2025 Women You Need to Know & Watch in North Dakota Business

MOLLY BARNES is the Executive Vice President and Equipment Manager of Northern Improvement Company, a fifth generation family-owned construction company.   Focusing on roadbuilding, Northern Improvement has offices throughout North Dakota.

Barnes began her construction career as a flagger in Bismarck in 1992. From there, she worked at a gravel pit as a welder, then an equipment operator, moving into an estimator/project manager role before becoming the Equipment Manager and Executive Vice President of Northern Improvement Company

Barnes grew up in Bismarck, North Dakota. She holds an Associate’s degree in Civil Engineering and Land Surveying Technology from North Dakota State College of Science, a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Criminal Justice from Moorhead State University and a Master’s of Business Administration from the University of Mary. Barnes enjoys spending time with her husband and three children.

TWYLAH BLOTSKY is the President and CEO of Butler Machinery Company, a leading provider of construction and agricultural equipment, located in Fargo, North Dakota. Her connection with the company began in her pre-teen years, and her full-time career there now spans over 30 years. She has held various positions of increasing responsibility, including Accounting Manager, Director of IT, Marketing, and Process Improvement, and served as Eastern North Dakota Operations Manager, overseeing six locations, before being appointed President and CEO in 2019.

Blotsky holds a degree in Accounting from the University of North Dakota and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). She also earned a Six Sigma Black Belt certification.

Blotsky's leadership has been essential to Butler Machinery's growth and strong company culture. She has instilled a deep understanding and commitment to the company’s mission: “To build long term relationships, founded on trust, creating mutual growth and success”. 

Blotsky is committed to community involvement. She currently serves on the boards of the UND Alumni Association and Foundation, Ralph Englestad Arena, Lignite Energy Council, and Pioneer Equipment Dealers Association. Blotsky enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 adult sons. When she has free time; you will find her enjoying ND hockey, on a horse, or spending time in Medora.

DANEEN DRESSLER, rural North Dakota native has been serving in the agribusiness community for over 22 years. She graduated from North Dakota State University with a BA in Management Information Systems and then became  2nd generation business owner of Stone Mill, and a champion for the ag community. Working with growers in the communities she lives in, she’s committed to making the agriculture way of life sustainable for the families who are so passionate about it.

Daneen Dressler is co-owner and VP of Stone Mill, an agriculture industry-leading food-grade, specialty crops manufacturer based in Richardton, ND. Dressler is the lead on both purchasing and sales, overseeing the company’s growth in both non-GMO and organics. She oversaw an extensive expansion in 2010, and again in 2017. Surrounded by a family of engineers, Dressler took a different approach to processing ingredients, utilizing automation and technology to design a state-of-the-art, food-grade facility focusing on farm-to-table, identity-preserved ingredients being shipped throughout world.

She has served on the planning and zoning boards for both Stark County and the city of Richardton, and is a member of the ND Organic Advisory Board. 

Personally she enjoys watching her kids in their sports activities, travelling, yoga, and is a self-proclaimed “foodie”. 

KATHY COCHRAN is a founding partner of Elevate2 Consulting, LLC, an organization which provides management coaching and advisory services. She is interested in advocating for women entrepreneurs and working to break down systemic processes and practices to better support women. As a grandmother herself, Cochran is looking to create generational change for women in business.

Kathy’s nomination came from a partnership with North Dakota Women’s Business Center to showcase women in business. Their organization is a leading voice, resource, and partner for women business owners. Their work and mission are to help all women at any stage in the business-ownership journey. NDWBC partnered with GNDC to further spotlight success stories happening in our state. 

STACY DuTOIT is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with extensive experience in auditing, accounting, tax, and business consulting services for privately owned businesses.

Prior to assuming the role of CEO of Brady Martz in October 2024, DuToit served as Chief Operating Officer. In both roles, she has been instrumental in guiding the Firm’s strategic direction, fostering a culture of collaboration, and championing professional growth for team members. DuToit’s leadership has helped solidify Brady Martz’s position as a leading advisory and accounting firm in the region. The Firm was recently recognized by Accounting Today as one of the fastest-growing firms from their 2025 Top 100 Firms/Regional Leaders list.

A member of both the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the North Dakota Society of Certified Public Accountants, DuToit has held several volunteer leadership roles throughout her career, including the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber Foundation, Bismarck Downtowner’s Association, ND Jump$tart Coalition, and has served as a former Trustee of the North Dakota Certified Public Accountants Society Foundation.

In 2024, she was honored as one of Prairie Business magazine's Top 25 Women in Business. 

CHERYL FROELICH is Director of Human Resources at BNI Coal, based in Bismarck and Center, ND.

A Mandan, ND native, Froelich received her undergraduate degrees from Bismarck State College and University of Mary in business management. She is a certified human resources professional having achieved her Professional in Human Resources (PHR), and Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM-CP) credentials in 2008 and 2014.

In addition to overseeing the human resources and administrative efforts at BNI, Froelich serves on the leadership team developing strategy and external affairs relationships. She serves on various boards including the ND Safety Council, ND Board of Nursing (public member), Bismarck State College Southwest TrainND Board, and the BSC Energy Building Industry Leadership Team (BILT). 

Froelich enjoys spending time with her husband, two adult children, their spouses, and two grandchildren, along with friends and extended family. When she has free time, you’ll likely find her outdoors walking or spending time on the water.

Born and raised on a farm south of Jamestown, ANNIE HANCOCK obtained her undergraduate degree from Jamestown College (now University of Jamestown) in 2013 with bachelors’ degrees in Communication and Business.

In 2009, Hancock began working at SMP Health – Ave Maria as an activity therapist while attending college and then was hired as an assistant to the Development Director in 2013 when that department was created. In 2018, she began serving as the Development Director at SMP Health – Ave Maria, a role she still holds and values deeply today. She also assists with marketing, social media, and public relations at Ave Maria, but most importantly she is blessed to nurture relationships and find meaningful moments of connection with the residents and their families to share their stories with the community.

Hancock has been a member of the local Rotary Club in Jamestown since 2019. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Rotary as Club Secretary. She developed and is actively involved in the Gear Up for Winter with Rotary’s project, which collects and distributes all types of winter items for people in the Jamestown community who are financially burdened. She is co-chair of the Club’s annual Wine & Brewhaha fundraiser and also assists with managing her Rotary Club’s social media.

She is also involved in helping with the silent auction for the annual H.O.P.E. Dinner for St. John’s Academy and serves as Secretary for the Jamestown Giving Hearts Day collaborative group. Hancock and her family also foster rescue puppies for Prairie Paws Rescue. She also serves on the board for Bridgewell.

In her personal life, Annie enjoys spending time with her husband, Karlie, and her greatest joys, their three children: Aurelia (9), Knox (6), and Kroix (2). She is actively involved in the Jamestown TAZ Wrestling Club that her children wrestle for and she enjoys watching them participate in all of their other sports and hobbies.

DeELL JORDRE was born and raised on a livestock and cash grain farm in the small, rural town of Richardton, ND. Her passion for agriculture led her to North Dakota State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Animal and Range Sciences with a minor in Ag Business. After graduation, Jordre returned to her hometown to join the grassroots venture, Red Trail Energy, where she played a pivotal role in supporting accounting, investor relations, and human resources functions, contributing to the company's growth from inception through production.

Building on her experience in the ethanol industry, Jordre then joined Dakota Prairie Refining, another grassroots project, where she helped establish the nation’s first new refinery since the 1970s. Today, Jordre is based in Dickinson, ND, where she serves as the Lead Human Resource Partner for Marathon Petroleum Corporation, supporting both the Mandan Refinery and the Dickinson Renewable Diesel Facility assets.

Beyond her professional achievements, Jordre is deeply committed to giving back to her community. She actively serves on several boards, including Southwest Area Human Resource Association, Camp ReCreation, Dickinson Area Community Foundation, Stark-Billings 4-H Council, and SW ND Giving Hearts Day Collaborative. She also served on the state SHRM board for the past two years.

Outside of her career, DeEll is a proud wife and mother of two energetic boys. Her family is involved in a variety of youth activities, including youth rodeo, 4-H, soccer, and football, while also enjoying many outdoor adventures together.

Jordre’s dedication to her family, career, and community highlights her strong leadership, service-oriented mindset, and commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of others.

Originally from Brainerd, Minnesota, MEGAN KLECKNER moved to Fargo-Moorhead in 2007 to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree at Concordia College. After meeting her husband, Josh, she nestled fondly into FM life, smitten by the small-town sense of community.

Kleckner started her career as a Full Time Customer Service Manager at Hornbacher’s, later moving into Department Manager, Assistant Store Director, and Operations Specialist roles. Kleckner currently oversees operations as Store Director at Cash Wise in South Fargo.

She is proud to serve as her district’s United Way Campaign Coordinator, and serves on the United Way Community Impact Committee, vetting potential community investments that support the strategic goals of the United Way. In addition to her BA, Kleckner holds a Certificate in Retail Management and is a SHRM-Certified Professional.

MAARTJE MURPHY owns and operates Cows and Co Creamery together with her husband, Casey, and mother, Conny. Her family has a rich history of dairy farming in multiple countries and continents.

Murphy was born on her parent’s dairy farm in the Netherlands, moved to Canada in 2000 and again to Carrington, ND, in 2008 where her parents expanded their family dairy farm.

Today, her family milks 1500 cows 3x a day near Carrington. Murphy and her team at Cows and Co Creamery produce artisan gelato, artisan gouda cheese, cheese curds, glass bottle milk, and yogurt all at their farmstead creamery.

RACHEL RETTERATH is the Director of North Dakota Affairs for Great River Energy, a Maple Grove based wholesale electric power cooperative with generation and transmission assets in North Dakota and Minnesota. Retterath leads government affairs and business development initiatives in North Dakota. Developing and managing relationships with political leaders, community leaders, and industry partners is key to her position. Retterath has put her passion to work connecting the energy and agricultural industries through her participation in the development of Spiritwood Energy Park, Dakota Spirit AgEnergy, Coal Creek Energy Park, and coal combustion product marketing.

A servant leader at heart, Retterath serves on many statewide and community boards. She is the chair of the North Dakota Agriculture Diversification & Development (ADD) Committee and vice chair of the North Dakota Agriculture Products Utilization Commission (APUC). Retterath also serves on the North Dakota Outdoor Heritage Fund Advisory Board representing the Greater North Dakota Chamber, and the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority Technical Committee. Additionally, she serves on the Bismarck State College Foundation board. In addition, she volunteers for many local Washburn area youth and community organizations.

Rachel and her husband Justin along with their four children farm and ranch near Washburn, N.D.  where they raise cattle and crops. Retterath enjoys supporting her kids in whatever sport or life event they are doing, spending time at Lake Sakakawea and traveling.

Retterath received her bachelor’s degree in business and communications and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Mary.

TRICIA SCHLOSSER is the non-competing Designated Broker/Owner for Century 21 Morrison Realty, where she leads a top-performing Century 21 company recognized locally, regionally, and nationally for excellence. Guided by core values of teamwork, integrity, perseverance, and compassion, Schlosser fosters a culture of collaboration and success throughout the organization.

Raised on a farm southeast of Glen Ullin, North Dakota, Schlosser attended North Dakota State University in Fargo, earning her undergraduate degrees in 2001. She began her career in education, teaching in the Light of Christ Catholic School system for eight years before completing her master’s degree in Educational Leadership K-12 from the University of Mary in 2010.

Schlosser began selling real estate in April 2010, quickly earning the prestigious CENTURION® Award twice within her first three years. In 2014, she transitioned into a sales management role, where her leadership flourished and helped drive Century 21 Morrison Realty to its status as a high-performing, industry-leading office.

TANYA VACHAL is the HR Generalist for Creedence Energy Services, a company headquartered in Minot, with 19 locations across North Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Wyoming. She works out of the Williston office, contributing to the company's human resources initiatives and supporting its workforce.

A Williston native, Vachal earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of North Dakota in 1999. In 2020, she completed her master’s degree in Business with a Human Resources concentration from the University of Mary.

Her professional experience spans various roles and industries. During and after college, she worked with at-risk youth and families in Grand Forks. In 2009, she returned to Williston to join Job Service ND, later holding positions with TrainND Northwest and Williston State College. These roles provided her with a broad understanding of workforce development, education, and professional training — ultimately preparing her for her current position at Creedence Energy Services.

Throughout her career and community involvement, Vachal has consistently focused on supporting individuals in their personal and professional growth. Whether assisting with job searches, guiding educational advancement, or enhancing workplace communication, her work has centered on fostering development and achieving individual and organizational goals.

Creedence Energy Services has allowed Vachal to leverage her skills and experience in a dynamic environment. She appreciates the company's commitment to leadership, employee empowerment, and professional growth.

Faith and family are the foundation of Vachal’s life. Living in Williston allows her to remain close to her loved ones — a connection made even more meaningful by the opportunity to take her grandson to church with her parents. Surrounded by her son, grandson, parents, siblings, nephews, and nieces, and supported by a career she is passionate about, Tanya feels deeply connected to both her personal and professional communities.

With 30 years of experience in accounting, finance and commercial banking, JULIE WHITNEY currently serves as Commercial Segment Manager, Bremer Bank, where she oversees a team of Commercial Relationship Managers serving Bremer’s outstate markets across Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. Prior to joining Bremer, Whitney served in roles in commercial banking, private industry, and public accounting.

Whitney prides herself in being active in her community and currently serves on the Board of Trustees of United Way of Cass Clay, Board of Directors of Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce, Member of the North Dakota District Export Council, Treasurer of the Growth Initiative Fund, and Member of the Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corp Governance Committee.