A lifetime of international relations, starting at MSUM

Minnesota State University Moorhead is proud to recognize Dan Conrad '93 with the Distinguished Alumni Award, celebrating his storied career in law, international relations, and as the current CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota.

"I'm so proud to be a Dragon. It was a very formative place for me, and it is simply an honor to be recognized," he says.

While Conrad's career has taken him across the globe, it's his time at MSUM that provided him his first taste of travel.

"The idea of studying abroad was not highly prevalent at the time, but I wanted to do it," he says. "I was able to work with the international studies office to craft a unique experience, and I was one of the first people on campus to study abroad."

The experience was an internship with a law firm in London, and while that trip reaffirmed his desire to go to law school, it was also the first time Conrad traveled out of the country, or even boarded an airplane.

Growing up in the rural town of Lake Park, Minnesota, his experiences had mostly been with similar places, and similar people. This all changed when he transferred to study political science at MSU Moorhead.

"Moorhead State is a very diverse and international campus which broadened my perspective on the world," he says. 

It was here that Conrad not only got to broaden his perspective by travelling to a different country, but interacting with and getting to know students and faculty from all walks of life, and a variety of cultures. In particular, his classes with Professor Andrew Conteh allowed him to dream big.

"You have your world expanded when you're in a class with someone like Dr. Conteh talking about his international relations experience," Conrad says. "He got me hooked on the idea of international relations."

With a broader perspective, and a degree in political science and economics, Conrad moved on to law school at UND, and quickly got a job as a clerk for a federal judge in Fargo.

Conrad speaking at the 2022 Blue Cross Blue Shield of ND Worksite Wellness Summit

"You never know when an opportunity is going to drop in your lap, so you always need to be open to doing something different and progressing as a leader or a human," he says.

Conrad was equipped for the opportunities that came his way, taking them and working hard everywhere he went. He moved to Washington, D.C. to be a trial attorney, he then moved back to Fargo to work at a law firm, and took a job in the Twin Cities with Northwest Airlines before moving to Memphis to work for FedEx and their law department. Conrad then eventually landed where he is now: the CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota.

Looking back at his illustrious career, Conrad sees that eagerness and boldness to latch onto the opportunities given originated at MSU Moorhead.

He also is a large voice for giving back to one's community. Conrad serves on the Make A Wish ND board, is very active in the United Way of Cass and Clay Counties, and has an active volunteer program at Blue Cross Blue Shield of ND. This program awards employees 16 hours of paid time per year to volunteer in the community.


Conrad volunteering with Hope Blooms, a non-profit that repurposes and delivers flowers in Fargo, ND 

"I try to lead by example by spending those hours volunteering with local nonprofits each year," he says.

Conrad gave his best advice for current and prospective students:

Know yourself. "The more self-aware you are the earlier in your career, the more you are set up on a career path you will enjoy."

Learn what you excel at. "Figure out your weaknesses and strengths in college. I learned that I wasn't going to be a good engineer, but I did well in classes where I had to write and convey and idea or argue a point." It was this knowledge that led him to study political science and pursue a law degree.

Keep your options open. "Don't pigeonhole yourself too early with a career idea. Get on a path you enjoy and feel like you can do well on, and be open to the opportunities that come."

Following these principles has helped Conrad build a career he looks back on with wonder and amazement at where he's been and what he's been able to do.

"Who knew that a kid from rural Minnesota could go on to negotiate deals in places like Brazil and France?" he says.