Navigating Through "Now What?" Podcast

By maintaining her network despite her geographic location, Susan Heegaard, president of the Midwestern Higher Education Compact, was rarely in search of what would come next and has had the unique opportunity to focus on her specific interests in public policy. When her family returned to Minnesota, they built a tribe that supported her career and that of her husband.

When it came time to lead in a new way, as the president of an organization, she leveraged the insights of her network and her own experience to start strategically.

Her advice to others? Focus on skills over titles because the skills you have and how you position them is what sets you apart when it comes to new opportunity.

After starting her career in healthcare, Kris Webert made the not-so-difficult decision to stay home with her new twins. While she thought about going back, the arrival of a third delayed her plans. And after 13 years, it was finally time to explore how to go back to work after an extended break. From the need to regain confidence in herself and her skill set, to understanding how to talk about her skills and her time away, Webert turned to Cultivating Careers to guide her through the process.

Early in her search, she applied for anything and everything, but eventually came to understand where her skills fit and what her family needed from her new role. Ultimately, she secured a part-time position that felt like the perfect fit and allowed her to begin the transition from mom to professional and contributor. No outcome ever feels perfect and of course there were ups and downs along the way, but overall this new role allowed her to transition back to work in a way that made work fun and served her family, too.

Beth Halloran has changed careers, changed industries and changed
states. From social work to advancement, she has stay connected with her network and
true to her passion and abilities with a focus on matching a need to a resource. As the
Chief Advancement Officer at St. Catherine University, her work aligns with her values
and passion, and she is driven by work and people that inspire her.
At this precipice in her career, she is focused on mentorship and preparing her team for
what’s next and to do great things. Through it all, she has listened. When confronted
with a big or difficult decision, she would go quiet, carefully considering where she was
and where she wants to be to guide her. Her future after St. Kate’s will be filled with
intentional learning and volunteerism, both in development and senior causes.

Life is what you make it. A strong work ethic gained from growing up on a farm and a dream of playing college basketball led Pam Borton, former head women’s basketball coach for the University of Minnesota, down a path that allowed her to utilize her coaching skills on the basketball court for a new purpose, to coach executives in the board room. Despite a public and tough transition off the court, Borton used intentional goal setting and a commitment to staying true to herself to build a business that is truly a dream job. From navigating a very visible transition to staying the course and trusting the process as she ventured into entrepreneurship, she leveraged a commitment to hard work and determination to pursue a why that has always been her driver.

Kris and Bud Roberts have always prioritized career planning and family decision making. Eventually they realized the treadmill was moving too fast for their children to keep up and it was time for a change. The pivotal point came when Bud chose to stay home so Kris could keep climbing, allowing her to grow and excel at Target, before moving onto new and exciting opportunities. Bud created a routine around the house, became active in the school and never missed an activity. His decision to take the road less traveled was truly best for their family.

Having spent more than two decades at KARE, Tim McNiff is recognizable and well-liked. His boomerang career started with a long tenure at KARE, a departure for corporate and eventual return to KARE, all with the goal of providing for his family and ensuring opportunities for his daughters. Throughout the career changes and exciting opportunities, he knows that relationships were key. No one does anything by themselves. Other people are essential to learn and grow and stay relevant.

Linda Thrasher, co-founder of Greenfield Nitrogen, is a strong believer in both chance and choice. She came to Minnesota after starting her career in Washington, D.C., to work as a lobbyist for Cargill. Her varied career was rarely linear but provided her with the relationships and experience to pursue work she cared about. She shares what inspired her legal background and the unbeaten path that led her to the entrepreneurship space and her continued pursuit of a portfolio career.

Former St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman was at a career crossroads as he left his mayoral post and lost his run at the governorship in 2018. As he navigated what’s next, he gave himself time to think while also listening to the advice of others in his network. Now the president and CEO of Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, he has continued his career of service with the ability to have even more direct impact on the lives of others.

Deb Pierce, former deputy assistant director of the FBI, shares the highlights of her FBI career, as well as how to transitioned from public service into the next chapter, including the creation of a women’s leadership organization for those in public service. A key to her continuing success is the career advice of a superior, who said, “You have to sell yourself,” and Pierce did just that.

Karen Pavlicin-Fragnito, author and publisher at Elva Resa Publishing, has always had a strong sense of purpose. After overcoming personal hardship and transitioning out of corporate marketing, she turned her passion for writing and military families into a publishing business. She highlights the defining moments that have shaped her career identity and how purpose is leading the way to what’s next.