ABOUT
Michelle Strinden was sworn in as the 40th lieutenant governor of North Dakota on December 15, 2024.
Michelle is a dynamic leader, community advocate and dedicated public servant committed to making a positive impact for all North Dakotans. With a passion for serving others and a drive for excellence, Michelle has distinguished herself as a tireless advocate for issues ranging from education and healthcare to economic development and behavioral health.
Born in Grand Forks and raised in Bismarck, Michelle developed a deep-rooted appreciation for the values of hard work, integrity and compassion that she learned from her parents, family and friends in the heart of North Dakota. These values have guided her throughout her personal and professional life, shaping her into the leader she is today.
Michelle's commitment to service led her to pursue an education degree from the University of North Dakota. Equipped with a strong academic foundation and a desire to effect change, she furthered her education with a masters in counseling from Minnesota State University Moorhead. From there, she worked as a school counselor in rural Richland County and West Fargo Public Schools, including three years at the alternative high school.
After the birth of her and Tom’s third child, Michelle stepped away from her career in public education to focus on raising their family and serving her community through nonprofit work. During that period of time, Michelle chaired nonprofit boards, ran numerous events, homeschooled two children and assisted Tom as they built their businesses.
Throughout her career, Michelle has held various leadership positions, where she has consistently demonstrated her ability to collaborate effectively, implement innovative solutions, and advocate for those in need. Her experience spans both the public and private sectors, giving her a unique perspective to the challenges facing North Dakota. From 2018 to 2024, she served south Fargo’s District 41 as a member of the North Dakota House of Representatives. While in the House, she served on the Education and Political Subdivisions committee before being appointed to serve on the Appropriations Committee, Human Services Subdivision in only her second session. She was an impactful advocate during her time in the Legislature, particularly in the areas of literacy and behavioral health for which she successfully passed several bipartisan bills including significant funding.
She served as the Chair of the interim Juvenile Justice Committee, Chair of the North Dakota Children’s Cabinet and on the interim Human Services, Healthcare and Budget committees. Michelle also served her state on the boards for the Anne Carlsen Center and Soul Solutions Recovery Center, an innovative addiction recovery organization in Fargo.
BIOGRAPHY
Michelle Strinden (Strecker) was born in Grand Forks to George and Betty Lou (Hafner) Strecker. When she was in elementary school, her parents moved to Bismarck where she graduated from Bismarck Century High School in 1987.
Michelle spent her summers at her grandparents’ farm in Beulah and is proud of her roots in agriculture and western North Dakota’s coal country. Michelle learned tremendously from her loving parents who raised her in a conservative and faith-filled home, in which the spirit of public service ran deep. She watched her mother, Betty, devote her entire career to tirelessly serving the people of North Dakota as an expert in Medicaid and eligibility policy. Her father, George, served in the Army and spent his career in sales for various North Dakota based companies.
In 1996, she married Tom Strinden, a Grand Forks native and Fargo private-practice ophthalmologist. Together they have four wonderful children, and two dogs (Lizzie and Toby). Jacob, 26, is a corporate and real estate attorney in Fargo and is passionate about politics, aviation, and travel. Joseph, 22, is a college student pursuing a degree in criminal justice and fills his time with mission work, hockey and golf. Benjamin, 21, is a sophomore hockey player at UND, a finance major and is passionate about all things hockey. Sarah, 18, is a senior at Fargo Davies, she keeps busy with competitive dance and is planning to attend the University of Minnesota.
Tom’s father and mother (Earl and Jan Strinden) have been an inspiration to her as well, and she’s been blessed to be a part of their family for nearly 28 years. Earl and Jan’s servant leadership have made a mark on the entire family and state. They left an amazing legacy of efficient and effective government serving in the ND House for almost 20 years, including 13 distinguished years as Majority Leader.
She got her start in politics after her freshman year at UND, when Pat Traynor recruited her to join the Strinden Team, supporting her future father-in-law’s campaign for U.S. Senate in 1988. That relit the political fire in her that was encouraged by her many years of dinnertime discussions with her parents and watching “Crossfire” with her father.
Michelle and her family have lived in south Fargo for 28 years and are active members at Atonement Lutheran Church. In their free time, they enjoy spending time with family and friends at their lake cabin, watching UND hockey and traveling.
