Elevate Academy 2025 Agenda

Apply Today!

Theme: Building Power, Leading Change
Develop the skills, networks, and strategies needed to take action and expand your influence, whether in elected office, appointed boards, advocacy, or community leadership.

Fargo, ND | 🗓 October 17–19, 2025

Friday – Day 1: Grounding in Purpose

Set the stage for leadership growth, connections, and intentional action.

6:00 – 6:45 PM | Power in Connection

Kickoff social with networking games and “Find Your Match” icebreaker.

6:45 – 7:45 PM | Dinner & Dialogue: Beyond the First Step

A fireside conversation with Elevate alumni on what it really takes to step into leadership.

  • Zoe Absey - Fargo Park Board

  • David Schloegel - Jamestown City Commission

  • Sarah Grossbauer- Legislative Candidate

  • Todd Reisenauer- Statewide & Legislative Candidate

7:45 – 8:00 PM | Defining Your Leadership Compass

Amy Jacobson, 701 Strategy Group

Participants choose one key value and one leadership goal to carry through the weekend..

Saturday – Day 2: Tools for the Work

Build the skills, networks, and strategies to lead and influence change.

8:00 – 8:30 AM | Registration & Breakfast

Registration, track confirmation, and community breakfast.

8:30 – 9:00 AM | Mixer: Hopes & Fears Wall

Interactive reflection on what participants bring into the room and what they want to leave with.

9:00 – 9:45 AM | Plenary 1: “Power & Possibility in North Dakota”

Dr. Ellie Shockley

Understanding today’s demographic, political, and community landscape and the opportunities for leadership.

9:45 – 10:45 AM | Plenary 2: Paths to Power

There are many ways to step into leadership and shape the decisions that impact our communities. This conversation will explore the varied paths people take to build power, influence policy, and drive change—whether through service, advocacy, or movement-building. Panelists will share their personal journeys and insights on how to engage, lead, and make a lasting impact in North Dakota.

Panelists: 

  • Mark Watne - President of North Dakota Farmers Union

  • Robin Nelson - Elected School Board Leader

  • Ashley Gaschk - President/Secretary-Treasurer of AFL-CIO of North Dakota

  • Ritchell Aboah - Fargo Human Rights Commission

  • Ben Hanson - Lobbyist and Former State Legislator

Facilitator:

  • Jamie Selzler, a Fargo-based leader, DNC Committeeman for North Dakota, and longtime Boys State mentor, has devoted his career to guiding others to lead with purpose, integrity, and service.

10:45- 11:00 AM | BREAK

11:00 – 12:15 PM | Plenary 3: “Turning Passion into Support: The Art of Fundraising”

Patrick Kirby and Leah Reed of Do Good Better Consulting

This workshop explores how to transform your passion into meaningful support. Learn how to make the ask confidently, build and nurture lasting relationships, and lean into opportunities that grow your network and resources.

12:15 – 1:15 PM | Working Lunch: From Service to Impact: A Conversation with Erin Oban

Hear from special guest Erin Oban, whose leadership spans community advocacy, elected office and federal appointment. She’ll share the experiences and decisions that shaped her journey, offering actionable lessons and inspiration for emerging leaders exploring their own paths to influence and impact.

Facilitator:

Jamie Selzler, a Fargo-based leader, DNC Committeeman for North Dakota, and longtime Boys State mentor, has devoted his career to guiding others to lead with purpose, integrity, and service.

1:15- 1:30 PM : BREAK

1:30 – 2:15 PM | Plenary 4: Running for Office Track: “Campaign Planning 101: Deadlines, Dates, and Details”

Carol Sawicki and Whitney Oxendahl, League of Women Voters

Learn the essentials for running for office in North Dakota from local nonpartisan positions to the state legislature including key steps, deadlines, campaign basics, and nonpartisan resources like VOTE411.org.

2:15 – 3:00 PM | Track Time #1

  • Running for Office Track: “Building Your Team, Growing Your Movement”

    Jessica Edland, 701 Strategy Group

    Explore key campaign roles, leverage your personal networks, and get an overview of our mapping exercise. Includes a hands-on practice session to put strategies into action.

  • Advocacy & Activism Track: “Story of Self – Turning Experience Into Action”

    Amy Jacobson, 701 Strategy Group

    Learn how to transform your personal experiences and values into compelling advocacy. This interactive session introduces the “Story of Self” framework, helping you craft and share your story to inspire action, connect with others, and strengthen your impact as a leader.

3:00- 3:45 PM | Track Time #2

  • Running for Office Track: “Fundraising that Feels Authentic"

    Jessica Edland, 701 Strategy Group

    Build on insights from the earlier fundraising session to explore how to plan and execute authentic, effective fundraising for a candidate or campaign. Participants will learn practical strategies for connecting with supporters, leveraging personal networks, and sustaining momentum throughout a campaign.

  • Advocacy & Activism Track: “One-on-One Organizing: the Power in Relationships”

    Andrew Bushaw, AFL-CIO

    Learn how to build trust, engage supporters, and drive action through personalized, one-on-one conversations that strengthen your network and movement.

3:45- 4:00 PM | BREAK

4:00 – 4:45 PM | Plenary 5: “Mastering Media, From Pitch to Press”

A panel of media experts shares how stories are selected, what makes a strong pitch, and how to connect with journalists across print, TV, radio, and digital platforms. Gain practical insights to effectively share your message and amplify your work.

Panelists:

  • Sabrina Halvorson - CEO of ND News Cooperative

  • Jim Shaw - Former Longtime Reporter at WDAY-TV in Fargo and Current Columnist for the Fargo Forum Communications

  • Charley Johnson - Former President of Visit Fargo Moorhead with more than 30 years of Experience in Newsroom and Station Management

  • Nicole DesRosier - Former Executive Producer for KFYR and News Director at KMOT

  • Jamie Selzler - DNC Committeeman, Social Media Influencer with 70k+ Followers and Guest Host on Talk Radio

Facilitator:

Amy Jacobson

4:45 – 5:30 PM | Plenary 6: “The Power of Presence: Own Your Message & Lead with Authority”

Dayna Del Val

As a lifelong performer, decades-long professional actor and a 13-year CEO, Dayna Del Val knows what it takes to not only show up on stage or in front of a camera and own your message but to also command the space where you are showing up. Whether that’s presenting a keynote, engaging with donors, providing legislative testimony, leading your team, talking with journalists or any other place where you need to be “on,” Dayna will provide you with tips and tricks to be more authentically you while also enhancing your energy, message and presence.

Dinner on Your Own

7:00 PM | OPTIONAL Evening Networking Adventure

Fun and casual relationship building. Stay tuned for details.

Sunday – Day 3: Taking It Forward

Translate learning into action and step confidently into leadership pathways.

8:30 – 9:00 AM | Breakfast & Morning Reflection

9:00 – 10:30 AM | Plenary 7: “Knock, Call, Connect: Engaging Voters Effectively”

Jessica Edland and Amy Jacobson, 701 Strategy Group with Andrew Bushaw, North Dakota AFL-CIO

Learn how to mobilize supporters and connect with voters across multiple channels. Includes interactive exercises and practical tips for candidates, campaign volunteers, and advocates looking to grow movements and make an impact.

10:30- 11:15 AM | Plenary 8: “Amplify Your Story of Self: Social Media and Storytelling Tools for Leaders"

Max Kringen, Founder + Chief Storytell, TellWell Story Co.

Whitney Jensen, Director of Marketing, AdShark

Learn from local digital and storytelling pros how to turn your story into influence. Learn how to craft and share your story digitally to connect with others who share your values. This session covers storytelling, social media strategies, and insights into various digital platforms, giving you the tools to inspire, engage, and grow your network online.

11:15 – 12:00 PM | Lunch and Final Plenary: “Tales of a Failed Movie Star: Shifting your Perspective on Failure”

Dayna Del Val

This talk explores the journey of uncovering your "Hidden Spark”—the passions, dreams and purpose buried beneath life's challenges and unmet expectations. Using the powerful metaphor of rocks, Dayna Del Val encourages listeners to chip away at what feels like failure, embrace the ordinary and rediscover the extraordinary within themselves. It’s a call to reflection, transformation and reigniting the spark that leads to a richer, fuller version of who you are.

12:00 – 1:00 PM | Closing Circle: Grounded, Grateful, Growing

Amy Jacobson and Jessica Edland, 701 Strategy Group

Revisit your hopes and fears, reflect on your growth, and make commitments to yourself and your leadership path ahead. A focused session to leave inspired and ready to take action.

1:00 PM | Adjourn

Agenda is tentative and subject to change.