathy’s Profile
• Instagram: @fargomomco
• Facebook: @fargomomco
• Twitter: @fargmomco
• Pinterest: fargomomco

Hardworking, driven, and passionate are just a few adjectives that come to mind when connecting with Sami Fuhrmann. 

Sami Fuhrmann is a registered dietitian, owner of EatWise, LLC, and the host/producer of EatWise podcast. 

Sami graduated from Johnson & Wales with her Associates in Culinary Arts, then continued on to earn her Master’s degree in Science of Nutrition from North Dakota State University. Over the past five years, she has been a practicing dietitian specializing in sports nutrition. 

By day, she is a dietitian but her heart loves to travel. Sami’s journey is all about taking risks, stepping out of comfort zones, and being authentically you. Her journey and career risks are impressive. And, visiting a local coffee shop doesn’t hurt either. 

April Stastny  is one of those women who radiates love, joy, and courage. The kind of woman you want to grab a cup of coffee with, cozy up in a comfy chair, and just laugh. A girlfriend you can be real and honest with.

April is an Internal Wholesaler for Midland National Life Insurance and is passionate about helping others. She is involved with BigBrother BigSister, YWCA, Churches United, JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation), and American Diabetes Association. 

April’s journey has thrown her several curve balls, one of them being a life changing diagnosis at the age of 23. 

Courage, tenacity, and grit all make up April’s incredible and heartfelt journey. I cannot wait to share April’s story with you. 

Brittany Schank is a licensed clinical social worker and owner of Solace Counseling in Fargo, N.D. Brittany is an encourager for those who have lost part of themselves, a listening ear, a hope finder, and a space holder for healing. She believes we need less fixing and more loving, less perfection and more appreciation for who we are, and less criticism and more encouragement around us.

Brittany is also a guard member with the North Dakota Air National Guard. With over 14 years of military service, Brittany has achieved the rank of Master Sergeant and serves as the Education and Training Manager. She is with the 119th Wing based out of Fargo, N.D.

I am so encouraged to share Brittany’s story with you. You won’t want to miss hearing how she overcame adversity as a young child to be able to inspire and support others in their journey. 

If you’ve lived in the Fargo-Moorhead area for even a quick minute, you’ve probably heard of or ran into Josh Boschee. Josh’s community involvement, social justice activism, and political contributions resonate across party lines. Josh is known as a thoughtful and servant leader, being elected to the North Dakota House of Representatives in 2012 and serving as House Minority Leader. Along with actively volunteering for a number of nonprofits and  serving on numerous boards, including the executive committee for Prairie Public Broadcasting, Josh is a Realtor and business leader with Hatch Realty. 

Josh is often asked to speak throughout the state on issues related to social justice, community engagement and political activism. His involvement in the greater Fargo-Moorhead community has allowed him to build relationships with individuals, employers, community groups, faith-based organizations and service providers to inform and represent some of the issues community members face locally and throughout the state.

We are thrilled to have Josh as our guest on Glaze and Grit and cannot wait to share Josh’s inspirational story with you. 

Michelle Schumacher is a BOSS. Her leadership expansive. Michelle is a thoughtful and diligent leader while being a very active community member and an amazing mother to two beautiful girls. Michelle serves as the Chief Financial Officer at Stoneridge Software, overseeing the financial and IT teams. Prior to Stoneridge, Michelle’s previous work experience included leading teams at Microsoft and Eide Bailly. Michelle’s leadership extends into industry and community, serving on numerous community-driven organizations. 

Episode 1 kicks off with the who, the what, and the why from co-hosts Jenine Killian and Jessi Woinarowicz. We discuss why we decided to say yes to a podcast and moving forward with Glaze and Grit, a forum with a mission of sharing the real story behind people's success journey. We will share our journey - the highs along with the messiness, and a preview of what’s to come. 

In this episode, we embrace the imperfections of starting something new and the learning opportunities to continually do better. We smile, laugh, and cry with the stories in our own journeys and look forward to sharing our community's experiences and the vulnerability and authenticity that makes us who we are. And finally, we are grateful for you for being part of this amazing adventure. 

Thanks for coming alongside us in the journey of Glaze and Grit.