In addition , she is adding other professional and social events for young professionals .
“ I think there will be more opportunities for people to really increase networking among their peers . There will also be more opportunities for growth and development ,” said Hoglund .
Reflecting Back on the 2022 NMYP Program In 2022 , 14 young professionals who work at local businesses , as well as in the nonprofit sector , hospitality , medical manufacturing and the financial industry , participated in the program . Some of the participants were new to their companies . Others were already in leadership roles .
After a couple of years of having the majority of programming virtual due to the pandemic , things went back to in-person for 2022 . “ I think being in person was really beneficial ,” said Hoglund . “ Participants get to learn about different leadership styles and company cultures , as well as different work styles ; and they take away tips and ideas that they bring back to their own organization .”
In addition to participating in 1-on-1 training and development sessions with Hoglund , members of the 2022 cohort worked on a service project together at The White Bear Area Food Shelf .
They also visited about a dozen companies in the Northeast Metro where they got to meet and engage with senior leaders and past participants , and learn about how the organizations run . Local business owners , including Terry Kellerman of Kellerman ’ s Event Center and The Alchemist in White Bear Lake , are strong supporters of Hoglund and the program .
Companies that have participated in the program since the beginning , and also in 2022 , included IC System , a debt collection and debt recovery services company ; Merrick Inc ., a nonprofit that provides day services to adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities ; and Innovize , a medical technology manufacturing company . New participating companies include Market & Johnson , one of the Midwest ’ s leading construction management and general contracting companies ; and Ehlers , Inc ., a company that provides
52 Northeast Metro Business
fully integrated financial advisory services for public sector clients .
Nate Gilger , 25 , who has worked as a public finance analyst at Ehler ’ s Inc . for more than a year now , was among the young professionals nominated to participate in the 2022 NMYP program . The company ’ s Human Resources Manager , Joy Vander Heiden , recommended him for the opportunity .
“ Participating in the program provided me with a good opportunity to meet people around my age starting their careers as well . I really enjoyed all the opportunities , whether it be just going out for drinks with current or former members of the program , or going to the VHEDC events . Whenever something came up that was interesting , I tried to make it ,” said Gilger , whose job at Ehler ’ s Inc ., is to work with municipalities wishing to issue debt to help them prepare the documents necessary to put projects out for bid .
He said participating in NMYP helped him understand how to take his skill set and fully utilize it within his company to advance his career . “ In five years I hope to be still here , and working to improve my career in different aspects ,” said Gilger , who added that he hopes to advance to a greater role at Ehlers , Inc . one day .
“ Nate has been quite the rockstar ,” said Hoglund . “ He moved here from Wisconsin and was living in Burnsville , but he came to absolutely every event we did . It was fantastic .”
Another young professional Hoglund said took full advantage of the opportunities presented by the program in 2022 was Matt McHale , who is 34 years old . After spending more than a decade as a collector for IC System , a debt collection and recovery agency , he was asked to move out of his comfort zone and into a managerial role .
He first became a lead , then when a supervisor role came up applied for it and got it . Today , he supervises two teams that handle collections of healthcare bills at IC System in St . Paul .
McHale said participating in NMYP once he was in the supervisory role really helped him get out of his comfort zone and try new things .
“ Nancy helped me in identifying my strengths using CliftonStrengths Assessment . She also showed me how to apply , and how I ’ m already unknowingly applying , some of those strengths to my everyday interactions . She helped me with trying to be more confident , and pushing me to speak up in meetings and sharing my thoughts ,” said McHale , who added that participating in the program also expanded his knowledge about other local businesses .
Young professionals from Lakeshore Players Theatre , The White Bear Area Food Shelf , and 7 Vines Vineyard also participated in the 2022 NMYP . In fact , the program led to two former 7 Vines Vineyard employees , Joanna Mohr and Andrea Schroeder , teaming up to start their own wine tasting business .
Terroir Wine Tasting , based in Minneapolis , offers corporate and private wine tasting events .
Mohr credits Hoglund with helping her figure out how to market her business beyond what she had been doing on her own through word-of-mouth promotion . “ She ( Hoglund ) helped me create an action plan around how to create marketing materials , and helped me start thinking about how to scale the business ,” said Mohr .
Hoglund said that witnessing two NMYP participants partner up is very rewarding for her . She is also especially proud of the accomplishments of past participant Kelly Carey of St . Paul .
Just a few short years ago , Carey was hired to work in the body shop at Buerkle Honda in Vadnais Heights . She had quickly worked her way up to title clerk and biller , a role in which she interacted often with company owner Mary Buerkle-Grant , who recognized promise in her and sponsored her