Overachievers

Kate Mortenson

Kate Mortenson

After the 2018 Super Bowl, the high-profile events for U.S. Bank Stadium won’t be over—the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four is coming to town, bringing March Madness’ oft-dramatic finale
Jim DuCharme

Jim DuCharme

The pharmacy benefit management industry is the kind of behind-the-scenes business that never gets much publicity, so Jim DuCharme’s leadership of Prime Therapeutics normally would draw little notice beyond insider
Tawanna Black

Tawanna Black

2021, Alumni: Tawanna Black’s background in both corporate jobs and philanthropy helps anchor the mission of the St. Paul-based nonprofit. It has a data-driven approach to advocating for expanding business
Brian Ryks

Brian Ryks

Brian Ryks, who started his airport management career in 1986 as a MAC noise technician, was appointed in May to succeed Jeff Hamiel, who led the MAC for decades. Before
John Butcher

John Butcher

In recent weeks, Caribou Coffee opened its first “cabins” off the highway in Burnsville, Jordan, and a few other exurbs. The drive-through/walk-up-window minishops aim to offer faster service for commuters,
Gary Wertish

Gary Wertish

Too much rain and prolonged trade disputes created havoc and frustration for Minnesota farmers in 2019. Their ability to bounce back in 2020 is the prime concern of Gary Wertish,
John Edwards

John Edwards

When John Edwards started tweeting five years ago under the Wedge Live! banner, he focused on planning and zoning issues in the Lowry Hill East neighborhood (aka “The Wedge”) in
Kofi Bruce

Kofi Bruce

A 10-year veteran at the Golden Valley-based consumer food giant, Kofi Bruce will become its CFO in 2020. He held positions at Ford and Ecolab before joining General Mills, where
Jay Debertin

Jay Debertin

Jay Debertin, who took the helm of agribusiness giant CHS in 2017, faces major uncertainties because U.S. trade conflicts have disrupted world markets. When he reported financial results over the
Kristine Kubes

Kristine Kubes

An attorney who has focused on construction law since 1998, Kristine Kubes holds a national leadership role within her specialty, chairing the American Bar Association Forum on Construction Law. She
Britt Gilbertson

Britt Gilbertson

Britt Gilbertson, a 2005 graduate of the University of Minnesota Law School, recently took on two leadership roles at the Briggs law firm. In 2018, she was named section leader
Dr. Joe Hobot

Dr. Joe Hobot

Dr. Joe Hobot leads Minneapolis’ American Indian OIC, a nonprofit specializing in adult education and job training, in its mission to mitigate educational and employment disparities faced by American Indians
David Wichmann

David Wichmann

CEO of the Minnetonka-based health care insurer and services company since 2017, David Wichmann is leading UnitedHealth through especially tempestuous times in his industry. He certainly knows it well. He’s
Brian Sullivan

Brian Sullivan

Serial entrepreneur Brian Sullivan co-founded filtration company Recovery Engineering, took it public, then sold it to Procter & Gamble for $265 million in 1999. A few years later, he became
Brent Frederick

Brent Frederick

Jester Concepts (P.S. Steak, Borough, Parlour) is one of a tiny number of dynamic multi-unit restaurant groups based in the Twin Cities, and it’s among the most ambitious and exacting
Dean Hager

Dean Hager

2021, Alumni: Initial public offerings from Minnesota-based companies are few and far between, but the industry-leading enterprise software company went public in July at $26 per share. A tech industry
Corie Barry

Corie Barry

2021, Alumni: What a first year. After closing stores and furloughing 51,000 employees, a quick pivot to curbside pickup, e-commerce, and an ongoing “shop your way” strategy produced strong results,
Craig Kaiser

Craig Kaiser

Craig Kaiser sees a future where his Minnesota-born Cry Baby Craig’s hot sauce is a staple as ubiquitous as sriracha. Now that production is about to settle into a roomier