Professional Launch

Ricot Aladin  welcomes back  Trent Lee , founder of  Compass Leadership Advisors  and Vistage Chair, for a deep, energizing conversation on what it takes to lead with purpose. Trent opens up about the isolation CEOs often face, the power of strategic peer groups, and why  mentorship is never one-sided .  From startup struggles to boardroom breakthroughs, Trent shares personal stories, top challeng...

In this episode, Ricot Aladin welcomes Kellie Carlson to discuss how young professionals can proactively partner with HR departments to unlock career opportunities within their organizations. Kellie shares her own nontraditional career journey into HR, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, self-advocacy, and ongoing personal growth. Key Takeaways:   Career Journeys Aren’t Linear:  Kellie’s pat...

In this episode of Professional Launch, Ricot Aladin sits down with Bryan Wilburn — a powerhouse fundraiser and president of St. Monica Montessori — to unpack the secrets behind his monumental achievement: raising over $40 million for a non-profit mission. Bryan shares how his journey began as a missionary, what he learned from leading one of the largest Newman Center capital campaigns in the coun...

In this episode, Ricot Aladin sits down with Simone Wai, a community builder and the visionary force behind Folkways, a Fargo-based nonprofit, who shares how her background in marketing evolved into a mission to foster connection, belonging, and economic vitality. They dive into Campus FM, an innovative mentorship and media program connecting college students with the community through paid conten...

In this episode of Professional Launch, Ricot sits down with Tony Anderson, the tech-savvy solutions manager from Photon Phi, to introduce an emerging wireless communication technology: LiFi (Light Fidelity). Unlike traditional WiFi, LiFi uses infrared light for data transfer—offering ultra-secure, high-speed connectivity that can’t be hacked, jammed, or even detected. Tony explains how this break...

In this episode, Ricot Aladin sits down with Hans Grafstrom, the CEO of Grafstrom Construction, to explore his unlikely journey from a turbulent early adulthood to leading a thriving construction company with over 50 employees. Hans shares how his business began as a way to make ends meet—and how grit, mistakes, and a deep belief in personal growth turned that hustle into a full-scale operation....

In this insightful and inspiring episode of  Professional Launch , host Ricot Aladdin sits down with Dr. Colleen Fitzgerald, Vice President of Research and Creative Activity at North Dakota State University (NDSU). From her accidental start in linguistics to leading cutting-edge research initiatives, Dr. Fitzgerald shares her vibrant career journey and the values that guide her leadership. She div...

In this insightful and inspiring episode of  Professional Lunch , Ricot sits down with  Sheriff Jesse Jahner  to explore the values, challenges, and personal journey that define leadership in law enforcement. With a rich professional history and a passion for service, Sheriff Jahner shares wisdom that extends far beyond the badge.  

Graduation is just the beginning — now it’s time to launch! 🚀 In this energizing episode of  Professional Launch , host Ricor sits down with KLJ Engineering's Senior Talent Acquisition Consultant,  Travis Wilson , to dish out real-world advice for new grads navigating the job market. Whether you're staring at a blank resume, ghosted by recruiters, or wondering if LinkedIn is worth the hyp...

In this episode of  Professional Launch , host Ricot Aladdin dives deep into the real-world value of networking and relationship-building in early career development. He’s joined by  Kurtis Karn , Associate VP of Talent Acquisition at KLJ Engineering, and  Alex Cassett , a college intern with a knack for marketing and meaningful connections. From Kurtis’ journey through pharmaceutical sales to his...

On this episode of  Professional Launch , Ricot sits down with former mayor and tech industry veteran  Kory Peterson  for a warm, insightful, and surprisingly funny journey through his 40-year professional path — from coding on punch cards in the ‘80s to mentoring high school entrepreneurs. Kory shares how he “gave up chemical engineering for Lent,” switched to computer science, and stumbled into...

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Ricot Aladin welcomes  Troy White , founder of  Upstream  and  Beyond the Barriers , for an honest conversation about trauma, transformation, and helping young professionals rise above the limitations holding them back. A former marketing exec turned mental wellness advocate, Troy shares how his own story of childhood trauma and anxiety led him to deve...

In this inspiring and wisdom-packed episode, host Ricot Aladin sits down with Retired Major General Michael Haugen to uncover a lifetime of leadership lessons. From enlisting in the Air National Guard in 1967 to commanding over 4,500 service members, General Haugen shares how a passion for aviation led to a career defined by mentorship, innovation, and people-first leadership. He opens up about hi...

On this episode of Professional Launch with Ricot Aladin, Ricot sits down with community leader and entrepreneur  Aaron Hill  to explore his journey from co-founding  Fargo Brewing Company  to becoming a commercial real estate pro and dedicated public servant. Aaron shares how his small-town North Dakota upbringing and values of service and hospitality shaped his leadership philosophy. He opens up...

On the debut episode of Professional Launch on WDAY Radio, Ricot Aladin welcomes back longtime mentor, educator, and Professional Launch board member  Jane Pettinger  for a deep and heartfelt conversation about mentorship, community, and empowering young professionals. 🔑 Key Moments & Timestamps: [0:00 – 1:00]  –  Introduction Rico introduces the mission of the show and Jane Pettinger’s incre...

Meet Dr. Colin Irvine, President of Concordia College Dr. Colin Irvine serves as the 12th president of Concordia College, a role he’s held for less than two years. Before joining Concordia, he was the provost and executive vice president at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. https://youtu.be/EvdG7kVzwts In this episode, we had the privilege of sitting down with Dr. Irvine to explor...

Hello professionals Let’s talk about Executive Presence with Cortnee Jensen. What it is and what it is not. How you develop it to inspire confidence and motivate others. Cortnee is indeed the guest who can share about Executive presence as her journey has required her to learn the set of skills that is the makeup of good executive presence. Cortnee is the Interim CEO of the Northern Front Autonomo...