Leadership is more than titles or positions; it’s about growth, connection and making lasting impact. For those who have walked through the doors of the Chamber to participate in Leadership FMWF, the experience has been nothing short of transformative. Leadership FMWF Applications are open until March 12, 2025, and three alumni have come together to explain how Leadership FMWF impacted their careers. Through immersive experiences, community engagement and meaningful networking, this program shapes careers and changes perspectives in ways participants never imagined.

Learn how you can transform your career with Leadership FMWF.

DISCOVERING LEADERSHIP IN UNEXPECTED WAYS

Angela Arneson, class of 2024, never expected staying in Fargo would spark her passion for leadership. Originally from a small, one-stoplight town in Minnesota, Angela came to Fargo for college with plans to move to the Twin Cities after graduating. Life had other plans, and she stayed for love. While building a beautiful family and successful career, something felt like it was missing. Leadership FMWF helped her fall in love with the region she had once resisted.

“This program transformed my career in an unexpected way. I discovered a passion for serving as a leader in my community,” Angela shared. “I felt a connection to how I contribute to the Fargo-Moorhead community as a leader both in my professional role and from a personal perspective.” Leadership FMWF gave Angela the tools and a network to embrace her role as a leader and fully invest in the community she now proudly calls home.

Building Connections

Dan Cash saw Leadership FMWF as a chance to learn more about the community. What he gained, however, was something much bigger – a network of support and friendship that continues to this day.

“What’s best about it is that it never really ends,” Dan explained. “The 39 others in the Class of 2018 are always available, and many of us continue to get together for happy hour or an occasional breakfast just to check in.”

Dan discovered that leadership is just as much about people as it is about knowledge. The program was so impactful that he encouraged his wife and several colleagues to apply. “Your experience will change both your personal and professional life in ways unlike anything else. For that reason alone, I continue to say there’s nothing I have participated in that has contributed more to my success than The Chamber’s Leadership Program.”

PUSHING PAST COMFORT ZONES

For Issac Olson, being a leader was nothing new. As a head coach, manager and older sibling, he already had a strong leadership foundation. When he applied for Leadership FMWF in 2024, he hoped it would help him grow in his current position, become a better coworker and improve as a person outside of the workplace, but the program challenged him in ways he never imagined.

“Not only did Leadership FMWF check all those boxes, it showed me alternative ways of reaching my potential and forcing me outside of my comfort zone. A space that I have now been able to expand,” Issac reflected.

The skills Issac gained from the program allowed him to become a multifaceted asset to his company. He stepped into new territories that required additional training and learning beyond his specific role. He also volunteered for more projects that demanded adaptability and collaboration across departments. Leadership FMWF didn’t just help him become a better employee; it instilled a mindset of continuous growth.

MORE THAN A PROGRAM

Leadership FMWF goes beyond professional development and is a journey that cultivates professional success, personal fulfillment and a stronger connection to the community.

From discovering a passion for leadership to forming unbreakable bonds and stepping outside comfort zones, the stories of Angela, Dan and Issac are just a glimpse into the impact of Leadership FMWF. For those who take the leap and join in, the transformation is undeniable.