Main Street Summit Speakers

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Amanda Brinkman, Small Business Revolution

Amanda Brinkman

Amanda is a producer, film-maker, branding expert and sought-after public speaker, sharing her “Do Well By Doing Good” philosophy on stages around the country. She demonstrates how both companies and individuals can make a meaningful and positive difference in people’s lives, while fostering their own success in the process. She believes that companies must not only identify their brand purpose, but put that purpose into action.

Engage with her on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook @amandakbrinkman.

Think 3D

Think 3D

Our focus is in building cultures, businesses, leaders and communities. Something that is a through point in all of these things is the ability to vision, share that vision with others, and then communicate that vision to the world, in order to attract, retain and develop , the type of talent, residents, and leaders that help communities thrive.

Vaney Hariri 

Vaney Hariri has been helping people develop intentional cultures for over 15 years in many different levels of his community. As a leader, board member, mentor and community advocate – his biggest mission is to help people love better, starting with themselves. 

Tamien Dysart

Tamien firmly believes that a better you is better for everyone and also runs several mentoring and accountability small groups as well as a few small executive coaching groups where he shares his method for personal and professional success with other leaders and young professionals. 

Anthony Melchiorri - Motivational Speaker| Hospitality Industry Expert| Business Coach

Anthony Melchiorri

Over twenty years of hospitality experience combined with a signature no-nonsense approach to business and an unstoppable drive, led Anthony Melchiorri to become the creator and host of Travel Channel’s Hotel Impossible, Five Star Secrets, and Extreme Hotels. Anthony has an innate ability to quickly assess any situation and create, develop, and implement a customized strategy to enhance profitability and elevate the guest experience.

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Concurrent Sessions:

Main Street Summit Agenda

October 25, 2022

11:00 a.m.

  • Community Collaborations in Workforce Development -  Moderator: Katie Ralston Howe, ND Department of Commerce Workforce Development Director
    • Pat Bertagnolli - ND Job Service
    • Kellie CArlson - True North Steel
    • Mike Hanson - North Valley Career and Technical College
    • Randy Burckhard
  • Workshop for Main Street Business: Marketing and Digital Best Practices : Brought to you by Ackerman-Estvold Engineering
    • Amanda Brinkman, Small Business Revolution
       
  • Leveraging Infrastructural Assets: Brought to you by Bolten & Menk
    • James Leiman, Chief Development Officer - Institute for Economics & Peace and former Commerce Commissioner

1:30 p.m.

Youth and the Workforce: What the Next Generation of Workforce is Looking for in Employment - Moderator: Dr. Karl Sovak, University of Mary

  • 2 High School Students
  • 2 BSC College Students
  • UMary Students

What can EDA do for your community and workforce attractions? Alex Smith and Ali DeMersseman - EDA Representatives

Accessibility of public spaces and public materials - Rhea Beto, Public Information Officer and Accessibility Coordinator - North Dakota Council on the Arts

2:45 p.m.

Innovative Solutions in Workforce Housing

  • Carol Goodman, Economic Development Director - Milnot, ND
  • Josh Askvig, Executive Director - AARP North Dakota
  • Shawn Kessel, COO/Deputy Director - Department of Commerce
  • Dave Flohr, Executive Director - NDHF
  • Matt Marshall, Economic Development Director - MinnDak Electric Cooperative

Reimagining Rural Regions - Moderator: Charlie Johnson - Fargo/Moorhead CVB

  • Russell Mills, Ph.D and Maddi Menich - Bowling Green University
  • Erin Belgard - Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa

Accessing Capitol for Community and Business Development - James Leiman, Chief Development Officer - Institute for Economics & Peace and former Commerce Commissioner


October 26, 2022

10:45 a.m.

Cultural Sensitivity for the Accidentally Insensitive - Miss Shannan Paul

Catalyzing Welcoming Communities - Megan Laudenschlager, Strengthen ND

11:45 a.m.

Developing the Next Generation of Community Leaders - Moderator: Senator Shawn Vedaa

  • Rachel Brash - University of Mary
  • UND Student
  • Sam Jenson - Greater Grand Forks Young Professionals
  • Beth Odahlen - Strengthen ND Coordinator Launching Leadership

Best Practices in Inclusivity with Workforce Recruitment and Retention

  • Tyler Demars - North Dakota Small Business Development Center
  • Jonathan Holth, Executive Director - Recovery Reinvented
  • Julie Ramos - Bismarck Global Neighbors
  • Zayden Bartosh - Human Rights Coalition
  • Kristy Parisien, Owner - The Shack

Clear Over Clever: A Practical Framework to Leverage Resources, Tell a Better Origin Story, and Have More Impact - Patrick Kirby, Founder at Do Good Better Consulting and Author of Fundraise Awesomer!