MFA graduate named Communicator of Achievement
Karen Stensrud, Fargo, was recently named the National Federation of Press Women “Communicator of Achievement,” the highest honor bestowed by the organization, at the national conference in Chicago. The award is presented annually to an individual, nominated by his or her affiliate, in recognition of outstanding work in the communications field and contributions to the organization at state or national levels and to the community.
Stensrud received an M.F.A. in creative writing from Minnesota State University Moorhead. She is vice president of marketing and communications at State Bank & Trust. Before joining State Bank in 2004, she owned Words That Work, a business that provided freelance communications services to more than 70 organizations. She has also worked as a marketing specialist at Dakota Medical Center, Fargo, and as a reporter in Alexandria, Minn. She served three consecutive terms as president of North Dakota Professional Communicators, and has won numerous state and national contest awards. She is in her third year as an NFPW Education Fund board member and co-chair of NFPW’s high school contest.
As a community volunteer, Stensrud co-founded the Women’s Business Exchange of Fargo-Moorhead, providing education and mentorship for business women. She is also in her second year as co-chair of the Women’s Fund of the Fargo-Moorhead Area Foundation, a permanent endowment to improve the lives of women and girls.