Kerry K. Fierke '96 / Manager of leadership and staff development at SMDC

10/22/2009

Occupation:
Manager of leadership and staff development at SMDC

What do you actually do?
I manage the strategy, implementation and coordination of all leadership
development. The team I manage also creates staff training programs and coordinates continuing
medical education (CME) for the 7,000 physicians and employees.

Number of years in your job: 3

Education:
B.A. in communication from the College of St. Benedict/St. Johns University; Master of arts in
organizational development from Concordia University; Doctor of education in leadership from St. Marys
University

Family: Husband, Gardner Lepp; Paris, 5; Quinn, 4; Sawyer, 2; dog, Nokie

Community involvement: Leadership Duluth (2007-08), College Connections

What brought you to Duluth?
I grew up in northern Minnesota, but left the area wondering if I would ever return. As the years passed, I
yearned to be closer to nature and the amenities of the area. With some hard work (and a little luck) my
husband and I found the perfect professional opportunities in Duluth.

Describe your best mentor.
There is something to learn from everyone that I come in contact with (both positive and negative). Each
person in my life has unique gifts and talents and teaches me new things, and hopefully vice versa.

What do you do for entertainment?
I enjoy a perfect mix of accomplishment, relaxation and adventure. Sometimes its a walk in the woods
alone with my journal, a long meditative, energizing run, a family fun day with my husband and kids, or
meeting up with friends at a local pub.

Describe a perfect day.
It’s a day filled with meaningful work, stimulating conversation, time alone to reflect, uncontrollable
laughter and learning a unique perspectives of life from my children.

What do you think Duluth needs?
To dare to change. Duluth can transform into a community that is as innovative and energized as the
people who live here. We need to work together and evaluate what were doing and find new pathways to
achieve.

What motivates you in your job?
Im motivated by meaningful work and contributing to making a difference in an organization. Ive lived my
life with the intentions of leave something better than you found it. I discovered this philosophy when I
was a teenager providing guided tours in the Boundary Waters.

Where do you see yourself in 20 years?
My goal is to continue to be passionate about life and each path that Im on. I havent yet invented the
person I will be in 20, or even 5, years from now. Im continuously growing and that is what excites me.

What advice would you give other young people hoping to build a career in Duluth?
Keep your integrity throughout your career. Invest time in the people who know the real you. Those
relationships are the ones that will remain important throughout your life.

What are you most proud of having accomplished?
Ive put energy into creating an integrated life. An integrated life means that I honor the various parts of
the person I am. I am a woman, a wife, a mother, a sister, a daughter, a friend, a colleague and many
other aspects that are important to me.

Attachment Link: http://news.vocus.com/click/here.pl?z2195569518&z=950239508

Institutional Advancement
College of Saint Benedict
St. Joseph, MN 56374
(320) 363-5682
(800) 648-3468