2024 Alumni Honors: Cathy Rydell, ’88

After serving in the North Dakota Legislature, Cathy Rydell led several medical organizations, including serving as CEO of the American Academy of Neurology for 21 years.

Hometown: Grand Forks, N.D.

Area of Study: Political Science

Every time Cathy (Wilson) Rydell, ’88, stepped into a new role, she felt like an imposter. “I’ve never had a job where I believed I was qualified in my entire career,” she said, “but I grew into my positions because I loved the work and always wanted to learn more.”

Cathy’s career peaked with a 21-year tenure as CEO of the American Academy of Neurology, the world’s largest association of neurologists and neuroscience professionals, which concluded in 2020. Cathy’s journey to the top, however, was unconventional. “It was a very crooked path,” she said, reflecting on her start at UND in 1968. She loved her classes, sorority, and boyfriend, future husband Chuck Rydell, ’71. 

She and Chuck married before she graduated and had their first child. Chuck joined the military, and Cathy focused on raising Kim (Rydell) Zellers, ’98, and soon Jen and Mike. Years later, as the couple considered the challenge of financing college for three children, Cathy began to look for work. Known for her community leadership, Cathy was encouraged to run for office and was elected to the North Dakota House of Representatives, where she chaired the Human Services and Education Committee. “I had to become the expert in health care and K-12 education,” she said.

One of her proudest achievements was sponsoring the North Dakota Clean Indoor Air Act. “No legislator wanted to touch it,” she recalled. “I was a Republican told by mentors, ‘Don’t do this. It’s anti-business.’”

Cathy didn’t care. Her mom died of lung cancer, and she knew the detrimental effects of secondhand smoke. The bill passed. After that Cathy, who won her first election by 76 votes, was re-elected by the largest number of votes of any legislator in the state.

During her legislative years, Cathy started thinking about that unearned college degree. “I ran into (then UND President) Tom Clifford at the capitol and said, ‘Tom, I never graduated. I want to get my degree from UND.’” 

Tom agreed to help Cathy, who didn’t want to leave Bismarck. In 1986, people weren’t using computers. “Sending a fax was as techy as anybody got,” Cathy said.  

Nevertheless, Cathy enrolled as a UND student. She worked with UND students and professors to get notes and took exams at Bismarck State College (BSC). To graduate, she worked with Lieutenant Governor and UND Professor Lloyd Omdahl on an independent study. 

It was there that I realized my real skill was in identifying and growing talent in others.Cathy (Wilson) Rydell, '88

A connection with a fellow student in a BSC class and her legislative reputation led to a position as the Director for Women and Children’s Services at St. Alexius Hospital. “I was totally unqualified, but I loved the job!” 

Her performance in each role led to greater responsibilities. She became Director of Surgical Services at St. Alexius, Executive Director of the North Dakota American Medical Association, and finally CEO of the Academy of American Neurology.

“It was there that I realized my real skill was in identifying and growing talent in others. That made me believe that I’m not an imposter,” she said, recognizing the value in her natural ability to foster success in others. “I thought everybody could do it, but not everybody takes the pride in and enjoys seeing others succeed.

Fun Facts About Cathy

Cathy’s granddaughter, Reagan, is a sophomore at UND. Her grandson, Will, will be here in year (fall 2025) to play hockey. “He went to his first hockey game in a onesie,” she said.