Great companies get built by people who decide to fix something. I’m fortunate to find those teams early and help build the better solution alongside them.
Q&A
Where did you grow up?
I grew up just outside of St. Paul where summers on the lakes and winters on the pond taught you pretty quickly that the best things in life require a little patience. Some of my favorite memories are boating with my family, weekend trips up to the Brainerd lakes, and all things Minnesota sports (Twins, Vikings, Wolves, Wild). Growing up a Minnesota sports fan is a masterclass in optimism - we show up every year with genuine conviction, and the Vikings have been breaking hearts in increasingly creative ways for decades. Gary Anderson didn’t miss all season in ’98, until he did. We don’t talk about 2009. But that resilience, the ability to stay hopeful and engaged no matter what, is not a bad life foundation.
What is your favorite part of your job?
The part of this job I find most rewarding is the conversations that happen because you’ve done the work and built the trust to deserve them. When a management team trusts you enough to think out loud, share what’s hard, and genuinely want your perspective.
What was your first job?
Busser at the Green Mill, a pizza spot in St. Paul. I eventually worked my way up to the takeout window register, which at the time felt like a meaningful step up. Looking back, clearing tables and managing a takeout line during a dinner rush taught me things no classroom really can: how to stay calm when everything is moving at once, how to read a room, and how to take genuine pride in doing a job well regardless of what that job is.
