Crowns and Careers

Here on the Miss Chain of Lakes page we often showcase the job of a titleholder: volunteering in the community, performing our talents, speaking at events, and wearing sparkly gowns on occasion. It's time to highlight what this title holder does without a crown and sash.
I work full-time as a financial analyst at a Twin Cities medical device company! For the past year and a half I've held two roles with varying responsibilities including working with business partners to manage millions of dollars in annual budgets, performing accounting procedures in accordance with GAAP, trend analysis, mentoring interns and new hires, and recently leading my team's Continuous Improvement initiatives (CI boards pictured here - clearly I get really excited about the great work my team does).
My role as a titleholder in the Miss America Organization complements my role as a woman in business. As a titleholder I've learned to network with community members/sponsors and to present to different audiences. Both roles require me to problem-solve, think critically and creatively, and create trusted partnerships. The greatest benefit to my professional career has been the Miss Minnesota sponsor Dale Carnegie. The class I took with other professionals in sales, engineering, project management, and IT helped me learn how to present myself and my ideas powerfully. We practiced inspiration and influence, skills I'll bring into my career long after I crown my successor.
This pageant girl is so much more than the glitz and glam (but creative expression through what I wear is still a lot of fun!) Pageant girls do important work with and without the crown. Miss Chain of Lakes 2019 is just as much a part of my identity as my education in economics and experience as a financial analyst. I'm thankful that Miss America celebrates the whole individual in her service, scholarship, style, and success 👑