Diana Hermes honored 40 Under 40

Prairie Business Editor Carrie McDermott awarded Diana Hermes her 40 Under 40 award.

By Bobbi Steffens Assistant Managing Editor, Wahpeton Daily News

Prairie Business Magazine hosted the annual Prairie Business Awards banquet ceremony in Fargo, North Dakota on Thursday, Sept. 26. The event was held at the Radisson Blu and the honorees from the 2023 40 Under 40 were recognized for their achievements.

Prairie Business' 40 Under 40 honors exceptional business professionals aged 40 and under, from across the region who have made significant contributions to their careers and communities.

"Every year, Prairie Business seeks nominations of our region's top young professionals who are ambitious and impactful in their careers and personal lives,” said Prairie Business Editor Carrie McDermott. “For the 2023 40 Under 40 contest, we received nominations for nearly 100 people, which we narrowed down to the 40 we feel best exemplify the traits required for success -- great work ethics, service to others, innovation, impactfulness and creativity.”

One local recipient was recognized with this prestigious honor. Diana Hermes general manager/advertising manager of the Daily News/News Monitor was in attendance to receive her award.

“It was a great honor to be recognized for my work, and it was especially meaningful to be the sole recipient selected from the Southern Valley,” Hermes said.

McDermott relayed that she was happy to say that Diana Hermes, general manager and advertising manager for Daily News and News Monitor, was one of those 40 professionals who are doing great things at their place of business and in their communities.

“Her growth at the two community newspapers is impressive, starting as a classified sales representative who moved up the ladder through the years, taking on more and more responsibility and earning many awards along the way,” McDermott said. “She is very involved in her community, giving her time to organizations such as Make-A-Wish, Wahpeton Breckenridge Chamber Ambassadors, and Lutheran Women's Missionary League, among others. As a former colleague, I was proud to present Diana with the 40 Under 40 award this year."

Hermes shared that she experienced reflective moments during the ceremony.

“North Dakota State College of Science was one of the event sponsors. As a Wildcat alumni, it had a very full-circle feeling to it,” Hermes said. “On a personal level, the award held even more meaning as it was presented by colleague and former coworker, Carrie McDermott.”

Another highlight of the event for Hermes was being honored alongside a fellow Hankinson High School alumni class of 2003 graduate and dear friend Ashlee Erickson. Erickson is employed by Noridian Healthcare Solutions in Fargo as an Operations Supervisor, with the ND Medicaid Contact Center.

“I would like to thank my husband Jamie for his continued support as my career has grown and flourished over the years,” Hermes said. “Another special thank you to my mom Wanda Zietlow, my daughter Lexi Krause and Daily News/News Monitor Publisher Tara Klostreich who all were in attendance and have encouraged me during my tenure with Wick Communications.”

“It was an honor to sit beside Diana as she received this deserving award,” Tara Klostreich said. “Diana has grown with our company through many changes the past ten years. I am very proud of her.”

Prairie Business covers business trends and news across North Dakota, South Dakota and western Minnesota.