Business Builders Workshop
Business Builders Workshops bring entrepreneurs and industry specialists together to answer real questions that small businesses face. This FREE event is proudly brought to you as a collaborated effort of SBA resource partners: we are here to serve you!
Topic: [Not Even Close to] Everything You need to Know About HR
Description: During this session, we will discuss some of the most common employer challenges in the hiring and termination processes, along with ways to build a strong HR foundation early, to differentiate yourself as an employer for the long term.
Presented by: Michelle Worner Kommer, HighRoad Partners, CEO/President
Co-hosted by:
North Dakota Small Business Development Centers
North Dakota Women’s Business Center
Minnesota Small Business Development Centers
SCORE Mentors
Veterans Business Outreach Center of the Dakotas
U.S. Small Business Administration
Speaker
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Michelle KommerHighRoad Partners, LLCMichelle Kommer is the founder and owner of HighRoad Partners, LLC. HighRoad Partners is a full-service health insurance agency specializing in group employer and individual benefit policies, including Medicare supplemental policies. Through HighRoad Partners HR Solutions, the organization also provides “in-sourced” human resource support to businesses, to fill a gap that often exists for small business that are on the run, growing and scaling their own operation. HighRoad Partners is proud to partner with small companies to achieve success, offering a breadth of HR competence and experience, along with the HR technology of a large company, at a reasonable price.
In the four years preceding the launch of her business in 2020, Michelle responded to an invitation from North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum to leave a successful career in the private sector for an exciting opportunity to join, learn, lead, and be a change maker as a public servant. Upon his taking office, the Governor appointed Michelle to serve the citizens of North Dakota in his cabinet as Commissioner of Labor. In 2019, Governor Burgum invited Michelle to take on the challenge of serving as the state’s Commissioner of Commerce. In that role, she was responsible for leading efforts to diversify the economy, recruit visitors and new residents, anticipate and address workforce demands, and help equip North Dakota communities for today’s changing environment, while assisting their efforts in preparing for tomorrow’s opportunities. Prior to Michelle’s appointment as Commerce Commissioner, she served as Executive Director of Job Service North Dakota, in addition to her duties as Labor Commissioner, making her the first person to lead two cabinet agencies at the same time.
Prior to her tour in public service, Michelle worked for more than 20 years in the private sector, with her career path including positions leading human resource, operational and legal functions in the financial services, health insurance and energy/manufacturing industries. She is a licensed attorney, and her practice includes contract negotiation and management, labor and employment matters, and corporate governance. Her executive experience includes leadership of the strategic planning, human resources, project management, information technology, operations, and legal functions. She is a self-professed “process geek”.
Michelle was named among USA Today’s Women of the Year in 2024, the “Woman of Impact” by the ND Women’s Business Network in 2020, YWCA’s “Woman of the Year” for Child Advocacy in 2016, and one of the “Top 25 Women in Business” by Prairie Business Magazine in both 2014 and 2015.
Michelle has served on numerous public, private and nonprofit boards, including First International Bank and Trust, Public Employee Retirement System Board of Trustees, Village Foundation, FMWF Chamber of Commerce, Fraser, Ltd., and Churches United for the Homeless. Michelle has been a passionate advocate for child welfare in North Dakota, both as a foster and adoptive parent. Responding to a need for adoptive parents for North Dakota foster children, Michelle founded the North Dakota Heart Gallery in 2007 and continues to serve as President and Chair of the board today. Through the help of amazing volunteers, the Heart Gallery has served more than 200 children in finding “forever families”.
Michelle’s hobby, after many years of research, observation, and personal experience, is writing, and speaking about a unique aspect of workplace interactions – healthy female relationships at work. Through her insightful live presentation, and a shorter version presented at TEDx Fargo, she exposes her audience to the reasons why these relationships can be “complicated’, and the path to healthy, supportive, authentic female relationships in the workplace. This message is for all audiences – including men!
The child of educators and a life-long learner, Michelle received her undergraduate degree from Mayville State University, her master’s degree from the University of Mary and her law degree from the University of North Dakota School of Law.
At home, she enjoys a fulfilling and chaotic life, with three daughters (two adult) who are strong, smart, and extremely messy warriors, and two dogs. Their home serves as a profit center for car insurance companies, and test site for feminine products and pet stain remover.