FEatured FEWs

Rebecca Hoffman

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Gratitude Counseling LLC

FEW Member since August 2018

Hometown: Melrose

Family: I am a mother of one son, age 20

What do you actually do at work?

Provide therapy for individuals, couples and families

How do you help others succeed? 

I focus on the positives, listen, and help define goals. I am often described as a very genuine and encouraging person.

Is your desk/office messy or organized?  

Organized, but there are days...

Last book read? 

Educated by Tara Westover.  I was fascinated to see how she overcame so much and went on to thrive.

Last vacation spot?

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, just got back the second week of January! The turquoise water was amazing.

What is your personal or business philosophy?

My favorite quote is “She believed she could, so she did.”  My philosophy is to envision where I want to be while believing I can get there.

What would other FEW members be surprised to learn about you?

I received the scholarship from FEW in 2005. I always appreciated this honor from this group of professional women, and so when I had the opportunity to join, I jumped at it.

What one word would friends say best describes you?  

Compassionate

Name: Tracy Jacobs 

Tax Manager

BerganKDV

FEW Member since August 2017

Hometown:

Annandale, MN

Family:

Husband - Allan, 12 year-old son - Lucas, 5 year-old daughter - Zeeva, Great Dane - Sika

What do you actually do at work?

To keep it short, I help clients and staff with questions and help solve problems, review tax returns, compiled and reviewed financial statements, and payroll filings that have been prepared by staff.

What was your first job (ever)?

Aid for the physics department at Mankato State

Is your desk/office messy or organized?

Usually organized (depending on how far into tax season it is)

Are you a task-oriented person or a people-oriented person?

More of a task oriented person.

Who was your favorite teacher, and what did they teach you?

Mr. Altman - 8th grade shop class.  He was also my basketball coach who taught the importance of being there for your team (we had 6 players on the team).

Last book read?

Working on The 36-Hour Da

Last vacation spot?

Alaska - loved it

Do you work in the field you were educated in?

Yes

What do you do for fun?  

Going to the movies with my kids, running, triathlons, making quilts.

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A chiropractor

What is your favorite (clean) joke?

What’s a penguins favorite food? Ice-burgers

Name: Lori Braegelmann

Regional Coordinator, Central Minnesota (12 years)

Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota

Member since 2016

How do you help others succeed?

I help others succeed by being curious about them, supporting them with enthusiasm and inspiration, and conveying that I want them to be successful.

Is your desk/office messy or organized?
My work space is um, a-hem ... full, with piles. But the piles are all organized and I know where to find things.

What is the last book you read? 
A Legacy Unrivaled, The Story of John Gagliardi by Boz Bostrom

Where was your last vacation spot?
At my best friend's cabin on Little Birch Lake.

What is your biggest indulgence?
Strong coffee, but that's tied with chips and fresh salsa.

What do you do for fun? 
I love to walk, read, do puzzles, and spend time with my grandkids.

What would other FEW members be surprised to learn about you?
I love public speaking. It gives me energy to speak in front of a group, from 20 to 200 people.

Name: Nina Lasceski, OSB

Associate and Planned Gift Specialist,
Office of Mission Advancement,
Saint Benedict's Monastery

Member since 2016

What was your first job (ever)?

As a teenager, I did babysit for various families in the town where I grew up. My first retail job was in a very small book store in the city next to the town I lived in. The owner usually ran the store herself and needed someone to work for her so that she would not have to be present day in and day out. After being trained, there were certain afternoons when I indeed did work in the store alone as cashier. Since the store was so small, I learned many tasks concerning books like how to order them from the publishers (before the Internet!), how to stock shelves, and how to do inventory. 
I got to create and set up fun window displays as well.

How do you help others succeed?

As much as I can, I try to look life and situations with a glass half full instead of empty attitude. I do my best to help others see how this can help them too. Another area I emphasize is the importance of having patience, both in yourself and in others.

Who was your favorite teacher and what did they teach you?

Oh, this one is a hard one, because I had so many. In elementary school, I enjoyed Mrs. McConnell, as she read each of the Little House on the Prairie books to her classes every year, including mine. I grew up in Michigan, and who would have guessed many years later, I would live in the state highlighted in those books. In high school, my favorite was my speech teacher, Mrs. Strachan. She always encouraged me and enriched my love of public speaking.

Do you work in the field in which you were educated?

Well, sort of. I have a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Broadcast and Cinematic Arts. One of the duties for my job is writing radio advertisements for our monastery. When we need a video produced, I help with that too. I had two minors in college, one being Business Law and Regulation. This knowledge is helpful in my planned giving role. Before coming to the monastery, I worked ten years in the broadcasting field and then ten years in the call center customer service profession.

Biggest indulgence?

Pizza.

What do you do for fun?

Sing. I first began to sing in my church choir in the sixth grade and I have been singing ever since.  Currently, I sing in the monastery schola and in the Great River Chorale in Saint Cloud.

What one word would friends say best describes you?

Well, can I say two? Detail oriented.

Name: Crystal Brink

Account Executive, Innovative Office Solutions

What was your first job (ever)?

Nurse's Aide, Country Manor, Sartell

How do you help others succeed?

I encourage and give honest advice on how to improve.

Are you a task-oriented person or a people-centered person?

I am task-centered as a sales person. I need to make sure everything for my customer is done in a timely manner. I have lists!

Who was your favorite teacher and what did they teach you?

Mr. Kroll, my 5th grade teacher. He taught me learning can be fun. He gave me the fire to keep on learning and always strive to make myself better. He actually received Teacher of the Year the year after I had him.

Do you have a mentor?

Two. My mom and my sister.

What do you do for fun?

Golf and hang out with friends and family.

What is your personal or business philosophy?

Always treat others as you would like to be treated. You don’t know what is going on in their lives.