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FARGO, ND – To close out Women’s History Month, Gate City Bank hosted a late-March networking event and panel discussion focused on women’s leadership. Drawing 150 attendees, the event brought together many of the area’s community leaders to connect, share insights and learn from each other.
Real stories. Honest lessons. Meaningful connection. That was the spirit of Gate City Bank’s Connecting Women Leaders event, where a panel of local leaders shared insights from their own journeys – what worked, what didn’t and what they learned along the way.
“This event is about creating space for women to learn from one another, celebrate wins and be encouraged through challenges,” said Rammie Olson, Gate City Bank Vice President and Senior Commercial Relationship Officer, who spearheaded the event and led the panel discussions.
At the heart of the event was honest conversation, shared experiences and practical takeaways about navigating challenges, taking risks and lifting others. From servant leadership to the importance of inclusion and authenticity, several clear themes emerged throughout the discussion. Here are our top five takeaways:
Across industries, panelists emphasized the impact of servant leadership on organizational performance and culture. Ann Prifrel, Great Plains Food Bank Chief Executive Officer, explained that leaders who take time to understand their employees, offer flexibility and support individual needs are seeing stronger engagement and results.
Kim Settel, Gate City Bank’s Executive Vice President and Chief Retail Banking Officer, added that successful leaders involve others. She explained how Gate City Bank makes sure team members understand the bank’s guiding principles, mission and purpose.
Heidi Hassler, ABM Technology Group Director of Operations, stressed the importance of trust and communication. She said it’s crucial to maintain an open-door policy – and to run ideas by the people who will be doing the work before implementing them.
Panelists explained that inclusion is built through intentional, everyday actions. From inviting context and participation to being mindful of language and cultural needs, inclusive practices help people feel valued and strengthen both teams and communities.
Meagan McDougall, High Point Networks Dynamic IT Account Manager, pointed out that millennials in particular want context – not just direction. They want to understand where the organization is going and why, and they want to be included in the process rather than simply told what to do.
“When we bring that energy, we have a better chance of success,” she noted.
McDougall also mentioned that inclusion can start with small, thoughtful actions – like changing how we engage in everyday conversations. Something as simple as saying, “Tell me about your family,” instead of asking about someone’s spouse or kids can help avoid awkward or potentially painful circumstances.
Prifrel shared how providing culturally specific foods at the food bank instead of a one-size-fits-all approach has helped build trust and stronger community bonds.
“Diversity can move a community and organization forward by giving everyone a voice,” she said.
One powerful lesson centered on the cost of avoiding hard conversations. McDougall explained that when mistakes or issues are left unaddressed, they compound over time, creating stress and eroding trust.
“Whenever there’s an issue, it’s never been as bad as what I imagine it will be,” she remarked, adding that addressing problems quickly and collaboratively often leads to better outcomes than anticipated.
Sometimes the issues you have to address involve setting boundaries and advocating for yourself.
Hassler shared stories from working in debt collections at a time when it was a heavily male-dominated field. Dubbed “Heidi the Hammer,” Hassler said she was consistently underestimated and had to work harder, speak more boldly and clearly define boundaries – ultimately proving her capability by taking on challenges others avoided.
The takeaway? Advocacy and self-belief matter. Leaders must sometimes insist on being seen – and heard.
Leaders talked candidly about seasons of life that ultimately shaped their success and how fulfilling careers and personal lives don’t always unfold on the same timeline.
Prifrel shared how spending 11 years at home raising children – and volunteering extensively during that time – helped her develop skills that later prepared her for nonprofit leadership. She also echoed advice passed down from her mother about having it all.
The message was clear – leadership journeys are not linear, and time spent investing in family, community and self-development is never wasted.
Many leaders spoke about taking risks that didn’t always work out as planned but ultimately made them stronger.
Settel recalled a time when she was hired as a customer service representative but ended up working as a debt collector and eventually an auditor. While it wasn’t what she set out to do, she learned valuable critical thinking and negotiation skills along the way.
“Sometimes you just have to try,” she noted. “You never know what’s possible until you do.”
Prifrel described taking what was supposed to be a CEO succession-track position in Florida only to learn the succession was going to take two-to-three years longer than expected. Still, she said the move exposed her to greater diversity, reminded her what it feels like not to be at the top of an organization and helped prepare her for her current role.
“You might take a chance, and it may not work out the way you want it to work out. But what it did was make me a stronger leader.”
Continued growth also means staying relevant. Prifrel emphasized learning from mentors, connecting with other leaders and continuing to develop your skills to avoid becoming stagnant.
If there was one unifying message, it was: Show up authentically. Build relationships, stay curious, keep learning and lead with compassion.
The women reminded everyone in the room that leadership isn’t about having all the answers – it’s about bringing people with you, lifting others up and creating space for growth at every stage of life.
To make sure you’re invited to the next Connecting Women event, email KaylaSizer@GateCity.Bank.
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