David Hakensen is the author of the biography Her Place in the Woods: The Life of Helen Hoover. He is a strategic communications consultant and served as president of the Minnesota Historical Society from 2017-2023. He currently serves on the board of the Norwegian American Historical Association and served previously on boards at Norway House and the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce. Hakensen is an accredited member and Fellow of the Public Relations Society of America. He has written for Minnesota History, Mpls.St. Paul, and Twin Cities Business magazines.