ND Future Forum Session Details

Higher education is being tested—and redefined—as workforce demands shift, technology accelerates change, and value comes under greater scrutiny. This session begins with Strada presenting insights from its State Opportunity Index, offering a data-driven look at how well education is aligning with workforce needs and delivering outcomes for learners.

A discussion with campus leaders will follow, focused on how North Dakota institutions are adapting—strengthening industry partnerships, evolving delivery models, and building clearer pathways from education to employment.

Opening Presenter: Dave Clayton – Senior Vice President of Research at Strada Education Foundation

• Dr. Dan Leingang – Vice President of Academic Affairs, Bismarck State College
• Scott Molander – President, Dickinson State University

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DAVE CLAYTON is senior vice president of research at Strada Education Foundation.

He and his team focus on understanding students, educators, and employers as they developing evidence for solutions that improve the connections between education and opportunity for individuals. Their work informs individuals, families, and leaders seeking to ensure the success of students well-beyond the completion of their credentials and degrees.

Strada’s research team is central to the annual State Opportunity Index which examines state-by-state progress on supporting student social mobility. The team has deep expertise in ROI, education-to-career guidance, work-based learning, and affordability. They conduct a variety of large-scale surveys, qualitative studies, and programmatic evaluations.

Dave received his doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. With expertise in psychology, market research, branding, and social impact movements, Clayton has broad experience in connecting research to action. His work has touched many of society’s most pressing needs, including education, health, and financial inclusion.

DR. DAN LEINGANG is deeply committed to developing environments that foster strong student success and engagement. With nearly 30 years of experience in higher education, he currently serves as Vice President for Academic Affairs at Bismarck State College (BSC) in Bismarck, North Dakota, after previously serving as interim president.

A first-generation college graduate from Mandan, Dr. Leingang earned a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics from Concordia College (Moorhead, MN), followed by a Master of Science in mathematics, and a Doctor of Philosophy in educational leadership with a higher education focus from the University of North Dakota (Grand Forks, ND). As an advocate for student success, Dr. Leingang has received national recognition for his classroom teaching from the Association of Community College Trustees and his chapter advising from Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

In his administrative roles at BSC, Dr. Leingang’s leadership has contributed to strategic advancements of the polytechnic mission, stackable degrees/pathways, and baccalaureate degree expansion. Previously, he served as the college’s academic dean, department chair, and tenured faculty member. These roles continue to shape him as he strives to build collaborative teams that elevate teaching and learning in support of a student-centered college. Additionally, he focuses on strengthening industry and community partnerships to enhance the college's regional impact.

SCOTT MOLANDER serves as the 14th President of Dickinson State University, officially stepping into the role in June 2025. A North Dakota native, he grew up on a farm near Crosby, where he developed the strong work ethic and community values that continue to shape his leadership style today.

He began his college journey at Williston State College before transferring to Dickinson State University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration. As a proud DSU alumnus, President Molander understands firsthand the opportunities higher education can create for students across the region.

Before returning to DSU as president, Molander built a successful career in business as co-founder and former Chief Operating Officer of Hat World, the company behind the nationwide Lids stores found in shopping malls across the country. His entrepreneurial background gives him a strong focus on innovation, growth, and preparing students with real-world skills.

As president, Molander is committed to strengthening community partnerships, expanding opportunities for students, and ensuring DSU continues to serve as a vital resource for western North Dakota and beyond.

Keynote Host: Dr. John Bitzan, Sheila and Robert Challey Institute for Global Innovation and Growth

In this keynote, Dr. Marian Tupy offers a fresh way to think about population growth and resources. He explains that as the population grows, so does human creativity and problem-solving. Drawing from his co-authored book Superabundance, he uses real data to show how innovation and free markets have made many essential goods more available and affordable over time.

This session explores what these trends mean for economic growth, the workforce, and public policy. Dr. Tupy’s message is clear: the future isn’t defined by limits, but by our ability to innovate, adapt, and create new solutions.

Dr. JOHN BITZAN is the Menard Family Director of the Sheila and Robert Challey Institute for Global Innovation and Growth and a professor of management at North Dakota State University. His research has focused on public policy issues involving railroads, airlines, motor carriers, waterways, and public transit, with particular emphasis on transportation costs, energy use, pricing, profitability, and regulatory change. He has also studied college students’ attitudes toward free expression, their understanding of human progress, and their views on capitalism and socialism. Bitzan has co-edited three books on transportation economics and published in leading academic journals, including the Southern Economic Journal, Journal of Law and Economics, Journal of Transport Economics and Policy, and Review of Industrial Organization. His work has also appeared in Entrepreneur, The Wall Street Journal, The Hill, Washington Examiner, Fox News, and Newsweek. He earned his PhD in economics from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.

MARIAN L. TUPY is the founder and editor of Human​Progress​.org, and a senior fellow at the Cato Institute’s Center for Global Liberty and Prosperity.

He is the coauthor of the Simon Abundance Index, Superabundance: The Story of Population Growth, Innovation, and Human Flourishing on an Infinitely Bountiful Planet (2022) and Ten Global Trends Every Smart Person Should Know: And Many Others You Will Find Interesting (2020).

His articles have been published in the Financial Times, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, the Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, Newsweek, the U.K. Spectator, Foreign Policy, and various other outlets both in the United States and overseas. He has appeared on BBC, CNN, CNBC, MSNBC, Fox News, Fox Business, and other channels.

Tupy received his BA in international relations and classics from the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa, and his PhD in international relations from the University of St. Andrews in the United Kingdom.

Artificial intelligence is no longer a future concept—it’s actively reshaping how work gets done. Across industries, businesses are integrating AI into core functions like operations, customer engagement, analysis, and decision-making, driving new levels of efficiency and insight.

This discussion brings together leaders who are navigating that shift in real time. Panelists will share how they’re implementing AI within their organizations, how it’s changing workforce expectations, and where they see the greatest opportunities for competitive advantage.

Sparked by a Federal Reserve roundtable hosted by GNDC, this session moves beyond theory to practical application—what’s working, what’s changing, and what business leaders need to be thinking about now.

Moderator: Jade Scherr, CEO & Founder, HexaHive

• Susan Jarvis, Chief Operating Officer, Sanford Health
• Dave Nelson, President, Image Printing/Knight Printing
• Josh Swanson, Shareholder/Attorney, Vogel Law Firm

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JADE SCHERR is the CEO of HexaHive, a results-driven marketing agency she founded in 2019. Under her leadership, HexaHive has become a trusted partner for forward-thinking businesses across industries, earning honors such as Women-Owned Business of the Year and recognition as a Top 10 Workplace in Bismarck-Mandan for five consecutive years. Known for her ability to align marketing with business goals, Jade has built a nationally recognized agency grounded in creativity, collaboration, and measurable impact.

As chief operating officer for Sanford Fargo and the North Network, SUSAN JARVIS, MSN, RN, oversees the operations of North Dakota’s largest health care provider and employer. With a background in nursing and more than 30 years of experience working in health care, Jarvis brings a breadth of knowledge and firsthand understanding of patient care to her role.

Jarvis, a Georgia native, earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Saint Francis and a master’s degree in nursing from the University of Phoenix. She began her career as a nurse in Atlanta, Georgia, and later became the administrative director of emergency services for Mission Hospitals and Health System in Asheville, North Carolina. In 2010, she relocated to Fargo, North Dakota, to serve as the executive director of emergency, trauma and critical care services for Sanford Fargo.

As executive director, Jarvis helped oversee the opening of the $500 million state-of-the-art medical center, Sanford Medical Center Fargo, and led the facility to earning level I trauma designation from the American College of Surgeons. In 2017, Jarvis was promoted to vice president of operations, where she was responsible for overseeing all operations in Sanford Fargo, including the medical centers and clinics in the metro area.

In 2019, Jarvis became president and CEO of the Sanford Bemidji Region, based out of Bemidji, Minnesota. In this role, she oversaw the region’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, helped implement patient safety training for all employees and launched multiple opportunities for employee engagement. Following an opportunity to help bring advanced services closer to home and take on an expanded role overseeing operations for the entire region, Jarvis returned to Fargo in 2023, this time as chief operating officer.

In this role, Jarvis handles all of Sanford’s operations in the Fargo metro area and North Network, which includes critical access hospitals and clinics in rural parts of eastern North Dakota and western Minnesota. Today, under her leadership, Sanford Fargo continues to make cutting-edge health care more accessible for rural communities across the region and maintain its status as the only level I adult and level II pediatric trauma center, level IV NICU and blood and bone marrow transplant program in North Dakota.

Alongside her numerous operational accolades, Jarvis is known for her commitment to employee engagement. Every month, she hosts award ceremonies to recognize team members and town halls to provide the latest organizational updates to all staff. She also oversees event planning for employee celebrations and prioritizes activities, free meals and more to recognize and engage staff.

Outside of work, Jarvis enjoys being active and spending time with family. She has been married to her husband, Ed, a farmer, for more than 40 years and has two daughters, Jessica and Katie, as well as four grandkids.

DAVE NELSON a ND native, is the President of Image Printing Inc. Headquartered in Bismarck with a division in Fargo, Knight Printing. Specializing in commercial printing, marketing and digital solutions for businesses across the plains.  He has nearly 35 years of printing experience and has brought his company to gross sales of over $10 million and nearly 70 employees. Technology has always been the cornerstone to our success, and with the ever changing market, staying ahead of the curve, but not going off the road has been the key to his success.

Dave holds degrees from UND, and the University of Mary in undergraduate study as well as graduate programs. In his spare time, he enjoys golf, curling and hunting. Cherlene, his wife of 37 years enjoy spending time with their young grandson.  His key to success has always been hire great people, build a process that works and stay out of the path.  

JOSHUA SWANSON’s practice is centered on litigation where he focuses on energy and natural resource law, business law, and property law/land use. Since joining the firm in 2011, Joshua has handled cases at the state district court level in North Dakota and Minnesota, the North Dakota Supreme Court, the United States District Court for the District of North Dakota, United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, and the United States Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. Joshua successfully litigated the Wilkinson v. Board of Univ. and School Lands case to the North Dakota Supreme Court, where the Court recognized the rights of private landowners with minerals under Lake Sakakawea. Joshua was made a shareholder in December 2015. Before joining the firm, he served as a law clerk to the seven judges of the old Northwest Judicial District based in Minot and Williston, North Dakota.

A proud native of Maddock, North Dakota, Joshua resides in West Fargo with his wife, a medical physicist at the Roger Maris Cancer Center, their two children and one bulldog. He graduated magna cum laude from the Creighton University School of Law and received undergraduate degrees in political science and history, with honors, from North Dakota State University. Joshua is a regular presenter at conferences focusing on energy law issues and has had three articles published in the University of North Dakota Law Review. He’s taught Constitutional Law at Concordia College in Moorhead, Energy and Regulatory Law at Bismarck State’s National Energy Center of Excellence and currently teaches the Introduction to Oil and Gas Law class at the University of North Dakota School of Law.

Joshua is a passionate NDSU fan and hosts a Saturday morning Bison football radio show in the fall on North Dakota’s largest sports talk station, for which he received an Eric Sevareid Award from the Midwest Broadcasters Association.

This CEO conversation offers a candid look at leadership, growth, and what’s next for North Dakota’s economy. Featuring Dave Ehlis, President and CEO of Bravera Bank—a community-focused financial institution serving businesses and families across the state—and moderated by GNDC President and CEO Arik Spencer, the discussion will connect personal leadership journey with broader economic impact.

Ehlis will share how his experience across industries shaped his approach to banking, and how he’s guided Bravera through brand evolution, strategic mergers, and expanded reach in both eastern and western markets. The conversation will explore the realities of leading through change, the opportunities ahead in across sectors, and the critical role financial institutions play in supporting business growth and strong communities.

Attendees can expect an engaging, down-to-earth exchange with practical insight into where North Dakota is headed—and who is helping drive it forward.

• Dave Ehlis, CEO & President, Bravera Bank
• Arik Spencer, CEO & President, Greater North Dakota Chamber

In 2014, DAVE EHLIS was named President and CEO of Bravera Holdings Corp. and Bravera Bank, an employee- and director-owned company, comprised of Bravera Bank, Bravera Insurance, and Bravera Wealth. Before assuming his current role, Dave held several management and leadership roles in the United States military, energy, banking, and agricultural industries.

Dave is a New England, North Dakota native. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Military Academy and a Master of Business Administration degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration. Dave and his wife Karla reside in Bismarck, North Dakota. They have two daughters, one who lives in New York City, New York, and one who lives in Bismarck.

He is currently a board member and Chair of the Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC; Trustee of the University of Mary, Board Member of Humanities North Dakota; member of the Bismarck Rotary Club, member of the Cathedral Parish; Board Member of the Conference of State Bank Supervisors; and a partner of Dakota West Farms.

ARIK SPENCER is the President & CEO of the Greater North Dakota Chamber (GNDC), North Dakota’s premier business advocacy association, which is solely dedicated to growing North Dakota’s economy and creating the best business climate in the nation on behalf of businesses of every size and in every sector.

Spencer has more than two decades of experience in government relations and public policy advocacy, as well as non-profit management. Other areas of expertise include operational planning, coalition building, organizational strategy, and membership services.

Before joining GNDC in 2018, Spencer was the Executive Vice President of the North Dakota Motor Carriers Association and had previously worked for the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department. He serves on the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute Advisory Board, Chairs the North Dakota Workforce Safety and Insurance Board Nominating Committee, and is the treasurer of the North Dakota Transportation Coalition. Spencer also serves on the strategic planning committee for the National Association of State Chambers and is a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Committee of 100.

Spencer has a bachelor’s in business management from the University of Mary. He and his wife, Wendy, are the parents of three children and live in Bismarck.

This panel explores the full cycle of impact: how business growth drives job creation and economic opportunity, how employees carry that success into their communities through leadership and engagement, and how companies are making intentional investments that shape the places where they operate.

From sponsorships and foundations to workforce and place-based investments, panelists will share why they engage, how they prioritize where to invest, and what outcomes they’re seeing—for both their businesses and their communities. This conversation moves beyond philanthropy to strategy, highlighting how community investment strengthens talent pipelines, enhances company culture, and creates a more competitive and resilient economy.

Moderator: Melissa Beach, President – Economic Development Association of North Dakota, Economic Development Administrator – Minnkota Power Cooperative

• Tara Bujold, Director of Executive Operations, Dakota Medical Foundation
• Erin Dickson, Brand Engagement Manager, Northern Plains Rail Services
• ​Kim Lawler, Manager of Giving & Social Impact, Marvin

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MELISSA BEACH is an Economic Development Administrator with Minnkota Power Cooperative, where she brings equal passion to million-dollar regional investments and the smallest Main Street dreams. Whether supporting transformative infrastructure initiatives or helping a family business turn a spark of an idea into a thriving venture, Melissa is driven by one mission: turning great ideas into successful projects that strengthen communities. She finds particular fulfillment in working within the cooperative model, where the focus on member-owners and community well-being aligns closely with her commitment to meaningful, locally driven impact.

Melissa currently serves as President of the Economic Development Association of North Dakota, where she works with partners across the state to advance its mission of promoting the creation of new wealth to build vibrant communities and improve quality of life.

Before joining Minnkota, Melissa served as Economic Development Director for the City of Casselton, North Dakota, and as Executive Director for the Traill County Economic Development Commission. She also brings experience as an agricultural and commercial lender—background that provides both a strategic and practical understanding of what it takes to move projects from concept to reality.

Outside of her professional work, Melissa is a dedicated sports mom to three active children (ages 15, 12, and 9). She can often be found in a gym, at a field, or mat-side, and has become an unofficial connoisseur of sideline comfort products. Melissa and her kids call Hillsboro home.

TARA BUJOLD serves as Director of Executive Operations at Dakota Medical Foundation, where she leads day-to-day operations and strategy for both Dakota Medical Foundation and Impact Foundation. She also currently serves as the Interim Executive Director of Impact Foundation. She oversees development efforts, manages key initiatives, and works closely with board members, fund holders, and community stakeholders to ensure organizational goals are achieved. Tara plays a role in hosting Giving Hearts Day, the nation’s longest-running 24-hour giving event, helping drive engagement and impact across the region.

Prior to her current role, Tara worked at Northwestern Mutual in investment operations and client relations. She brings expertise in strategic planning and operations and remains active in the community through her board service with Farm in the Dell.

ERIN DICKSON is the Brand Engagement Manager at Northern Plains Rail Services, where she leads brand strategy, brand communications, and community engagement efforts across the company’s rail and service operations. With more than 20 years of experience across both agency and in-house roles, Erin brings a strategic marketing perspective along with deep roots in the agriculture and transportation industries.

Raised in North Dakota and now living on a family farm with her husband and three children, Erin brings a personal understanding of how strong communities and sustainable economic growth go hand in hand. At Northern Plains, she helps align business growth with meaningful community investment—from workforce development to partnerships like the company’s recent contribution to the Grand Forks Children’s Museum.

Erin is passionate about building brands that not only grow business, but also strengthen the communities they serve.

KIM LAWLER leads Giving and Community Relations at Marvin, where she oversees the company’s enterprise‑wide philanthropy, volunteerism, and community engagement across Marvin locations. Her work extends Marvin’s aspirations and values by strengthening the communities where employees live and work.

Through Giving at Marvin, Kim collaborates across the enterprise to make thoughtful, strategic investments of funding and volunteer support for hundreds of nonprofit partners. Marvin’s approach centers on building strong community partnerships, mobilizing employees, and ensuring its philanthropic efforts create meaningful, tangible impact.

Kim guides the Brighter Days Fund, Marvin’s employee assistance program, which provides financial support to team members facing unforeseen hardships. To date, the Fund has distributed over $1 million in assistance to more than 450 employees, funded through employee donations matched by Marvin.

With more than three decades of experience in philanthropy and community leadership, Kim previously worked as a fundraising professional for nonprofit organizations spanning health care, the arts, youth employment training, and environmental causes. Across her career, she has secured millions of dollars in support while strengthening board engagement, volunteer leadership, and cross‑sector partnerships.

Kim extends her commitment to community through service on the boards of Warroad Chamber & Tourism, Hearts and Hammers, Warroad Women of Today, and other local organizations. A native of Iowa, she earned her B.A. in Speech Communications from Iowa State University and has made her home in Minnesota since 2000, now residing between Marvin’s headquarters in Warroad and the Twin Cities.