2021-2022 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 2021-2022 Leadership Minnesota participants are profiled!

 

 

Profiled on May 11

Tell us why you love your company!
It’s all about the people and their common mission! I have experienced very selfless leadership putting our people first, which results in extremely talented and diverse teams delivering great outcomes for our clients.  
  
What’s something super interesting about yourself?
I like to come up with new ideas and make protypes.  None are patent worthy to date, but eventually one will come.

Who or what are you inspired by?
Nearly everyone I have the opportunity to interact with.  I love taking the inspirations from each interaction, leaving the negative behind and implementing an idea, team, project, business or culture that is improved from those previously experienced or implemented.  

What is your favorite part of your Leadership Minnesota experience so far?
I really appreciated getting a better understanding of the variety and behind-the-scenes of the businesses across Minnesota and the people that make them successful.  Also, experiencing these businesses with the talented group of folks in our class made it that much better.

What is one piece of leadership advice you’d be willing to share that you use?
Surround yourself with genuine people, smart people, people not too similar to yourself, and then listen to learn.
 

 

Profiled on February 18

Tell us why you love your company!
I love that All Flex is a tech company providing manufacturing jobs in Minnesota! People and teamwork matter, and I enjoy serving the organization as a trusted advisor.

What’s something super interesting about yourself?
I worked at Valley Fair as a summer job while in high school, and absolutely love rollercoasters! I also worked a summer at Glacier National Park in Montana, and made lifelong friends.  A group of us still travel together. Adventure trips have included hiking a section of the Appalachian Trail, and bicycling the Danube Cycle Path across Austria.

Who or what are you inspired by?
Authors; I enjoy meeting authors and collecting autographed books. There’s so much power in the written word, I appreciate the art of storytelling.

What is your favorite part of your Leadership Minnesota experience so far?
I’ve traveled extensively for work, but this experience brought me to areas of our state that I’ve never been to before. It’s been fantastic to broaden my perspective and see firsthand the diversity of companies that play such critical roles in our economy. I am grateful for the opportunity to participate with so many thought leaders, with outstanding support from the Chamber team. Seeing the pride and joy beaming in the employees of the host organizations is energizing!

What is one piece of leadership advice you’d be willing to share that you use?
Be careful what you think you know.

 

Profiled on February 17

Tell us why you love your company!
It is always rewarding when we have the opportunity to partner with a local business or institution to help them complete their on-site branding and visual experience goals. 

What’s something super interesting about yourself? 
I played rugby for 16 years and loved everything about the sport. When I relocated from Massachusetts years ago, I joined the local Metropolis Rugby Club and embraced life as a Minnesotan.  

Who or what are you inspired by? 
I have always been inspired by my parents or anyone who takes on the responsibility of being a parent of or mentor of a child.  Being blessed with two children, I have certainly come to experience all of challenges and fulfillment that come along with this incredible responsibility.    

What is your favorite part of your Leadership Minnesota experience so far?
I have truly enjoyed forming new relationships with the other members of my Minnesota Chamber leadership class while we have all learned how diverse the great State of Minnesota is!

What is one piece of leadership advice you’d be willing to share that you use?
Every day will bring new challenges to our work and family lives and as leaders, we should always strive to be part of the solution, not the problem. 

 

Profiled on February 16

Tell us why you love your company!  
The reason I love working for Twin Metals Minnesota is because of the quality of the people I work with and the focus and dedication of our team!  Working with professionals at every level focused on “doing things right and doing the right thing” drives us to continually challenge ourselves to remain focused on our goals.

What’s something super interesting about yourself?
I love tackling DIY projects with my wife and daughters on our home, cabin, and rental properties….we are pretty good at it but none of us like to showcase our work.  It’s a great way to spend family time together!

Who or what are you inspired by?
I am inspired by my family and my surroundings, the reason I love living in Northeastern Minnesota. I’m inspired by the fact that I am able to live and work in a place where others only wish they could live.

What is your favorite part of your Leadership Minnesota experience so far?
Obviously meeting new people from other areas of the state, but I have to say my favorite part was being able to share Northeastern Minnesota with the group when we experienced the amazing industries which exist here; mining, logging, recreation, and industries which are the fabric of who we are.

What is one piece of leadership advice you’d be willing to share that you use?
My leadership advice would be to speak honestly and surround yourself with good people.
 

 

Profiled on February 15

Tell us why you love your company!
WSB is the best. Being part of a growing company is exciting. Each day there is something new to tackle. I enjoy contributing to a company that is constantly innovating and evolving. It certainly keeps me on my toes!

What’s something super interesting about yourself?
Growing up I played competitive soccer and danced classical ballet – quite a combination. While soccer won out in the end, I still enjoy taking dance classes and sharing the Nutcracker with my three children.

Who or what are you inspired by?
I love to learn so I am greatly inspired by innovative industry. Learning how products are made whether it be books, paper or pork is fascinating. The ingenuity in each operation is incredibly inspiring.

What is your favorite part of your Leadership Minnesota experience so far?
Hands down, delivering a baby pig! I am grateful for the opportunity Leadership Minnesota has provided to tour such amazing Minnesota businesses. It makes me proud to be a Minnesotan. 

What is one piece of leadership advice you’d be willing to share that you use?
The importance of trust. 
 

Profiled on February 11

Tell us why you love your company!
Working at SFM means playing a key role in making the lives better in our community. We call ourselves “the work comp experts” and we aim to live up to that with every interaction. Our entire organization is dedicated to keeping workplaces safe and making sure that injured workers have all the support they need to heal and return to productivity. You can’t do that without genuine compassion, and that’s what I see from my coworkers every day.

What’s something super interesting about yourself?
I live in south Minneapolis with my wife of 26 years and my teenage daughter, surrounded by the best neighbors a person could ever hope to have.

Who or what are you inspired by?
I’m inspired by an amazingly supportive network of family and friends.

What is your favorite part of your Leadership Minnesota experience so far?
I’ve appreciated the opportunity to gain a genuine understanding of the challenges my colleagues are conquering on a daily basis. This is an amazing group of leaders, and I’m proud to consider them my friends.

What is one piece of leadership advice you’d be willing to share that you use?
Don’t be afraid to embrace change. It’s the only way to truly learn.
 

 

Profiled on February 9

Tell us why you love your company!
I love working at SJE first and foremost because of my great coworkers! I have learned so much from them and really enjoy all people I work with.  Also, SJE is rapidly growing and it is really exciting to be part of a company where I am exposed and learning on a daily basis to so many new and exciting things in my role! The challenges help me grow in my role and it is just exciting to see where we are going as a company!  

What’s something super interesting about yourself?  
I really love to travel have a long list of places I can’t wait to check off the list!  It may sound odd, but sometimes I think my type A personality actually enjoys the planning, organizing, and dreaming of the trip more than the trip itself.

Who or what are you inspired by?
 I am inspired by my parents who are incredibly hardworking and ran their own business for 40+ years. Their dedication to their business, community, and family is inspiring and I’m amazed at the legacy they created.

What is your favorite part of your Leadership Minnesota experience so far?  
I have two favorite parts of the Leadership Minnesota experience – first is the networking opportunities. There are so many fantastic leaders in this program and I’ve really enjoyed getting to know them! I have also been amazed at what a great job all the companies that host have done to create incredible learning experiences for this group. Every session, I have come away with so much more knowledge and perspective of the companies and industries in Minnesota. The companies who host us all put so much effort to make it a great experience.

What is one piece of leadership advice you’d be willing to share that you use?  
One piece of leadership advice I try remind myself of on a regular basis is to never get too comfortable! Whether that is in a role, in a project, or anything else, when things feel ‘easy’ that probably means that I’m not learning and growing. It can be easy to avoid or dislike new, difficult, or challenging situations. However, when I feel nerves and feel like I don’t know what I’m doing, those are the moments that I am learning and growing the most as a leader and are the important opportunities to keep seeking out.

 

Profiled on February 8

Tell us why you love your company!
There is a lot to love about Great River Energy, from the outstanding corporate culture to the positive attributes of our not-for-profit cooperative business model. But if I had to pick just one thing, it would be the way that my division and work team make me feel like a integrated part of our team, even though my field office is over a hundred miles away from our headquarters in Maple Grove. There are 28 member-owner cooperatives in Minnesota which depend on Great River Energy for wholesale electric power. They serve a large portion of the state, including many rural and sparsely-populated regions far-removed from the Twin Cities metro area. I love how our corporate culture still makes us feel like we are all still just one big team, working toward the prosperity of all, no matter the size of our home towns. 

What’s something super interesting about yourself?
Well… I’m not all that interesting, I guess. No unique hobbies or wild stories. I just take great joy in the mundane, simple beauty of family life and the natural world around us. 

Who or what are you inspired by?
My life has been blessed by many leaders, mentors, family members and friends who have inspired me to no end. However, on a daily basis, I look most often to my wife for inspiration. She has had a tireless work ethic and sense of dedication since she was six-years-old; and as a social worker, her easiest days at work are still tougher than my hardest days. Yet she still gets up every day and pours herself into her work, creating a safe and positive environment for the students, teachers and parents she serves. 

What is your favorite part of your Leadership Minnesota experience so far?
The people. By far, my favorite part of the Leadership Minnesota experience has been the people. My fellow participants, the Chamber staff and the dedicated workers who have hosted our tours have all been a joy to meet. Their dedication to their employers and their passion for their work have been an inspiration. 

What is one piece of leadership advice you’d be willing to share that you use?
In my experience, the best leaders are those who lead by example and who know when to follow. Great leaders know how to build a team around a mission, and once the right people are in place, you empower them to get the job done and get out of their way. 
 

 

Profiled on February 3

Tell us why you love your company!
That we build awesome things for great clients and with world class coworkers.

What’s something super interesting about yourself?
I’m a very avid water-skier and barefoot water-skier. I did not fly until I was 21 and to this day neither of my parents or siblings (except my brother once on a trip with me) have ever flown.  

Who or what are you inspired by?
Seeing others succeed is one of the best experiences one can have.

What is your favorite part of your Leadership Minnesota experience so far?
The dynamic group of people both presenting and within the program. It truly is humbling to be around such amazing people.

What is one piece of leadership advice you’d be willing to share that you use?
Welcome criticism as it elicits more sincere feedback. Have the “why” figured out for what you are asking people to do. Ask others to help propose a solution. Lastly, training is not an event, it is a process.

 

Profiled on January 17

Tell us why you love your company!
Working for a local chamber of commerce, you really get to know the people behind the business. It truly is all about building relationships and working together to make our shared community a better place to work and live. Small business owners are just your neighbors who have a passion for something and are trying to make a difference for their families.

What’s something super interesting about yourself?
Back in high school I won a medal from the U.S .Military for a project I did regarding the oceans. Had any Minnesota college offered a major in oceanography my career path probably would have been very different. 

Who or what are you inspired by?
Servant leaders. People who always put others above themselves, who follow as much as lead…they make the world a better place. 

What is your favorite part of your Leadership Minnesota experience so far?
Since I’m all about building relationships, I would say meeting so many other business professionals from so many diverse industries from around the state, whom I probably would not have crossed paths with otherwise. 

What is one piece of leadership advice you’d be willing to share that you use?
Something I try to live by is to not take things personally. (This is especially hard when you are about building relationships!) It can really cause you to lose motivation and faith in what you are doing when faced with setbacks or rejections.
 

 

Profiled on January 13

Tell us why you love your company!  
TCO cares about patient care and successful outcomes. The amount of time, effort and tireless dedication to patient success behind the scenes by so many great individuals is a pleasure to be a part of.

What’s something super interesting about yourself?  
That’s a tough one. When I was 4 years old we had a dog named Winkles because we had a wrinkly puppy and I couldn’t say ‘Rs’. A speech therapist helped me out with that. 

Who or what are you inspired by?
I’m easily inspired but when I see young people learning and having success in any area of their lives, it’s heart warming and inspiring.

What is your favorite part of your Leadership Minnesota experience so far?  
Seeing how local and global companies work shoulder to shoulder. Actually experiencing how the economy is built first hand is eye opening and makes you realize all the things that have to go right for us to have success within a business, a community, a state and country. 

What is one piece of leadership advice you’d be willing to share that you use?  
The right combination of skill, talent, intangible qualities and competitive drive at the right time and place is the recipe for success. Identifying how these factors are at play with a team or company is key to being a quality leader.
 

 

 

Profiled on January 10

Tell us why you love your company?  
We are an American maker! As Minnesota’s longest standing manufacturer, Faribault Woolen Mill Co. has been making wool products since 1865. Our craft has been perfected throughout of 156 years of operation and we have withstood the headwinds of offshore manufacturing. We are proud to still make our products in Faribault, Minnesota!

What’s something super interesting about yourself?  
I wouldn’t say there is anything super interesting. Outside of work, I like to coach my two sons’ basketball teams. We also have a lake cabin in northern Minnesota where I like to spend time waterskiing, running, fishing and pontooning with my family.

Who or what are you inspired by? 
I’ve read every book I can find about Abraham Lincoln. I’m inspired by his vision and steady-hand leading a divided country towards a path of reconciliation and reunion.

What is your favorite part of your Leadership Minnesota experience so far?
I am a life-long Minnesotan but never fully appreciated the diversity of our state-wide economy. Leadership Minnesota has broadened my perspective and exposure. Our state and the industries and businesses that reside here are truly unique!

What is one piece of leadership advice you’d be willing to share that you use?  
People don’t care what you know until they know that you care.  
 

 

Profiled on January 5

Tell us why you love your company!
I love Hollstadt because of the focus we put on the relationships we have with our clients and our consultants, as well as the focus on our core values. The core values are what drew me to Hollstadt in the first place and I’ve spent 10 years now working for an organization that doesn’t just talk about its values but everyone in our organization demonstrates them daily! 
 
What’s something super interesting about yourself?
In college and the few years out of it, I taught snowboarding lessons to “never evers” (kids who had never snowboarded before). I absolutely loved the experience and am looking forward to the day I can teach my own daughter to snowboard! 
 
Who or what are you inspired by?
My daughter. She’s young (just about to turn 3) and she has taught me so much about life in her short life so far! She amazes me every day with how she tackles new experiences and challenges. She’s relentless in her pursuit to learn and it’s such a great reminder that we are never done learning. Not only that, but she challenges me. Sometimes it’s my patience…I used to think I was a patient person…but mostly she challenges me to constantly be better, to show up with a positive attitude, and to give grace to those who are outside their own comfort zones. 
 
What is your favorite part of your Leadership Minnesota experience so far?
I have absolutely loved all the exposure to new businesses/companies that I didn’t have before. This happens to be one of my favorite parts of my job (constantly learning about different industries and challenges to those industries) but the Leadership Minnesota experience has amplified that, as well as given me visibility to how different companies/industries work together.
 
What is one piece of leadership advice you’d be willing to share that you use?
You get out of something what you put into it. I’m a firm believer that in all things (not just work) that the effort, energy and passion you put into something is what ultimately leads to obtaining it. Things don’t get handed to us. We put ourselves in positions and put in the work to get that promotion, build that relationship, build that team, etc. and if we don’t continue to put the work into it we are more likely to lose it. 
 

 

Profiled on January 3

Tell us why you love your company!
The people. Working for the largest frozen food direct to consumer delivery company in the country—which was founded in Minnesota nearly 70 years ago—is full of tremendously talented and fun people. I enjoy my role of empowering people to take smart risks. 

What’s something super interesting about yourself?
My family and I love boating on the St. Croix River and in Voyageurs National Park in northern Minnesota. 

Who or what are you inspired by?
 am inspired by people bringing goodness to others. The easy path these days is to get bogged down in negativity that blinds us from the many people doing good. I was a fan of Mr. Rogers as a kid, and he said “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” 

What is your favorite part of your Leadership Minnesota experience so far?
The breadth of industry in Minnesota is truly unique, and the people that I have met along the journey with Leadership Minnesota are passionate about their businesses and the future of Minnesota. 

What is one piece of leadership advice you’d be willing to share that you use?
Leadership is in all of us and it starts with ourselves. When you know who you are, you will know what to do.