The New Northern is on a mission to prepare organizations to address the environmental costs and challenges they will face due to enhanced climate change events. Immediately available to provide part-time and consulting services. Please reach out to discuss at ben@thenewnorthern.com. #opentoworkCurrent Projects: Collaborating with homeowners associations on the Whitefish Chain of Lakes, we’re tackling threats to aquatic ecosystems from climate change, invasive species, nutrient pollution, and unsustainable land use. Beyond environmental strategy, we're enhancing communication efforts to expand membership and build strong alliances in the surrounding communities.Developing a consumer app that gamifies environmental education, making it engaging and interactive. The app is designed to nudge users toward behavioral shifts, empowering them to make purchasing decisions that truly reflect their values.Developing two innovative dashboard products: one for monitoring and managing soil health, and another for institutions aiming to craft a Climate Conscious strategy.Past Projects: Crafted a long-term strategy for a small Midwest tourist market to tackle the environmental and social challenges of a growing year-round population and a critical shortage of family and workforce housing. Efforts included placemaking services to preserve and enhance the area's natural features and culture.Partnered with a Midwest homeowners association to create our first Climate Conscious community. Originally built in the late '90s, this community faced escalating environmental challenges due to outdated planning and climate-related loss events. Through nature-based solutions and cutting-edge technology, we helped the community mitigate these costs and safeguard their future.Implemented a plan to develop a carbon credit offering for a 4th-generation ranching family using a combination of regenerative ag best practices and the electrification of several buildings on the property.

Fostered cultures of innovation to help clients build beloved brands. Developed frameworks to boost operational efficiency, enhance organizational capabilities, and achieve strategic goals.Completed Projects:Developed frameworks for the seamless roll-out of membership programs for a leading global hospitality brand known for its upscale accommodations, exceptional service, and commitment to providing business and leisure travelers with a blend of luxury, comfort, and modern amenities in prime locations worldwide. Ensured minimal disruptions and smooth customer onboarding across upscale properties, from urban high-rises to serene resorts.Improved inventory management practices and integrated powerful new technologies for a leading industrial distributor, enabling better tracking, forecasting, and management of inventory relied upon by over 250,000 professional customers in the maintenance, repair, operations, infrastructure, power, and specialty construction sectors.Business Development:Collaborated with a leading American marine engine manufacturer to explore the future of electric and "smart boating" and "smart marinas," and developed a roadmap to prepare the organization for strategic transformation to grow market share and brand prestige in both commercial and recreational spaces.Created a carbon calculator for a multinational American auto manufacturer to facilitate an understanding of Scope 1 & 2 emissions when selecting vendors supporting the production of automotive parts and assembly.Developed a process framework for a Fortune 500 agricultural co-op to enable Scope 1 & 2 measurements across a network of grain silos.Developed a business case for a Major League Baseball team to identify the best investments to enhance the stadium experience, capitalizing on emerging technologies and cultural trends.

Completed Projects: I collaborated with the Chief Medical Officer of a Washington hospital network to develop the operational processes and capabilities required for the successful roll-out of the first Covid-19 vaccines. Working closely with C-suite leadership, I ensured compliance with rapidly changing state guidelines on eligibility. I concluded the engagement by creating automated systems to swiftly scale operational capacity, seamlessly integrating these into existing hospital processes, procedures, and technology systems.I championed the creation of an asset management solution, which led to the development of a capability-focused scorecard that guided 22 agile missions to enhance operational capabilities in nuclear fission and chemical energy sources. Additionally, I delivered a digital tool that provides real-time inventory insights for plant managers, empowering them to make data-driven decisions for maintenance scheduling and incident management.Analyzed and improved decision-making processes for capital expenditures at a major medical device manufacturer, integrating risk management strategies to proactively address potential issues and ensure smoother project execution. I also developed end-to-end process maps to visualize decision flows, which streamlined governance practices, expedited project initiation, and significantly reduced delays and rework.

Roles Held:Go to Market Lead - Development and execution of marketing strategy for new insurance productsProgram Lead - Development of commercialized trend analysis offering Product Lead - Development of business case for new technologies to transform existing business model for payment integrity

Roles Held:Program Manager - Development and Execution of Provider Onboarding efforts for new nationwide clinic systemLead Analyst - Audit of Payer Claims Shop

Roles Held: Lead Business Analyst - Design and development of business requirements for an ACA state exchange.

News editor for the weekly student newspaper. Prepared, wrote, and edited copy of staff writers to improve readability and impact of each article and the section overall.

Provide service for ceremonial and donor events. Assume 1 of 10 handpicked leadership positions for the college’s annual Celebration & Reunion Weekends. Hire student workers, set up and host events, greet and interact with alumni, and work on various other large projects utilizing own creativity and innovative ideas. Prioritize tasks in order to meet deadlines and troubleshoot at actual events.

Serve as brand ambassador for potential students and their families. Be able to quickly identify key motivations and interests to design hour-long experience that best represents what four years at St. Olaf would be like for each student.

Mentor and instruct 24 first year students during their transition into college. Represent students’ voice in weekly meetings with other members of Residence Life. Manage a monthly budget of several hundred dollars to provide social and educational programming for students

Conducted biological research on two species of Minnesota fish as part of National Science Foundation and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources grant. 1 of 4 students conducting team-based research on the life history of 2 Minnesota fish species to determine their potential as viable indicators of water quality. Presented research at Washington University’s Undergraduate Research Symposium. Will present at National Conference on Undergraduate Research in spring 2012.