Uri Camarena is a standout leader in the Twin Cities business community. A former member of the board for the Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC) in St. Paul, he stepped up to lead the LEDC at the request of fellow board members after the departure of the former executive director in early 2024. Before LEDC, Camarena was senior director of business solutions at the Metropolitan Economic Development Association for 15 years, where he supported the growth of several BIPOC businesses in Minnesota. He is chair of the Minnesota State Arts Board, chair-elect of Global Minnesota, and past board chair of the Minneapolis College of Art and Design.