These Are Your Neighbors

Episode 40 of "These are Your Neighbors" features Carl Young. Carl is a fierce advocate for many in Bismarck.  Through his work with the neurodivergent community and a heavy focus on FASD, he is a changemaker in the community.   Carl Young is a father first, an advocate and lobbyist in North Dakota. Mr. Young has experience speaking with large groups of people across socio-economic and professiona...

"These are Your Neighbors" features Dawn Kopp. Dawn is the CEO of the Downtown Business Association of Bismarck.  As a small business champion, Dawn makes a local difference in our community. Dawn Kopp is the CEO of Downtown Business Association of Bismarck, a position held since May 2007 and a member of the executive board of the Downtown Bismarck Community Foundation.  She is a Mandan native and...

Episode 38 of "These are Your Neighbors" features Amy Cleary.  Amy is a Director of Public Affairs and is the Director of the Bismarck-Mandan Scholarship Pageant. Amy is actively engaged in numerous organizations in our community making her a local changemaker.   Amy is currently the Director of Public Affairs for GA Group, PC in Bismarck. She specializes in government affairs and developing effec...

Episode 37 of "These are Your Neighbors" features Brandi Schmidt.  Brandi is a licensed clinical therapist focusing on trauma and addiction.  Her passion in helping others overcome obstacles makes her a changemaker in our community.  Brandi Schmidt works in the Bismarck community in behavioral health as a licensed clinical therapist. She specializes in trauma and addiction. Brandi is also a 500 hr...

Episode 36 of "These are Your Neighbors" features Gabby Abousassaly.  Gabby is a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Consultant and Vice Chair of the Bismarck Human Relations Committee. Her work in making Bismarck a more welcoming city make her a changemaker in our community.   Gabby Abouassaly is a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) Consultant with Sanford Health in Bismarck. An Iowa native,...

Haley Strege is the owner of Grow Coaching Co., which is a social media management, coaching, and video content creation business. Haley helps create and post content, coach small businesses on improving their social media presence, offer video content creation, and sell digital products. She started in Real Estate Marketing in 2014 at a real estate brokerage in Brookings, SD. She received her Sou...

Mayor Mike Schmitz is a shareholder/partner in Point CPA, formally Schmitz-Holmstrom CPA, with experience in supervising engagements, performing audits, and business and tax consulting services. He is a Certified Public Accountant licensed to practice in North Dakota. Mike holds a BS from the University of Mary with double majors in Business Administration and Accounting and MBA in Accountancy als...

Episode 33 of "These are Your Neighbors" features Renae Moch.  Renae is the Public Health Director for Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health, an organization that provides vital services to our community.  Renae has been an advocate to ensure everyone in the community gets the services they need no matter where they are at in their life. Renae Moch, currently serves as the Public Health Director for Bis...

Episode 32 of "These are Your Neighbors" features Jane Link. Jane is the Director of Engagement and Development for Dakota Children's Advocacy Center. Her work in promoting hope, health and healing make her a changemaker in our community. Jane Link has been the Director of Engagement and Development for the Dakota Children’s Advocacy Center since April 2021. She was born and raised in Bismarck and...

Episode 31 of "These are Your Neighbors" features Julie Jeske. Julie is a board member and volunteer for Rebuilding Together, an organization that provides assistance for people who own their own homes but because of physical limitations or income properly maintaining it can become an impossible task. Julie serves in a number of roles that impact our community.  J ulie has been a volunteer with Re...

Episode 30 of "These are Your Neighbors" features Jim Barnhardt. Jim is the founder of The Dream Center which offers a variety of programs to those in need in our community.  By providing services that many take for granted, The Dream Center provides Help for Today. Hope for Tomorrow. J im is married to Cindy and has 2 grown daughters and a grandson. Jim is a lifelong resident of the Bismarck/Mand...

Episode 29 of "These are Your Neighbors" features Mandy B. Anderson. Mandy is a life and leadership coach who inspires women daily. Mandy B. Anderson, a highly skilled Certified Executive Coach and captivating TEDx Speaker, is the brilliant Co-Founder of RAYMA Team™, a renowned life and leadership coaching company. With her invaluable expertise, she played a pivotal role in the development of thei...

Episode 28 of "These are Your Neighbors" features Megan Carranza. Megan saw a need in the community and founded Carranza Immigration Law. Carranza Law is a high quality law firm dedicated to United States immigration and nationality law.  Megan Carranza is an immigration attorney who lives and works in Bismarck. She dedicates her law practice exclusively to United States immigration and nationalit...

Episode 27 of "These are Your Neighbors" features Kevin Cavanaugh. Kevin is a business owner who gives back  to our community as well as a teacher focusing on the need for building entrepreneurs. 

Episode 26 of "These are Your Neighbors" features Dr. Jacob Retzer. As the owner of Unbound Physical Therapy, Dr. Retzer works with people across the lifespan. His drive to treat the whole person has allowed him to stand out in his profession, and his dedication to giving back is what makes him standout as a changemaker in our community. Dr. Jacob Retzer is owner of Unbound Physical Therapy. He gr...

Episode 25 of "These are Your Neighbors" features Sarah Dahl. Sarah is a change maker in our community due to seeing a need for services and filling that need by starting her own non-profit, Power of Play. Power of Play provides comfort through play for pediatric patients. Sarah Dahl is the president and founder of Power of Play Foundation whose mission is to provide comfort through play for pedia...

Episode 24 of "These are Your Neighbors" features Robert Fuller. As a teacher, coach and professional athlete, Robert makes an impact daily in our community. Robert Fuller grew up in North Pole, Alaska. After high school, he went to college in Arizona before transferring to the University of Mary. He played football at the University of Mary. He also went on to play in the Indoor Football League f...

Episode 23 of "These are Your Neighbors" features Zoe Wergeland Manstrom. As the Executive Director of the American Red Cross of ND, she believes in the power of strong communities and having an impact on those in a time of need. Zoe the Executive Director of the American Red Cross of Western North Dakota. The Western North Dakota chapter supports communities in the counties of Adams, Billings, Bo...

Episode 22 of "These are Your Neighbors" features Jenny Maatala. Jenny is a change maker in our community due to seeing a need for services and filling that need by starting her own non-profit, Soul 57. Soul 57 provides grief support at no cost to children who have lost a parent, caregiver or sibling. Jenny has a background in English, Marketing, and Communications, working with both publishing ho...

Episode 21 of "These Are Your Neighbors" features Tyler Auck. Tyler was asked to be a guest because of his passion for helping others who suffer from the disease of addiction and mental health issues. Tyler is a changemaker in our community by showing people through his personal experiences that fulfilling your dreams after a life of destruction is possible. Tyler Auck was born and raised in Bisma...

Episode 20 of "These Are Your Neighbors" features Robyn Myers. Robyn epitomizes the fact that one is never too old and it is never too late to begin any adventure. By not letting age define her, not settling for what is expected of her and always taking that leap of faith, Robyn is a changemaker in our community. Robyn Myers came to North Dakota in 2016 to care for elderly parents. She grew up in...

Episode 19 of “These Are Your Neighbors” features Senator Erin Hill-Oban ( Erin Oban ). Erin is a known change maker for the residents of Bismarck. Erin has built a reputation as a champion for public schools and teachers, working families, kids and marginalized North Dakotans. Erin Oban grew up in a farm family in Ray, North Dakota, a small, rural community in the heart of agriculture and oil cou...

Episode 18 of “These Are Your Neighbors” features Kelsey Zottnick. Kelsey is the Executive Director of Tracy's Sanctuary House , a beacon of hope and light for those in need. Kelsey's compassionate heart and drive for making a positive impact make her a change maker in our community. Kelsey Zottnick is the dedicated and passionate Executive Director of Tracy's Sanctuary House, a role she has embra...

Episode 17 of “These Are Your Neighbors” features Lt. Col. Nicollette Daschendorf, Commander of the North Dakota Army National Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion ( North Dakota Army National Guard Recruiting and North Dakota National Guard ). Lt. Col. Dashendorf knows the value of a diverse force and in her episode discusses life as a citizen soldier. She was chosen as she is a changemaker...

Episode 16 of “These Are Your Neighbors” features Lindsey Lauf Peterson. Lindsey is the owner of Radiate Wellness, a business offering personal training as well as group fitness classes. Her ability to make everyone feel welcomed and empowered through fitness is why Lindsey is a changemaker in our community. Lindsey is the owner of Radiate Wellness which offers group strength training classes, per...