MAX IMIZING momentum

Melissa Rademacher is making downtown uniquely intriguing

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alt Disney said “curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” Last November, adventurous Melissa Rademacher boldly set out on another new path when the Fargo Downtown Community Partnership (DCP) selected her as their fourth president/CEO.

Rademacher says, “Back in college, downtown was not a destination, so being invited to the table with city leaders, developers, business owners and residents that all want one thing — a vibrant and safe downtown – is exciting. I’m blessed to be able to lead it and look forward to making it an increasingly more attractive destination.”

The day of our interview Rademacher appears approachable, professional and energetic. Her commitment is visible in a brilliant smile and sparkling blue eyes that say she’s ready to keep downtown, the heart of Fargo, pulsating. Dressed in Converse high tops, she reveals a bit of her personality: unpredictable, unique and confident. These qualities will lend themselves well to making downtown uniquely intriguing.

Rademacher’s journey to this position took an unforeseen path. And she has enjoyed every step.

the FORMATIVE YEARS

Rademacher is the daughter of Lynn Hanson, and Gerald and stepmom Ginny Hanson of Fargo. She is also a sister to Jeremy Hanson.

She grew up on Fargo’s south side, attending Lewis and Clark Elementary, Agassiz and Fargo South High School. As a devoted athlete, she lettered in four team sports: soccer, volleyball, basketball and golf. She also played cello for eight years.

Mom Lynn says, “Melissa was always involved in something. It took some convincing but we got the school to allow her to be in sports and orchestra at a time when they made students choose between them. She proved she could handle both.”

Rademacher’s love with the fashion industry began in high school. She says, “In the ‘90s, some trendy stores opened in West Acres and I was hired by Express. While there, I became their first manager-in-training (MIT). Then they asked me to help write the MIT handbook. I quickly was drawn to the fashion world and leading others.”

That led to her attending North Dakota State University to pursue a degree in fashion merchandising with a business minor. The summer of her junior year, Rademacher interned at Abercrombie & Fitch (A&F) in Minneapolis. After graduation, they offered her a position. “I loved the brand, the company and the people, so knew I’d love working for them.”

a career ON THE MOVE

She quickly advanced at A&F stores in Minneapolis. Under her guidance, her stores exceeded sales expectations and things were going well. Then one day her boss called when she was on the golf course. He wondered if she’d be interested in moving to the east coast the next month to run some stores that needed help.

Rademacher took thirty minutes to consider the opportunity, called back and cheerfully asked, “Where am I going?” In Hartford, Connecticut, her staff was larger and sales results again exceeded expectations.

She says, “I’m grateful I had leaders that saw something in me that I didn’t necessarily. But I’m not afraid to take on a challenge, which is what motivates me everyday.”

Soon another national retailer noticed her enthusiastic work ethic and recruited her. That path led to Westport, Connecticut, to manage stores for Anthropologie of URBN. Again, things were going well.

One day just after helping with a Westport philanthropic event sponsored by Paul Newman and his family, her manager called. How would she like to work in Newport Beach, California?

“My immediate thought was Newport Beach and fashion. Sure.” So she moved to the opposite coast.

“I loved southern California. I loved working for Anthropologie. Wendy Brown, a global co-president there, was an inspiration for me. She was confident, beautiful, fashionable, classic and a very strong leader. It made me think I could be a CEO and want to mentor young women. I thought I’d always work for them, grow with them and never come back to Fargo.”