2024-2025 Leadership Minnesota participant profiles

Minnesota’s economic engine is powered by more than 100,000 businesses, a diverse landscape interconnected in ways not understood by the casual observer. For a select group, Leadership Minnesota opens the window to a behind-the-scenes look at what makes our state’s economy tick. This exclusive program also helps you understand how public policy crafted at the Capitol impacts the vitality of each and every Minnesota company. By establishing a rich network of Minnesota business leaders, your shared experiences make you more effective leaders at your workplace.

Check back to this page as more of our wonderful 2024-2025 Leadership Minnesota participants are profiled!

Profiled on January 9

Tell us why you love your company!  
I think that Clow offers a unique and great opportunity for advancement! I started at Clow 26 years ago working on the shop floor running lasers. Was able to take advantage of opportunities that arose to move up to the level I am at now. I think with Clow being very family focused from the start they recognize the value of their employees and make them a priority for advancement.

What’s something super interesting about yourself?
I guess I don’t know if this is really just about me alone but me and my son went axe throwing a couple years ago when he was about 12 or 13. He liked it so much we went back home and converted an old shed into an axe throwing shed, complete with two lanes, a bar and fire pit area. We named it after the Brand that was my grandfathers back when he started his ranch. Rafter 77 Axe throwing and the barbwire bar.

Who or what are you inspired by?
I am inspired by my parents. They installed a hard work ethic in me from a young age and it has helped me through life in many aspects. Dad was a blue collar worker and mom was white collar and they both worked extremely hard and advanced in their careers to make a great life. It was interesting seeing the two different professions growing up and getting to understand how they are totally different career paths, but that neither is better than the other.

What is one piece of leadership advice you’d be willing to share that you use? OR If you could give your 22 year old self some advice, what would it be?
Calm down, don’t overreact, try to look at issues from different perspectives to help make an educated choice or decision.  
Go out of your way to help other people succeed, By doing that you are guaranteed to succeed yourself.

If you had to pick a karaoke song to sing, what would it be and why?
Apparently it would be Summer of ’69 or Funky Cold Medina

What’s on the top of your bucket list?
I like to travel and have always wanted to experience Alaska, So that is towards the top of my list.

What’s a good book or streaming TV series you are into now?
I am reading the Goal right now, Have actually read it a couple times, but I like it because it pertains to my industry and I find it interesting. TV series would be Suits, Me and my wife decided to only watch it when we had time to watch TV together, that way we had something to watch that we both like. We started it over a year ago and are not done yet…… but getting close.

What is your favorite part of your Leadership Minnesota experience so far OR what are you most excited for?
My favorite event so far was the mining experience, I’ve always been interested in how that all works and it was great to have the opportunity to see it up close and in action. Favorite part in general is just getting to know everyone and having fun being involved in such a great opportunity.

The Minnesota Chamber just launched their inaugural “Coolest Thing Made in Minnesota” Award.  What do you think is the Coolest Thing Made in Minnesota? 
I may be a little impartial but I think the coolest thing made in Minnesota this year was the trophy for the coolest thing made in Minnesota!
 

Profiled on January 6

Tell us why you love your company!  
I love that we foster an environment of curiosity that pushes us to continue to improve not only our end deliverables, but our process and our service. We look for team members that have that same sense of curiosity and drive as we grow, which has created a unique culture rooted in innovation.  

What’s something super interesting about yourself?  
I love competition! Sports, board games, cooking challenges - whatever, I am in!

Who or what are you inspired by?  
My daughters! Their drive, persistence and desire to make the world a better place in their own unique ways pushes me work harder at being the best version of myself for them.

What is one piece of leadership advice you’d be willing to share that you use? OR  If you could give your 22 year old self some advice, what would it be?  
Just say yes! Don’t overthink the process or the demands for your time. Enjoy the opportunities as they come – they will bring you places you had probably never imagined you would be!

If you had to pick a karaoke song to sing, what would it be and why?  
Crazy Train, Ozzy Osbourne. Reason #1 – it does not require you to sing well! Reason #2 – The intro is epic and most everyone can either air guitar or sing along with you.

What’s on the top of your bucket list?  
Travel around the globe.  

What’s a good book or streaming TV series you are into now?  
I don’t watch a lot of TV, but when I do, it is usually the MLS season pass on AppleTV.  

What is your favorite part of your Leadership Minnesota experience so far OR what are you most excited for?  
The opportunity to connection with professionals representing a wide variety of businesses within the State of Minnesota.  Learning more about different our diverse economy and how policy is impacting industries outside of my own has been eye-opening.

The Minnesota Chamber just launched their inaugural “Coolest Thing Made in Minnesota” Award.  What do you think is the Coolest Thing Made in Minnesota?
UNRL. Athleisure apparel has really taken off, and the UNRL brand has been a unique local addition to the athleisure market. Their collaborations with the Vikings, University of Minnesota, Timberwolves, Wild are big name collaborations. UNRL has also partnered with ETS - which provides performance training to high school and college athletes across the state. Personally, I love the quality, look and feel of the UNRL products. Of course, the majority of our WSB branded apparel is UNRL.  
 

Profiled on January 2

Tell us why you love your company!  
NewRange Copper Nickel has the potential to become a significant domestic source of clean energy minerals like copper, nickel, cobalt, and platinum-group metals (PGMs). These minerals are essential for the clean energy transition, and by developing a domestic supply chain, NewRange hopes to decrease reliance on foreign suppliers, improving national security and economic stability.

The company is also a great community partner, prioritizing environmental protection and sustainability, as well as the region's economic and social development.

What’s something super interesting about yourself?
I was born and raised in South Africa, and spent most of my career in Namibia prior to moving to the USA 8 years ago.

Who or what are you inspired by?
Growing up in South Africa helped foster in me a deep understanding of social inequality and the importance of community. By drawing on my South African roots, I hope to bring unique insights, passion, and determination to my social performance efforts, making a positive social impact.

What is one piece of leadership advice you’d be willing to share that you use? OR If you could give your 22 year old self some advice, what would it be?
Stay humble. Stay grounded. Self-awareness is key.

If you had to pick a karaoke song to sing, what would it be and why?
Great Heart by Johnny Clegg

What’s on the top of your bucket list?
Galapagos Islands. I have a background in Environmental Science and I’d love to be able to see their unique biodiversity.

What’s a good book or streaming TV series you are into now?
I find myself returning to Tom Robbins' 'Still Life With Woodpecker' every year or so, eager to rediscover its surreal charm.

What is your favorite part of your Leadership Minnesota experience so far OR what are you most excited for?
I value the opportunities to visit new locations, gain insights into various industries, and enhance my knowledge of Minnesota's economic landscape. However, the most enriching part of the program is undoubtedly the chance to interact with fellow attendees.

The Minnesota Chamber just launched their inaugural “Coolest Thing Made in Minnesota” Award.  What do you think is the Coolest Thing Made in Minnesota? 
I’d have to agree with the voters - Scotch® Magic™ Tape

Profiled on December 13

Tell us why you love your company!  
U.S. Steel is such an iconic American company. First billion-dollar corporation, first with a board of directors, first with a code of ethical business conduct, and the first to use the phrase Safety First. USS played a huge role in the US winning two world wars and industrializing our nation. As far as our Iron Range operations go, we are a major employer in our region and provide a great living for so many families and have done this for generations. Our operations are much more complex and technical than most people think. There is always a new challenge to work on. Thankfully we have so many dedicated, hardworking, talented employees. 

What’s something super interesting about yourself?
I have been on 11 Canadian moose hunting trips. On one of the hunts a moose walked 11 yards from me! It was quite a rush, and I managed to get it on my GoPro!

Who or what are you inspired by?
My parents. Both are such hard workers who strive for perfection in everything they do. My father has a bunch of sayings that he would tell me. The two that come to mind are “Be the task great or small, do it well or not at all.” The other is, “If you don’t have time to do it right the first time, when are you going to have time to do it over?” 

When I would bring home a report card with an A- on it my mother would ask “what could you have done to make that an A?”

What is one piece of leadership advice you’d be willing to share that you use? Or if you could give your 22 year old self some advice, what would it be?
I was told by a former Senior VP to follow through and follow up. If you tell someone that you’re going to do something, do it. If you tell someone you will get back to them, you better get back to them, even if it’s not the answer they were hoping for. It really helps build credibility. If you don’t close the loop with them, you’re basically telling them they aren’t that important to you.

If you had to pick a karaoke song to sing, what would it be and why?
I’m going to have to go with Johnny Cash, Ring of Fire simply because the only time I sang karaoke was at session two of this program and that’s the song I picked!

What’s on the top of your bucket list?
Buy a cabin on Lake Vermilion.  (I checked that one off the list in August)

What’s a good book or streaming TV series you are into now?
Mr. McMahon on Netflix. It brings me back to my childhood when I loved watching professional wrestling.

What is your favorite part of your Leadership Minnesota experience so far OR what are you most excited for?
I love seeing all the different business. If I wasn’t in this program, I would never get to see all these amazing companies, how their products are made, or hear their stories. If I must pick a favorite, then I say the time spent at Sun Country has been the most interesting to me. It was fascinating to get a behind-the-scenes look at an airline. I wish we could have had more time to dive deeper.

The Minnesota Chamber just launched their inaugural “Coolest Thing Made in Minnesota” Award.  What do you think is the Coolest Thing Made in Minnesota? (Remember, it has to actually be made here)
Obviously, that’s a taconite pellet! Seriously, there is so much more that goes into making those little balls of concentrated iron than most people think.  When I travel around, I like to point to random things made of steel and tell people, “You know, that most likely started as a rock in northeastern Minnesota!” Mining is an important part of our economy and is critical to our national security. If we are serious about a sustainable, green economy then we must mine iron and other critical minerals here in the US. You can’t make a windmill, solar panel, or electric vehicle without mining.

Profiled on December 11

Tell us why you love your company!  
ALLETE employs a strong bench of leaders who foster collaboration, empower individual initiative, and provide resources necessary to succeed. These characteristics add up to providing an essential service to thousands of Minnesotans: reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy. Our company is a tight community that works hard, so I'm thankful to be working for ALLETE.

What’s something super interesting about yourself?
I'm colorblind, left-handed, play drums in a soul band, play in a hockey league, play chess, and worked for Congress for eight years. I try to keep my activities diverse and challenging.

Who or what are you inspired by?
My two-year old son Ashwin has a wonderful demeanor and is always looking for the fun and funny things in his surroundings. I aim to do the same.

What is one piece of leadership advice you’d be willing to share that you use? OR  If you could give your 22 year old self some advice, what would it be?
The most important aspect towards building trusting relations with anyone is being a good listener. This takes patience and energy, but it will often result in building better and longer-lasting relationships. 

If you had to pick a karaoke song to sing, what would it be and why?
"What I Got" by Sublime is often my go-to, and I don't see that changing anytime soon.

What’s on the top of your bucket list?
Return to Japan on a long trip. I studied abroad there for six months in 2009 and I've always wanted to go back.

What’s a good book or streaming TV series you are into now?
I tend to listen to podcasts, so I find myself listening to Sam Harris quite often on Spotify and YouTube. I find his thought process and conclusions very compelling, so I'm always looking for more of his content.

What is your favorite part of your Leadership Minnesota experience so far OR what are you most excited for?
Meeting and getting to know my fellow participants. I've found them to be interesting, focused, and exhibit strong leadership skills that I hope to carry through long after our Leadership Minnesota experience has concluded. I'm thankful to learn all about Minnesota's diverse economy alongside them. I've noticed our group tends to ask many, many questions, which I take as a strong trait for all leaders to have, curiosity!

The Minnesota Chamber launched their inaugural “Coolest Thing Made in Minnesota” Award.  What do you think is the Coolest Thing Made in Minnesota? (Remember, it has to actually be made here)
I really enjoy Minnesota-produced wild rice, its health benefits, and its cultivation. 
 

Profiled on December 4

Tell us why you love your company!  
We have the most incredible team. They are brilliant, funny, support one another and inspire me daily. I also constantly learn new things and get to work with amazingly cool businesses across the country. 

What’s something super interesting about yourself?
I am very passionate about donating blood and supporting pediatric cancer patients and their caregivers. I serve on the board for the Memorial Blood Centers in Duluth and also the Northern Lights Foundation, which supports children facing life threatening illness. Our business also has an annual giving initiative, Giant Giving, where we have adopted families, collected thousands of dollars in gifts to support local patients and held numerous blood drives. 

Who or what are you inspired by?
People who are unafraid of being professionally vulnerable and doing the hard work necessary to achieve success. 

What is one piece of leadership advice you’d be willing to share that you use? OR  If you could give your 22 year old self some advice, what would it be?
Trust your gut and be a fantastic listener.

If you had to pick a karaoke song to sing, what would it be and why?
Sweet Caroline, because the whole room would be signing with me! 

What’s on the top of your bucket list?
The Dolomites and Greece. 

What’s a good book or streaming TV series you are into now?
My current “fun book” is A Gentleman in Moscow.

What is your favorite part of your Leadership Minnesota experience so far?
Our group is the best - we ask amazing questions and are like-minded. Session two in the Grand Rapids area and Iron Range was incredibly cool. It’s impactful to witness the pride and hard work coming from these critical northern Minnesota industries. I think we all learned so much we didn’t know about our state and its natural resource offerings. 
 

Profiled on November 25

Tell us why you love your company!  
Palmer Bus Service is a great place to work for people who want to work! Our Core Values of Safety, Integrity, Dignity, Help, and Community are REAL and part of everything we do and guide every decision we make. We are dedicated to serving our communities by safely transporting students which gives all of us an important purpose to carry out each and every day- without us, kids don't get to their future!

What’s something super interesting about yourself?
I drove school bus my senior year in high school:-)

Who or what are you inspired by?
Abraham Lincoln. His humility, dedication to something greater than himself, leadership, gift of storytelling, and ability to truly understand all points of view when looking at difficult and contentious issues stands the test of time.

What is one piece of leadership advice you’d be willing to share that you use? OR If you could give your 22 year old self some advice, what would it be?
Treat yourself and talk to yourself like you are someone you care about.

If you had to pick a karaoke song to sing, what would it be and why?
Summer of '69 by Bryan Adams

What’s a good book or streaming TV series you are into now?
Call the Midwife
 

Profiled on November 21

As chair of Leadership Minnesota, you’ve completed this program as a participant and now going through it again as chair? What was something you learned that you can’t stop talking about? 
I didn’t realize how diverse the Taylor Corp offerings are and how global their reach is. 

What is your favorite part about this program and experience? 
My favorite part of the program is being surrounded by so many like-minded people who love to learn and connect with people.

Throughout your time in the program, you have had the opportunity to really better understand the importance of the work of the Minnesota Chamber. Why should companies be a member? 
Becoming a member means ensuring your company is a part of your local and state community, it means access to resources and information to help your business thrive now and in the future. A membership with the chamber also offers an opportunity to connect with great people and great organizations across our state.

Tell us why you love your company!  
Jasper is a team of “salt of the earth” kind of people…the kind of people who will get out of bed in the middle of the night to come and help you. We truly have a special group.

What’s something super interesting about yourself? 
I’ve played drums in a band at Glueks in downtown Minneapolis and have ridden shotgun in a Formula 1 race car around the track at 180mph at the Brickyard in Indy.

Who or what are you inspired by? 
My six-year-old daughter, Charlie. She reminds me the importance of having fun and not taking life to seriously specifically when she scolds me for balding or having grey hair.

What is one piece of leadership advice you’d be willing to share that you use? OR If you could give your 22 year old self some advice, what would it be? 
If you are addicted to helping others succeed and be the best version of themselves, then leadership could be for you. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, every experience is a learning opportunity.

If you had to pick a karaoke song to sing, what would it be and why? 
Elvira- The Oak Ridge Boys because it reminds me of my first time to Sugar Lake with my Leadership Minnesota cohort.

What’s on the top of your bucket list? 
Operating large equipment, excavators, bull dozers and the like.

What’s a good book or streaming TV series you are into now? 
Alchemy (book), Ted Lasso (TV series)

The Minnesota Chamber launched their inaugural “Coolest Thing Made in Minnesota” Award this year.  What do you think is the Coolest Thing Made in Minnesota? 
SPAM is my favorite Minnesota item.