Shows
Professional LaunchProfessional Launch Episode 15- Trent Lee, Founder of Compass Leadership AdvisorsRicot Aladin welcomes back Trent Lee, founder of Compass Leadership Advisors and Vistage Chair, for a deep, energizing conversation on what it takes to lead with purpose. Trent opens up about the isolation CEOs often face, the power of strategic peer groups, and why mentorship is never one-sided. From startup struggles to boardroom breakthroughs, Trent shares personal stories, top challenges CEOs face (spoiler: it’s people and isolation), and how aligning personal values with business goals can make or break leadership. With his signature blend of insight and humor, Trent offers unforgettable advice:“Every busin...
2025-08-0838 minProfessional LaunchProfessional Launch Episode 16 - Kellie Carlson, VP of HRIn this episode, Ricot Aladin welcomes Kellie Carlson to discuss how young professionals can proactively partner with HR departments to unlock career opportunities within their organizations. Kellie shares her own nontraditional career journey into HR, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, self-advocacy, and ongoing personal growth.Key Takeaways: Career Journeys Aren’t Linear: Kellie’s path from customer service to VP of HR involved mentorship, returning to school, and continuous learning. She encourages professionals to embrace nontraditional paths and stay focused on forward movement.The Power of Mentorship: Kellie highlights how finding a good mentor...
2025-08-0840 minProfessional LaunchProfessional Launch - Bryan WilburnIn this episode of Professional Launch, Ricot Aladin sits down with Bryan Wilburn — a powerhouse fundraiser and president of St. Monica Montessori — to unpack the secrets behind his monumental achievement: raising over $40 million for a non-profit mission.Bryan shares how his journey began as a missionary, what he learned from leading one of the largest Newman Center capital campaigns in the country, and why real fundraising is less about events and bake sales, and more about deep relationships and radical honesty.Together, Ricot and Bryan dive into:The mindset needed to lead long-term fundraising effortsWhy rejection is essential to prof...
2025-07-2539 minProfessional LaunchProfessional Launch - Simone WaiIn this episode, Ricot Aladin sits down with Simone Wai, a community builder and the visionary force behind Folkways, a Fargo-based nonprofit, who shares how her background in marketing evolved into a mission to foster connection, belonging, and economic vitality.They dive into Campus FM, an innovative mentorship and media program connecting college students with the community through paid content creation, helping them build skills, find jobs, and stay rooted locally. Simone also reflects on the power of mentorship, the courage to start imperfectly, and the importance of letting go of projects when their time has passed.This episode...
2025-07-2539 minProfessional LaunchProfessional Launch - Tony AndersonIn this episode of Professional Launch, Ricot sits down with Tony Anderson, the tech-savvy solutions manager from Photon Phi, to introduce an emerging wireless communication technology: LiFi (Light Fidelity). Unlike traditional WiFi, LiFi uses infrared light for data transfer—offering ultra-secure, high-speed connectivity that can’t be hacked, jammed, or even detected. Tony explains how this breakthrough addresses the looming “spectrum crunch” in the U.S. and complements existing WiFi infrastructure, especially in healthcare, education, and enterprise spaces.Beyond the tech talk, Tony shares powerful reflections on mentorship, community service, and leadership growth, drawing from his experience with Clay County P...
2025-07-2538 minProfessional LaunchProfessional Launch - Hans GrafstromIn this episode, Ricot Aladin sits down with Hans Grafstrom, the CEO of Grafstrom Construction, to explore his unlikely journey from a turbulent early adulthood to leading a thriving construction company with over 50 employees. Hans shares how his business began as a way to make ends meet—and how grit, mistakes, and a deep belief in personal growth turned that hustle into a full-scale operation.💥 Highlights include: Hans' raw and powerful reflection on going from defendant to courthouse builder The unplanned origin story of Grafstrom ConstructionHow to turn chanc...
2025-07-1239 minProfessional LaunchProfessional Launch - Cass County Sheriff Jesse JahnerIn this insightful and inspiring episode of Professional Lunch, Ricot sits down with Sheriff Jesse Jahner to explore the values, challenges, and personal journey that define leadership in law enforcement. With a rich professional history and a passion for service, Sheriff Jahner shares wisdom that extends far beyond the badge.
2025-07-1139 minProfessional LaunchProfessional Launch - Dr. Colleen FitzgeraldIn this insightful and inspiring episode of Professional Launch, host Ricot Aladdin sits down with Dr. Colleen Fitzgerald, Vice President of Research and Creative Activity at North Dakota State University (NDSU). From her accidental start in linguistics to leading cutting-edge research initiatives, Dr. Fitzgerald shares her vibrant career journey and the values that guide her leadership.She dives into the power of resilience, the role of failure in personal growth, and the transformative impact of mentorship and undergraduate research. Whether you’re a new grad navigating the job market or a student exploring career paths, thi...
2025-07-1134 minProfessional LaunchProfessional Launch - Kurtis KarnIn this episode of Professional Launch, host Ricot Aladdin dives deep into the real-world value of networking and relationship-building in early career development. He’s joined by Kurtis Karn, Associate VP of Talent Acquisition at KLJ Engineering, and Alex Cassett, a college intern with a knack for marketing and meaningful connections.From Kurtis’ journey through pharmaceutical sales to his passion for mentorship and talent strategy, to Alex’s inspiring path from high school competitions to professional internships—this episode is packed with actionable insights and heartfelt moments.We explore:Why th...
2025-07-1139 minProfessional LaunchProfessional Launch - Travis WilsonGraduation is just the beginning — now it’s time to launch! 🚀 In this energizing episode of Professional Launch, host Ricor sits down with KLJ Engineering's Senior Talent Acquisition Consultant, Travis Wilson, to dish out real-world advice for new grads navigating the job market.Whether you're staring at a blank resume, ghosted by recruiters, or wondering if LinkedIn is worth the hype (spoiler: it is), this conversation is packed with practical tips and career-building gems. Travis shares how to build meaningful connections, tailor your applications to stand out, and even impress recruiters when you don’t have internship experience.💡 You’ll learn:How to avoid the biggest jo...
2025-07-1138 minProfessional LaunchProfessional Launch - Mayor Kory PetersonOn this episode of Professional Launch, Ricot sits down with former mayor and tech industry veteran Kory Peterson for a warm, insightful, and surprisingly funny journey through his 40-year professional path — from coding on punch cards in the ‘80s to mentoring high school entrepreneurs. Kory shares how he “gave up chemical engineering for Lent,” switched to computer science, and stumbled into a tech career that spanned weather graphics, biometrics, startup adventures, and public service.💼 Career Nuggets:
2025-07-1037 minProfessional LaunchProfessional Launch - Troy WhiteIn this powerful and deeply personal episode, Ricot Aladin welcomes Troy White, founder of Upstream and Beyond the Barriers, for an honest conversation about trauma, transformation, and helping young professionals rise above the limitations holding them back. A former marketing exec turned mental wellness advocate, Troy shares how his own story of childhood trauma and anxiety led him to develop the Cognitive Transformational Model—a framework that’s changing lives from boardrooms to jail cells.Together, they unpack how our hidden thoughts shape our reality, why fear of success can be ju...
2025-07-1040 minProfessional LaunchProfessional Launch - Retired Major Michael HaugenIn this inspiring and wisdom-packed episode, host Ricot Aladin sits down with Retired Major General Michael Haugen to uncover a lifetime of leadership lessons. From enlisting in the Air National Guard in 1967 to commanding over 4,500 service members, General Haugen shares how a passion for aviation led to a career defined by mentorship, innovation, and people-first leadership.He opens up about his first experiences with flight, the role of mentorship in shaping his career, and how understanding individual differences is the key to powerful leadership. Whether flying fighter jets or...
2025-07-0940 minProfessional LaunchProfessional Launch - Aaron HillOn this episode of Professional Launch with Ricot Aladin, Ricot sits down with community leader and entrepreneur Aaron Hill to explore his journey from co-founding Fargo Brewing Company to becoming a commercial real estate pro and dedicated public servant.Aaron shares how his small-town North Dakota upbringing and values of service and hospitality shaped his leadership philosophy. He opens up about the highs and lows of launching Fargo's first craft brewery and the powerful lessons he learned in business, management, and resilience.Now serving as th...
2025-07-0940 minProfessional LaunchProfessional Launch - Jane PettingerOn the debut episode of Professional Launch on WDAY Radio, Ricot Aladin welcomes back longtime mentor, educator, and Professional Launch board member Jane Pettinger for a deep and heartfelt conversation about mentorship, community, and empowering young professionals.🔑 Key Moments & Timestamps:[0:00 – 1:00] – IntroductionRico introduces the mission of the show and Jane Pettinger’s incredible background in education and mentorship.[1:00 –...
2025-07-0937 minProfessional LaunchLeading The Future Of Higher Education with Dr. Colin Irvine, President Of Concordia College
Meet Dr. Colin Irvine, President of Concordia College
Dr. Colin Irvine serves as the 12th president of Concordia
College, a role he’s held for less than two years. Before joining Concordia, he was the provost and executive vice president at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
https://youtu.be/EvdG7kVzwts
In this episode, we had the privilege of sitting down with
Dr. Irvine to explore his vision for the future of higher education and the innovative plans he has for Concordia. Our discussion touched on critical topics such as...
2025-01-1743 minProfessional LaunchExecutive Presence with Cortnee Jensen - Director of Strategic Partnerships for University of North Dakota
Hello
professionals
Let’s talk about Executive Presence with Cortnee Jensen. What it is and what it is not. How you develop it to inspire confidence and motivate others. Cortnee is indeed the guest who can share about Executive presence as her journey
has required her to learn the set of skills that is the makeup of good executive presence.
Cortnee is the Interim CEO of the Northern Front Autonomous Systems Engine and the Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships at the University of North Dakota
(UND). Cortnee previously served as the Director of St...
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