Manager of Nielsen’s Pastries
Seattle
Global Development Studies major 2012
Prairie manages Nielsen’s Pastries, a Danish bakery in Lower Queen Anne that has been in Seattle since 1965. She finds pride and joy in maintaining the Old World charm of a small shop that serves as a piece of history in a rapidly changing and growing city.
How does your time at SPU connect to the work you’re doing today?
SPU taught me to put care and dedication into every aspect of my life. What I realized upon leaving SPU is that you can make a large impact, even if what you are doing isn’t the most glamorous or prestigious thing. My education taught me to learn from people, to walk alongside them, and to grow with them. Through the interactions I have everyday with my employees and my customers, I am able to share my heart and soul in a truly honest way and break down social barriers that are far too prominent in our society today.
Who made a difference in your SPU education?
Dr. Kathleen Braden taught me to listen to every perspective and to never be satisfied with the first answer to a question. She pushed me to be the best I could be and to own whatever work I did and make sure that it was fulfilling and that it made a difference in people’s lives.
What advice do you have for students about life after graduation?
Whatever you do, make sure that you are always continuing to learn, because that is the only way you will continue to grow.
