Senior manager continually lends skillset to community improvement

Above: Drew Sannes (Middle) with the leadership team at Light Consulting.

As director of strategic projects at Light Consulting, Drew Sannes brings order to uncertain situations, such as helping small businesses get on their feet. She leads strategic initiatives for the company, guiding client strategy planning and contributing to development efforts. For her impactful leadership in her career and her community, Drew is being awarded an MSUM Foundation 2026 10 Under 10 Award.

As a former collegiate and professional basketball player, she also serves as a referee for multiple conferences within Division 1 and Division 2 women’s basketball. Drew earned her BS in Business Administration (’16) and MBA in Business Administration (’18) at Minnesota State Moorhead.

Drew Sannes refereeing a women's basketball game

Outside of her work, Drew is committed to nonprofit work, leading and executing large community events and initiatives like the United Way of Cass-Clay fundraising initiative Fiesta 4 Impact.

She was part of the founding board and is a key contributor to Faith Forward (equipping professionals to lead like Jesus), serves as past president of the board of directors for GiGi’s Playhouse (free programs for those with Down syndrome), and served as marketing chair for the area’s Chamber Young Professionals Network.

“Her calm and caring demeanor pairs with a humble confidence and can-do, positive attitude. She is the real deal, and a blessing to anyone that gets to work with her,” says Faith Forward executive director Mark Wallace.

Drew isn’t just a senior manager; she uses her skills to serve her community through consulting for start-up businesses, planning and coordinating events for non-profits, and serving on leadership committees for organizations that make a positive change in the Fargo-Moorhead area.

Congratulations to Drew Sannes for being one of the MSUM Foundation’s 2026 10 Under 10 Awardees.