Morrison Leadership Summit
Leadership in Action: Learn, Network, Succeed.
The Morrison Leadership Summit gives students a unique opportunity to connect with leaders from many different industries and learn what effective leadership looks like in practice. Each year, a distinguished keynote speaker shares personal experiences and insights that help students build and strengthen their own leadership skills.
The Summit was created through a generous gift from McCain Foods in honor of former CEO and UND alumnus Dale Morrison. It continues his legacy of excellence, mentorship, and professional growth.
As an alumnus, Dale stayed closely connected to UND throughout his life, giving generously of his time, talent, and resources. He mentored students, supported faculty, and contributed to advisory councils, boards, and fundraising efforts.
Dale is remembered as a true leader in every sense. The University is proud to continue this Summit in his honor and with the support of Barbara Morrison.
2026 Keynote Speaker
Troy Bader
Chairman, President and Chief Officer of International Dairy Queen Inc.
Troy Bader is the chairman, president and chief executive officer of International Dairy Queen (IDQ). He has held this position since January 2018. In this role, he is responsible for IDQ’s global business, including the company's more than 8,000 restaurants in 22 countries with global sales of more than $6.8 billion.
Bader joined IDQ in 2001 and has held numerous leadership positions with the company since that time. Prior roles include Chief Operating Officer – U.S. and Canada, Chief Development & Legal Officer, Executive Vice President Development, and Executive Vice President – Mall Division. Prior to his time at IDQ, Bader served as co-chair of the franchise and product distribution practice group at Gray Plant Mooty law firm, now Lathrop GPM.
He earned a juris doctorate from the University of Minnesota School of Law and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of North Dakota. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the University of North Dakota Alumni Association and Foundation.
2026 Round Table Leaders
Lynn Barnhart
Chief Marketing Officer, Nystrom
Mom, Spouse, Sister, Friend & Walking Enthusiast. Strategic Planner, Activator & Communicator.
Professionally, for 30 years I have been a leader in the building materials industry bringing business plans to life and completion while building relationships with teams to use their strengths and talents. Currently I have the privilege of being the Chief Marketing Officer at Nystrom and Babcock-Davis, the world’s largest manufacturer of access panels and specialty commercial building products. Hardhat in hand, my journey has included marketing windows at Campbell Mithun (now Interpublic) and vendor partnerships at Dayton’s and Target.
My excitement for delivering product solutions to contractors was firmly established working in the concrete industry for Anchor Wall Systems and Oldcastle APG, a CRH Company, and the largest manufacturer of architectural building products in America.
Todd Feland
City Administrator, City of Grand Forks
Since November 2013, Todd Feland has served as the City of Grand Forks (City) Administrator. Prior to serving as City Administrator, Todd served as Public Works Director for 12 years. Todd earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and psychology and master’s degree in public administration from the University of North Dakota.
As the City Administrator, Todd plans, manages, and leads 14 City Departments of over 550 employees and with an annual budget of over $220 million. Todd is honored to manage and lead a highly effective organization and team in a comprehensive and collaborative manner. Todd is involved and engaged in community and economic development and infrastructure renewal and growth development.
Todd leads in a collaborative manner and places importance on strategic partnerships with federal, state, and local government partners along with institutional and community partnerships. Strategic institutional partnerships include the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks Air Force Base, and Altru Health System. Strategic community partnerships include the Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corporation, Grand Forks/East Grand Forks Chamber, and Visit Greater Forks.
Todd is honored to serve on the University of North Dakota Nistler College of Business and Public Administration Advisory Board.
Sarah Nupdal
General Counsel, Scheels
Sarah Nupdal is the General Counsel at Scheels, where she oversees legal, risk and compliance matters for the organization. As people-focused leader and habitual goal setter, she is passionate about developing others and creating meaningful impact, both personally and professionally.
Sarah earned her business degree and Juris Doctor (cum laude) from the University of North Dakota and is a graduate of United Way’s 35 Under 35 Women’s Leadership Program. She was named one of Prairie Business Magazine’s Top 25 Women in Business in 2022. She also serves on the board of directors for BIO Girls and on the UND Nistler College Advisory Council. Sarah lives in Fargo, North Dakota, with her husband, Nick, and their three children.
Jonathan Warrey
Marco Board of Directors, ND House of Representative Member
Jonathan combined his extensive sales and service experience to help drive Marco Technologies’ continued growth and impact over the last 30 years. An idealist at heart, he sees what can be and then enjoys bringing people together to achieve big outcomes.
Over the years, Jonathan has been instrumental in helping shape Marco’s growth and creating a place where people love to come to work and do business. When he’s not at Marco, you can find him fully investing in his community and family. He enjoys spending time at the lake, playing the drums, serving in the ND House, and traveling with his wife Amy (1996 UND Alum) and two adult children.
Chad Flanagan
Fargo Market Leader, Eide Bailly
Chad Flanagan is a Partner and Fargo Market Leader at Eide Bailly, where he has spent more than 25 years helping organizations navigate business valuation, transactions, and strategic growth.
A University of North Dakota graduate, CPA, and Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV), Chad is passionate about leadership, community engagement, and creating opportunities for others to succeed.
He previously served on the Eide Bailly Board of Directors, United Way Campaign Chair and as Chair of the FMWF Chamber Board of Directors.
Chad is deeply committed to giving back through service and philanthropy, alongside his wife, Emily, and their three sons, who are all proud UND alumni. He is honored to share his leadership journey and experiences with the next generation of leaders at the Morrison Summit.
Brianna Castillo
Partner & Real Estate Broker Associate, Haven Realty Group
Brianna Castillo is an entrepreneur, business leader, and Team Lead of Haven Realty Group at REMAX DFW Associates, where she has built a high performing, process driven real estate business in one of the most competitive markets in the country. Her work sits at the intersection of leadership, operations, marketing, and client experience, focusing on building sustainable growth through strong systems and disciplined execution.
A graduate of the University of North Dakota with degrees in Marketing and Entrepreneurship, Brianna has built her business by pairing strategic thinking with practical action. She ranks among the top 30 Realtors in Dallas out of more than 15,000 agents and has received recognition including the City of Dallas Outstanding Award in Business and the REMAX Global 40 Under 40 for three consecutive years.
Beyond her role as a market leader in real estate, Brianna coaches and speaks on business growth, leadership, and operational effectiveness. She is passionate about mentoring others, sharing practical business insight, and helping develop the next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs.
Kristi Hall-Jiran
Chief Philanthropy & Partnerships Officer, Altru Health System
Kristi Hall-Jiran serves as Executive Vice-President and Chief Philanthropy and Partnership Officer at Altru Health System in Grand Forks, where she is passionate about the power of generosity and authentic partnerships to heal our communities. Under her leadership, Altru Foundation has grown annual fundraising revenues by nearly 300% and overall assets by nearly 50%. Kristi also spearheaded Altru’s first major capital campaign, raising nearly $14 million to support Altru’s new hospital which opened in 2025.
Prior to joining Altru, Kristi served as President/CEO of the Community Violence Intervention Center (CVIC) in Grand Forks for over two decades, where her leadership paved the way for the development of the Safer Tomorrows Road Map, a bold vision to ultimately end violence in the Grand Forks community in two generations.
Kristi has served in many leadership roles throughout the community and is known for her collaborative and visionary leadership style. Kristi and her husband, Brent, live in Grand Forks and are parents to three adult daughters.
Holly Younggren
Group Business Manager, Microsoft
Holly Younggren is a Six Sigma-certified business leader with experience in finance, risk management, compliance, procurement, and global operations. She is a Global Program Manager at Microsoft, where she serves as the Risk and Controls Manager for Microsoft's Source-to-Pay and Royalties programs. In this role, she oversees internal controls, SOX compliance, and emerging risk management across business operations in more than 100 countries worldwide, helping ensure effective governance while supporting the scale and efficiency of Microsoft's global business. During her career at Microsoft, Holly was selected as a Microsoft Finance Community Impact Project volunteer and traveled to Nairobi, Kenya, where she spent a week mentoring more than 150 university women on employability and business communications.
Holly graduated magna cum laude from the University of North Dakota's School of Business and Public Administration in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration. She remains active in her community through volunteer service, most recently supporting the FM Symphony. Holly and her husband, Ryan, have two sons and are proud grandparents of twin grandchildren.
Werner Nistler
Founder & Chairman, Touchmark
Werner has served as Chairman of Touchmark since he founded the company in 1980. For 35 years, he also served as CEO. Based in Beaverton, Oregon, Touchmark is one of Oregon’s top 25 privately held companies according to the Portland Business Journal. Over the past nearly four decades, Werner has established and grown a variety of businesses, including Touchmark, which develops and operates full-service retirement communities offering a continuum of care. Services include health and fitness clubs, independent and assisted living, memory care, home health, home care, and skilled nursing. Currently, there are 11 Touchmark communities in eight states and Canada. Two more are in development.
Werner also founded the Touchmark Foundation, a public charity dedicated to enhancing the well-being of seniors. The Foundation’s two largest charitable efforts are awarding nursing scholarships to students and teachers in the nursing field and providing food boxes during the holidays to help alleviate hunger among seniors and families in need. He serves on that Board, as well.
Among other enterprises, in 1982, Werner formed Beaverton Banking Company, a state chartered bank, which became Valley National Bank and ultimately part of U.S. Bank. He has served on the Board of Directors for Beaverton Banking Company, Valley National Bank, and Capital Pacific Bank. Born in Beach, North Dakota, Werner holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of North Dakota as well as a Master of Science in Accounting from Arizona State University. Following college, he did a two-year Army tour, operating Officer’s Clubs. He is a Certified Public Accountant but inactive now in the profession.
Werner is very active in his church, and he has served on the Board of Trustees for Jesuit High School, Valley Catholic Capital Campaign, and the Catholic Charities Cabinet. He and his wife, Colleen, have six children. In 2013, the couple became winemakers and vineyard owners of Swede Hill Vineyards, teaming up with Matt and Nancy Vuylsteke of Farm to Cork, LLC to plant pinot noir
Trevor Hastings
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Knife River
Mr. Hastings is vice president and chief operating officer for Knife River. He has 27 years of experience with the company, including with former affiliated businesses MDU Resources Group, WBI Energy and Centennial Energy. Mr. Hastings was president and CEO of WBI Energy from 2017-2023.
Prior to that, he spent 10 years with Knife River. He was named vice president of business development and operations support from 2007 to 2014 and from 2015 to 2017; in 2014 to 2015, Mr. Hastings served as interim president of Knife River’s Energy Services region to direct a transition in leadership. From 2001 to 2007, Mr. Hastings was an executive at MDU Resources subsidiary Centennial energy, serving as its vice president of business development and president and CEO of its international component, Centennial Energy Resources International.
He has a bachelor of economics degree from the University of North Dakota and serves on the University’s advisory council for the Nistler College of Business and Public Administration.
Karen McLennan
Retired- CFO, Minnkota Power
Karen McLennan retired as the Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at Minnkota Power Cooperative in Grand Forks in November of 2020. She was the first female member of the executive staff in the cooperative’s history.
A native of Northwood, N.D., McLennan holds a Bachelor of Accountancy degree from the University of North Dakota (1989) and an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration from Minnesota State University Moorhead. She is a Certified Public Accountant. McLennan began work at Minnkota as an accountant in 1993 and held several positions prior to being promoted to Vice President & CFO. In that role, McLennan oversaw a diverse set of departments including finance and accounting, procurement, human resources, safety & physical security, print and mailing services, fleet management and buildings & grounds.
Prior to joining Minnkota, Karen spent time working with Brady Martz & Associates in the Grand Forks office. After a request to provide consulting services, Karen started a consulting company, KDST Consulting, LLC in 2021 and does work for Airtonomy, Inc, a start-up drone data management company based in Grand Forks, ND.
She is active in her community and currently serves as chairperson of the Altru Health System board of director, a member and past chairperson of the Altru Health Foundation board, the UND Nistler College of Business and Public Administration advisory council, UND Alumni and Foundation board. She has also served on the board of the UND Center of Innovation Student Led Enterprises. She was inducted into the UND Accountancy Hall of Fame in 2018. She is also an active member of Sharon Lutheran Church, including as a member of the Ringers of Faith bell choir. She also volunteers with various organizations in the community and enjoys her opportunities to work with students at UND.
Karen enjoys spending time with her children and eight grandchildren, traveling, reading, lake time, biking and walking and chatting.
Sara Lord
Former Partner & Chief Auditor, RSM
Sara Lord, CPA, NACD.DC has more than 25 years of experience, working at the intersection of corporate governance, audit methodology, regulatory oversight, and digital transformation.
As Chief Auditor for RSM US LLP, Sara led teams responsible for audit and accounting policy, quality management systems, and firmwide innovation and digital strategy.
Throughout her career in public accounting, Sara served the profession in many capacities, including as Chair of the AICPA Auditing Standards Board, a member of the PCAOB’s Standards and Emerging Issues Advisory Group (SEIAG) and vice chair of the Center for Audit Quality’s Professional Practice Executive Committee, among many other strategic roles.
Sara is National Association of Corporate Directors certified director (NACD.DC) demonstrating her commitment to ongoing strategic development. As a former member of the RSM US LLP board of directors and current member of the Achieve Twin Cities board of directors, she has experience across many aspects of board service including nominating committee chair, finance committee, governance committee, strategy and innovation committee and CEO succession.
Tom DeSautel
Executive Director, Cushman & Wakefield-Occupier Services
Tom DeSautel is an Executive Director with Cushman & Wakefield, where he helps organizations align their real estate decisions with broader business objectives. With nearly 20 years of commercial real estate experience and more than 100 transactions annually, Tom advises companies on corporate real estate strategy, portfolio optimization, workplace planning, site selection, lease negotiations, and growth initiatives. He leverages the firm's global platform to help clients make informed, data-driven real estate decisions.
Tom earned his MBA from the University of North Dakota and serves on the Nistler College of Business Advisory Board. He lives in Chaska Minnesota with his wife (UND Alum) and three children and is actively involved in UND alumni leadership and youth sports coaching.