right away and was so grateful to be
accepted,” she said.
My participation
in NMYP has
given me the
ability to know
myself on a deeper level.”
- Allison Johnson , Training
and Development Manager, IC
System
In addition to attending every meeting
and nearly every extracurricular event
outside of the main program as well,
Johnson had the opportunity to host
one of the organization’s meetings
for which she co-created content and
co-facilitated that month’s discussion
regarding challenges millennials face in
the workplace. She has also participated
in volunteer projects, such as sorting
food at the White Bear Lake Food Shelf
and helping at the Santa Shop at Solid
Ground.
“My participation in NMYP has given
me the ability to know myself on
a deeper level. My increased self-
awareness has been beneficial to me in
my role as Training and Development
Manager at IC System. The program
has helped me hone in on my strengths
and use them to my advantage in the
workplace,” said Johnson.
Caleb Peterson, Commercial Banking
Specialist for Peoples Bank Midwest
(PBM) since Jan. 2017, credits the
program with helping him get a solid
understanding of the traits of a good
leader. “I used to focus mostly on
the present, but now understand the
importance of having goals for the
future that will help advance my career,
and assist with the bank’s goals as well,”
he said.
Peoples Bank Midwest has been
involved in the Young Professionals
program since its beginning. Company
President Kevin Whelan says Peterson is
the third employee to participate.
“Our employees are our most important
asset and employee development is
key to business success,” he said. “The
2020: Kelly Carey, Mikaela Freese, Elena Glass, Mike Vowels, Kate Goebel, Kyia Britts, Michael Steck
(Not pictured Chanel Bell, Bri Hinzman)
biggest benefit for PBM has been the
growth of our employees, not just in
banking skill set terms, but enhanced
confidence in their ability to be a
solid producer and achiever. Working
together with their peers at different
industries broadens the employees’
horizons; they learn more about
the community and how other local
businesses operate.”
Another Northeast Metro company
that has seen great benefit from the
Young Professionals Program is Merrick
Inc., which has been providing day
services to adults with intellectual or
developmental disabilities in Ramsey
County since 1964. “Three current
employees of Merrick have participated
in the program—one in each of the
previous years. The program provided
each of them an opportunity to focus
on their professional development.
They each are using learned leadership
skills at Merrick to benefit the clients
who choose Merrick for life enrichment
or employment support services. Not
coincidentally, each of the NMYP
participants have pursued and received
promotions within our organization,”
said Merrick Inc.’s Executive Director
John Wayne Barker, who is known to all
as JWB.
Learning the true meaning of economic
development and business working
together to grow their community
was one of the key takeaways of the
Nancy Hoglund, President of Hoglund
Coaching – hoglundcoaching@icloud.
com – has been certified and coaching
C-Suite leaders and senior leadership
teams nationally since 2007. Hoglund
was awarded the 2017 VHEDC Board
Appreciation Award for Guidance
and Leadership for designing and
facilitating a comprehensive strategic
plan that ensures strong service to
investors and the community. For more
information, call 651-226-1587.
Nancy Hoglund (center) with former Young Professionals
Donnally Moua, Merrick, Inc., (Left) and Will Reinhardt,
(Right) Peoples Bank Midwest.
vhedc.com
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