3 People 3 Questions

The Carlson School catches up with an alum, a student, and a professor to talk books, inspiration, and memories

Mary Benner

What are you reading?

I am reading All You Need to Know about the Music Business by Donald Passman. My current research is about the challenges of technological change for major record labels, and this is a great book for understanding the music industry.

What is your favorite website?

Weather.com. I don’t linger there reading the feature articles or anything, but I check it every day. Especially in winter.

What is your dream job?

I have it! During more than a decade working as a consultant and in management positions, I thought I would like to someday be a business school professor. So I went back to school for my PhD and now have my dream job at my undergraduate alma mater. But if not this, it would be to host a renovation show on HGTV.

Kersten Dolgner, '11 BSB-HRIR 

Associate System Analyst, Land O' Lakes Inc.

What are you reading?

Hard Choices by Hillary Clinton. I find inspiration in learning how women in leadership roles can make an impact and be successful while maintaining their own personal integrity, and I’ve found Hillary’s experiences and accomplishments are truly inspiring.

What is your favorite website?

Pinterest is essentially my cookbook and idea warehouse. I use this site to pull new recipe ideas and to save favorites. Beyond cooking, I use the site to discover how I can enrich my balcony garden and find how-to knit tutorials.

What is your dream job?

I realize this is not an official job title but a job that would allow me to consistently “make people’s days” would be the absolute dream. I think of people who have brought joy into my life and what it would be like to have their roles—specifically my academic advisor, mentors, and career coaches from undergrad.

Elise Maxwell 

MBA Class of 2016

What are you reading?

Family Furnishings by Alice Munro (there is truly nothing like a Munro short story) and Value Proposition Design by Alexander Osterwalder. It's an excellent resource for startups.

What is your favorite website?

This is hard. Entrepreneur, NPR, Refinery29, LinkedIn. I get inspiration from stumbling across startups and learning about entrepreneurs, especially women entrepreneurs.

What is your dream job?

My dream job is to not have a job. I want to spend my life creatively and collaboratively solving problems. I am in the middle of my first startup that aims to support women in finding better period care products. All women should have access to products that are safe, effective, and sustainable.