Cover of Twin Cities Business magazine's August/September 2023 issue

2023 Notable LGBTQ+ Executives

From health care to law and philanthropy, TCB’s 2023 Notable LGBTQ+ Executives drive leadership initiatives across diverse industries. Meet 12 local professionals who are standouts in their careers and dedicated to fostering inclusivity within their organizations and the community.

Methodology: The individuals featured did not pay to be included. Their profiles were drawn from nomination materials. This list is not comprehensive. It includes only people who were nominated and accepted after editorial review. To qualify for this list, individuals must self-identify as LGBTQ+, be serving in a C-suite or senior-level role in Minnesota, have at least five years of experience in their current industry, and have shown the ability to create significant, positive, and measurable results in their field.

To nominate other best-in-class executives in their fields, click here.

2023 Notable LGBTQ+ Executives

2023 Notable Logo

Michael Boulette

Michael Boulette

Partner and practice group chair, Taft Stettinius & Hollister
Michael Boulette established a Domestic Relations presence within Taft’s Minneapolis office in 2021 and has grown the team into a local leader serving some of the Twin Cities’ most prominent
Jeff Brockmann

Jeff Brockmann

Vice president and assistant general counsel, U.S. Bank
As assistant general counsel for Minneapolis-based U.S. Bank, Jeff Brockmann manages all nationwide employment litigation. He recently managed a case argued before the U.S. Supreme Court that was decided in
Richard Herod III

Richard Herod III

Vice president, White Bear Mitsubishi; president/principal, The Bear Lot Motorsports
Richard Herod III has many “firsts” in his career, including being the first openly gay executive of a Twin Cities auto brand and the first openly gay motorsports dealer in
Dr. Timothy Lander

Dr. Timothy Lander

Clinical vice president and chief of surgical services, Children’s Minnesota
Dr. Timothy Lander’s keen vision for innovative solutions improves both patient care and organizational efficiencies at Children’s Minnesota. Lander oversaw the 2022 reopening of Children’s Minnesota’s Minnetonka Surgery Center following
Nancy Lyons

Nancy Lyons

Co-founder and CEO, Clockwork
Nancy Lyons is a CEO, author, and speaker who leverages her entrepreneurial and personal experience to lead conversations and challenge perspectives on the boundaries of work, culture, belonging, and acceptance.
Peter Michaud

Peter Michaud

Chair-elect, Ballard Spahr LLP
Private equity and M&A lawyer Peter Michaud is poised to become the first openly gay chair of Ballard Spahr in Minneapolis; he will take over as chair Jan. 1, 2024.
Don Moschkau

Don Moschkau

Vice president of talent strategy, Fairview Health Services
Don Moschkau directs the strategy behind talent recruitment and human resources for Fairview Health Services. Over the past 18 months, Moschkau has led a team to address staffing challenges within
Anthony Niedwiecki

Anthony Niedwiecki

President and dean, Mitchell Hamline School of Law
Anthony Niedwiecki became Mitchell Hamline’s first openly LGBTQ+ president and dean in July 2020. Under his leadership during the pandemic, the St. Paul-based law school bolstered its national reputation for
Dr. Susan Pleasants

Dr. Susan Pleasants

Senior vice president of optimal care, Fairview Health Services
In 2022, Dr. Susan Pleasants stepped into the new role of senior vice president of optimal care, which brings together all parts of Minneapolis-based Fairview Health Services to help deliver
Jennifer Polzin

Jennifer Polzin

CEO, Tubman
Colleagues describe Jennifer Polzin as an executive who leads with purpose and conviction, helping Minneapolis-based Tubman provide safe shelter, legal services, counseling, youth programming, and community education to those in
James Powell

James Powell

Office managing partner, KPMG LLP
James Powell is the managing partner of KPMG’s Minneapolis office, where he oversees the audit, tax, and advisory services. As an audit partner, Powell has served companies from KPMG’s offices
Cameron Waters

Cameron Waters

Director of human resources, Tierra Encantada
Cameron Waters’ track record of building the HR department from the ground up at his previous company made him a shoo-in for leading human resources at Tierra Encantada, a Spanish