In this inspiring and wisdom-packed episode, host Ricot Aladin sits down with Retired Major General Michael Haugen to uncover a lifetime of leadership lessons. From enlisting in the Air National Guard in 1967 to commanding over 4,500 service members, General Haugen shares how a passion for aviation led to a career defined by mentorship, innovation, and people-first leadership.

He opens up about his first experiences with flight, the role of mentorship in shaping his career, and how understanding individual differences is the key to powerful leadership. Whether flying fighter jets or navigating organizational transformation, Haugen emphasizes the importance of listening, lifelong learning, and leading with empathy.

On this episode of Professional Launch with Ricot Aladin, Ricot sits down with community leader and entrepreneur Aaron Hill to explore his journey from co-founding Fargo Brewing Company to becoming a commercial real estate pro and dedicated public servant.

Aaron shares how his small-town North Dakota upbringing and values of service and hospitality shaped his leadership philosophy. He opens up about the highs and lows of launching Fargo's first craft brewery and the powerful lessons he learned in business, management, and resilience.

Now serving as the President of the Fargo Park Board, a board member for the YMCA and United Way, and a commercial realtor at Goldmark Commercial, Aaron reflects on the transition from entrepreneurship to real estate—and why mentorship, networking, and community engagement have been cornerstones of his career.

We also dive into the unspoken power of mentorship—those relationships that may not have formal titles but shape us nonetheless. Aaron offers practical insights for young professionals, especially around asking for guidance, trusting yourself, and being open to pivots in your career path.

On the debut episode of Professional Launch on WDAY Radio, Ricot Aladin welcomes back longtime mentor, educator, and Professional Launch board member Jane Pettinger for a deep and heartfelt conversation about mentorship, community, and empowering young professionals.

🔑 Key Moments & Timestamps:

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  [0:00 – 1:00] – Introduction
  Rico introduces the mission of the show and Jane Pettinger’s incredible background in education and mentorship.

  
  

  
  







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  [1:00 – 3:30] – Jane's Early Career & Campus Life
  Jane shares how she got into higher education after working in social services, and her love for the campus environment.

  
  

  
  







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  [3:30 – 5:30] – Lifelong Lessons & Finding Joy in Work
  Jane talks about connection, curiosity, and the importance of having fun—even in retirement.

  
  

  
  







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  [7:00 – 8:45] – Why She Joined Professional Launch
  Jane reflects on why she was drawn to Rico's vision for connecting professionals with students.

  
  

  
  







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  [10:45 – 11:45] – New Initiatives That Make a Difference
  They highlight the Lunch & Learn series and mentoring efforts with new immigrant communities.

  
  

  
  







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  [16:30 – 20:30] – Behind the Scenes: MSUM’s Mentoring Program
  Jane explains how the mentorship program she ran at MSUM was built to provide students with real-world experiential learning.

  
  

  
  







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  [23:30 – 26:15] – Tailoring Mentorship to Student Needs
  Stories of how mentorship helped students pivot, grow, and find clarity in their career paths.

  
  

  
  







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  [28:40 – 31:00] – Bridging the Gap for First-Gen & Rural Students
  Jane offers advice for both students and supervisors on how to build meaningful professional connections.

  
  

  
  







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  [33:15 – 34:30] – How to Find (or Be) a Mentor
  Encouraging advice for anyone who's never had a mentor, and why just asking can open doors.

  
  

  
  







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  [35:00 – End] – Final Words of Wisdom
  Jane and Rico wrap up the episode with a heartfelt reminder: Keep growing, keep giving, keep launching.

Meet Dr. Colin Irvine, President of Concordia College

Dr. Colin Irvine serves as the 12th president of Concordia

https://youtu.be/EvdG7kVzwts

In this episode, we had the privilege of sitting down with

Dr. Irvine also shares invaluable advice for young

Fun fact: Dr. Irvine has completed 12 marathons—an

This is a conversation you won’t want to miss!

Support Professional Launch on Giving Hearts Day!

Our podcast is designed to inspire and empower your

Hello

Let’s talk about Executive Presence with Cortnee Jensen. What it is and what it is not. How you develop it to inspire confidence and motivate others. Cortnee is indeed the guest who can share about Executive presence as her journey

Cortnee is the Interim CEO of the Northern Front Autonomous Systems Engine and the Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships at the University of North Dakota

Prior to her move to North Dakota, Cortnee worked for more than a decade in the non-profit sector, focusing on strategic planning, cross-national networking,

Give this conversation a listen and share your thoughts on the topic.