Shows
Unscripted with VersiqueDan Schwarz: A Neighborhood Poker Party Leads to a Brewery, Then Full-Circle Back to His Family BusinessDan Schwarz can thank his wife Katie for at least pointing him in the right direction for success. She was the one involved in the neighborhood book and wine clubs, so Dan decided to start a poker party. That's where he met Brad Glynn, who shared his dream of owning a brewery. The two teamed up to found the popular Lift Bridge Brewing Company. Then, just over a year ago, Dan decided to return to the family business he grew up in, Jonti-Craft, maker of children's furniture. In this fascinating download, Dan shares his entrepreneurial journey with Kathy & Dardy.2025-07-2935 min
Unscripted with VersiqueSteve Grove: How I Found Myself in the Midwest - A Memoir of ReinventionHe's not only climbed the corporate career ladder, he's explored exotic and faraway places on his journey to become CEO and Publisher of the Minnesota Star Tribune. Stops in Tanzania, Japan, Thailand and India, then back in the US, hired as employee #85 at Google. Ultimately, like most Minnesotans who leave their home state, he found his way back and wrote a fascinating book about it. In this intriguing episode, Steve joins Kathy & Dardy to share his travels, experience and what makes the Midwest, and Minnesota in particular, so special.Connect with Versique 2025-07-1553 min
Unscripted with VersiqueLuke Gaalswyk: Lessons From Military Service Apply to Executive Leadership GrowthIntegrity, collaboration and listening: Those three key words describe how District Energy St. Paul CEO Luke Gaalswyk motivates and inspires his team. The U.S. Air Force veteran has made the most of his engineering experience and teamwork in the military, ascending to the C-Suite at Ever-Green Energy in September 2022. Luke shares his life and career journey with Kathy & Chris in this inspiring episode.Connect with Versique 2025-07-0239 min
My Favourite CXMy Favourite CX: Episode 17 Chris DardisWe are joined by Chris Dardis from SVL Business Solutions for this week's podcast. Chris tells us about his career journey from starting as an apprentice to now heading up SVL's CX Consultancy. Learn more about Chris & SVL via the following links; https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-dardis-02524a13/ or https://www.svlbusinesssolutions.com/ For more information about Holt CX Consultancy & the services offered, please head to https://www.holtcx.co.uk or follow Chris on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisholt82/2025-06-2621 min
Unscripted with VersiqueChris Heim: How a People First Approach and Endurance Sports Play a Role in C-Suite SuccessHe grew up in a small Iowa town and wasn't even sure he'd go to college. But that changed one day after stocking shelves at Hy-Vee, and led Chris on an amazing career journey that combined his curiosity and tech savvy with his endless appetite for learning and growth. The Fortra Executive Chairman sits down with Kathy & Dardy to offer why being a vulnerable and transparent leader resonates, and he shares why he took on the role of Mayor of Medicine Lake.Connect with Versique 2025-06-1753 min
Unscripted with VersiqueTia Newcomer: The Ability to Adapt and Empower Your Leadership in Different OrganizationsHer journalism and mass communications degree (with three minors) at Nebraska led to a role in... sales. That pivot at the outset of her career put Tia Newcomer on an ascending path through with the titans of industry- Revlon, Clorox, Frito Lay, HP, and later venture capital. Ultimately, a "life quake" led her to join Caringbridge as CEO. In this episode, she sits down with Kathy & Dardy to share how she's adapted, and excelled, in very different roles.Connect with Versique 2025-06-0346 min
Unscripted with VersiqueMarisa Williams: Bringing Business Leadership to the World of Non-ProfitHer title reads CEO of Girl Scouts River Valleys, but in reality, she's a coach, cheerleader and accountability partner for her team and corporate partners. In this episode, Marisa Williams shares how she's channeled her strengths and transformed from a leader in the corporate world, to transforming the Girl Scouts across the Twin Cities and beyond.Connect with Versique 2025-05-2048 min
Unscripted with VersiqueBridgewater Bank EVP & CSO Mary Jayne Crocker: Curiosity Is a Key Ingredient in Leadership SuccessAs many of us have experienced throughout our careers, the best way to learn is by doing- whether you have experience with the task at hand or not. Never led a private company into an IPO? No worries, you'll figure it out! In this episode MJ shares what inspired her career trajectory, and the unique challenges she's overcome thanks to her natural curiosity.Connect with Versique 2025-04-2239 min
Unscripted with VersiqueThe Right Guy at the Right Time: Adam Duininck Brings the Skills and Mindset to Re-Energize Downtown MinneapolisHe grew up near the farming community of Willmar in Western Minnesota, and despite deep family ties to a rural lifestyle Adam Duininck always aspired to live, work and move the needle in a big city. So how did a kid from the country become such a force in the city as President & CEO of the Minneapolis Downtown Council? In this episode, Adam explains how he navigates today's challenging political divide to build relationships and trust, to work toward common goals and civic projects that everyone can enjoy. Connect with Versique 2025-04-0846 min
Unscripted with VersiquePeanut Butter & Jelly TV CFO Andre Creighton: From Corporate Finance to Startup Leadership, It's More Than Just NumbersThere's comfort in a C-Suite corporate role, but it can also trigger the question of "what if?" Andre Creighton has successfully played on both sides of the ball. He's a visionary finance leader, with high profile past roles at Cargill and SPIRE Credit Union. He's also launched a startup and now is charged with the CFO and revenue role at PB&J TV. In this download, Kathy & Chris explore Andre's unique career journey, and his commitment to the MSP community.Connect with Versique 2025-03-2537 min
Unscripted with VersiqueMenttium CEO Missy Chicre: "You Have One Life, How Do You Want to Live It?"Her unique background, experience, and curiosity led from academia to consulting, then leadership roles at Best Buy and Cargill. And then, in that "what's next?" moment, the opportunity to devote her experience to advancing women's leadership led her to Menttium. In this episode Missy Chicre joins Kathy & Dardy to retrace her path to professional success, while foregoing work-life balance to create one fulfilling journey.Connect with Versique 2025-03-1150 min
Unscripted with VersiqueAncoats Construction Founder & President David Wood: Leave Your Comfort Zone and Chase Your DreamsHe followed in his father's footsteps, and during a decade at Mortenson rose from an intern to a market sector leader at the Minneapolis construction giant. David Wood could've settled in for a long and lucrative career with few career risks. Instead, he chose to start from scratch, founding his own construction company, Ancoats. In this revealing episode, Coats shares key events from his local upbringing that could've derailed his life, and his career. Instead, he leveraged setbacks into comebacks, and is now growing his own company.Connect with Versique 2025-02-2549 min
Unscripted with VersiqueScott Burns: Veteran Entrepreneur's Advice - Forget About "Failing Fast" and Focus on SuccessThe word "entrepreneur" has become a cliche in a world where almost everyone has a side hustle. But Scott Burns in truly an entrepreneur in every sense of the definition: an individual who's created and built successful businesses from scratch, while assuming all risks of the enterprise. In this episode, the general partner at Mairs & Power VC shares insight from a lifetime of innovation at the intersection of the public and private sectors, including his most successful ventures, GovDelivery and Structural.Connect with Versique 2025-01-2154 min
Unscripted with VersiqueWashburn Center for Children CEO Craig Warren: A Military Mindset and Passion for Helping ChildrenWhile he wasn't a military brat, he moved like one in his formative years. That exposure to different people and cultures, his service to our country, and his career journey into the private sector have all shaped the inspirational leader that Craig Warren is today. In this engaging conversation with Kathy & Chis, Craig shares his life and career journey which has led him to a critical role in the future of children across the Twin Cities.Connect with Versique 2024-12-1058 min
Unscripted with VersiqueAmy Ronneberg: Tell Her "No" and Then Look Out! How a Small Town Kid Rewrote the Rules to Reach the C-SuiteSuccessful executives who grew up in small towns, didn't attend the Ivy League schools, or were told they weren't qualified for leadership roles all have one thing in common: A burning desire to prove people wrong. Amy Ronneberg has done just that, every step of the way on her career path. Amy boldly states that "being authentic is my superpower", and her passion to break personal and professional boundaries is why she's now the CEO of NMDP, saving lives worldwide.Connect with Versique 2024-11-2641 min
Unscripted with VersiqueNo Looking Back: Gillette Children's Leader Barbara Joers Focuses on the Future and Grows Leaders from the Bottom UpAs the President and CEO of Gillette Children's Hospital, Barbara Joers not only navigates the complicated world of healthcare, but the emotional aspect of the providers she leads and the patients and families they all care for. In this inspiring episode, Barbara reveals key moments on her own leadership journey, and how she empowers everyone to contribute by learning from the past, but focusing on the future to find solutions and improve care.Connect with Versique 2024-11-1256 min
Unscripted with VersiqueBell Bank President Erin Procko Shares How Old Fashioned Customer Service and Servant Leadership Drive SuccessGrowing up in Duluth, Erin Procko's parents were her biggest influence as she considered a career in the legal profession. But she worked at a bank while in college and fell in love with that career path. In this episode, Erin shares her perspective on leadership- why it's all about your team, and serving others.Connect with Versique 2024-10-2931 min
Unscripted with VersiqueWelcome Kathy! Versique Makes a Statement Hire, Adding a Respected Business LeaderYou know her as the Publisher and Market President of the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal—make that former. While you were away over the summer, Kathy Robideau stepped into the role of Chief Growth Officer at Versique. It's a full-circle moment, as Versique CEO Tony Sorensen placed Kathy at MSPBJ 14 years ago and watched her rise from an advertising executive to one of the highest-profile business leadership roles in the Twin Cities. In this episode, Versique's President of Interim Solutions, Chris Dardis, welcomes Kathy to the team as she shares her passion for business—and, more importantly, for the...2024-10-1531 min