Rising Star: Macy Anderson
Macy Anderson is an Associate Attorney at Blethen Berens, a role she’s held since August 2020. She practices primarily in the areas of business law, mergers and acquisitions, estate planning and commercial real estate. In this interview, she shares her passions and the steps she took to be our Rising Star.
What steps did you take to get to your current position?
I graduated from the University of North Dakota with a Bachelor of Accountancy degree. I went immediately to law school at Mitchell Hamline School of Law, where I graduated in May 2020. During law school, I interned at Northwestern Mutual – Twin Cities in their compliance/supervision department. I also spent a summer at Blethen Berens as a summer associate, which led to my current full-time position. After graduating, I sat for the Minnesota bar exam in July 2020.
Why did you choose this career path?
I chose to pursue a career in law because it’s a field where I get a new challenge every day, and there’s always an opportunity to continue learning. I learn about clients – their businesses, their passions, their families – as well as emerging and changing areas of the law.
Why do you like your work?
My favorite part of my job is helping to clear barriers and obstacles for clients as they pursue what’s important to them. Whether it’s a business client who wants to buy, sell, or grow their business or a family who wants security and peace of mind for their finances and loved ones, helping to identify, break down, and navigate obstacles or barriers is such a privilege, and it’s very rewarding.
What inspires/drives you?
My family is a huge inspiration to me. My parents worked their whole lives to create the best life for my siblings and me. I’ll try my best to be half the people they are. My parents and my siblings model servant leadership. Their hard work and compassion inspire me every day to be a better version of myself. My faith also lives at the core of who I am and serves as a driving force in my life.
What advice would you give to other young professionals?
My biggest pieces of advice would be:
(1) Be a sponge. Soak up and filter everything you see and experience (the good, the bad, the ugly) to help define and refine the best version of yourself. Never stop refining. (2) Say yes to opportunities that excite or intrigue you.
(3) Set healthy boundaries in your personal and professional life.
(4) Don’t be afraid to rethink your perspective and beliefs, and
(5) Never be too big or too important to do the little things. Everyone wants to save the world, but not one wants to help with the dishes. Do the big things, but do more of the little things, and whether big or little, always do the right thing.
What app can’t you live without?
Duolingo – I’ve been (slowly) learning German for almost a year now, so my Duolingo app and I are well acquainted. Plus, there’s no moment of boredom that a quick German lesson can’t fix!
Maps – Good Lord, I’d be lost (literally) without my maps app. I was not blessed with an internal compass, so if it can’t be Google-mapped, it’s not happening for me.
MN 511 – Winter driving is so much less stressful when you can monitor driving conditions statewide.
Looking back on the beginning of your career, what do you know now that you wish you’d known then?
Well, it certainly was not for lack of forewarning from my loved ones (particularly my parents), but I wish I’d known/understood that life is going to take a lot of unanticipated turns that you have to learn to roll with. When I was 18-, 19-, and 20- years old, I thought I knew exactly the path my life and career would take. But as my mom and aunts have often said, “Man plans, God laughs.” I’ve previously been resistant to change and anxious about deviating from my predetermined pathway, but some unexpected changes are both necessary and exciting. I tend to be big on planning, control, and organization, but some of the best experiences and areas of growth in my life have stemmed from disruptions to that plan and taking a chance on new opportunities. Those moments of uncertainty, weakness or perceived defeat are often the moments where I learn more about myself and how to use my strengths to navigate change and disruption.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
There’s no way to be certain, but wherever I am and whatever I’m doing, I hope I’m married with a family. Family is such a huge part of my life, and I cannot wait to have one of my own. So, I’ll be immensely blessed if I get the opportunity to raise some kids (stubborn and strong-willed like their mother, I’m sure) and help improve the lives of others through my work. I also love Minnesota (most days), so I’ll be here, raising a family, hopefully having lived through a Stanley Cup, Super Bowl, or World Series win – a girl can hope!
