ACG MN Women's Leadership Series - Employee Ownership Panel

CEO of JLG Architects, Michelle Mongeon Allen is an award-winning designer, 2022 Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA), and Past President of AIA Minnesota. Michelle charted JLG’s growth from a 15-person, one-office partnership to a nationally recognized ESOP company of over 170 employee-owners across 10 offices, including her Minneapolis office within the 1874 Historic Washburn A Mill. Her firm has been recognized as MSN Money’s 50 Most Admired Companies in the US, Inc. Magazine’s 50 Best Places to Work in America, Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal’s Top 25 Architecture Firms, and the 2019 ENR Mountain States Design Firm of the Year. 

Michelle is an industry trailblazer known for her commitment to elevating the next generation of architects through a firm-developed and nationally recognized mentorship program, leadership positions in countless professional organizations, serving as chair for the North Dakota State University Department of Architecture and Landscape Architecture Alumni Advisory Board, and her present role on the Dunwoody Architecture Program Professional Advisory Council.

For more than three decades, Sue Crockett has used her collaborative and visionary nonprofit management skills in strategic planning, membership recruitment, meeting planning, and fundraising to build and transform some of the largest business associations in the Upper Midwest. Her passion for employee ownership and the wealth equity it creates for all workers has also helped to establish her as one of the most sought after thought leaders and go-to resources for news media in the five-state region as well.

As the founding executive director of the Minnesota Center for Employee Ownership, a free and unbiased hub for education and resources on all forms of employee ownership, Sue has successfully introduced the growing nonprofit organization to more than 500 business owners and their advisors throughout Minnesota. Prior to joining MNCEO, Sue served as the executive director of the Minnesota/Dakotas Chapter of The ESOP Association for 30 years. Under her financial stewardship and decisive leadership, the organization was named Chapter of the Year an unprecedented three times.

Recognized as an early visionary in digital strategy, advertising and monetization, Nina Hale is a successful CEO, board member, and predictor of technology trends. Hale brings a solid business foundation with a passion for innovation and cultural trends. Balancing profits, loyalty, and employee wellbeing, Hale excels in the role of innovator, advisor, and champion. In 2005 Hale founded Collective Measures, now the largest Performance Marketing agency in Minnesota. Hale and her agency have worked with some of world’s leading brands to develop and execute successful digital sales strategies. In 2014, Hale converted her agency to a 100% Employee Stock Ownership Plan, and later oversaw the transition to a new CEO. She completed her exit in 2020. Hale serves on numerous non-profit boards, lending expertise in strategy, marketing, and workplace culture.

Kyla Hansen is a partner and heads the Audit and Assurance services department at John A. Knutson & Co., PLLP (JAK). She helps her clients navigate their financial statements by providing audit, review, and compilation services and assisting with GAAP compliance and implementation. In addition to being a CPA, Kyla is also a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA). She uses her experience with value calculations and ESOP’s to help guide her clients through ownership transitions and tax related matters, using the additional expertise of the tax
partners at the firm when needed. Kyla prides herself in being a trusted advisor for her clients.

Nicole Behm-Koep is Managing Partner and co-owner at Quazar M&A Professionals. Nicole’s primary focus is on business development, managing client and prospect relationships, guiding clients through the acquisition process to a successful closing, and overseeing operations. 

She serves on multiple association and nonprofit boards, including: Association of Corporate Growth (ACG) Minnesota, where she is currently the Board President, the Minnesota-Dakotas Chapter of The ESOP Association, the Minneapolis Club, Northwest Suburban Chapter of Pheasants Forever, and the James Sewell Ballet. Additionally, Nicole volunteers with WomenVenture and the Printing Industry Midwest Education Foundation committee. 

Prior to joining Quazar in a full time capacity, Nicole worked as the HR Business Partner to New Ventures for Ecumen, a non-profit provider of Senior Housing and Services, where she managed HR responsibilities for in-house and third-party senior housing start-ups in multiple states, from proforma through building open. In her 6+ years at Ecumen, Nicole provided HR consulting to senior management, field leadership, and employees. Earlier in her career, Nicole held HR leadership positions at Next Day Gourmet, a division of US Foodservice, and Target Corporation. Nicole has her Bachelor’s Degree in Global Business Management from Arizona State University.