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Lindsey Burkhardt ‘09 has learned to choose action over fear. That choice, first nurtured at Minnesota State Moorhead, has carried her into leadership roles where she transforms how communities approach child abuse prevention.

When Lindsey reflects on her time at Moorhead, she remembers dedicated professors, mentors who helped her find her path, and a campus community that gave her the confidence to chase her calling.

“My advisor took the time to guide me; she made me realize that early childhood education was where my heart truly was," she says.

BS in Early Childhood Education

Through Moorhead’s early childhood education program, Lindsey gained hands-on experience in her internship at Head Start. “It wasn’t just classroom learning — I was out in the community applying what I was being taught. That practical experience opened doors and laid the foundation for everything that came after,” she says.

Mentorship combined with friendships and community shaped Lindsey’s career direction and sense of purpose.

“ºÚÁϸ£ÀûÍø gave me confidence, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Most importantly, it gave me a passion for advocacy. My professors were my biggest cheerleaders — they modeled what it means to stand up for others,” she says.

After graduation, Lindsey’s internship experience translated directly into a full-time position at Head Start. From there, her career grew to supporting newly resettled refugee families at Lutheran Social Services, provided victim services for youth criminal cases and coordinated the Restorative Justice Program at the Clay County Attorney’s Office.

Lindsey also served as the Director of North Dakota’s Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Task Force, a role that blended her background in education with her dedication to advocacy. She trained organizations, developed resources like the , and spoke at statewide conferences to empower communities with tools for prevention.

Lindsey speaking in the 2025 Annual Bakken Human Trafficking Summit

The urgency of her work is clear: according to the , one in four girls/one in six boys are sexually abused before the age of 18. For Lindsey, those stark numbers are a call to action. “The biggest worry a child should face is whether they want the red or orange popsicle — not whether someone is going to hurt or harm them again,” she says.

“Early on, I struggled with fear,” she admits. “But I realized I had to let go of fear and focus on prevention. Because prevention is possible. If all my efforts keep even one child safe, it’s worth it.”

Lindsey’s commitment has earned her recognition as the and .

Yet Lindsey credits Moorhead for lighting her path. “ºÚÁϸ£ÀûÍø didn’t just prepare me for a career — it prepared me for a life of advocacy. The confidence and mentorship I found there have carried me through every step of this journey.”

Looking ahead, Lindsey is committed to ensuring children live the joyful lives they deserve. She is now the Director of Prevention Initiatives at Families Flourish.