Minnesota Women's Economic Roundtable

Special Event - Lunch with Mary Anne Kowalski
2024-10-30 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Kowalski’s Headquarters, 441 Hwy 96 W, Shoreview, 55126, United States
EVENT INFORMATION

The Member Services Committee invites you to attend a special event:
Lunch with Mary Anne Kowalski
Kowalski’s Headquarters
441 Highway 96
Shoreview, MN 55126
Wednesday, October 30th
12:00 to 2:00pm
Over 40 years ago, with their life savings and a loan from a friend, Mary Anne and Jim Kowalski began to build a new type of grocery shopping experience. Grocery industry executives have come from around the world to see what has been heralded a the next level in grocery stores and copied throughout the world. Today their expansion continues with exciting new stores in the Twin Cities. Mary Anne has received the highest honors in the Grocery world including National Grocers Association Woman of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year in the Upper Midwest.
We will be hosted to a light lunch, hear directly from Mary Anne Kowalski about her journey, then tour the central facilities including the bakeries and smokehouse.
Please sign up early, space for our special events is limited.

Special Event - Viking Lakes Tour
2024-10-08 16:00 - 18:00 (America/Chicago) | Omni Viking Lakes Hotel, 2611 Nordic Way, Eagan, MN, 55121, United States
EVENT INFORMATION

The Member Services Committee invites you to attend a special MWER behind-the-scenes tour of:
Minnesota Vikings
Viking Lakes Campus & Performance Center
Meet at the Omni Viking Lakes Hotel Lobby
2611 Nordic Way
Eagan, MN 55125
Tuesday, October 8th
4:00 to 6:00pm
Join us for a briefing at the beautiful Omni hospitality suite and then tour the Vikings Museum, TCO Stadium, Performance Center, Vikings Lakes Residences, medical center, & more.
A shuttle between locations will be provided, so don’t worry about too much walking.
The event concludes with a wine and hors d’oeuvres reception in the Kindred Hearth hosted by Kyle Shank, VP & General Manager of Viking Lakes
Special thanks to Maureen Bausch, MWER Member Services committee member, for her help in organizing this special event.
Please sign up early, space for our special events is limited.

Monthly Meeting - October 2024 - What’s Next for Downtown Minneapolis?
2024-10-02 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Chicago) | The Minneapolis Club, 729 2nd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN, 55402, United States
EVENT INFORMATION
The pandemic changed American downtowns for the foreseeable future and possibly forever. Downtown Minneapolis is no exception. On one hand, the streets are emptier, retail options are fewer, and skyway merchants are struggling. On the other, downtown hosted a near-record number of blockbuster events this year that had its streets and restaurants buzzing with activity, and more people are finding their way back to Minneapolis on non-event days.

So what’s next? Adam Duininck, president and CEO of the Minneapolis Downtown Council, will talk about the current state of Downtown Minneapolis and will preview for MWER members a 10-year strategic plan that will be released publicly later this fall. Get ready to learn a few things that might surprise you, and bring your questions to what is sure to be a lively discussion.

SPEAKER INFORMATION
Adam Duininck is the President and CEO of the Minneapolis Downtown Council and Downtown Improvement District. He previously was the Director of Government Affairs for the Carpenters Union and was Chair of the Metropolitan Council. He has worked around legislative affairs, public affairs, and in leadership roles for over twenty years.

RECORDED SESSION
If you missed the in-person session, we invite you to review the recorded session below.

https://mwer.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Final.mp4

Special Event - Golf Outing at Mendakota Country Club
2024-09-24 16:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | Mendakota Country Club, 2075 Mendakota Dr, Mendota Heights, 55120, United States
EVENT INFORMATION

Join MWER for nine holes & networking!
Mendakota Country Club
Just off Dodd Road & Highway 62, Mendota Heights
Tuesday, September 24
Arrive by 4P – tee times are reserved
Cost $75 – Includes golf, cart & dinner
All handicaps welcome!
Come out for the fun & friendship
of other MWER members
Registration required and space is limited

Monthly Meeting - September 2024 - The Business of Human Trafficking
2024-09-04 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Chicago) | The Minneapolis Club, 729 2nd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN, 55402, United States
EVENT INFORMATION
Human Traffickers are in it for the money, with an estimated annual global profits of $150 billion. MWER Board Member, Tammy Lee, is the CEO of OUR Rescue – a global NGO dedicated to ending human trafficking and the exploitation of women and children worldwide. Tammy will talk about OUR Rescue’s support for survivors and law enforcement as well as the new Center of Excellence in Minnesota and a $100,000 matching grant for MN nonprofits in the antitrafficking fight.
She’ll also be joined by a special guest, one of OUR Rescue’s K9s that is specially trained to assist police in finding electronic storage devices that may contain evidence of child exploitation. Prepare to be angered and inspired when you hear of this mission to protect our kids and vulnerable adults.
SPEAKER INFORMATION

Tammy Lee joined OUR Rescue from Xena Therapies, a med tech company specializing in women’s health and orthopedics, focusing on philanthropic support for women. Prior to founding Xena Therapies, she was President & CEO of Recombinetics, a bio tech company focused on human health, regenerative medicine and animal welfare. With a background in corporate affairs at Carlson, the University of Minnesota Foundation, Delta Air Lines, and Northwest Airlines, Ms. Lee excels in coalition-building for policy change and spearheading multi-million-dollar fundraising efforts, including for trafficking prevention. She also served on the White House Interagency Task Force to Combat Trafficking in Persons and other national boards, advocating to end trafficking. Recognized as an expert, she frequently speaks on corporate philanthropy and best in-class programs for anti-trafficking initiatives.

SPONSORING ORGANIZATION INFORMATION

Headquartered in Salt Lake City with Centers of Excellence in Minneapolis-St. Paul and Dallas-Fort Worth, OUR Rescue is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to the fight against child sexual exploitation and sex trafficking worldwide. Founded in 2013, the organization’s work spans the globe, assisting law enforcement and funding equipment and training to help develop and prosecute cases. Additionally, OUR Rescue donates Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) K9s to police and provides comprehensive survivor care services. To learn more visit www.OURrescue.org.

Monthly Meeting - July 2024 - Governor Tim Walz
2024-07-10 11:45 - 12:45 (America/Chicago) | The Minneapolis Club, 729 2nd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN, 55402, United States
EVENT INFORMATION
The Minnesota Women’s Economic Roundtable is thrilled to host Governor Tim Walz for our upcoming luncheon on July 10th. This is a unique opportunity to hear directly from the Governor about his vision for the state and his hope for Minnesota’s future and beyond.
Governor Walz will also engage with the audience through a Q&A session, making this an interactive and informative event. Don’t miss this chance to participate in an insightful discussion. We encourage all members to attend the live event.
*Please note: There is always a chance that the Governor might have to cancel at the very last minute. If that happens, we’ll enjoy lunch and networking, and we trust that our members will understand that state’s business is always a priority.
SPEAKER INFORMATION

Tim Walz is Minnesota’s 41st Governor. He was first elected Governor in 2018 and won re-election in 2022. Accomplishments from his time as Governor include providing universal free school meals for students, protecting reproductive freedom, strengthening voting rights, laying the groundwork to get Minnesota to 100% clean electricity by 2040, cutting taxes for the middle class, and expanding paid leave for Minnesota workers. Throughout his time as Governor, Tim has prioritized making Minnesota the best state in the country to raise a family.
Born in a small town in rural Nebraska, Tim’s parents instilled in him the values of public service, generosity toward your neighbors, and working for the common good that guide his commitment to Minnesota today. After high school graduation, Tim enlisted in the Army National Guard. He attended Chadron State College and graduated with a social science degree in 1989. Tim spent a year teaching abroad before returning home to serve full time in the Army National Guard and eventually accepting a high school teaching and coaching position.
While teaching, Tim met his future wife, Gwen Whipple, who taught at the same school. They moved to Mankato in 1996, where they worked at Mankato West High School. In addition to teaching social studies, Tim helped coach the Mankato West football team that won the school’s first state championship. After 24 years in the Army National Guard, Command Sergeant Major Walz retired from the 1-125th Field Artillery Battalion in 2005. Tim won his first election to the United States House of Representatives in 2006 and was re-elected for another five terms serving Minnesota’s First Congressional District in Southern Minnesota.
RECORDED SESSION
If you missed the in-person session, we invite you to review the recorded session below.
https://mwer.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Zoom-2024-07.mp4

Special Event - Navigating a Polarized Climate in Higher Education and Networking Reception (In Person Only)
2024-06-25 16:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | Macalester College – Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center, 130 S Macalester St, St. Paul, MN, 55105, United States
SESSION RECORDING
To listen to a recording of this presentation, please visit the MPR website.
EVENT INFORMATION
Join us for a rich discussion exploring the role of higher education leadership in an intensely polarized cultural, political and social landscape. Recent protests and unrest on college campuses across the U.S. have surfaced questions and discourse about the appropriate role and responsibility of higher education leaders and their institutions during times of political and social unrest. Balancing various constituents’ beliefs and demands, ensuring safety on campus, and ensuring economic stability are sometimes competing priorities which introduce myriad challenges for leaders in this role. With our guest moderator Kerri Miller of MPR, we will hear from a panel of higher education leaders in Minnesota about how they navigate these challenges and their insights about the sector’s role in complex and ever-changing times.

4:00 – 4:15pm: Welcome

4:15 – 5:30pm: Panel Discussion

5:30 – 7:00pm: Networking Reception

SPEAKER INFORMATION

Moderator: Kerri Miller is host of Big Books and Bold Ideas and Talking Volumes through MPR News. She was the political reporter for KARE 11 television in Minneapolis-St. Paul before coming to MPR in 2004. She also writes the Thread newsletter.

Rebecca M. Bergman is Gustavus Adolphus College’s 17th president. Bergman is the first woman in the 152-year history of the College to be named president. Bergman, who served on the College’s Board of Trustees from 2007 to 2014, spent the previous 26 years at Medtronic, Inc., including the last 14 years as a senior executive. Her most recent position was Vice President of Research, Technology, and Therapy Delivery Systems for the company’s Cardiac Rhythm Disease Management (CRDM) business, where she led a research and development team of scientists and engineers. She previously served as Vice President, CRDM New Therapies & Diagnostics as well as Vice President, Corporate Science and Technology, where she directed biomaterials and biosciences R&D, new therapy development, and information management initiatives. Bergman earned her B.S. degree in chemical engineering from Princeton University and undertook graduate study in a Ph.D. program in chemical engineering and material science at the University of Minnesota. Bergman has received a number of Medtronic’s highest technical and leadership awards during her tenure with the company. She was elected as a Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering in 2001, and elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2010. She serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Sigma-Aldrich, on the Board of Directors of The Bakken Museum, and on a number of academic advisory boards. She previously served on the National Advisory Council of the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering of the National Institute of Health and the St. Catherine University Board of Trustees.

Dr. Suzanne M. Rivera is Macalester College’s 17th president. Having worked in higher education for more than 25 years, Dr. Rivera is an accomplished leader, instructor, researcher, and scholar. She is an advocate for social justice and brings a strong commitment to inclusion and equity to her role as president.
Prior to her appointment at Macalester, Rivera was the Vice President for Research and Technology Management at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. She also served on the faculty in the Departments of Bioethics and Pediatrics at CWRU, leading original research projects funded by the National Institutes of Health, the federal Office of Research Integrity, and The Cleveland Foundation.
Rivera previously served as Vice President for Research Administration at UT Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, Texas, where she also was a faculty member in the Department of Clinical Sciences, and at the University of California-Irvine campus as an instructor and administrator.
A national expert in research ethics, Dr. Rivera frequently is invited to speak about a variety of topics related to biomedical research and science policy. She has published numerous articles, essays, and book chapters that explore the moral dimensions of informed consent, use of human specimens, and protection of research subject privacy. She co-edited the book Specimen Science, published by MIT Press in 2017.
Dr. Rivera earned her BA in American Civilization from Brown University, a Master of Social Welfare degree from the University of California-Berkeley, and a doctorate in Public Affairs with an emphasis on health policy from the University of Texas at Dallas.
She and her husband, American Literature scholar Dr. Michael Householder, have two adult children, Antonio (married to Eliza) and Elena.

Rob Vischer was named the 16th President of the University of St. Thomas on January 1, 2023, after acting as interim president for the previous seven months, beginning in June 2022. He was inaugurated on May 12, 2023.
In nearly 10 years as dean of the St. Thomas School of Law, Vischer has helped leverage the law school’s mission to achieve critical objectives in student success and community impact. Over the course of his deanship, the law school has dramatically improved employment outcomes for its graduates, built a global student body by establishing partnerships with law schools in more than a dozen countries, redoubled its commitment to whole-person professional formation, maintained its top-25 ranking for scholarly impact, and made racial justice core to its mission. The Harvard Law School graduate was an inaugural recipient of the Minnesota Lawyer Diversity and Inclusion Award for his contributions to the advancement of diversity and inclusion in the practice of law.
Before entering the legal academy, Vischer was associated with Kirkland & Ellis in Chicago, where he practiced corporate litigation. He clerked for three federal judges: Judge David Ebel of the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, Judge Joan Gottschall of the Northern District of Illinois, and Judge John Wiese of the Court of Federal Claims. He received his B.A. degree, summa cum laude, from the University of New Orleans, and his J.D., cum laude, from Harvard Law School, where he was an editor of the Harvard Law Review.

Monthly Meeting - June 2024 - Revitalizing Minneapolis and Beyond
2024-06-05 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Chicago) | The Minneapolis Club, 729 2nd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN, 55402, United States
EVENT INFORMATION
Andy Luger is serving his second five-year term as the US Attorney General in Minnesota. In the period between his two terms, he realized there were substantial differences in the issues facing Minnesota. Violent crime and gang activity rose significantly. Believing “there is no magic solution” to this problem, Attorney Luger will describe his aggressive fight to eradicate violent crime and the progress made to date. It’s his passion to return Minneapolis and Minnesota to where we were before the Pandemic. You will learn in this talk what the difference is in state and federal crime fighting procedures and how he and his team have achieved significant wins.
SPEAKER INFORMATION

Andrew M. Luger was appointed by President Joseph R. Biden and sworn in on March 30, 2022, as the 37th United States Attorney for the District of Minnesota. As U.S. Attorney, Mr. Luger leads an office responsible for prosecuting federal crimes in the district, including crimes related to terrorism, violent crime, narcotics, child exploitation, human trafficking, fraud, public corruption, and tribal justice issues. The office is also responsible for representing the United States in affirmative and defensive civil cases, as well as assisting communities throughout Minnesota in community-building efforts designed to enhance public safety.

Prior to returning to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Mr. Luger was a partner at the law firm Jones Day since 2017. From 2014 to 2017, Mr. Luger served as the United States Attorney for the District of Minnesota. He was a partner at the law firm Greene Espel in Minneapolis from 1996 to 2014. Mr. Luger previously served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota and for the Eastern District of New York.

Mr. Luger received his J.D., magna cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center in 1985 and his B.A., summa cum laude, from Amherst College in 1981.

RECORDED SESSION
If you missed the in-person session, we invite you to review the recorded session below.
https://mwer.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Zoom-2024-06.mp4

Special Event - V3 Tour
2024-05-21 16:30 - 18:00 UTC | V3 Sports Center, 701 Plymouth Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN, 55411, United States
A Sneak Peak of V3sports Center! Join your MWER colleagues on a special tour of V3 Sports in North Minneapolis, a regional destination providing health, wellness, and opportunity through fitness, water, and education. This game-changing center will draw visitors from the local neighborhood and from across the region bridging communities through competitive sports and events. Following this customized tour, we will gather for happy hour at a nearby restaurant.

Monthly Meeting - May 2024 (In Person Only) - The Intersection of Influence & Engagement
2024-05-01 12:00 - 13:30 UTC | The Minneapolis Club, 729 2nd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN, 55402, United States
EVENT INFORMATION
Join us in-person for a special interactive program as we tip our hat to MWER’s history and look to its future. We’ll convene a lively year-end roundtable to explore the collective power of MWER members and discuss ways to lift our voices and influence toward key economic & community issues critical to Minnesota. Take part in this intimate discussion and ultimate networking session designed to open-up untapped opportunities for the organization and provide proactive engagement for all members.
In advance of the meeting, please respond to this survey. The survey will take 5-10 minutes and your responses will be combined with others and shared at the meeting. We hope this process will stimulate the conversation and help everyone feel engaged. Thanks for your time and focus in advance!
SPEAKER INFORMATION
Bao Vang, Vice President Communications, Better Business Bureau
A long-time news anchor and among the first mainstream journalists of Hmong descent in America, Bao will lend her expertise in facilitating this discussion between members and distilling ideas for cooperative action, organizational influence, and programming direction.
Bao Vang is the Vice President of Communications for Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota where she serves as a senior leader and spokesperson. Her professional background also includes deep roots in media including roles as a news anchor and reporter at WSAW-TW in Wausau, Wisconsin and similarly at WBAY-TV in Green Bay. She is proud to be among the very first Hmong on-air contributors in the United States. Her two degrees are from the University of St. Thomas; BA in Broadcast Journalism and Spanish and an MBA with an emphasis in business communications.

Special Event – Metropolitan Airport Commission (MAC) Tour
2024-04-16 16:30 - 18:15 UTC | Metropolitan Airport Commission (MAC), 6040 28th Ave S, Minneapolis, 55450, United States
Join us for a MWER private briefing and behind the scenes tour provided by the Metropolitan Airport Commission. Our host will be Mitch Killian, VP of Government Affairs. You’ll learn about MAC’s plans and operations, tour Lindbergh and Humphrey Terminals on the ramp behind the scenes via executive coach, and join an optional social hour at nearby Cedar and Stone. The tour will run from 4:30 to 6:15pm; the social hour from 6:30 to 7:30pm. The tour will start and end at the MAC headquarters – easy to get to and free parking.

Monthly Meeting - April 2024 - The Business of Inclusion
2024-04-03 12:00 - 13:30 UTC | The Minneapolis Club, 729 2nd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN, 55402, United States
EVENT INFORMATION
Join Seena Hodges – award-winning DEI coach and strategy expert of The Woke Coach – and Amy Langer – entrepreneur, industry thought leader, and former co-founder of Salo – for a candid conversation about why inclusion is imperative for businesses.
In her work with clients, Seena has become an expert at strategically using empathy and understanding to transform leaders and workplaces. The conversation will draw from her recent book From Ally to Accomplice: How to Lead as a Fierce Antiracist that offers best practices on how to create and maintain inclusive work cultures.
This discussion aims to empower leaders to take action in their workplace. You will be able to ask questions that might be hard to ask elsewhere to help you feel more confident in your leadership.
Want to read the book in advance of the event? Purchase your copy online today!
SPEAKER INFORMATION
Seena Hodges is an award-winning DEI expert who is passionate about equity, intersectional feminism, and access to brave spaces for all. She founded The Woke Coach® in 2018 because she wholeheartedly believes that racial equity is the defining issue of our time. As CEO, she leads antiracist programming and inclusion training for a wide range of clients, from local governments to the University of Minnesota, Red Wing Shoe Company, KNOCK, inc., and the Walker Art Center.
Seena is a 2022 Twin Cities Business 100 People to Know honoree; a recipient of the 2022 Women Presidents Organization Women of Color Achievement Award; the 2023 Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal Women in Business Awards; a 2023 Twin Cities Business Notable Nonprofit Board Members; 2023 Entrepreneurial Women of Impact from Women Presidents Organization (WPO) and Women Elevating Women (W.E.W.); and was named one of the 200 Black Leaders to Know by Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. Seena is the Immediate Past President of the Board of Trustees at the Walker Art Center. She was the first person of color in the history of the institution to hold that distinction.
Seena is a graduate of Columbia University and the Harvard Young American Leaders Program, and is pursuing a PhD in Management and Public Service at Hamline University in Minnesota. Her other certifications include Train the Trainer from the University of Minnesota, Clifton Strengths®, and the Intercultural Development Inventory® (IDI).
For information about hiring The Woke Coach® at your organization, visit thewokecoach.com. Explore press on seenahodges.com.
Amy Langer is an independent Board member, successful entrepreneur and industry thought leader. She started her career as an auditor with KPMG, where she was engaged in a culture that was rich in employee development and long-term relationship-based values. She then went on to Robert Half International where she excelled quickly and learned the value of doing work that she loved. In 2002, with a business partner, she co-founded Salo with a premise of valuing the relationship over the transaction. Before the gig economy existed, they saw a gap in the marketplace and went after it. Starting in a small conference room with the partners self-funding by using all of their savings, going in debt and forgoing income for 22 months the company grew to just shy of 1,000 employees before it was sold to Korn Ferry in February 2023. Amy and Salo have received many awards including the EY Entrepreneur of the year in 2007, The Fastest Growing Women Led Company in North America by Women’s Presidents Organization and induction in the Hall of Fame by the National Association of Women Business Owners, but the awards she most cherishes are the awards for being a “Top Workplace” and “Best and Brightest Companies to Work For” which Salo was recognized time and time again.
She cares about success both in and out of the workplace by being active in civic and nonprofit organizations. Amy has served in a leadership capacity in many organizations including: GreaterMSP, Washburn Center for Children, the Michigan State University Eli Broad College of Business, Committee of 200 and Women’s Presidents Organization.
Amy is currently a Board Member for Health Partners and Executive Chair of Avio Medtech consulting. She loves being involved in an entrepreneurial space again and being part of a company that will intentionally focus on culture and relationships. Amy has 3 boys; Max, Hank and Logan and a rescue dog they adopted, Luna.
RECORDED SESSION
If you missed the in-person session, we invite you to review the recorded session below.
