The path to leadership is not always an obvious one. For Budget Analyst Gena Mikkelsen, it started in an unexpected place – a paralegal office. “I was working as a paralegal, and they needed a backup bookkeeper,” she said. “I thought, ‘Hey, I will give it a try!’ I ended up really loving it and went back to school for accounting. Little did I know that I would fall in love with budgeting and finance.”
That small step led to a flourishing career in finance, her role as a budget analyst at Western Washington University, and treasurer and director of finance at the Bellingham Symphony Orchestra, where music and numbers come together in surprising ways. In fact, Gena plays as principal piccolo and assistant principal flute for the symphony as well.
Gena Mikkelsen’s Influences and Early Beginnings
For Gena Mikkelsen, her mentors, family, and music have been constant sources of influence. “My music teachers and private coaches for flute and piccolo really understood who I am and my drive to succeed,” she says. “[And] always my parents. I told them that the band teacher said I had to start on the flute and wait to start the piccolo, but I said the opposite, and they bought me my first instruments at nine years old. Who knew that would lead to playing with Yo-Yo Ma and being the treasurer of the Bellingham Symphony Orchestra.”
Her perseverance and trust in loved ones continue to guide her in her personal and professional life.
Motivation and Music for Gena Mikkelsen
Music is in Mikkelsen’s soul, and it is part of her motivation and drive.
“I love music,” she says. “The symphony is a second family to me, and you will do anything to protect your family. The pandemic really was a large threat to the symphony, and we had to figure out a way to keep money coming in. That is when we really started to focus on our new endowment project and investing in stocks and bonds. There is a symphony of loving musicians and an entire community that relied on the board to get through the pandemic. We were also still able to virtually provide music throughout the shutdown, and I truly believe that made a big difference for people.”
Gena Mikkelsen’s Defining Moments and Achievements
For Mikkelsen, balancing family, education, and community service has not come easily, but it has been absolutely necessary. “For the last two years, I have been seriously juggling,” she says. “I was working on my now-completed MBA, playing full-time in the symphony, being the BSO treasurer, and raising two little kids with my husband. This will probably be the hardest thing I have ever done. When I received the Outstanding Graduate of the Year for 2025, I knew that all my hard work truly did pay off!”
Her list of accomplishments is undeniably impressive. One that stands out? “Without a doubt, believing in our Executive Director, Gail Ridenour, that, yes, we should send a letter to Yo-Yo Ma and see if he accepts,” she said. “He first said no, and then she wrote a beautiful letter about what our ‘Harmony of Discord’ program means to the community and the world. He felt so moved by the letter that he agreed to come in April 2026!”
The upcoming show is so popular that it has already sold out. “We will have one of the biggest stars coming to our city,” says Mikkelsen.
Lessons in Leadership with Gena Mikkelsen
The idea of good leadership is rooted in Mikkelsen’s values. “Trust and respect,” she says. “You must trust others; they will do the right thing and put the work in. Everyone has their own story and things going on in their lives. I pride myself on trusting others and respecting their professionalism to do the right thing for the symphony, university, and community we live in.”
That philosophy has also carried her through important decisions and moments in life, such as when she pursued her MBA. “That was scary,” says Mikkelsen, “I was afraid I wouldn’t have time, wouldn’t pass a class, my kids would resent me, my husband would resent me. Turns out that I really needed to do this for myself. I needed to have something that was just for me and to succeed.”
Aside from her professional drive, her love for her children and family is deeply ingrained in everything she does. Being a mother, especially, is one of her most outstanding ongoing achievements.
“Children have been the most rewarding and challenging thing in my life,” she says. “Growing up with ADHD myself, but not knowing until we were able to get our child diagnosed, has been a rewarding and challenging journey. Watching your kid struggle is hard, but what brings me joy is watching her grow and learn that who she is is okay. I think music will be her lifesaving gift. She also wants to be a piccolo player! Trust me, I pushed every other instrument, but I guess Piccolo is in the blood.”
Gena Mikkelsen’s Commitment to Community
Community service and actions are essential to Mikkelsen. “I hope people find happiness in our music and children find their passion,” she says. “I love hearing, ‘I have never been to a symphony and thought it would be boring, but I loved it!’ This happens way more often than you would think. As for WWU, I hope that I can keep assisting in the futures of others and start their journeys on a positive trajectory.”
Her commitment to music is a significant part of her volunteer work as well. “My treasurer position with the symphony is 100% volunteer,” she says. “I am also the events chair for our 50th season this year and have been working daily on getting items for our silent auction, a special event for the musicians to celebrate, and a dinner event prior to Yo-Yo Ma’s performance. I volunteer because I love it, and I know that it makes a positive difference in our community.”
Gena Mikkelsen Looks Ahead
“I have a major goal to be an Assistant or Associate Vice President at WWU,” she says. “I hope to still be the treasurer of the Bellingham Symphony and playing piccolo with them. I am pretty happy with where I am at in life and want to focus on my family first and foremost.”
Mikkelsen also wants to see more evolution and more modernization in larger roles. “I would love to see more women in leadership and the path to be smoother for them,” she says. “You have to fight your way to the top, and I hope this is something that lessens.”
As for advice to the next generation of leaders? “Listen to your gut,” she says. “Change is hard and scary, but if you feel that you need to pivot, do it! I was pretty scared to take a large pivot into business, but I am so happy I did. Dreams can come true even if you put them to the side and focus on growth, family, or whatever you wish! Plus, being surprised once in a while is a powerful thing.”
Gena Mikkelsen’s Lasting Legacy
When asked how she would like to be remembered, it all starts with love. “I hope when people talk about me, that they say I was a dedicated mother, wife, and loving person,” Mikkelsen says. “I would fight for people who couldn’t fight for themselves and shared music with the world.”
Join Whatcom Young Professionals and the Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the 2025 Top 7 Under 40 on October 2, starting at 5:30 p.m. at Four Points by Sheraton. Cocktail attire is encouraged, and registration is required by September 26. Click here for more details and to purchase tickets.
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