Stand out for the job search, even when you're not looking
Marketing and communications professionals gathered for an afternoon of networking and learning from key experts on how to manage your professional career and job transitions.
A panel of experts presented ideas and answered questions on building your professional network before you need it, tools and techniques to manage your career during transition even while you are working, how to stand out during the interview process, and what marketing executives look for in the talent being recruited today.
Read panel discussion synopsis
Panelists included:
- Michele Vig, Founder and Chief Organizer of Neat Little Nest (previously President of Caribou Coffee)
- Maureen Rehfuss, President and Owner of Career Partners International Twin Cities
- McKaela Baldus, Managing Director of Staffing, Creatis, Inc.
- Dan Ness, Founder & Owner of Ness Communications (previously Marketing Director at UCare)
- Kathy Hollenhorst, President and CEO of Creatis, host and moderator of the session
Cocktails and light hors d’oeuvres were provided during this lively event for MHSCN members and their colleagues.
Moderator
Kathy Hollenhorst is a 30+-year business and marketing professional who has worked in the restaurant, retail, hospitality, travel and business services industries in both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. She has developed brands such as Caribou Coffee, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, TGI Friday’s, Houlihan’s, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, United Way, Radisson Hotels, Country Inn & Suites, and Holiday Inn Worldwide.
Kathy has led teams from 5 to 50 across all functional areas of marketing and has negotiated business deals in more than 20 countries. As President and CEO of Creatis, she brings a “been there done that” experience to make life easier for Creatis clients.
Kathy is a self-proclaimed Intrapreneur because of her proven track record of creating the next new thing within established organizations. Kathy enjoys coaching and mentoring other professionals on their career journey. She is developing a book called "Go With Grace," a guide to effective and fulfilling job transitions. Kathy lives in Becker, MN with her husband. She enjoys yoga, cooking, gardening, harmonica playing and golf.
Panelists
Maureen Rehfuss is a highly successful human resources professional and business executive. She is President and Owner of Career Partners International Twin Cities, a premier talent management consultancy providing executive transition, executive coaching, leadership development and outplacement services.
Prior to Career Partners, Maureen was an executive at Padilla CRT and Bonestroo, she guest lectured at the University of Minnesota, and provided management and HR consulting across a wide range of industries.
She will share her expertise in what human resource and executive leaders are seeking from employees today.
Michele Vig brings her unique perspective of corporate leader-turned entrepreneur. Last year she launched Neat Little Nest, a customized professional organization service business focused on helping people transform their lives by tackling clutter. Michele is certified in the KonMari Method of decluttering and organizing made popular by New York Times best-selling author Marie Kondo.
Prior to starting her own business, Michele was an executive leader at Caribou Coffee, where she became President after successfully leading marketing and product development. Before Caribou, she led marketing for Buffalo Wild Wings, worked for a leading advertising agency and worked in the non-profit sector.
She will share her experiences from this diverse range of business roles. She'll also share her inspiration, successes and challenges of launching Neat Little Nest.
Dan Ness started his own brand, marketing and PR consulting business in 2016, after more than 11 years as marketing director at Minneapolis-based health insurer UCare.
Ness Communications in Minneapolis helps clients develop and execute strategies to achieve organizational success.
At UCare, Dan was responsible for all aspects of marketing, public relations and branding. Dan also brings an agency perspective to the panel, as he was a leader at Minneapolis marketing agency Russell & Herder. In addition, he led media relations and crisis communications at Children’s Hospitals and Clinics.
Dan will share his expertise working in health care industries and will discuss the difference between working for agencies with working for health care organizations.
Dan has served on the boards of inclusive outdoors education nonprofit Wilderness Inquiry of Minneapolis and of Genesis II for Families (now FamilyWise), a Minneapolis nonprofit that assists families struggling with poverty, substance abuse, mental health and other issues.
McKaela Baldus will discuss how she successfully matches employees with Creatis clients for a variety of marketing/creative roles she fills, and will share the top characteristics Creatis clients are seeking.
Prior to joining Creatis, she held various leadership roles driving client engagement and business development at Learn CDHC/Axcept Media, Express Employment Professionals and Griffith Printing. She has served on the Board of Trustees and other committees for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and as Membership Chair for Mn. Assoc. of Health Underwriters.
McKaela brings a unique perspective from both sides of the employment equation – what managers want and what employees must give – and what is the perfect formula for success.
Event host
We thank Creatis for hosting this event with us. Creatis is a marketing services firm of 100+ employees that helps marketing and creative leaders from companies like Medtronic, UnitedHealthcare, Ecolab, Deluxe, Cargill, University of Minnesota, Ameriprise and others get more work done. Learn more at creatis.com.
