Sharpen your skills, ignite your passion, and deepen your sense of purpose while networking with and learning from fellow leaders.
Join us at the University of Mary for the 2026 True Leadership Institute, a two-day experience dedicated to developing authentic, mission-driven leadership. Hosted in Butler Hall at the Gary Tharaldson School of Business, this conference brings together business leaders, professionals, and students who desire to grow in character and impact.
Vern Dosch is the past president and CEO of National Information Solutions Cooperative (NISC). NISC provides billing, accounting and engineering software solutions to more than 800 rural utilities and telephone companies and 14 million end customers in 49 states, American Samoa, Palau, and Canada, with offices in Mandan, ND; Lake Saint Louis, MO; Cedar Rapids, IA; and Shawano, WI. NISC employs more than 1,000 highly-skilled employees. Dosch, a life-long resident of Bismarck-Mandan, holds a bachelor of science degree and a master's of management degree from the University of Mary and resides in Bismarck with his wife, Lynne. Vern and Lynne have three grown children: Zachary (Skylar), Brittany (Jesse), and Jordan — and three beautiful grandchildren.
Pat Bertagnolli recently retired as the executive director of Job Service North Dakota, concluding a career marked by leadership in workforce development, community building, and public service. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business from Carroll College in Helena, MT, and his professional experience spans multistate operations management, workforce planning, and employee relations for a Fortune 100 company. Recruited to North Dakota in 2011, Pat spent nine years supporting Western North Dakota’s oil and gas industry by recruiting talent from across the nation—work that played a key role during a period when Watford City, located in McKenzie County, became the fastest‑growing county in the United States from 2010 to 2020, according to US Census data. Prior to leading Job Service North Dakota, Pat served as the community enhancement director for Watford City, helping build industry partnerships and advance initiatives showcasing the opportunities of living and working in North Dakota. He also served on the North Dakota Workforce Development Council for more than a decade, was a member of the State Board for Career and Technical Education, and served on the Governor’s Cabinet for both Governor Doug Burgum and Governor Kelly Armstrong. Now retired, he looks forward to spending more time with his kids and grandkids.
Jesse Brock is the Founder of TransformCX and author of Designed to Be Chosen. He helps businesses design clear, consistent customer experiences using simple frameworks that eliminate uncertainty, build trust, and drive growth. Jesse has worked with organizations across automotive, banking, healthcare, and service industries to turn customer experience into a repeatable advantage.
His belief is simple: great customer experiences don’t happen by chance—they’re designed.
