Minnsights Blog

Each Allina Green Team started when a few motivated employees came forward with an idea. As the Environmental Sustainability Manager for more than 100 Allina Health locations, Suzanne Hansen is responsible for supporting these motivated employees in creating their Green Teams, assisting them with setting and measuring goals, and communicating their successes to the wider organization and public.

Minnesota’s Paid Family and Medical Leave program launches in January 2026 – and employers are already preparing for what’s ahead. I sat down with Greg Norfleet from DEED on the Minnesota Business Podcast to talk about how the program is being built, what’s next for businesses and how the Chamber is helping members navigate compliance.

It was an exciting moment to announce this year’s winner of the Coolest Thing Made in Minnesota contest during our 2025 Manufacturers’ Summit. From aerospace innovation to rugged defense vehicles, this year’s finalists showcased the best of Minnesota’s manufacturing talent and creativity. After tens of thousands of votes poured in from across the state, I was proud to crown Polaris and their MRZR Alpha as this year’s winner – a product built in Roseau that helps protect and serve allied forces around the world.

The Minnesota Chamber continues to cement itself as the premier association for manufacturers with the Minnesota Manufacturers Summit and the Coolest Thing Made in Minnesota award this week.

The Minnesota Chamber Foundation Business Education Network (BEN) partners, led by local chambers of commerce across the state, are well positioned to lead local efforts. BEN partners are the intermediary between local employers, local schools and students and are active across Minnesota, providing statewide reach. This powerful partnership between the Minnesota Chamber Foundation and local chambers of commerce seeks to bridge the gap between public education and employment systems, ensuring that all Minnesota students have access to wealth-building and purpose-driven careers.