MSP Transforming is a 4-part digital series that explores sweeping changes in how we think about race and equity, jobs and opportunity, the spaces and places in our region and the relationship of work with the rest of our lives. This series amplifies the voices of innovative leaders across our region who are working on the frontier of these transformations. We invite you to join the dialogue and be a part of shaping the future of the Greater MSP region.
MSP Transforming is a 4-part digital series that explores sweeping changes in how we think about race and equity, jobs and opportunity, the spaces and places in our region and the relationship of work with the rest of our lives. This series amplifies the voices of innovative leaders across our region who are working on the frontier of these transformations. We invite you to join the dialogue and be a part of shaping the future of the Greater MSP region.
Dr. Abdul Omari works in human connection. He is the CEO and founder of the consulting firm AMO Enterprise, focused on developing leadership skills for teams and strengthening diversity, equity, and inclusion. He has served on the University of Minnesota Board of Regents and the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota Foundation. He holds a Master’s of Public Policy and a PhD in Comparative and International Development Education from the University of Minnesota.
Managing Partner, Bread and Butter Ventures
McKnight Land Grant Professor of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, University of Minnesota
CEO, 75F
CEO, Puris Holdings
Executive VP, CHRO, Pentair
Editor-in-Chief, Twin Cities Business
Executive Vice President, JLL
Co-Founder/CEO, The Coven
Managing Director, Accenture Strategy
Professor, Director of the Minnesota Design Center, Director of MSSD and Dayton Hudson Chair in Urban Design
Commissioner, Ramsey County
Founder and CEO, Zipnosis
Founder, HWMR, Camdentown Mpls
Mayor, City of Minnetonka
President, North Region, RYAN Companies
Mayor, City of Richfield
Managing Director, Gensler
Managing Director, Lunar Startups
President, Minnesota Public Radio
President and CEO, Medica
President and CEO, Pillsbury United Communities
Senior Vice President of Community Impact, Greater Twin Cities United Way
Co-founder, HabitAware
Soil Scientist, General Mills
Executive VP, Chief Customer and Innovation Officer, Xcel Energy
CEO, Pohlad Companies
Principal and Founder, MZ Strategies
Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company
Founder & CEO, The Woke Coach
Founder & CEO, Rocky Robinson
The success of Greater MSP has historically been powered by a thriving economy, with industry leadership in healthcare, food & agriculture, energy, and manufacturing. 2020 brought accelerated change to the industries that drive our growth, making it more important than ever that we win this round of innovation and create inclusive economic opportunity. We asked a range of economic thought leaders to share their invaluable insights on driving growth.
Aneela Kumar – HabitAware
Jon Pearce – Zipnosis
Dr. Steven Rosenzweig – General Mills
Michael Smanski – University of Minnesota
Brett Carter – Xcel Energy
Mary Grove – Bread and Butter Ventures
Michael Smanski – University of Minnesota
Deepinder Singh – 75F
Nicole Atchison – Puris Holdings
2020 dramatically affected public spaces and how we live in and relate to them. Amid the disruption, the big questions are: What are our priorities for transformation , and what are the opportunities for community development? Perhaps most importantly, how will we find our way back to each other for healing? We asked regional leaders about the future of downtowns, transit, city corridors, as well as the hope for healing and regeneration. Here are their insights about reimagining places at the intersection of today and tomorrow.
Bert Colliani – Pohlad Companies
Mariia Zimmerman – MZ Strategies
Brad Wiersum – City of Minnetonka
Houston White – HWMR
Thomas Fisher – Minnesota Design Center
Toni Carter – Ramsey County
Houston White – HWMR
Brad Wiersum – City of Minnetonka
Mike Ryan – RYAN Companies
Maria Regan Gonzalez – City of Richfield
Bill Baxley – Gensler
How we work will never be the same. As some industries shrink while others explode, the very nature of the office-based job has shifted more quickly than we could have imagined. And the question we’re all asking is: What does it all mean for the balance between our work and our lives? We asked thought leaders in areas of employment, offices & workspaces, and the effects of change—particularly for working women—to share their insights on how we work.
Kweilin Ellingrude – McKinsey & Company
Alex West Steinman – The Coven
Jessica Mogilka – JLL
Allison Kaplan – Twin Cities Business
Kelly Baker – Pentair
Allison Kaplan – Twin Cities Business
Jessica Mogilka – JLL
Alex West Steinman – The Coven
Nicholas Whittall – Accenture Strategy
More than ever, 2020 revealed that advancing racial equity is one of the greatest imperatives we face in Greater MSP. The killing of George Floyd has been a catalyst for a profound reckoning and permanent transformation in our region. The status quo simply isn’t good enough anymore. We talked to thought leaders about coalition-building, bridging intentions to outcomes and the role of personal transformation in changing systems that will advance racial equity in a meaningful way.
Duchesne Drew – Minnesota Public Radio
Seena Hodges – The Woke Coach
John Naylor – Medica
Adair Mosley – Pillsbury United Communities
Danielle Steer – Lunar Startups
Audra Robinson – Rocky Robinson
Danielle Steer – Lunar Startups
Duchesne Drew – Minnesota Public Radio
John Naylor – Medica
Adair Mosley – Pillsbury United Communities
Acooa Ellis – Greater Twin Cities United Way
Peter Frosch, Greater MSP President And CEO
