Alumni Career Chats

Ann Ambach has spent the last 5 years in the Twin Cities’ nonprofit sector. A fundraiser at the Ordway, she utilizes her love of the arts and administrative strengths to build relationships with the individuals and institutions who sustain the Ordway’s programming. Outside the office, Ann stays connected to the arts community as a member of several vocal performing ensembles.

I’m a Senior Data Scientist at General Mills, using data to improve how people find and buy our products across grocery stores, online shopping, and delivery. After a layoff, I moved from healthcare to CPG. I’m happy to chat with students about career pivots, bouncing back from setbacks, and transferable skills.

My time at St. Olaf focused on Spanish, pre-medicine, and the St. Olaf Band. Life has taken me in many directions since graduation, including several years of medical school, eventually transitioning to mental health and social work.

Ryan is a EVP and Partner at Revenue Rocket, a boutique M&A advisory firm specializing in IT services. He helps founders grow, position, and sell their companies, and co-hosts the firm’s Shoot the Moon podcast. He enjoys helping Oles explore careers in marketing, M&A, and entrepreneurship.

Erik’s career has moved around in pursuit of finding good variety and the ability to use data to make decisions. This path has led him from consulting to and MBA, and now he works in the medical device field as a marketing manager.

After beginning his career at Cargill and Pillsbury, Randy founded Key Ingredients, Inc., where he led service initiatives such as food drives and outreach to the elderly. His commitment to youth has been equally notable — he volunteered extensively in his children’s schools, served as a Cub Scout leader, and coached with the Minnetonka Baseball Association for two decades, mentoring players both on and off the field.

I began my career in nonprofit marketing. Feeling like I needed a bit more of a career challenge, I got a foot in the door of a design agency by covering an account manager maternity leave. From there I built on my agency experience by moving to bigger agencies and learning more types of creative and media campaign work. I’ve been at Periscope, now Betty, since 2015. At some point, I threw down on new business, took a liking to it, and made the switch to full time new business around 2022. And I’ve been there ever since, winning businesses like Marathon, Gorilla Glue and CLR.

Kym relocated to Minnesota from New York City. Kym works as a professional actor/singer/dancer and has worked on the Broadway Tours Cats, Cinderella and The Wizard of Oz. Twin Cities favorite theater credits include: Into the Woods (Stepmother), Guys and Dolls (Adelaide), Sister Act (Mother Superior), Sound of Music (Mother Abbess) and Beauty and the Beast (Mrs. Potts.) Regionally Kym has worked in The Music Man starring Shirley Jones and Patrick Cassidy, Anything Goes starring Rachel York, Mame starring Loretta Swit, Annie starring Sally Struthers. SOM (Kansas City Starlight), Camelot (North Shore Music Theater), Cabaret (KC REP). Other favorite shows include Jesus Christ Superstar, Joseph…,Cinderella, and The Contemporary Broadway Songbook (Ordway CPA), Baby Case and Glensheen (History Theatre) 42nd St, Oklahoma, Peter Pan (Peter), and Big: The Musical (Susan). Kym received a BA from St. Olaf College (Northfield, Minnesota) and an MA in Vocal Performance from New York University. Kym has sung with The St. Olaf Choir, The World Youth Choir, Vocalessence and is a founding member of the 4 Women A cappella group Chick Cheer. When Kym is not performing she spends her time teaching private voice lessons, choreographing and working with Hennepin Theater Trust‘s Triple Threat Program. Kym is the Owner of Twin Cities Musical Theatre Training (TCMTT) connecting Professional and Pre-Professional Training to those interested in pursuing a performing career.

I graduated with a political science degree and started in book publishing, where I taught myself to code and fell into technology. That led to nearly two decades at Target, plus stints leading mobile experience at Optum and ecommerce at Taylor Corporation. I’ve worked across the stack, from building Target.com’s front-end architecture to running enterprise architecture and data centers. Today I lead Network Engineering, supporting 2,000+ locations. I’d love to talk about non-traditional paths into tech, and how a liberal arts background shapes leadership.

Nick has worked on campaigns and in government since graduating from St. Olaf. He managed Tim Walz’ campaign for governor in 2018, was Chief of Staff to Rep. Angie Craig, and now runs his own political and public affairs consulting firm working with mission-driven clients.

I am a licensed psychologist, having practiced for 18 years. I began my 1st private practice in 2011 in Fort Myers, FL; launched my 2nd private practice in Edina MN in 2021 and launched my coworking space in 2023. In Florida, I practice forensic psychology, primarily focused on family law (with some personal injury and criminal law cases). I have testified 100’s of times as an expert and regularly consult on family law matters as well as ethics. In Minnesota, I practice clinical psychology with focus on evaluations for ADHD, Autism, differential diagnosis as well as therapy for children and adults, with focus on anxiety, trauma as well as a niche of helping entrepreneurs overcome mental obstacles with their businesses. I also own the 1st coworking space for licensed mental health professionals in MN- we currently have 58 members and are researching where to launch our next location. I had a podcast for 2 years focused on empowering women. I have been a keynote speaker on several occassions and also presented nationally on psychology/family law matters. I genuinely love psychology and believe I work with the best organ of the body- the BRAIN!

Chemistry major in college. Attended medical school briefly before deciding it wasn’t for me. Found a job in hazard communication working for 3M as a contract worker (non-3M employee). Hired 9 months later by 3M. Transitioned from hazard communication to product stewardship (dental solutions business). Currently an employee of Solventum (3M healthcare business divestiture).

Job focus on medical device regulations, toxicology, biocompatibility, hazard communication (SDS/label) and product stewardship.

Interests outside of work: Hockey, golf, peak bagging, family (wife/2 daughters), anything outdoors, reading (sci-fi – currently Dungeon Crawler Carl series)

Ryan French is co-leader and Managing Director of Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis overseeing administrative functions including development, marketing and communications, audience services, education, finance, human resources, community partnerships, facilities, and legal affairs. Ryan has over 30 years of nonprofit leadership experience. He has an MBA from the University of Minnesota and a BA in Music from St. Olaf College.

As the Owner & Principal of Grace Marketing, LLC (an award-winning sales & marketing company), Pam Grace has over 20 years of experience as a business owner in bringing values-driven, high-quality natural products to the Midwest Natural Foods market.

As President & CEO of the YMCA of the North—one of the largest and most complex YMCA associations in the world—Glen Gunderson has devoted his career to advancing whole-person and whole-community wellbeing at scale. He led the historic merger of the Metropolitan Minneapolis YMCA and the Greater St. Paul YMCA to form the YMCA of the North. Under his leadership, the organization doubled revenue, tripled its endowment, and became the largest earned-revenue YMCA in the United States.

As a teacher, researcher, mentor, innovator, and author, Donna Clementi has made extraordinary contributions to the field of world language education. She guided learners of French to higher levels of language proficiency during her 33 years at Appleton West High School, while modeling and sharing instructional strategies with colleagues around the world.

I started my career in accounting (mostly out of pressure), but about a year in, I realized it wasn’t the right long-term fit. A connection with a fellow alumnus led me into IT, where I’ve since built my career as a Sales Data and Business Analyst across multiple industries in the Twin Cities. Outside of work, I’ve been active in community service (my true passion) and recently began a three-year term on the Board of Directors for my company’s philanthropic fund.

Jessica Hern is the Director of Risk & Resilience at 3M, where she leads enterprise risk management and business resilience. She previously managed threat assessment, global intelligence analysis, the Global Security Operations Center, and crisis management. Prior to joining 3M, Jessica directed the intelligence function at St. Jude Medical, where she oversaw risk assessment, investigations, crisis management, and threat mitigation. Jessica also worked in the Intelligence Community on analysis of foreign leadership and information operations and in the U.S. Dept. of Justice’s international rule-of-law development office.

Music Major. Met a man on a plane who said I should “take advice from people who are living the way you want to live.” UMN for a Masters in performance. Sold my instrument 2 years later. Sold signs. Sold insurance. Built a business. Failed. Started another business. While building, spent three years working for a PE backed software acquisition company. Fired. Then a software engineering firm. Fired. Bought a company and merged with my business. Rebranded. Now accountable for a team of four and growing.

As a psychologist, clinical supervisor, and community leader, Lolita King-Bethel has made significant contributions to mental health care and professional development, particularly within underserved communities.

After graduating from St. Olaf in 2020, Katie completed a year of service with AmeriCorps before beginning her journey at Special Olympics Minnesota. Over the last five years, Katie has advanced to Marketing and Communications Manager while completing a part-time MBA program at the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management.

At St. Olaf, I studied economics, psychology, and business management while participating in campus organizations and playing women’s hockey. My internships during school helped shape my path from college into the workforce and ultimately to Donaldson. I’d love to talk about internships, networking, and navigating the transition from college into your first career.

Paige works in impact investing, using financial analysis, modeling, and asset management to expand financial access for underserved communities around the world. Through microloans, her organization supports financial inclusion and creates meaningful social impact.

Through his experience working with retailers, healthcare providers, and financial service providers, Alexander Matoushek helps connect his clients to their measurement services through statistical modeling, holdout testing, and consulting support. He provides strategic and analytical input into business decision-making and works to make the most of the clients’ marketing programs.

I have spent my career translating data into stories that help inform business direction across multiple industries. I began my career in medical device post market statistics before moving into a data science management role in the logistics industry. I currently lead a team of statisticians working in R&D on cell free DNA testing. I’m passionate about work life balance and helping folks find the best job fit for their phase of life.

I began my career with nearly a decade at Target, starting in merchandising and moving into digital where I focused on the website and app, leading digital experiences for a variety of products. While completing my MBA at Carlson, I then moved into marketing at Target where I led the launch of a new marketing and media capability within their retail media network. I knew at this point that I wanted to take my experience and help other organizations grow and excel which brought me to consulting. I’ve been at Slalom for nearly 5 years, working with a variety of industries on their marketing, user experience, and product strategy.

As a Medical Science Liaison at AbbVie Pharmaceuticals, I interface with healthcare providers in the area to inform and gain insight about our on-market psychiatric medications, as well as support clinical trials for our pipeline molecules. Prior to this role, I completed a postdoctoral fellowship in neuroscience at the U of MN (optogenetics & fluorescent imaging in mouse models of psychiatric disease) and taught adjunctively as a professor at Macalester College (neuroscience, pharmacology, and psychopathology courses). I’m happy to provide a candid discussion of my journey from academic into the pharmaceutical industry.

I have spent 23 years progressing within the quality and operations organizations at a private and public pharmaceutical manufacturing company. I have leveraged my liberal arts education into progressively larger leadership positions within my company in the pharmaceutical industry. Currently, I am leading site operations for a privately held pharmaceutical company who impacts lives through a wide variety of products, including generic naloxone, supporting the opioid epidemic in the United States.

I spent 20+ years in Corporate America after St. Olaf in roles from Marketing, finance to IT. I started T-Rex Cookie in 2015 using many of the skills I gained in my previous roles. I have marketed my company on TV Shows from The Today Show to Shark Tank.

Grant spent 15 years at McKinsey and Accenture, then became CTO of a national mental health crisis platform, where he launched the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Today he lead stechnology and strategy at a Canadian consumer and retail PE firm, consults on AI, and serves as the President of the board of the Alaska Whale Foundation, when he isn’t woodworking.

I have two simultaneous careers. I work as a therapist serving minority communities with a focus on identity-affirming sex and relational therapy, and as an illustrator specializing in romance and fantasy novels.

Camryn Scott, a quantitative economics graduate of St. Olaf, is a Technical Account Manager at Surgence, where she helps health systems make sense of supply chain data. A former collegiate basketball player who began her career in IT risk advisory with Grant Thornton, she enjoys talking with students about consulting, the world of startups, networking, and how to build a career.

Hannah (name/they/she) started college lost and made a practice of it. After St. Olaf, Hannah has worked with people driving social change from Myanmar to Minnesota and is passionate about how the biggest challenges of are time have local roots here, namely Native sovereignty. Hannah also cares about life outside of work, during which they make zines, textile crafts, learn more languages and lift weights.

During my career, I have spent time in Analytical Chemistry, Sales, Product and Application Engineering, Operations, and Project Management.

Jacob Vincent is a Lead D&T Data Scientist at General Mills, where he builds and deploys machine learning models and AI agents that turn data into business decisions. He’s happy to talk with students about breaking into data science, growing from individual contributor to technical lead, and setting team standards.

Andrew Voegtline leads data analytics at MakeMusic and Alfred Music, where he’s spent 18 years. He founded an arts-tech startup funded by a New Media McKnight Foundation grant, served on a performing arts board, and continues to create his own work as an artist. He’s glad to talk about careers at the intersection of arts and technology and the pivots along the way.

I began my career at St. Olaf, working in both the Admissions and Advancement offices. In 2008, I joined Children’s Minnesota Foundation during a comprehensive fundraising campaign and have since built a career in nonprofit healthcare and philanthropy.

Over nearly two decades at Children’s Minnesota, I have held leadership roles spanning fundraising, donor and community engagement, events, board and volunteer leadership, communications, and organizational strategy. I credit my St. Olaf education with helping me become a big-picture thinker who can also translate ideas into action, a skill that has served me throughout my career.

If you’re curious about careers in nonprofits, fundraising, marketing and communications, events, or simply wondering how your St. Olaf experience might translate into a career you haven’t considered yet, I’d love to connect!

The Consumer Goods and Retail sector is a fun industry that utilizes the critical thinking of a liberal arts education, has a lot of jobs in Minnesota and around the world! I also did my MBA and lived in Spain so happy to talk about my experience with international grad school too.