Northern Valley Careers

About Northern Valley Careers

The Northern Valley Careers initiative is a dynamic effort on a mission to capture 10th graders’  interest in future careers right here in northeast North Dakota and northwest Minnesota. A dedicated group of passionate educators, industry leaders, economic development champions, and diligent workforce organizations work collaboratively throughout the year. Their shared goal? To find ways to ignite the curiosity of our high schoolers as they explore companies, careers, and education for their next steps in training and education.

Expo Planning Committee

Angela Beardemphl

Career Advisor
Grand Forks Public Schools

Becca Cruger

Director of Workforce Development
Grand Forks Region EDC

Brenna Mathiason

Workforce Development Specialist
Grand Forks Region EDC

Cara Davis

Career Educator
Grand Forks Public Schools

Danielle Piekarski

Community Involvement Chair
Greater Grand Forks Young Professionals

Dustin Hillebrand

Workforce Center Manager
Job Service North Dakota

Eric Ripley

Director of Career and Technical Education
Grand Forks Public Schools

Hannah Gullekson

Employment Counselor
Minnesota DEED/CareerForce

Jacob McArthur

Associate Director
Veden Center for Rural Development

Jen Aamodt

Director of Admissions
University of North Dakota

Mark Maliskey

Marketing & Communications Manager
Grand Forks Region EDC

Mary Feller

Career Coach & Mentor Coordinator
UND Career Services

Mary Houdek

Business Service Consultant
Job Service North Dakota

Nan Thurston

Career Services Coordinator
University of Minnesota Crookston

Paul Gorte

Economic Development Director
City of East Grand Forks

Shari Elgin

Human Resources Manager
Construction Engineers

Stephanie Larson

Counselor
East Grand Forks Public School

Stephanie LeDuc

Dean of Health, Public Services, and Technical Programs
Northland Community and Technical College

Expo Planning Committee

Angela Beardemphl

Career Advisor
Grand Forks Public Schools

Becca Cruger

Director of Workforce Development
Grand Forks Region EDC

Brenna Mathiason

Workforce Development Specialist
Grand Forks Region EDC

Cara Davis

Career Educator
Grand Forks Public Schools

Danielle Piekarski

Community Involvement Chair
Greater Grand Forks Young Professionals

Dustin Hillebrand

Workforce Center Manager
Job Service North Dakota

Eric Ripley

Director of Career and Technical Education
Grand Forks Public Schools

Hannah Gullekson

Employment Counselor
Minnesota DEED/CareerForce

Jacob McArthur

Associate Director
Veden Center for Rural Development

Jen Aamodt

Director of Admissions
University of North Dakota

Mark Maliskey

Marketing & Communications Manager
Grand Forks Region EDC

Mary Feller

Career Coach & Mentor Coordinator
UND Career Services

Mary Houdek

Business Service Consultant
Job Service North Dakota

Nan Thurston

Career Services Coordinator
University of Minnesota Crookston

Paul Gorte

Economic Development Director
City of East Grand Forks

Shari Elgin

Human Resources Manager
Construction Engineers

Stephanie Larson

Counselor
East Grand Forks Public School

Stephanie LeDuc

Dean of Health, Public Services, and Technical Programs
Northland Community and Technical College

Supporting Organizations

Education and business organizations are collaborating to support workforce development initiatives throughout Northeast North Dakota and Northwest Minnesota.
  • Grand Forks Public Schools
  • East Grand Forks Public Schools
  • Economic Development and Housing Authority, East Grand Forks
  • Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corporation
  • Job Service North Dakota, Grand Forks
  • Northland Community and Technical College, East Grand Forks and Thief River Falls
  • Northwest Private Industry Council, Crookston
  • University of North Dakota
  • University of Minnesota, Crookston