RELEASE: Minnesota Chamber Foundation welcomes new Board Chair, Board member and Committee for Workforce DEI members

Traci Tapani, other business leaders poised to drive inclusive growth and innovation in Minnesota’s business community
 

SAINT PAUL, Minn. (11/13/2024) – The Minnesota Chamber Foundation announced today the appointment of Traci Tapani, co-president of Wyoming Machine, Inc., as the new Chair of its Board of Directors. Tapani succeeds Jeff DeYoung, who recently concluded his tenure as Board Chair and will continue to serve as an active member of the Foundation. The Chamber Foundation is also pleased to welcome Sam Holsen as its newest Board member, contributing fresh perspectives and insights to further the Foundation’s mission in Minnesota. Holsen is Xcel Energy’s Manager of Social Investments & Operating Company Strategy.

“As we welcome Traci Tapani as our new Board Chair and Sam Holsen to the Board, we look forward to the vision and expertise they bring to the Foundation,” said Jennifer Byers, Executive Director of the Minnesota Chamber Foundation. “They will make strategic decisions to help shape the future of Minnesota’s business community and drive meaningful impact across the state.”

Wyoming Machine, Inc. is a leading provider of precision sheet metal fabrication in Stacy, Minnesota. Tapani brings extensive experience in Minnesota’s manufacturing sector and a passion for workforce development, making her an exceptional choice to lead the Board. As Chair, she will guide the Foundation’s strategic initiatives, including programs that empower Minnesota’s business community to build a more inclusive, competitive and innovative economy. 
    
In addition to these leadership changes, the Foundation is excited to announce new members of its Committee for Workforce DEI, a group focused on fostering diversity, equity and inclusion across Minnesota’s business landscape. Committee members help guide the Foundation's Workforce DEI program, which provides resources and consulting to businesses on building inclusivity initiatives. New committee members include:

• Sam Smith, Sr. Strategic Partnerships Manager, Western Governors University
• Mandy Hurr, HR Manager, Turkey Valley Farms
• Rene' Knippel, Marketing Manager, Stearns Bank
• Jaime Salinas, Executive Director, FORWARD Worthington

“As our state’s workforce becomes increasingly diverse, it’s crucial that we engage all demographics effectively to strengthen our economy,” said Whitney Harvey, Senior Director of Workforce Diversity and Inclusion at the Minnesota Chamber Foundation. “These new committee members bring diverse perspectives and experiences that will be key as we guide business leaders toward practical and meaningful DEI solutions that support the unique needs of their organizations and contribute to a more inclusive Minnesota.”

The Minnesota Chamber Foundation has helped member organizations and state leaders understand and grow Minnesota’s economy since 1983. It renewed its commitment to understanding the state’s economy in 2019, through in-depth research, workforce development and leadership programs. The Foundation is the only statewide, private-sector foundation focused on the future of the state’s economy across all industry sectors and geographic regions.

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