A Legacy of Leadership: UND Alumni & the BIO Girls Movement
Photo from left to right: Kelsey Roth, Richelle Bischoff, Alyssa Bernhardt, Missy Heilman, Macy Kraemer, Sarah Nupdal, Rebecca Binstock. Not pictured: Maddie Jacobson.
When Missy Heilman founded BIO (Beautiful Inside & Out) Girls in 2013, the UND graduate created more than just an organization; she planted the seed that would grow into a thriving network of alumni giving back to their communities.
More than a decade later, that network has come full circle in a remarkable way. The nonprofit Heilman created now employs UND graduates Alyssa Bernhardt, Macy Kraemer, and Maddie Jacobson, and features fellow UND alumni Sarah Nupdal, Kelsey Roth, Richelle Bischoff, and Rebecca Binstock on its Board of Directors.
But the alumni reach doesn't stop there. The BIO Girls program is volunteer-facilitated by over 1,000 volunteers each year, with UND graduates volunteering with the program across the region, including:
Kari Carlson | 2007 • Fargo, ND
Nicki Carlson | 2002 • Win-E-Mac
Brooke Conlin | 2007 • Grand Forks, ND
Nicole Marie Cook | 2012 • Win-E-Mac, MN
Stephanie LaCoursiere DeYoung | 2010 & 2013 • Waconia, MN
Kristina Gjersing Edman | 2007 & 2009 • Roseau, MN
Laura Elizabeth | 2010 • Little Falls, MN
Shantel Froelich | 2012 • Lisbon, ND
Michelle Hintz | 2003 • Bismarck, ND
Ashlee Lee | 2010 • Win-E-Mac, MN
Andrea Leftwich | 2006 • Bismarck, ND
Nikki Marie | 2009 • Grand Forks, ND
Kjiesta Moch | 2014 • Northern Cass, ND
Heidi Moser | 2003 • Roseau, MN
Emily Moulds | 2012 • Fisher, MN
Tiffany Oertwich | 2012 • Win-E-Mac, MN
Brittany Trosdahl | 2017 • Battle Lake, MN
…just to name a few.
It's a testament to the ripple effect one graduate can create. Heilman's vision has become a rallying point for UND alumni who want to invest in the next generation, transforming her initial spark of inspiration into a sustained movement of mentorship and empowerment.
The connection runs deeper than a shared alma mater; it reflects a culture of community service that UND instills in its students. These graduates aren't just lending their names to a cause; they're dedicating their professional expertise, strategic guidance, and personal time to ensure young girls develop confidence from the inside out.
What makes this story particularly powerful is how BIO Girls has become a vehicle for alumni to translate their education and experience into tangible community impact. From board meetings to program delivery across North Dakota, Minnesota, and beyond, UND graduates are working together to amplify the mission Heilman started over a decade ago, creating a legacy that extends far beyond graduation day.