Joan Kimball, business development director at the Quebec Government Office in Chicago, will give a free public presentation titled “Building a Career from Scratch” at Northern Michigan University. The U.P. native and NMU graduate provides strategic business development and marketing expertise to more than 400 manufacturers and key industry association/government partners in Quebec.

Kimball will explain how to build a business from an idea, using the keys of communication and fearlessly navigating international business relations. She will share her own experience becoming an innovative marketer, high-energy entrepreneur and guerrilla business development leader for world markets and industries.

Kimball is returning to her alma mater as the NMU College of Business' executive in residence. Her talk will begin at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21, in the Erie Room of the University Center. RSVPs are accepted at universe.com/executiveinresidence. For more information, contact the NMU College of Business at 227-2900.