Women in Business by Albert Lea Tribune

WOMEN IN

BUSINESS

PIZZA PIZZAZ: Woman takes over Albert Lea’s Papa Murphy’s Page 4

Woman behind helm of local seed business looking for growth Page 3

A new focus: Iowa native turns skills toward renewable energy business Page 6

Tuesday, October 30, 2018

2018PAGE | TUESDAY, 2 | WOMEN OCTOBER IN BUSINESS 30, 2018 2017 | TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2018

POSITION, NEW FOCUS

Mortarr employee looks for place to grow skills in new market By Sam Wilmes

sam.wilmes@albertleatribune.com

Starting a new business, having fulltime employment in a startup firm and being a new mother are all challenging tasks. Maranda Tufte is accomplishing all of that at once. Tufte, 26, is an account coordinator

MENT

PAND “That’s another reasRGYion why I moved down

here is because it gives myself more opportubring new and Worth nities to explore my n is using passion in a different velopment projects to market.”

can tell her niece and daughter how she handles her responsibilities without living in an urban area or making a lot of money. “It’s really empowering,” Tufte said of balancing those responsibilities as a woman. “I think it’s just wonderful to be recognized, especially when you try so hard. Starting a business from the ground is really difficult, and just to have everything backing it, and to have your family supporting you and to have a community that’s willing to embrace you, is really exciting. “It’s very cool. I’m very surprised, because there are so many women in Albert Lea that are empowering and you can look up to them. It’s exciting.” A 2011 Albert Lea High School graduate, Tufte briefly attended the University of Minnesota before transferring to Hamline University, where she graduated. Prior to moving back to Albert Lea with her husband, Logan Tufte — a home-based technical project manager at tax compliance company Sovos — she worked for the Minnesota Wild for six years, serving as assistant to senior buyer for merchandise. In her role, she worked with the team’s retail

Maranda Tufte hopes to grow in her position as account coordinator at software startup company Mortarr. SAM WILMES/ALBERT LEA TRIBUNE

and finance departments to balance account management team. inventory. “I see myself growing as an account “It was kind of the best of both worlds, manager, and then — the one great because I like the retail side of it, but I thing about Mortarr is though there also like the finance side of it,” Maranda are so many roles that haven’t even Tufte said. been defined yet, that you can define She was hired by Mortarr in late May yourself, that you can find a spot that and began in early June. isn’t being fulfilled here and fill that In her position, Tufte reviews and cre- role,” she said. Tufte has a presence on Instagram ates client profiles, supports account managers and has her own goals she and Facebook for her baby boutique works on to help the company achieve business, and Little Us will be a part its mission. of the Massage Connections holiday “It was a life change, but it was the open house. ot initially right decision,” she said of moving back “That’s another reason why I moved n. to Albert Lea and beginning at the firm. down here, is because it gives myself out it, the Tufte noted Mortarr’s mission. more opportunities to explore my pasbe an op“Help them (company have sions in a different market, where up wing busi- Teresa Nicholson started as vice president of Good Steward Consulting this year after working for 17clients) years for Winn-Worth a bigger presence and an easier way in the Cities you have so many going ave a laser Betco. SARAH STULTZ/ALBERT LEA TRIBUNE for others to find them on the platform on,” she said. s growing without searching on Google,” she said. Tufte said opening the boutique “was andlittle she isarea.” proud tojust have findof it talent, all on one something that I always wanted to Amy Miller, CISR at the busiLori Bagley,energy CPIA, CISR AngelaisKalis, CPIA She CPIA, said renewable energy growing Renewable jobs also “You bringcanmix her a member of Good StewarddoConTufte enjoys the closeness Mortarr and was passionate about, and it just mpany has Account Sr. Insurance Producer exponentially not only for significant Manager and is good tax Coordinator base and high-tech, highCustomer sulting’s leadership team. employees have with each other. happened to be the right time with all king on in the area but for the country as a whole, paying jobs, she said, and she is excited “The team is so intertwined at Mor- of the factors in my life.” try — both bringing more stability to the electrical to see the industry grow in the region. tarr that everybody plays role, that Page Wuerflein said Tufte brings customer SeeaNICHOLSON, 7 grid and less reliance on fossil fuels. Lynne said Nicholson has a unique everybody makes an impact and every- service experience from her work with body is contributing,” she said. the Wild. Independence “Maranda is a really ambitious emShe said she also appreciates that employee ideas are welcome. when you want it.ployee, and she takes a project and she “If they’re great ideas, they are going runs with it,” Wuerflein said. “And she ED BANK to be brought to life, and I love that,” just has a really good knowledge and Tufte said. “I love that I can be part of comprehension on the different things Renee Uhlenhopp, CPIA when you need that it. we are working with here.” the accounts team.” nce 1926!Nancy Vaale, CISR, CPIA Suzanne Dickson, CPIA Personal Lines Tufte noted a vast majority of MorTo Wuerflein, Tufte has a positive atAdministrative Specialist Sr. Insurance Producer 220 E. William St. 2401 Brige Ave. Marketing Director tarr employees are women. She spoke titude and does a good job of owning Albert Lea Albert Lea highly of Abby Murray, Mortarr co- the projects she works on and helping (507) 373-5500 (507) 373-8600 founder and chief operating officer; the entire team. 1450 W. Main St. Amy Petersen, co-founder and chief Wuerflein added Tufte has been will109 W. Park Ave. sales officer; and Sadie Wuerflein, di- ing to identify services needing changAlbert Lea, MN Hollandale 1615 Bridge Ave. | Alberting Leaor tweaking and make suggestions rector of the firm’s account manage(507) 889-4311 (507) 377-2000 Top row: Breyan Richardson, Sherri Johannsen, Swehla ment Lori team. 373-5600 to improve efficiencies and help clients. www.americanainsurance.com “We’re the “A” Team” Middle row: Amy Mayers Tufte hopes to grow within the com“We absolutely love having her Member www.oakparkplace.com www.producestatebank.com Bottom row: Shelly Mehus & Kathy Brandt FDIC pany and make a larger impact in the here,” Wuerflein said.

Maranda Tufte ecutive—dih Counties full time in at software startup company Mortarr. od Steward She also runs Little Us, a baby boutique business, out of her home; and is mother esident to a of 1-year-old girl, Harper. ly worked Tufte said it is “exciting” that she Wind Farm oth Minneh their inr Hospital

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FROM THE

NICHOLSON GROUND UP Continued from Page 6

So when an economic development opportunity came up, she said she “grabbed onto it with both hands.” “I wanted our region and our area to grow and do well,” she said. Some of the projects she is proud of accomplishing at Winn-Worth Betco include the construction of Diamond Jo Casino and the casino interchange off of Interstate 35, Poet Biorefining in Hanlontown, several wind farms and the redevelopment of at least a block in downtown Lake Mills, among others. She said the counties were able to use the taxes from the wind farms to repair roads and bridges. “In economic development you need to have positive, driven people to make things happen,” she said. “No is not an answer — there’s always a way to get things done.” She said she is proud of what she accomplished in the economic development realm, and she is excited to bring her skills and lessons learned to her new position at Good Steward Consulting. Nicholson and her husband, Dennis, have two grown children. “I feel strongly connected to this entire region,” Nicholson said. “The counties I worked with and live in and represented — I also feel strongly about (Freeborn) County. I spent a lot of time here.”

WOMAN HELPS GROW FAMILY BUSINESS

“She’s a very strong leader, able to identify the strengths of others and mold their abilities, and has an uncanny ability to see the big picture while not losing essential details,” Lynne By Sarah Kocher said. “Her experience and education sarah.kocher@albertleatribune.com are valuable assets to the company. She’s very dedicated to her position Of the variables in Holly Dahl’s career, and moreover, she’s fun to have in the one factor has remained a constant: office.” growth. Nicholson, of rural Scarville, was Dahl co-owns Dahl Farm Supply with born and raised in Winnebago County in her husband, Chris. While ChrisIowa Dahland went to school in Lake Mills. oversees the family farm and handles She said when she graduated from farm supply sales, Holly Dahl is responhigh school she thought about going sible for keeping the day-to-day to of college the for psychology. Holly Dahl quit her part-time job with Pro Trucking business going, including runningShe the earned an associate’s degree attention on Dahl Farm Supply and family in 2004. books for the family farm, staying up from Waldorf College, and attended on advertising and completing aother start thin few semesters at Mankato State office work. their seed University before deciding to change “Nothing would get done here course. (with- She returned to Waldorf Colthat kind Continued from Page 3 out her),” Chris Dahl said. “I don’tlege have look at wh and earned a bachelor’s degree in time to do it.” year” — t “Every day is different,” she said. communications, with a focus on print Dahl’s bookkeeping skills came less radio and television communifamily’s This is her favorite part. media, out of interest than necessity, shecations. said. As the Holly Dahl said she also enjoys the She first took over for the farm when chance to work with her father as well business She has worked at a variety of comher husband was struggling for time. as the farm and business’s full-time it grow a panies through the years, including as “When you have to, you do it,” she can one d employee. a said. marketing and development coordiHolly Dahl has been keeping thefor a senior housing complex in “I feel Although Dahl’s Farm Supply slows nator books since the couple married inOwatonna, 1995. during harvest — “It’s once they’ve to work w at a radio station in Forest Although Chris Dahl was already sellfinished harvest, then they’re ready to agricultu City and at label company McLeodUSA, ing seed then, the business transformed among others. into Dahl Farm Supply when they added She was hired as an assistant at Winnchemicals to the offerings in 2004. This Betco in February 2001 and in Worth was also the year Chris Dahl stepped July 2003 was named executive direcaway from his other job as a truck tor. driver Holly Dahl co-owns Dahl Farm Supply with her husband, Chris. Holly Dahl takes care of the bookkeeping for both the business and the couple’s son was born. Nicholson said she has always had a and the family farm. SARAH KOCHER/ALBERT LEA TRIBUNE A handful of years later, Hollystrong Dahl passion for economic developquit her part-time job working in billing ment but didn’t recognize it until lookand as safety director at Pro Trucking “Ither really of, Ian felt like a ground zero, ‘How am I going to set this someone that can help you do it — and ing back on life.was She kind recalled seed in Albert Lea. She had been thereart for project 20 weight had been liftedgrade, off my shoul- • Conventional up to make it work — to make it flow?’” do it correctly — and then move on,” she made in third years. Though it was difficult to which leave, included she said. ders,” she said. she said. a map of Rice Lake. • Financing options available Holly Dahl said the decision was the theAlthough had experience with She hired Laurie Sistek with BookBetween working in the office and Around lake, she she described all the right one — “for our business and our some bookwork through Pro Trucking, ing Cents to help her with QuickBooks helping out where she’s needed — runways that the land could be used for family.” establishing Dahl Farm Supply was a business management software. She ning the forklift or loading chemical or redevelopment. LG Seeds Instead of splitting her attention,“I she encourages other businesswomen to running helpers home from the field — new ballgame. remember thinking as a kid, “Why could be home with her young son and “Office work was the not lake?” new to me,Enduraplas but follow theirPoly dreams,Tanks but to get organized Holly Dahl’s job keeps her on her toes. isn’t there more stuff around setting up my own business was new to continue to take care of the familyshe busiabout it. said. “What don’t know how to do, find ness. me, so I really had to figure out from See DAHL, Page 7 DEF you Tanks

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PAGE 4 | WOMEN IN BUSINESS 2018 | TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2018

‘THE BEST JOB YOU CAN HAVE’: PIZZA NEW PAPA MURPHY’S PIZZA STORE OWNER LOOKING TO BE A CHAMPION OF ALBERT LEA By Colleen Harrison

colleen.harrison@albertleatribune.com

Liz Stiegelmeier loves her job. “Owning a pizza shop’s the best job you can have,” she said. “People might come in grumpy, but they don’t leave grumpy.” Stiegelmeier bought the Albert Lea Papa Murphy’s pizza shop about three months ago. She also owns a Papa Murphy’s in Marshall, which she has had for about 4 1/2 years. Stiegelmeier moved to Albert Lea for her husband’s job, along with their two young sons. She visits her Marshall location around every four to six weeks. She’s in the Albert Lea store much more often than that. “This one’s my new baby,” she said. While Stiegelmeier said the staff at her Albert Lea shop are wellversed in what they need to do — no employees have left since the new ownership transition — her mission is to go above and beyond to make “friendliness and cleanliness a top priority.” She is also looking to be an active champion of Albert Lea, both on her own and as a business. “The community stuff is what I really like to be involved in,” she said.

Liz Stiegelmeier owns Papa Murphy’s in Albert Lea. She also owns a Papa Murphy’s in Marshall. COLLEEN HARRISON/ ALBERT LEA TRIBUNE

On Oct. 15, the store invited United Preschool teachers to make pizzas with Papa Murphy’s employees. In exchange, 20 percent of every order during that time was donated back

“The community stuff is what I really like to be involved in. My goal is to use Papa Murphy’s to make the community better.” — Liz Stiegelmeier, Papa Murphy’s owner “My goal is to use Papa Murphy’s to make the community better.” Since Stiegelmeier has bought the Albert Lea location, a number of fundraisers have taken place.

to the school. Stiegelmeier said she is always open to working with organizations and those in need on See PIZZA, Page 5

Papa Murphy’s is at 142 Bridge Ave. in Albert Lea.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2018 | WOMEN IN BUSINESS 2018 | PAGE 5

PIZZA Continued from Page 4

fundraising efforts. Stiegelmeier considers herself to be a stay-at-home mom in addition to being a business owner. While she loves that title, she said she also wants her boys to know they can do anything they put their minds to. For her, that meant owning her

“I appreciate every single person that buys pizza and supports my family.” — Liz Stiegelmeier, Papa Murphy’s owner own store, something she said she has wanted for a long time. Albert Lea has certainly made its impression on Stiegelmeier and her family as well. While it’s a smaller community than she’s used to, Stiegelmeier said it’s nice to have a slower pace for raising children and running a business. She has felt nothing but welcomed in the community, both as a mother and as a business owner. “I appreciate every single person that buys pizza and supports my family,” she said. “We wouldn’t be here without them.”

Stiegelmeier gets a pizza order ready while talking with a customer. COLLEEN HARRISON/ALBERT LEA TRIBUNE

Interim director steps in, steps up to help By Tyler Julson

tyler.julson@albertleatribune.com

Since joining the Albert Lea Economic Development Agency staff in 2016, Noelle Hagen has held many responsibilities as the small business and marketing

“I realized that this could go on for another four or five monhts and I need to protect my sanity and make sure that I do what’s best for the organizaiton.” — Noelle Hagen, ALEDA Interim Executive Director

manager, working to organize many projects and help kickstart the local business economy. As of late May, Hagen has also taken on the role of interim executive director of ALEDA after its former director left the position for a job in Rochester. While still performing her duties as small business and marketing manager, he added role of interim director has put many more responsibilities in front of her. “Since Ryan (Nolander) has been gone, I’ve been taking on our board meetings, all of the projects we’re currently working on, the projects we’re trying to wrap up and any new leads we’ve gotten and worked on,” Hagen said. “We’ve since hired a part-time assistant, which has helped a ton, but before that I was taking and writing the minutes, answering the phones, going to the post office and bank, all of it.” Hagen said since taking on the new See HAGEN, Page 8

Noelle Hagen has been serving as the interim executive director of the Albert Lea Economic Devleopment Agency since the end of May. TYLER JULSON/ALBERT LEA TRIBUNE

PAGE 6 | WOMEN IN BUSINESS 2018 | TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2018 2017 | TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2018

NEW POSITION, NEW FOCUS

mployee looks for place to grow skills in new market

can tell her niece and daughter how she handles her responsibilities without living in an urban area or making aving full- a lot of money. “It’s really empowering,” Tufte said up firm and hallenging of balancing those responsibilities as a woman. “I think it’s just wonderful plishing all to be recognized, especially when you try so hard. Starting a business from oordinator the ground is really difficult, and just to have everything backing it, and to have your family supporting you and to have a community that’s willing to embrace you, is really exciting. “It’s very cool. I’m very surprised, By Sarah Stultz sarah.stultz@albertleatribune.com because there are so many women in Albert Lea that are empowering and can look upto tobring them.new It’s exciting.” After 17 you years working A 2011 Albert Lea School gradubusinesses to Winnebago andHigh Worth ate, Tufte briefly attended counties, Teresa Nicholson is usingthe UniverMinnesota before transferring Maranda Tufte hopes to grow in her position as account coordinator at software her passionsity forof economic development to Hamline University, to bring renewable energy projects towhere she startup company Mortarr. SAM WILMES/ALBERT LEA TRIBUNE graduated. the Midwest. to moving back to Nicholson,Prior the former executive di-Albert Lea and finance departments to balance account management team. with her husband,Counties Logan Tufte — a inventory. “I see myself growing as an account rector of Winnebago-Worth home-based technical project manag“It was kind of the best of both worlds, manager, and then — the one great Betterment Council, started full time in thing about Mortarr is though there y Mortarr. er at tax compliance company Sovos because I like the retail side of it, but I June as vice president at Good Steward are so many roles that haven’t even y boutique — she worked for the Minnesota Wild also like the finance side of it,” Maranda Consulting in Albert Lea. d is mother for six years, serving as assistant to Tufte said. been defined yet, that you can define She and Mariah Lynne, president of senior buyer for merchandise. In her She was hired by Mortarr in late May yourself, that you can find a spot that the company, had previously worked ” that she role, she worked with the team’s retail and began in early June. isn’t being fulfilled here and fill that together on the Freeborn Wind Farm In her position, Tufte reviews and cre- role,” she said. project, which will be in both MinneTufte has a presence on Instagram ates client profiles, supports account sota and Iowa, and through their inmanagers and has her own goals she and Facebook for her baby boutique volvement with the Save Our Hospital works on to help the company achieve business, and Little Us will be a part group. its mission. of the Massage Connections holiday Nicholson said she was not initially “It was a life change, but it was the open house. looking for her new position. right decision,” she said of moving back “That’s another reason why I moved “The more I thought about it, the to Albert Lea and beginning at the firm. down here, is because it gives myself more I thought this would be an opTufte noted Mortarr’s mission. more opportunities to explore my pasportunity to help a small, growing busi- Teresa Nicholson started vice president of have Good Steward this year after working “Help them as (company clients) sions inConsulting a different market, where up for 17 years for Winn-Worth ness continue to grow and have a laser Betco. SARAH LEA TRIBUNE a STULTZ/ALBERT bigger presence and an easier way in the Cities you have so many going focus on an industry that is growing for others to find them on the platform on,” she said. rapidly,” she said. without searching on Google,” she said. Tufte said opening the boutique “was mix of talent, and she is proud to have Nicholson said her focus the busiShe said renewable energy growing Renewable jobs also bring wanted “You can find it allison one little area.” just energy something that I always to Loriat Bagley, CPIA, CISR Angela Kalis, CPIA her a member of Good Steward Conness is wind energy. The company has exponentially and is good not only for significant tax base and high-tech, highTufte enjoys the closeness Mortarr do and was passionate about, and it just Sr. Insurance Producer Customer Coordinator sulting’s for the country as a whole, multiple projects it is working on in the area but paying jobs, she said, to and excited employees have with each other. happened beshe theisright time with all leadership team. stability electrical to the renewable energy industry — both bringing more “The teamto isthe so intertwined at see Morof the factors my region. life.” the industry grow in the See NICHOLSON, Page 7 grid and less on fossil fuels. wind and solar. tarrreliance that everybody plays a role,Lynne that saidWuerflein said Tufte brings customer Nicholson has a unique everybody makes an impact and every- service experience from her work with body is contributing,” she said. the Wild. “Maranda is a really ambitious em- Independence She said she also appreciates that when you want it. employee ideas are welcome. ployee, and she takes a project and she “If they’re great ideas, they are going runs with it,” Wuerflein said. “And she WE ARE A FAMILY OWNED BANK to be brought to life, and I love that,” just has a really good knowledge and Tufte said. “I love that I can be part of comprehension on the different things when you need it. Renee Uhlenhopp, CPIA Serving the Community Since 1926! the accounts team.” that we are working with here.” Suzanne Dickson, CPIA Personal Lines Tufte a Brige vast Ave. majority of MorTo Wuerflein, Tufte has a positive atSr. Insurance Producer St. noted 2401 Marketing Director 220 E. William areLea women. She spoke titude and does a good job of owning Alberttarr Lea employees Albert highly of Abby Murray, Mortarr co- the projects she works on and helping (507) 373-5500 (507) 373-8600 founder and chief operating officer; the entire team. 1450 W. Main St. 109 W. Park Ave. co-founder and chief Amy Petersen, Wuerflein added Tufte has been willsalesHollandale officer; and Sadie Wuerflein, di- ing to identify services needing changAlbert Lea, MN 1615 Bridge Ave. | Albert Lea (507) of 889-4311 rector the firm’s account manage- ing or tweaking and make suggestions (507) 377-2000 Top row: Breyan Richardson, Sherri Johannsen, Lori Swehla 373-5600 ment team. to improve efficiencies and help clients. Middle row: Amy Mayers www.americanainsurance.com www.producestatebank.com eam” Member Tufte hopes to grow within the com- Bottom “We absolutely love having her www.oakparkplace.com row: Shelly Mehus & Kathy Brandt pany and make a largerFDIC impact in the here,” Wuerflein said.

IOWA WOMAN BRINGS DEVELOPMENT BACKGROUND TO COMPANY WORKING TO EXPAND reasRENEWABLE ENERGY

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NICHOLSON Continued from Page 6

“She’s a very strong leader, able to identify the strengths of others and mold their abilities, and has an uncanny ability to see the big picture while not losing essential details,” Lynne said. “Her experience and education are valuable assets to the company. She’s very dedicated to her position and moreover, she’s fun to have in the office.” Nicholson, of rural Scarville, was born and raised in Winnebago County in Iowa and went to school in Lake Mills. She said when she graduated from high school she thought about going to college for psychology. She earned an associate’s degree from Waldorf College, and attended a few semesters at Mankato State University before deciding to change course. She returned to Waldorf College and earned a bachelor’s degree in communications, with a focus on print media, radio and television communications. She has worked at a variety of companies through the years, including as a marketing and development coordinator for a senior housing complex in Owatonna, at a radio station in Forest City and at label company McLeodUSA, among others. She was hired as an assistant at WinnWorth Betco in February 2001 and in July 2003 was named executive director. Nicholson said she has always had a strong passion for economic development but didn’t recognize it until looking back on her life. She recalled an art project she made in third grade, which included a map of Rice Lake. Around the lake, she described all the ways that the land could be used for redevelopment. “I remember thinking as a kid, “Why isn’t there more stuff around the lake?” she said.

Proud team of Teresa Nicholson Congratulations on your recognition Teresa!

Holly Dahl quit her part-time job with Pro Trucking after 20 years to focus her sole attention on Dahl Farm Supply and family in 2004. SARAH KOCHER/ALBERT LEA TRIBUNE start thinking about, they know what their seed did that year for yielding and that kind of thing, so they’re ready to Continued from Page 3 look at what they want to do for the next year” — that is also the season her own “Every day is different,” she said. family’s farm picks up. This is her favorite part. As the Dahls continue to run their Holly Dahl said she also enjoys the chance to work with her father as well business, Holly Dahl would like to see as the farm and business’s full-time it grow and become something her son can one day step into. employee. “I feel very fortunate and blessed Although Dahl’s Farm Supply slows during harvest — “It’s once they’ve to work with my family in the field of finished harvest, then they’re ready to agriculture,” she said.

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PAGE 8 | WOMEN IN BUSINESS 2018 | TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2018

HAGEN Continued from Page 8

role, she has learned that her responsibilities as interim director have to take priority over her other projects. When Nolander first left, Hagen said she was putting in a lot of extra time trying to do both. Although setting her other tasks aside for the time being was hard for her at first, she knows it’s for the best. “I’ve really had to prioritize to keep my own sanity,” she said. “My original approach was, ‘I’m just going to keep doing it all because it’s only going to be two months. We’re going to have a director in two months and I’ll just put in the time. I can work 60 hours, I can work 80, I can take my computer home and I’ll just do everything,’ and I tried that. “Then, when our original finalists didn’t pan out and we had to reevaluate our next approach, I realized that this could go on for another four or five months, and I need to protect my sanity and make sure that I do what’s best for the organization.” The organization’s plan is to have interviews with the director finalists in December with a projected start date of mid-January. However, that doesn’t The Albert Lea Tribune is committed to delivering Real News.

mean she’ll be able to get right back to her small business and marketing plans. She said it’s still going to take time for the new director to get used to his or her new position and she will be helping to get them introduced to the community until they feel comfortable. Although filling both roles has been stressful for her at times, she said she has learned a lot through the entire process. Whether it be speaking with other people, making contact with companies or just making decisions, being the only one to do those things has brought her more confidence. “The board has been great with coaching me and teaching me things when I’m not quite sure what to do,” Hagen said. “Then there’s the decisions where I don’t have time to consult the board or it’s just a decision that we should be making on our own, and I’ve gained a lot more confidence in making those decisions, not worrying about the little things and making sure the important things get done. “I just appreciate the board giving me the ability to really prove myself. I don’t know everything and don’t have a ton of life experience, but them just giving me the opportunity to learn and grow has been one of the most rewarding things.”

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On top of her duties as interim executive director, Hagen is also the small business and marketing manager of ALEDA. TYLER JULSON/ALBERT LEA TRIBUNE