Win-E-Mac graduate receives Top Women in Finance award

Women leaders’ career paths frequently take many directions, which has been the case with Kristen Kimmell, who started her working career in our local bakery and has continued making dough, just in another form.

Kristen is a 1989 graduate of Win-E-Mac high school and the daughter of Robert and Betty Tangen of McIntosh. 

When Kristen graduated from the University of Jamestown with a B.A. in accounting and business administration, she did not devote much energy to mapping out a detailed long-term career plan, instead she decided that she needed to remain adaptable, and willing to learn. “That is what I emphasize to other people. The more adaptable you are, the happier you will be,” said Kristen in a recent article.

She began her formal career in accounting and moved through numerous finance positions and across multiple business lines. She is now Chief of Staff for the seventh-largest full-service securities firm in the U.S., where she has been for the last 19 years. She feels fortunate that she did not have to leave the company to gain different career experiences and encourages all women, “not to focus too much on progressing to the next logical step on the corporate ladder. Rather, be willing to take new opportunities, they can help you develop and hone the leadership skills which will help you gain future advancement.”

Kristen relied on many mentors to provide guidance and enable her to overcome challenges in her life and career. “These mentors have impacted me significantly,” says Kristen. Sometimes she even gained knowledge, that others may not of even know, simply by watching and learning. She now finds it one of her most important responsibilities, being a mentor for others.

IN 2015, Kristen Kimmell was awarded a Top Women in Finance from Finance & Commerce magazine. This impressive award honors those women who are making great strides in their career and communities. An expert panel of judges representing business and academia selected the 2015 honorees. 

“Remaining adaptable, building relationships, learning from everyone, and welcoming change. These are essential components to overcoming obstacles. When you encounter unexpected challenges, be confident that you can manage them, and recognize that, far from impeding you, they can actually help you succeed.

Kristen is married, living in the Twin Cities area. She and her husband, Robert, have 2 girls. 

 Kristen on her Mom, Mary

When asked, Is there a role model who has had a profound impact on your career and/or life? What did he/she do to motivate you? She answered, “The person who has been a role model and had a profound impact on my career is my mother.

“As a child, I was able to see my mother’s career develop and flourish and witness the passion she had for what she was doing. She worked hard and, at times, had to work tirelessly to accomplish her goals. That made a significant impression on me and, although I didn’t know it at the time, helped me establish my own work standards and goals.

“We lived in a small farming community so having an education was important to her. Although it was unspoken, I knew it was an expectation to succeed academically.

“Someone once asked me what brought me to this industry coming from a small town and insired me to be what I am today. I simply responded, ‘Because my parents never told me I couldn’t.’”