After eventually accepting that other paths existed, she finished school as a graphic designer, bartended and served her way to a travel fund and, after her friend backed out, bought a solo ticket to Europe anyway. Three-plus months zigzagging across the continent, alone. Still one of the best decisions she's ever made.

Back in Minneapolis, she dipped into graphic design until a layoff nudged her toward post production producing, meant to be a quick detour before returning to the creative side. That was 15-plus years ago. Turns out the detour was the destination. She's still here, still producing, still laughing every day with the creative, smart, funny people she gets to work with.

Grateful doesn't begin to cover it.