Elevate Academy 2025 Featured Speakers and Panelists

  • Dr. Ellie Shockley is a social scientist, education researcher, and writer. She is also active in advocacy efforts in North Dakota. In 2018, Ellie served on the governor's Task Force for Higher Education Governance. Since 2018, she has regularly written a column in the Bismarck Tribune. In 2020, she ran for her local school board. In 2022, Ellie graduated from the Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC Leadership Program. She has also served on the boards of the North Dakota Women's Network and her union, North Dakota United. Additionally, Ellie has organized rallies focused on human rights issues. Ellie's civic and advocacy journey in North Dakota can serve as an example of how to identify one's unique blend of strengths and passions to pave a path to impact one's community.

  • Based in Fargo, Whitney Oxendahl is the VOTE411 Project Coordinator for the League of Women Voters of the United States. Oxendahl’s civic engagement began at the local level in North Dakota, where she created the state’s first comprehensive League of Women Voters voter guide and continues to work on public education about the legislative process. She was selected for her leadership in organizing the successful 2018 Reform Fargo ballot measure that introduced approval voting in North Dakota.

  • Jamie Selzler is the National Committeeman representing North Dakota on the Democratic National Committee. He is also on the DNC Rules & Bylaws Committee, which is responsible for creating the rules and calendar for the Democratic presidential nomination process, as well as the rules for the DNC. He previously served as Executive Director of the North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party and has been a legislative candidate as well as a senior advisor to numerous Democratic candidates at both the state and national levels. He is a frequent guest host on KFGO Radio for Joel Heitkamp’s “News & Views” and “Afternoons Live with Tyler Axness.”

    In the private sector, Jamie brings more than two decades of executive leadership experience from Amazon and Walmart e-commerce, with a primary focus on customer experience, digital retail, and operational strategy. He has also consulted for businesses and organizations on communication, e-commerce, and customer service best practices.

    Jamie’s political and business insights have been featured in the New York Times, MSNBC, CNN, NBC, ABC, and CBS. He has also appeared on multiple health and wellness podcasts, including Mind Pump Media. In recent years, Jamie has expanded into content creation focused on health, fitness, and weight loss. He can be found on TikTok at jamselz and on Instagram @jselzler.

  • Todd Reisenauer is a business consultant with over 21 years of experience in Fargo’s software industry, bringing a wealth of professional expertise and a strong commitment to community service. In 2024, Todd ran for the North Dakota House of Representatives in District 46, driven by a belief that unity and collaboration are key to effective leadership.

    He holds degrees in Sociology and Religious Studies from North Dakota State University and a Master of Management from the University of Mary. Growing up on a cattle ranch in western North Dakota, Todd learned the values of hard work, ingenuity, and resourcefulness—principles that continue to shape his approach to leadership today.

    Guided by his belief that “We are Better Together,” Todd is dedicated to fostering understanding and respect in all aspects of community life. He prides himself on listening first and ensuring that every voice is heard and valued.

  • Ritchell Aboah serves on the Fargo Human Rights Commission and leads Resource Connect, a nonprofit that provides free transportation, work attire, and computer literacy services to community members. She advocates for her local community by standing up for what is right, supporting underrepresented voices in the Fargo-Moorhead area through both grassroots organizing and her appointed role.

  • Charley Johnson recently retired as President and CEO of the Fargo-Moorhead Convention and Visitors Bureau (Visit Fargo-Moorhead), a position he held for 13 years. During his tenure, Charley led a talented team of tourism professionals dedicated to promoting Fargo, Moorhead, and West Fargo as vibrant destinations for visitors, conventions, and events. His leadership helped strengthen the region’s reputation as a growing hub for business, culture, and hospitality.

    Before transitioning into tourism, Charley built a distinguished 35-year career in broadcast journalism and media management. He served as General Manager of KVLY and KXJB-TV, overseeing the merger of two major television affiliates and the development of one of the region’s most trusted news operations. Earlier in his career, he was a news director and anchor at both KVLY-TV and KXJB-TV, where he helped lead significant audience growth and newsroom innovation.

    Charley also shared his experience with the next generation of journalists as an adjunct instructor at Concordia College for 17 years, teaching courses in journalism and broadcast news.

    A lifelong advocate for the Fargo-Moorhead area, Charley continues to serve on community committees, including the ongoing Fargo-Moorhead convention center project, helping shape the next phase of regional development.

  • Leah Reed was born and raised in Fargo, North Dakota, and has made it her mission to help nonprofits in her community—and beyond—suck less at fundraising. 

    With a passion for public speaking and a knack for making complex ideas accessible, Leah empowers organizations to connect with donors in meaningful ways and raise more money for the causes they care about.

    When she’s not transforming fundraising strategies, Leah is soaking up every moment of lake season, spending time outdoors, and adventuring with her two kids & husband. Her love for nature and community shines through in everything she does, making her a dynamic force for good in the nonprofit world.

  • Dayna Del Val is a dynamic coach, speaker, writer and retreat leader dedicated to helping people harness their curiosity, creativity, confidence and communication to make a lasting impact.

    Through her Audaciously Visible coaching, she works with leaders, professionals and aspiring changemakers to craft and deliver powerful messages that resonate. Whether preparing for a keynote, a TED talk, or a high-stakes conversation, Dayna helps individuals refine their presence, command attention and communicate with clarity and purpose.

    As the host of the Brave Middle Ground podcast, she fosters nuanced conversations that challenge assumptions, build bridges and encourage deeper understanding in an increasingly divided world.

    Her writing, speaking and thought leadership explore the intersection of storytelling, self-reflection and creative expression—helping others find meaning in both the extraordinary and the everyday.

    She also leads retreats, including the (re)Discover Your Spark travel experiences (they were just in Florence, IT, in May!) and Uninterrupted: A Retreat to Spark Creativity. These are immersive getaways designed to help participants escape the noise, reconnect with their passions and take creative charge of their future.

    No matter the medium, Dayna’s work is about sparking bold transformation—helping people move away from distractions, step into their most authentic voice and confidently share ideas that inspire change.

  • Zoë Absey was elected to her first term on the Fargo Park Board in June 2024. During the day, she works as the Program Director at YWCA Cass Clay, where she oversees the organization’s Shelter and Housing Programs.

    Rooted in a background of social work and community engagement, Zoë takes a people-first approach to her leadership, centering inclusion, and collaboration in every decision she makes.

    She is passionate about building strong, equitable communities and dedicates much of her time to serving on local boards and committees to ensure every neighbor has what they need to thrive.

    Zoë currently lives in North Fargo with her partner, Joe, and their cat, Ava.

  • Mark Watne was elected as the ninth president of North Dakota Farmers Union (NDFU) in November 2013. In his capacity, he also serves as president of Farmers Union Insurance Company (Agraria Insurance Company) and Farmers Union Service Association, all headquartered in Jamestown.

    As president, he serves on the board of directors for the National Farmers Union, and Farmers Union Enterprises. In 2018, he was appointed to USDA’s Grain Inspection Advisory Committee for the Federal Grain Inspection Service.

    In 1990, Mark was elected to the NDFU State Board of Directors, serving for six years and holding the position of state treasurer. In 1996, he began a 15-year-career at NDFU as a development specialist, agricultural strategist and staff executive director. He has led the development of the organization’s farmer-owned restaurants and other innovative ideas, serving as executive secretary/treasurer for Agraria LLC, which owns and operates four farmer-owned restaurants in Washington, D.C. (Founding Farmers, Farmers Fishers Bakers, Founding Farmers MOCO and Founding Farmers Tysons Corner). 

    Mark also served as chairman of the Quentin Burdick Center for Cooperatives (located at North Dakota State University). He is an active participant in many value-added projects across North Dakota and has served as an advisor to numerous Farmers Union cooperatives in North Dakota. Mark is currently a board member for First Community Credit Union. 

    He owns and operates an 1,600-acre farm near Velva. He studied agricultural mechanization at North Dakota State University and holds a bachelor’s degree in University Studies from Valley City State University.

  • Erin Oban is a lifelong North Dakotan, daughter of farm family, and proud class B kid from Ray, ND. Her professional career has included experience as a middle school math teacher, in non-profit management and educational leadership, and in politics, advocacy, and public service.

    In 2014 and again in 2018, Erin was elected by her neighbors in central Bismarck to represent District 35 in the state senate. Throughout her legislative service, Erin was a champion for public education, an advocate for working families, and a voice for those most underrepresented in positions of power and influence. In 2022, following her decision not to seek re-election, she received an appointment from President Joe Biden to serve as state director of USDA Rural Development, a federal agency providing financial resources and technical assistance to rural and Tribal communities and individuals, a position she held through January 2025.

    Erin makes her home in Bismarck with her husband, Chad, and their son, Evin, and remains dedicated to trying to make the world a slightly better place, working as a consultant to address issues of importance and continuing to volunteer in her community.

  • Ben Hanson serves as Director of Multistate Government Relations for Primacy Strategy Group (PSG), a Midwest-based consulting firm operating at the intersection of government, business, and communications, with offices in Washington, D.C., St. Paul, and Bismarck. In this role, Ben helps clients navigate complex policy landscapes across multiple states, drawing on his deep experience in public affairs, advocacy, and economic development.

    Before joining PSG, Ben served as Government Relations Director for North Dakota and South Dakota with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), where he led legislative and regulatory efforts to improve cancer prevention, treatment, and patient support.

    Ben’s career has spanned both the public and private sectors, including leadership roles with United Way of Cass-Clay, JLL, and Microsoft, as well as years of experience in commercial real estate with Archer Commercial Real Estate and Keller Williams.

    From 2012 to 2016, Ben represented District 16—covering parts of Fargo and West Fargo—in the North Dakota House of Representatives, where he served on the Judiciary, Transportation, and Industry, Business, and Labor Committees and as Caucus Co-Chair.

    Throughout his career, Ben has been recognized for his pragmatic leadership, collaborative approach, and dedication to strengthening communities through thoughtful policy and economic growth.

  • Max Kringen is the founder and chief storyteller of Tellwell, a North Dakota-based marketing agency focused on sharing the stories of broadband. From starting his first web design company in eighth grade in Enderlin, ND, to launching Tellwell back in 2014, Kringen has always been passionate about sharing the stories of his community in a way that's authentic, engaging, and impactful. In addition to his work at Tellwell, he serves on several non-profit boards and committees and is a seasoned public speaker and consultant. With his sense of humor and talent for simplifying the complex, he is able to connect with people of all ages and skill levels.

  • Nicole DesRosier is a media professional, designer, and community advocate with more than 20 years of experience in broadcasting, communications, and creative design. She is the owner and designer behind Prairie Twister 701, a Minot-based creative business, and previously served as Editor in Chief of Dakota Horse Magazine and Managing Editor of The Dakotan.

    A graduate of Minot State University with a degree in Broadcasting, Nicole’s career began in television news, where she worked her way up from director to News Director at KMOT-TV, overseeing newsroom operations and storytelling across western North Dakota.

    In addition to her media work, Nicole served as Administrator for the Downtown Business and Professionals Association (DBPA), where she represented and advocated for downtown Minot businesses, coordinated events, and led communication and fundraising efforts.

    Nicole is passionate about community, creativity, and connecting people through meaningful stories and design.

  • David Schloegel is a correctional officer at the Stutsman County Correctional Center. A lifelong member of the Jamestown, ND community, he graduated from Jamestown High School in 2003 and attended the University of Jamestown. David lives with his wife, Olivia and their dog, Ripley. He is proud to serve the people of Jamestown as a member of the City Council, working to support a safe and thriving community for all residents.

  • The current Chief Executive Officer of the Boys & Girls Club of the Red River Valley, Robin Nelson has held a number of positions in area education over the years, including as a three-term elected member and former president of the Fargo School Board and as a former president of an elementary school PTA.

    Her commitment to the community is also evidenced by her role as a mayoral appointee to the Fargo Youth Initiative advisory board, Fargo’s Native American commission, and the Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Addiction, as well as by her participation as a consultant in the local education, political and business communities. She’s also managed and consulted on numerous campaigns at the city and state level and serves on the boards of both the Great Plains Food Bank and the Fargo Public Schools Foundation.

  • Sabrina Halvorson is a 35-year veteran of the media industry whose work spans television, radio, print, and digital journalism. Over more than two decades reporting in major California markets, she covered some of the nation’s most high-profile stories, including the disappearance and murder of Laci Peterson, the Yosemite killings, the September 11 attacks, and the war in Iraq.

    She has earned an Edward R. Murrow Award and multiple Emmy Awards in recognition of her work in television journalism.

    In 2012, Sabrina shifted her focus to agricultural news and policy, serving as the National Correspondent for AgNet Media, where her reports aired daily across seven states. She was recognized in 2024 with the industry’s highest honor, Farm Broadcaster of the Year, and was named to the World Agriculture Forum Council, a global panel of experts shaping agricultural policy and innovation.

    Today, Sabrina serves as CEO of the North Dakota News Cooperative, a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to strengthening local journalism and expanding access to factual, in-depth reporting across the state.

  • Patrick Kirby is what happens when you mix equal parts fundraising expertise, caffeinated enthusiasm, and an unshakable belief that nonprofits deserve better than burnout and budget gaps. As the Founder of Do Good Better Consulting, Patrick has made it his life’s mission to help nonprofits fundraise smarter, build stronger donor relationships, and actually enjoy asking for money (yes, really).

    He’s the author of the Amazon bestsellers Fundraise Awesomer! A Practical Guide to Staying Sane While Doing Good & Fundraise Like a 5th Grader, host of The Official Do Good Better Podcast, and loather of the phrase “we’ve always done it that way.”

    Patrick’s fundraising street cred comes from nearly two decades in the trenches, including his time as Senior Director of Development at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Chief Development Officer at the Anne Carlsen Center. He’s worked with organizations of every shape and size, helping them raise millions without losing their minds in the process.

  • Carol Sawicki is the treasurer of the League of Women Voters of North Dakota and a dedicated voting rights advocate based in Fargo. She has led efforts to expand voter access, and she continues to champion voter education and engagement at the local and state levels. As a board member of North Dakotans Protecting the Constitution, Carol played a key role in defeating the 2024 anti-democracy ballot measure. She was selected for her leadership in voter education and commitment to ensuring inclusive democratic participation across North Dakota.

  • Whitney Jensen is the Director of Marketing at AdShark, a digital agency based in Fargo, ND. With 10 years of experience, she specializes in helping businesses grow through Google Ads and social media advertising. Along the way, she’s enjoyed teaching others, including serving as an adjunct professor at the University of Jamestown. Today, she leads AdShark’s team of Digital Strategists and Creatives, blending analytics and creative thinking to drive measurable success for clients. She’s excited to share proven strategies for driving customer growth through paid advertising.

  • Sarah Grossbauer is a lifelong Grand Forks resident and dedicated community advocate. She currently serves as an Organizer with North Dakota United, where she works to empower educators, public employees, and community members to make their voices heard in shaping North Dakota’s future.

    In 2024, Sarah ran for the North Dakota House of Representatives in District 42, driven by her commitment to strengthening public education, expanding economic opportunity, and supporting working families. Her campaign emphasized grassroots organizing, authentic storytelling, and the importance of young people stepping up to lead.

    A graduate of Coastal Carolina University with Bachelor’s Degrees in Women and Gender Studies and Political Science, Sarah also serves as Chair of the Northern Valley Democrats. She attended Elevate Academy in 2024 and is excited to return this year as a panelist. Outside of her work, Sarah enjoys spending time with her friends and family, playing pickleball, and relaxing with a good cup of coffee. She lives in Grand Forks with her two dogs, Pua and Rhubarb.

  • Ashley Gaschk is President of the North Dakota AFL-CIO, the state’s federation of labor unions. She brings a background in politics, education, and public service to her work advocating for union members and all working people.

    Born and raised in Bismarck, Ashley attended the University of Minnesota, Morris, planning to become a teacher—but became an activist instead. She got involved in campus governance, served on the board of the Minnesota Public Interest Research Group, and was named a Harry S. Truman Scholar for her academic achievement, leadership, and commitment to public service. After early work with a national labor union in Washington, D.C., and on statewide political and fundraising campaigns, she earned a Master of Arts in Teaching from Hamline University and taught middle school English in North St. Paul and Mandan.

    In the classroom, Ashley championed literacy, equity, and joy for her students while empowering colleagues through their union. Her growing involvement with North Dakota United and her local labor council led to her election as President of the North Dakota AFL-CIO in 2025. Since taking office, she has worked to strengthen the state’s labor movement, elevate working people’s voices, and celebrate the contributions of North Dakota’s unions.

  • Jim Shaw earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in journalism from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. He began his career as a Washington, D.C. correspondent for radio stations in Illinois and Texas, covering national politics and government.

    He spent 21 years as a reporter at WDAY-TV in Fargo and founded the news department at KVRR-TV, where he served as news director for 14 years. In addition to his decades in broadcast journalism, Jim taught broadcast journalism at Minnesota State University Moorhead for 17 years, mentoring aspiring reporters and anchors.

    Over the past 25 years, Jim has guest-hosted hundreds of talk shows on KFGO Radio in Fargo. He has also been a columnist for the Fargo Forum and other Forum Communications newspapers for the past 11 years.