GrowND: Workforce Showcase

PAT BERTAGNOLLI serves as the Executive Director of Job Service North Dakota, bringing extensive leadership experience to the role. He holds a B.A. in Business from Carroll College in Helena, Montana. Pat's career spans diverse leadership positions, including multistate operations management, workforce planning, and employee relations for a Fortune 100 company. Recruited to North Dakota in 2011, he spent nine years serving Western North Dakota in the oil and gas industry, recruiting talent from across the nation. Before joining Job Service, Pat was a Community Enhancement Director for Watford City, ND, leading efforts to engage the community, build industry partnerships, promote student ambassador programs, and spearhead strategic initiatives showcasing the benefits of living and working in North Dakota. A dedicated advocate for workforce development, Pat has served on the North Dakota Workforce Development Council for over 10 years and is a member of the State Board for Career and Technical Education.

MARIE BUCHLI is a North Dakota native with a passion for community support and finding innovative solutions to meet the needs of our youngest citizens.

Marie started her career in banking and finance while still attending NDSU, then spent nearly thirteen years gaining experience in everything from consumer banking to commercial client management. With many years of experience in financial wellness and a passion for community support, Marie left the banking industry and joined Junior Achievement North, now serving as the VP of Regional Operations. After over a decade as a JA volunteer, many years as a board member, and serving as the Fargo Moorhead JA co-chair, this transition was incredibly positive and fulfilling. Marie is a 35 Under 35 Alumni and was North Dakota Volunteer of the Year in 2018.

In addition to a career she is passionate about, Marie is blessed with a wonderful family. Her husband Scott is also very involved with a non-profit that supports at risk teens. Their son is an amazing mix of artist and athlete, regularly winning awards for his art while being a standout rugby and football player, and their daughter is an animal lover, spending as much time as she can riding her horse and taking care of their rescue pets, Daisy and Luke. With two very active children, the Buchli family stays very busy with friends, school, and activities!

ALLI GOOSSENS serves as the Assistant Director of Employer Engagement in the Career and Advising Center at North Dakota State University. In her role, she works with employers across industries to develop customized university engagement and recruitment strategies, helping foster industry connections to the university and broadening student access to high-quality jobs, internships, and experiential learning opportunities. Alli is passionate about creating intentional connections between higher education and the workforce, ensuring students are well prepared to launch successful careers. Alli holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary Education from Concordia College and a Master of Science degree in Counseling and Student Affairs from Minnesota State University Moorhead.

MELISSA MARSHALL doesn’t just talk about transformation; she lives it. As the owner of Dale Carnegie of North Dakota and Northwest Minnesota, she’s spent 20 years helping leaders and teams break through barriers and unleash their genius. A student of business, life, and the school of hard knocks, she brings raw authenticity, humor, and an unshakable belief in human potential. She meets people where they are, helping them sharpen communication, lead with confidence, and create real, lasting impact.

RETHA MATTERN serves as Executive Director of Public Engagement for the Lignite Energy Council, where she leads the organization’s communications, education, membership, and public affairs efforts. Her work connects North Dakota’s lignite industry with policymakers, educators, member companies, and communities across the region, promoting an understanding of the industry’s economic and environmental contributions. She oversees major initiatives including the Lignite Education Seminar for teachers, the Lignite Energy Council Annual Meeting, CoalPAC events, and strategic outreach campaigns that promote understanding of coal’s role in grid reliability, economic strength, and national security.

Prior to joining the Lignite Energy Council, Mattern held several leadership positions at Bismarck State College, including Director of Admissions & Outreach, Director of the Great Plains Energy Corridor, and Business & Outreach Coordinator for the National Energy Center of Excellence. She also worked as a reporter and assistant news director for KFYR-TV in Bismarck and served three years on the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education.

Mattern holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of Maryland and a Master of Science degree in Management from Minot State University.

PATRICK MINEER is the Founder and CEO of Golden Path Solutions, a company focused on workforce development and career readiness by helping today’s students find clarity in their education and career paths while strengthening connections between education and industry through their application Compass.  Compass is available to all K12 and post-secondary students in North Dakota through partnerships with ND CTE and NDUS.  In addition to Golden Path Solutions, Patrick is the founder of Blue Fire Consulting, an organization providing management and project execution services to primary sector companies in the region, and is also the president of the Minn-Dak Manufacturers Association.  Patrick has an extensive background in a variety of roles in operations, finance, marketing, development and strategy throughout his career, including ten years at Microsoft.  Patrick also serves on several college advisory boards, including North Dakota State University, Bismarck State College, and MState Moorhead.  Patrick and his family reside in Fargo, North Dakota.

JENNA MUELLER serves as Chief Operating Officer of F5 Project, a nonprofit organization working to end recidivism by supporting individuals impacted by incarceration, behavioral health conditions, substance use, and housing instability. She oversees organizational operations across multiple regions in North Dakota and Minnesota. Through F5 Project’s work breaking barriers to employment and stability, F5 Project helps connect employers with a largely untapped workforce, individuals who are ready to work, contribute, and rebuild their lives when given the opportunity while strengthening North Dakota’s workforce.

SHERIFF SHARMA brings over a decade of leadership experience in sales, marketing, and business growth. As the founder of Inclusive Staffing, he helps businesses scale through Remote Professionals while reducing overhead and increasing efficiency. With past roles as Director of Business Development at DTN Staffing and Chief Marketing Officer for Vibra hospital, Sheriff has led impactful growth and branding initiatives. Grounded in a people-first mindset shaped by his background as a travel nurse, he builds lasting partnerships rooted in trust. Recently honored with the Bismarck Chamber’s 20 Under 40 Award and a Small Business of the Year nomination, Sheriff continues to lead with vision and purpose.

WAYDE SICK has been involved in education and workforce development for over twenty years. His first role with the State of North Dakota was with the Workforce Division for the ND Department of Commerce, starting in that capacity in October 2012. In May of 2018, he was named the State Director for the Department of Career and Technical Education. Prior to serving for the State, Wayde was employed with the Burdick Job Corps Center in Minot from 2003-2011 where he served as an academic instructor, CTE Manager, and the Deputy Center Director. Wayde has a bachelor’s degree in Social Science Education and a master’s in management, both from Minot State University.