Minnesota Chamber Foundation profiles 2025

The Minnesota Chamber Foundation thrives with the support of dedicated volunteer leaders. Read below to learn more about these leaders who have a long history of serving Minnesota's business community. 

Tell us what you like most about working for SFM?
It’s the people. If you had asked me in law school where I wanted to work, I would not have guessed it was a workers’ compensation insurance company! SFM was one of my clients for 7-8 years when I was in private practice before I went in-house with them 18 years ago, and it’s because I truly enjoy the people who work for SFM Mutual Insurance Company. They care about the work they do and they service they provide to not only their policyholders, but also the injured workers. SFM walks the talk of their mission of “inspiring safer workplaces by protecting workers from harm and helping the injured recover.” 

How do you spend your free time? 
Free time varies by the season! As summer approaches, we are fortunate to have a cabin “up north” as a weekend retreat. I love learning new things and YouTube can teach you anything, so you can find me regularly working on different home or cabin improvement projects while making sure I take time to just soak in the beauty of northern Minnesota – whether it be Lake Superior or one of our 10,000+ inland lakes. I will be dusting off the trail shoes this fall and tackling the 21-mile course of the Grand Traverse that winds along the beautiful Superior Hiking Trail. And although there’s never enough hours in the day, I do usually have a couple of different books in contrasting genres going at a time.

What would you tell others about the work of the Minnesota Chamber Foundation?
If you are looking for answers to problems your business is facing, it is likely that the Minnesota Chamber Foundation has an answer for you. I suspect many people are unaware of the extensive reach of the Foundation’s workforce leadership programs, educational offerings and research initiatives. Their Leadership Minnesota and Leadership Lab programs are excellent opportunities for both established as well as up-and-coming leaders to learn more about the broader state economy while expanding their professional networks. As the state’s workforce changes, the Foundation changes with it, and the work of their Committee for Workforce Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is a great example of that. 

How long have you been a member of the committee, and how do you see the committee’s work making an impact on the Minnesota business community?
I have been a member of the Committee for Workforce Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion since it was created in 2021. The Committee’s approach of meeting businesses where they are with respect to their needs for creating workplaces that optimize a sense of belonging for more diverse employee groups rather than having a one-size-fits-all approach appealed to me. Working for a Twin-Cities based company that insures policyholders throughout the state while continuing to live in Duluth, I appreciate that not all businesses and workforces are the same. We need to continue to find different ways to meet workforce shortage and skills challenges. Attracting and retaining traditional demographics for a particular industry or geographic region is important, but broadening the lens is critical, as illustrated by the Foundation’s report Minnesota: 2030 A Framework for Economic Growth. The lens of diversity is as broad as our prospective workers, including different ages, abilities, genders, races and cultures, formerly incarcerated individuals, and members of the veteran and LGTBQ+ communities. The mission statement ultimately created by committee members captures the goal well: “to make the Minnesota business community a national leader of workplace inclusivity by developing and supporting a statewide initiative to create equitable workplaces that value and demonstrate a commitment to creating a sense of belonging throughout Minnesota’s increasingly diverse workforce.” 

What is one piece of professional advice you'd like to share?
Be authentic – you are at your best when you are true to yourself. 

Tell us what you most value about leading Wyoming Machine?
I value the challenge of driving operational improvement at Wyoming Machine. I take great pride in leading our team in implementing efficient processes and high-quality standards. It’s rewarding to see how our dedication to these principles results in satisfied customers and a strong market reputation.

What other organizations are you engaged with?

• U.S. Chamber of Commerce – Board of Directors
   
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce – Small Business Council, Vice Chair
   
• Bi-Partisan Policy Center, Commission on the American Workforce

How do you spend your time outside of work?

• I love being outdoors – Running, walking, golfing, hiking, and cross-country skiing.
   
• Motorcycling – I’ve been all over the country with my family. My daughters started riding with me when they were little kids. We’ve traveled the entire length of the Mississippi River, from the headwaters to the Gulf of Mexico! In June 2025, we have a trip planned that will take us from Minnesota to Washington and back home again. My parents (85 and 81) are planning to make the trip with us, but they are going to trailer their motorcycle part of the way.
   
• Cabin Time – We have a family cabin in Wisconsin, and I spend time there in all seasons. Our family built the cabin from clearing the lot to doing the finishing work on the house. Our Dad thought it would be good for his daughters to know how to build a house.

What would you tell others about the work of the Minnesota Chamber Foundation?
The Minnesota Chamber Foundation is dedicated to securing Minnesota's economic future. It provides essential data, business-driven solutions, and partnerships to support policymakers in understanding key issues and making informed policy decisions. The Minnesota Chamber Foundation is the great place to be involved for businesses that care about Minnesota’s economy.

What is one piece of professional advice you’d share with others?
One thing I've learned in my career is the immense value of storytelling, and I encourage others to develop this as a professional skill. Sharing my personal journey, the story of my business, and the challenges we face can capture people's attention, help them understand my perspective, and persuade them effectively.