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for new hires to a job as an operations supervisor . Then to the position she holds now .
She says participating in NMYP helped her break out of her comfort zone . “ It was a really good experience and I ’ m glad I did it ,” she said . “ Being vulnerable with the group , listening to people , and really tapping into how I could continue to push myself have played a key role in my development as a leader .”
Blayne Harron , 26 , has already seen results as well . “ Nancy really pushes strengthsbased coaching , and working with her has absolutely changed my dayto-day life here at the bank . I ’ ve gotten a promotion since I ’ ve been working with Nancy .
Harron started her career at Frandsen Bank & Trust in early 2020 as a teller . She is now a universal banker , who opens accounts , assists with loans and a whole lot more . Harron relocated to the Northeast Metro from Toronto , Canada in late 2019 . She added that another benefit she has received from the program is getting better connected to her new community .
“ Participating in the program has been a great way for me to not only connect with members of the VHEDC , but also to meet other members of the Vadnais Heights and Greater North Metro community ,” she said .
MaKaela Jorgenson , who works in the area of recruiting for Northeast Residence , credits her participation in the Northeast Metro Young Professionals program with helping her do her job . She represents the company at job fairs and is the main point of contact for all new staff that comes onboard at Northeast Residence , a White Bear Lake-based group home organization that supports individuals with developmental disabilities .
“ It has really helped me connect with others and be able to continue networking through the VHEDC and also the White Bear Chamber that Northeast Residence is a part of too ,” she said . While enrolled in the program , Jorgenson attended as many of the monthly meetings as she could get to , and also went to the meet-ups that were done in a hybrid format , sometimes in person , other times online .
“ The biggest thing I took away from it is the understanding of how each organization has its spot in the community . Sometimes we get so trapped in our own bubble and very focused on what we do for the community , and how important it is to support our mission , that we forget there are a lot of other people out there helping .”
“ Going out and meeting many people from other industries — Fransden Bank & Trust , IC Systems , Terry Kellerman , owner of Kellerman ’ s and The Alchemist , Kristin Cranmer , Kellerman ’ s Event Manager , Lorah Palmer of ProVisions , and people who work at the White Bear Area Food Shelf — was a good reminder we each have a very important role in our community and we need to work together to help each other out .”
Also in 2021 , Hoglund invited already established professionals to share with the group how they got where they are today . “ Dr . Jenna Goldsmith , who started up Lux Family Chiropractic in White Bear Lake at the end of 2017 , focused her talk on the importance of becoming part of the community you serve .
“ Getting involved in organizations where your business is seen , and you ’ re seen as a leader in your own business I think is extremely important ,” said Dr . Goldsmith . “ It is critical to make connections in the community early on .”
Goldsmith credited her involvement with the Young Professionals Program for helping her connect with even more businesses and business leaders in
Left to right : Alexis Olson , Northeast Residence , Jenn Wold , Merrick Inc ., Nate Welbig , IC System , Daynesha Younger , IC System , Dr . Jenna Goldsmith , Lux Family Chiropractic , Becky Bollinger , Northeast Residence , John Wayne Barker , Executive Director Merrick Inc ., Ashley Hemann , Lake Area Bank , Brion Curran , Northeast Residence
Left to Right : Perry Peterson ( Exec Dir Food Shelf , Nate Welbig , IC System , Allison Johnson , IC System , Ashley Hemann , Lake Area Bank , Dr . Jenna Goldsmith , Lux Family Chiropractic , Jenn Wold , Merrick , Inc ., Alexis Olson , Northeast Residence , MaKaela Jorgenson , Northeast Residence , Blayne Harron , Frandsen Bank & Trust , Daynesha Younger , IC System , Dylan McDonough , Solid Ground
Left to right : Blayne Harron , Frandsen Bank & Trust , Becky Bollinger , Northeast Residence , Amy Peterson , FinnRent , MaKaela Jorgenson , Northeast Residence , Ashley Hemann , Lake Area Bank , Brion Curran , Northeast Residence , Stephanie Noll , Northeast Residence
the community as she was working to establish her footprint .
“ To have a local professional share her story really brings home some real life lessons . I especially appreciated her talking about all she has learned from
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