1st Tuesday: 5 Things About Thrivent CEO Teresa Rasmussen

Minnesota Carlson welcomes Teresa (Terry) Rasmussen, the president and CEO of Thrivent, as the featured guest of the 1st Tuesday Speaker Series on October 6. Thrivent is a Fortune 500 financial services company that offers advice, insurance, investments, banking and generosity products and programs to clients in communities across the United States. 

Secure your seats for the next 1st Tuesday at this event registration link. Before Rasmussen takes the stage at the McNamara Alumni Center, here are five things to know about her:

What was your first job? 

My first job was as a dental hygienist, which may seem like an unlikely starting point for a CEO. But it taught me lessons about listening carefully, building trust and focusing fully on the person in front of you that I still use today.

What about Thrivent excites you?

I’m excited by the opportunity to change the way people think about money. Financial success matters, but money can do so much more. It can create security, open possibilities and help people make a difference in the lives of others. Thrivent helps people put their money in service of what matters most to them.

What’s a trait you value in a leader?

Curiosity. Strong leaders don’t have all the answers. They ask good questions, seek out perspectives different from their own and remain willing to change their minds. That makes them more adaptable and better partners to the people they lead.

What’s a lesson from school you still use today?

School taught me not to be intimidated by what I don’t know. Going back for degrees in accounting and law required that I step into unfamiliar territory. The willingness to be uncomfortable has opened some of the most important doors in my career.

What’s your top advice for students pursuing careers in business?

Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to have a perfect plan. Do good work, keep learning and invest in relationships. Then be willing to say yes when an opportunity stretches you. My career didn’t follow a straight line, and I’m grateful it didn’t. Some of the experiences that seemed least connected at the time ended up preparing me for the opportunities that mattered most.