Communication Advisory Board
The Communication Advisory Board provides a connection between the Department of Communication and communication professionals in the community. The Board advises the Department on matters relating to the needs of the communication profession and lends support to initiatives of the Department, including internships, guest speaking, new programs, professional development, grants, review and feedback on curriculum, COMM Week, events, fundraising, and research opportunities. Our faculty point of contact is Dr. Stephenson Beck. Dr. Beck can be reached at stephenson.beck@ndsu.edu.
Amanda Brannan
As an Organizational Development Program Manager at Doosan Bobcat, Amanda Brannan loves the challenge of improving organizational performance through people-focused solutions, specifically team and leader effectiveness. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in PR & Advertising (now called Strategic Communication) at NDSU in 2014 and went on to graduate in 2016 with a master’s in Organizational Communication, also from NDSU. With deep roots in the learning and development world, she gains energy from problem solving, collaborating, and facilitating. Nearly a decade of experience in the talent development and learning space has given her the opportunity to be involved in many different types of projects, such as onboarding, talent management, executive leadership development, launching virtual learning campaigns, designing and delivering myriad leadership programs, and leadership coaching. In her free time, Amanda loves exploring the outdoors through camping and hiking with her husband, two small kids, and family dog.
Samantha Duitsman
Samantha Duitsman serves as the Human Resources & Operations Administrator on the executive leadership team at Cass Human Service Zone, where she connects people, processes, and technology to enhance employee experiences and drive performance.
A 2015 NDSU graduate in Public Relations & Advertising, Samantha began her career at Sears, where she developed skills in team building, management, and communication. She later built a decade of HR and recruiting experience, particularly in the transportation industry, before joining Cass Human Service Zone.
A SHRM-SCP certified professional and 2025 FMWF Chamber Leadership graduate, Samantha leads with responsibility, integrity, and courage, believing that clarity and kindness go hand in hand.
Cody Harmon
Cody Harmon is the owner and founder of Scratch Media - a production company based in West Fargo, ND. He spends his days creating inspiring and exhilarating videos and photography. His career was born locally, but raised around the world as his projects take place in North Dakota and across the nation. Since graduating from NDSU with a mass communications degree, he has accumulated nearly 20 years of videography experience. He has shot everything under the sun: Broadcast News. Weddings. Special Events. Commercials. Interviews. Agriculture. Aerials. Hospitality. Cody has held every role that exists in this biz, from cinematographer to graphic designer to director to editor and back again. He’s lucky to say he has found his passion and has been given the opportunity to follow it each and every day.
Katie Hasbargen
Katie Hasbargen is employed by Microsoft and currently leads executive communications for Microsoft’s US Public Sector Industries team. She has served in many roles since joining Great Plains Software in 1998 and then Microsoft in 2001 via acquisition. She has been a global program manager, a product marketing manager, a product manager, and a strategic product communications manager and has run internal and external communications for Microsoft’s Fargo campus. Katie has a B.A. in Business Administration and Communication from Concordia College (Moorhead, MN) and a Ph.D. in Communication from North Dakota State University. She currently serves as a member of the NDSU Research Foundation Board of Directors and the Concordia College Board of Regents. Katie was born and raised in Fargo, ND.
Sean Kelly
Sean Kelly serves as the Director of Internal Operations for the North Dakota Soybean Council (NDSC), where he is responsible for providing management, direction and administration of all aspects of the daily operations. In short, he serves as the behind-the-scenes leader, assisting the Executive Director in guiding NDSC’s day-to-day rhythm, by ensuring the team around him has the vision, structure, and resources needed to achieve organizational goals.
Prior to joining NDSC, Sean spent most of the previous 35 years in the video production industry. Most recently, he acted as a broadcast technical director for clients including ESPN, CBS, FOX, and others. Sean began his broadcast career at KVLY-TV in Fargo, where he began to develop both his leadership and technical skills.
Denise Kolpack
Denise Kolpack was born on Norton Air Force Base in California, where her father served in Vietnam and the Philippines before returning to North Dakota as Northwood’s Chief of Police. Growing up in a service family gave her a deep appreciation for community and public service.
After graduating from East Grand Forks High School, Denise earned degrees in Political Science and Public Relations from the University of North Dakota. Her career has spanned journalism, public relations, and leadership roles, including serving as executive director of the North Dakota Newspaper Association and vice president of brand and marketing communications at Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota. Elected as a Fargo City Commissioner in 2022, Denise is passionate about serving her community.
Allison Weckman
Allison Weckman is the Business and Operations Manager for the NSF AgTech Engine in North Dakota, where she supports innovation and collaboration across the state’s agricultural technology ecosystem. With a background spanning marketing, event planning, and operations, Allison brings a strategic and people-centered approach to organizational management. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from North Dakota State University and has served on multiple community boards. Outside of work, she is an active volunteer at her church and local non-profits, and enjoys life with her husband, two children, and their family dog.
Madison Quamme
As director of public relations and social media at Flint Group, Madison Quamme takes a strategic approach to effectively communicate with audiences across various channels. Her drive to cultivate strong communities makes her a trusted partner to clients as they nurture their connections with stakeholders. Madison is passionate about quarterbacking public relations and social media plans. With a flair for quick thinking and a cool, calm and collected demeanor, she is dedicated to solution-focused outcomes for her clients. She brings excitement and experience to strategic planning, internal and external corporate communications, public positioning, and reputation management.
Kimberly Wold Janke
Kimberly is VP of Integration & Operations at Flint Group, where she drives organization-wide excellence through employee development initiatives and organizational structure, innovations and process assessments. With over 30 years of marketing communications experience, Kimberly previously served as VP of Client Services at Flint Group with a focus on healthcare and insurance. She has led award-winning campaigns, including a brand campaign that won the coveted Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Silver Anvil Award. Kimberly is a founding member of the NDSU Communications Advisory Board and has served in volunteer board leadership positions with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of ND, American Advertising Federation-Fargo Chapter and F-M Chamber Leadership program. She earned her bachelor’s degree in finance from Minnesota State University Moorhead and her master’s degree in business administration at North Dakota State University. Connect with Kimberly on LinkedIn.