Who We Are
Local Support From Local Experts
At HighRoad Partners, we deliver unique HR and Benefits solutions to meet your company’s needs. With a team that is experienced in all areas of our business so that you can go to any one of our staff members, knowing that you will get knowledgeable expertise that you can trust.
Michelle Kommer
Owner
Michelle has a passion for building great teams, leaving things better than she found them, and helping businesses be successful. She is a self-described “process geek” and gets satisfaction from helping businesses build efficient and streamlined infrastructure. Michelle previously served as North Dakota’s Labor Commissioner and Commerce Commissioner, which provided a close-up view of the challenges and triumphs of small business owners. “It’s my goal to create a beautiful harmony by partnering with small businesses to assist with their ‘people systems’ (what we are good at) so the small business can focus on building and growing its core (what they are good at).”
Prior to her public service, she spent more than 20 years in the private sector, serving in executive Human Resource, Legal and Operational leadership roles in a variety of industries including financial services, manufacturing, heavy construction, energy, and health insurance. She is licensed to practice law in North Dakota and Minnesota, experienced in labor and employment matters, as well as corporate governance and contracts. Michelle is a passionate advocate for child welfare, as a foster and adoptive parent. She founded the ND Heart Gallery, a non-profit promoting the need for adoptive families for ND children. She is proud of her three fierce, funny, fantastic daughters and enjoys the company of her two-and-a-half dogs (one is a little chubby). For fun she works (for real), reads, and travels.
Sheri Bartels
HR Partner
Sheri is an accomplished Human Resources professional with a strong dedication to client service and employee well-being. With a wealth of experience in onboarding, employee benefits & payroll, and employee relations counseling, she is adept at navigating the complexities of the HR landscape. Sheri’s commitment to small to mid-sized employers is evident in her proactive approach and her role in contributing to their success stories.
Outside of work, Sheri finds fulfillment in family life, actively supporting her two children in their various activities. Her passion for giving back to the community is evident through her volunteer work with charities, particularly those focused on improving the lives of children. Sheri’s passion for relationship management extends beyond the workplace, reflecting her genuine desire to make a positive impact wherever she goes.
Sarah Dockter
Agent
Sarah is a dedicated and knowledgeable insurance agent specializing in employer-group health insurance. With licenses in ND, MN, and IA, she is equipped to serve clients across multiple states. Her commitment to excellent customer service is evident through her willingness to provide quick and effective solutions to her clients’ needs.
With a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from MSUM, Sarah has a solid foundation in management and business operations. Her minor as an HR Business Partner and her SHRM-CP Certification further enhance Sarah’s understanding of employee benefits and human resources practices. Having worked in HR and business for over a decade, Sarah brings a wealth of experience to her role in the insurance industry. Since 2018, she has focused on sharpening her knowledge and skills specifically in employee benefits on the broker side, enabling her to offer valuable insights and strategic solutions to her clients.
Outside of work, Sarah prioritizes her family and enjoys spending quality time with her husband, children, and labradoodle. Whether it’s relaxing at home or exploring the outdoors through hiking and gardening, Sarah values making lasting memories with her loved ones.
Karla Koenig
Client Experience Manager
Karla has a passion for optimizing business operations to elevate both client and team experiences. Specializing in administrative operations, Karla brings a wealth of expertise to her role, focusing on areas such as business operations, payroll administration, and continually refining the client journey to exceed expectations.
Karla holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from MSUM, providing her with a strong foundation in business principles. Driven by her passion for operational excellence, Karla remains committed to delivering impactful results in all aspects of her work.
Outside of work, Karla is grateful for time spent with her husband and their two children cherishing weekends at the lake.
Erin Koeppe
Agent / HR Partner
Erin is a seasoned Human Resources professional with over 15 years of experience licensed in both ND and MN. Her dedication to building strong partnerships and connections with clients highlights her commitment to providing exceptional support tailored to their specific needs. She goes above and beyond to ensure that customer expectations are not just met, but exceeded, by implementing efficient processes and paying close attention to detail to deliver effective solutions.
With expertise across various HR domains including recruiting, onboarding, employee relations, training, and benefits administration, Erin brings a comprehensive skill set to her role. Her experience extends across diverse industries such as financial services, retail, and higher education, demonstrating her adaptability and versatility in addressing HR challenges in different organizational settings.
Erin holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from NDSU, complemented by professional certifications including PHR (Professional in Human Resources) and SHRM-CP (Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional), attesting to her commitment to ongoing professional development and mastery of HR best practices.
Outside of work, Erin finds joy in spending quality time with her husband and three children, actively participating in their activities.
Kayla Leeds
Agent
Kayla is a dedicated insurance professional, holding licenses in both ND and MN. With an impressive decade-long tenure in the industry, she brings a wealth of expertise, particularly in Medicare and Individual health insurance. Her dedication to her clients is evident in her commitment to providing comprehensive guidance, ensuring they are well informed and confident in their insurance decisions.
Having graduated from the Minnesota School of Business with a degree in Marketing, Kayla combines her educational background with her practical experience to effectively communicate with her clients and meet their needs.
Outside of work, Kayla prioritizes spending quality time with her family. Together with her husband and daughter, they relish the opportunity to go camping during the summer weekends.
Tina Sailors
Client Support Specialist
Tina Sailors is the heart of our Client Support team at HighRoad Partners. With a genuine passion for serving others, she ensures that every caller receives prompt assistance and is directed to the appropriate resource with ease. Specializing in providing support to our Medicare, Individual, and Group agents, Tina goes above and beyond to enhance the experience for both her teammates and clients alike.
Outside of work, Tina finds joy in various hobbies. She enjoys spending her free time fishing, crocheting, sewing, and cherishing moments with her grandchildren. Her dedication to both her work and personal interests reflects her well-rounded nature and commitment to making a positive impact in all aspects of her life.
Maria Wingenbach
Agent
Maria is a self-proclaimed benefits enthusiast who enjoys helping people understand their benefit options, ensuring the plan fits their individual needs, and problem-solving to make the end user’s experience as stress-free as possible. Maria’s background in employee benefits transitioned into helping individuals with Medicare as they prepare to retire and beyond! It is her goal to help you leave her office feeling calm and confident in your benefit choices, all while having a little fun along the way.
Maria’s HR career has spanned over 15 years, specializing in employee benefits, compensation, and leave administration in the higher education, food service, and retail industries. Maria graduated from Concordia College with a B.A. in Business Management. Maria and her husband stay busy with two children and a Mini Schnauzer. In her spare time, she enjoys attending the kids’ activities as well as finding new adventures in the Leech Lake and Fargo areas.