Monthly Meeting - October 2025 - The State of Healthcare in Uncertain Times
2025-10-01 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Chicago) | The Minneapolis Club, 729 2nd Ave S, Minneapolis, 55402, United States
EVENT INFORMATION
Andrea Walsh, President and Chief Executive Officer at HealthPartners, and Jakub Tolar, Dean of the University of Minnesota Medical School and Vice President of Clinical Affairs, will present on the topic of “The State of Healthcare in Uncertain Times.” Healthcare providers and medical schools are being affected by the rapid and unprecedented changes resulting from federal funding cuts to programs, research, and care for undeserved populations. Our speakers will discuss the impact of uncertainty on strategic planning in the near and long term. As leaders in the current environment, they will share their perspective on the impact on their institutions and on the potential impact on public health.
SPEAKER INFORMATION
Jakub Tolar, MD, PhD is the dean of the University of Minnesota Medical School and a Distinguished McKnight University Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Blood and Marrow Transplant & Cellular Therapy. He is also the vice president for Clinical Affairs at the University of Minnesota, board chair for University of Minnesota Physicians and co-leader of M Health Fairview, the joint clinical enterprise among the University of Minnesota Medical School, University of Minnesota Physicians and Fairview Health Services. An internationally recognized physician and researcher, Dr. Tolar is known for his care of patients with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa. His research is focused on developing cellular therapies for rare genetic disorders. Originally from the Czech Republic, Dr. Tolar received his medical education (MD) in Prague at Charles University. In 1992, he came to the University of Minnesota, where he received his PhD in Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology and Genetics.

Andrea Walsh is president and chief executive officer of Minnesota-based HealthPartners, a non-profit, integrated health system providing health plan coverage to 1.7 million members and health care to 1.3 million patients. She leads a team of more than 27,000 colleagues dedicated to a vision of health as it could be, affordability as it must be, through relationships built on trust.
Walsh has served as president and CEO since 2017. During her tenure, HealthPartners has continued to deepen its reputation as a national leader in high-quality, affordable care and coverage. She’s led with a focus on building healthy and high-performing teams and forging partnerships to improve health equity, children’s health, mental health, and other important areas of community health and well-being. Prior to serving as CEO, Walsh was executive vice president and chief marketing officer at HealthPartners for nearly 15 years, and prior to that served as corporate counsel leading legal, compliance and public affairs.
Walsh began her career as a lawyer in private practice. In the early 90s, she was appointed assistant commissioner at the Minnesota Department of Health and led health reform efforts to increase access to affordable health care coverage, known today as MinnesotaCare. She graduated cum laude from the University of Minnesota Law School and has degrees in business and English from the University of Kansas.
Walsh is active in the community and currently serves on the boards of the Y of the North and the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. In 2020, she was named Executive of the Year by the Minnesota Business Journal and for the past five years has been named among the Top 100 Most Influential People in Health Care by Modern Healthcare.
RECORDED SESSION
If you missed the in-person session, we invite you to review the recorded session below.

https://mwer.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/35ca1e15-7a85-4d89-b48b-eea59766f62e-copy.mp4

Monthly Meeting - November 2025 - Fireside Chat: Leading with Purpose – A Conversation on Legacy, Leadership & Breaking Barriers
2025-11-12 12:00 - 13:30 | The Minneapolis Club, 729 2nd Ave S, Minneapolis, 55402, United States
EVENT INFORMATION
Join us for an inspiring and deeply personal fireside chat between purpose-driven powerhouse Amanda Brinkman and Allison Gettings, the trailblazing CEO of Red Wing Shoes and the first woman to lead the century-old legacy brand. Together, they’ll explore what it means to honor tradition while driving innovation, how to lead with impact in a male-dominated industry, and the powerful lessons Alison has learned throughout her leadership journey.
From growing up in a family business to reimagining its future, Allison brings rare insight into balancing legacy and progress. Amanda will guide the conversation uncovering stories about identity, resilience, and the unique challenges—and privileges—of leading with intention in a storied American company.
This candid conversation promises to spark reflection for leaders at every level—don’t miss it.
RECORDED SESSION
If you missed the in-person session, we invite you to review the recorded session below.
https://mwer.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/November-2025.mp4

2026 New Member Orientation
2025-11-19 17:00 - 19:00 | The Minneapolis Club, 729 2nd Ave S, Minneapolis, 55402, United States
EVENT INFORMATION

MWER invites our 2026 new members to attend an orientation event with the board and committee members.
Wednesday, November 19
5:00pm to 7:00pm
You will meet our roster of new members as well as members of the board of directors and committee members. You will learn more about MWER and how to be engaged during your first year of membership. We are excited to get to know you!

SPONSOR INFORMATON
Thank you to our New Member Orientation sponsor, Evercore Wealth Management! Evercore Wealth Management provides customized investment management and planning solutions for high-net-worth individuals, families, and foundations. Our services are designed to align with each client’s unique objectives and long-term legacy goals. We are affiliated with Evercore Trust Company that has national trust powers and is headquartered in Delaware. The Firm is ranked among the Top RIAs in the United States for 2025 (Barron’s (09/12/25), Forbes (10/01/25), and Financial Advisor (07/11/25)), with offices in New York, Minneapolis, San Francisco, Palm Beach, and Tampa.

Monthly Meeting - December 2025 - Networking Luncheon (In Person Only)
2025-12-03 12:00 - 13:30 | The Minneapolis Club, 729 2nd Ave S, Minneapolis, 55402, United States
EVENT INFORMATION
Join MWER for a relaxing networking luncheon filled with holiday cheer. You’ll have a perfect opportunity to engage with fellow members and hear about upcoming events.

Annual Meeting - January 2026 (in person only)
2026-01-14 16:30 - 19:00 | The Collaborative, 225 South 6th St, Minneapolis, MN, 55402, United States
The Minnesota Star Tribune welcomes the Minnesota Women’s Economic Roundtable

On January 14, CEO Steve Grove is honored to host you at The Collaborative, a work space in The Minnesota Star Tribune’s Capella Tour. Along with Steve Grove, we’ll hear from Editor in Chief Kathleen Hennessey and MWER Members Stephanie Ness, Chief Financial Officer, and Allison Kaplan, Director of Innovation and Engagement. We will tour the newsroom, enjoy appetizers and networking, and finish the evening celebrating our accomplishments from 2025, looking forward to 2026.
Wednesday, January 14
4:30pm – Star Tribune Newsroom Tour
5:00pm – Appetizers and Networking
6:00pm – Business Meeting

Location
The Collaborative (skyway level of the Capella Tower Building)
225 S 6th St, Minneapolis, MN 55402

Upon arrival, head to the skyway level. The Collaborative is located above the Capella Tower Atrium

Parking
Several parking ramps are within close proximity to the Capella Tower:

Capella Tower – 225 S 7th St, Minneapolis, MN 55402
US Bank Plaza – 255 S 5th St, Minneapolis, MN 55402
Hennepin County Parking Garage – 300 S 6th St, Minneapolis, MN 55487
Northstar Center – 110 S 7th St, Minneapolis, MN 55402

Monthly Meeting - February 2026 - Affordable Housing Panel
2026-02-04 12:00 - 13:30 | The Minneapolis Club, 729 2nd Ave S, Minneapolis, 55402, United States
EVENT INFORMATION
Additional information will be available soon!

Monthly Meeting - March 2026 - Special Olympics USA Games 2026
2026-03-04 12:00 - 13:30 | The Minneapolis Club, 729 2nd Ave S, Minneapolis, 55402, United States
EVENT INFORMATION
Additional information will be available soon!
SPEAKER INFORMATION

Christine (Christy) Sovereign is the Chief Executive Officer for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. As an executive on loan from Accenture, she brings 35 years of business and leadership experience coupled with a very personal story, having grown up alongside sister Katie, a distinguished Special Olympics athlete and Global Messenger. Since joining Accenture, Christy has built a reputation as a trusted and strategic client advisor. She is an authentic, growth-oriented leader, deeply experienced in driving transformational change and businesses to higher levels of performance. Not only this, but she is passionate about the Twin Cities community and giving back, serving on the boards for Greater MSP, the Carlson School of Management, and the Minnesota Business Partnership. Throughout her 40+ years of supporting Special Olympics, Christy has been a coach, Unified partner, and board member of Special Olympics Minnesota. Now, she feels very honored to take on this role for the 2026 Games, and she hopes to deliver an incredible experience that leaves a lifetime of memories for all who take part in them!

Monthly Meeting - April 2026 - Child Welfare and the State of Foster Care in Minnesota
2026-04-01 12:00 - 13:30 | The Minneapolis Club, 729 2nd Ave S, Minneapolis, 55402, United States

Monthly Meeting - May 2026 - Female Executive Advancement in the Workplace
2026-05-06 12:00 - 13:30 | The Minneapolis Club, 729 2nd Ave S, Minneapolis, 55402, United States

Monthly Meeting - June 2026 - The Changing Landscape of Philanthropy
2026-06-03 12:00 - 13:30 | The Minneapolis Club, 729 2nd Ave S, Minneapolis, 55402, United States

Monthly Meeting - August 2026
2026-08-05 12:00 - 13:30 | The Minneapolis Club, 729 2nd Ave S, Minneapolis, 55402, United States

Monthly Meeting - September 2026
2026-09-02 12:00 - 13:30 | The Minneapolis Club, 729 2nd Ave S, Minneapolis, 55402, United States

Monthly Meeting - October 2026
2026-10-07 12:00 - 13:30 | The Minneapolis Club, 729 2nd Ave S, Minneapolis, 55402, United States

Monthly Meeting - November 2026 - Female CEO Fireside Chat
2026-11-04 12:00 - 13:30 | The Minneapolis Club, 729 2nd Ave S, Minneapolis, 55402, United States

Monthly Meeting - December 2026 - Networking Luncheon (In Person Only)
2026-12-02 12:00 - 13:30 | The Minneapolis Club, 729 2nd Ave S, Minneapolis, 55402, United States
