Mindy grew up in Iowa and moved to Alaska in 2004. Since living in the Interior since 2010, she has worked for the Alaska Legislature, the Fairbanks Economic Development Corporation, and the Interior Gas Utility. She has also served as a labor business representative. More than 10 years ago she started Blue Canoe Media, a boutique marketing, political and communications consulting firm. She earned her B.A. degree from Iowa State University in Event Planning and Business Communication with an emphasis in Public Relations and a M.A. in Professional Communications from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, where she focused on organizational culture and communications in governance surrounding relocation of Alaska Native villages due to climate change.