Hire Tough, Manage Easy is a lesson in the book Monday Morning Leadership that is relevant to so many in the business community. With limited workforce, we must ensure that our hiring process is successful and that we are filling our positions with the right people, the first time. We’ll talk about proven strategies for hiring practices that work along with sample questions that will get the interviewer the information they need to make good hiring decisions.

Presented by: Brenda Nagel serves as the President and CEO of the Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC. In this role, Brenda leads the Chamber EDC’s economic development and business advocacy efforts, guiding the implementation of its Strategic Plan. With a focus on advancing goals in economic growth, public policy, professional development, networking, and leadership, she brings experience in team leadership, relationship building, and strategic communication with both public and private sector stakeholders.

Today, few people regard the concept of "vocation" as particularly interesting. Usually, it is seen either as a "religious calling," which few people have, or as one's "job," which is important but mundane. In contrast, Donald Bungum will argue that vocation is universal, that it helps us escape a personal hell of comparison and emptiness, that it fulfills the desires of love, and that it makes us better workers. Come learn about the importance of vocation and how to live it.

Presented by: Donald J. Bungum received his B.S. in chemistry from the University of Chicago. While on a Marshall Scholarship, he received an M.St. in Theology (Science and Religion) and M.St. in Philosophical Theology from the University of Oxford. He received his Ph.D. in philosophy from Saint Louis University in 2016.

He specializes in epistemology and the philosophy of religion. In epistemology, he studies virtue epistemology and epistemic authority, or the authority that experts and teachers have towards belief and understanding. In the philosophy of religion, he studies how suffering and charity can transform a person’s relationship with God. His teaching interests include logic, philosophy of religion, spiritual theology, medieval philosophy (especially the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas), academic writing, and the relation between science and religion. In 2024, he received the Bismarck EDC Crystal Apple Award for Higher Education and the University of Mary’s Regents’ Award for Teaching Faculty.

Bungum holds a joint appointment in the Catholic Studies Program at the University of Mary, and he oversees a monthly disputatio called the Afternoon Parlour at Catholic Studies House. He enjoys helping students see how divine truth has become incarnate in history, literature, music, and the fine arts. He and his wife Alicia homeschool their five children. He enjoys jazz, ukulele, powerlifting, and Texas-style barbecue.

This session will explore defining and quantifying what servant leadership is. We will then explore some thoughts on some misconceptions about the model, and how to overcome those challenges. Throughout the session we will look at practical lessons learned from years of practicing and refining our approach to applying it to our business.

Presented by: Doug Remboldt is the National Information Solutions Cooperative (NISC) CEO and a graduate of University of Mary with undergraduate degrees in Accounting and Computer Information Systems, as well as a master’s degree in Management. He lives in Bismarck, ND.

NISC is a technology cooperative with more than 50 years of experience providing enterprise software solutions to broadband companies, electric cooperatives, and other public power entities in all 50 states, American Samoa, and Canada.

He began his career at NISC in 1990, installing and supporting accounting products. He then transitioned into roles in technical infrastructure, Member support and project management. He was named Vice President of Utility Solutions and Technical Services in 2011, and most recently served as NISC’s Vice President of Member Success. He was promoted to President and CEO in June of 2023.

Artificial intelligence is transforming marketing at an unprecedented pace, creating new opportunities and new challenges for businesses and marketing professionals alike. This Lunch & Learn explores the latest advancements in AI and what they mean for the future of marketing. Participants will discover emerging trends, evolving consumer expectations, and practical ways organizations can leverage AI to create more personalized, efficient, and impactful marketing strategies. Attendees will gain insight into the tools shaping the industry today while looking ahead to what's next. Whether you're new to AI or already incorporating it into your work, this session will provide actionable ideas, strategic perspectives, and future-focused insights to help you stay ahead in an ever-changing marketing landscape.

Presented by: Dr. Tawnya Bernsdorf is a marketing strategist, educator, and storyteller with more than 20 years of experience helping organizations build stronger brands through innovative marketing and authentic communication. As the DBA Program Chair and a faculty member in the DBA and MBA programs at the University of Mary, she combines academic research with real-world business experience to prepare the next generation of marketing and business leaders.

Throughout her career, Dr. Bernsdorf has worked across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, leading initiatives in brand development, public relations, fundraising, event planning, marketing strategy, and consulting. She holds a PhD in Marketing and is passionate about helping professionals leverage emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, to create smarter, more personalized, and more impactful marketing strategies.

Outside the classroom, Dr. Bernsdorf is the creator of Comes Under Nunya, a storytelling brand centered on nostalgia, authenticity, and the power of human connection. Her work reflects her belief that while technology continues to transform marketing, the strongest brands are still built on meaningful stories and genuine relationships. Whether speaking about AI, branding, leadership, or innovation, Dr. Bernsdorf's goal is to help others think differently, embrace change with confidence, and discover practical ways to connect more effectively with their audiences.