Ricot Aladdin welcomes back Tony Grindberg, North Dakota Principal Manager for Xcel Energy and longtime public servant, alongside Benny Manirishwa, an NDSU freshman studying marketing.
Tony shares his journey from public office to leading energy and economic development efforts at Xcel, offering wisdom on mentorship, networking, and building meaningful connections that create opportunity. He emphasizes the importance of “developing a plan and working the plan,” encouraging students and professionals alike to dedicate just one hour a week to grow their network and invest in their future.
The conversation explores how energy innovation supports workforce growth, how mentorship bridges generations, and how community engagement can light the path—both literally and figuratively—toward a brighter North Dakota.
Meanwhile, Benny brings a fresh student perspective, sharing lessons from his early business ventures and discussing how courage and consistency open doors.