2021, Change agent: The former University of St. Thomas law professor rose to prominence as president of the Minneapolis NAACP in the mid-2010s and through a competitive run for Minneapolis…
The TCB 100 - 2021
It’s been a year, huh? When we set out in late 2019 to identify the TCB100, we saw a 2020 defined by an election and a booming economy. And for 10 weeks, that’s what we got. Then Covid hit, then George Floyd, then an election week that revealed how polarized we all are.
So when our editorial team met in a driveway just before Labor Day, the question was how to identify 100 people who will shape 2021 when 2020 threw us nothing but curveballs.
So this TCB100 is a little different. The people we’re suggesting you keep an eye on are the usual array of movers and shakers, emerging and vets, but with extra emphasis on those who will blaze our trail out of a pandemic and into a business universe increasingly defined by its commitment to equity in deeds rather than verbiage.
Here’s to a year of healing and prosperity for us all. —Adam Platt
By Tess Allen, Kait Ecker, Liz Fedor, Burl Gilyard, Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl, Allison Kaplan, Sarah Lutman, Stephanie March, Dan Niepow, Adam Platt, Gene Rebeck, and Rajiv Tandon
Manufacturing giant Doosan Bobcat is committed to growing its presence in Minnesota, and Michael Ballweber is leading the way. He joined the company back in 1998 and was named president…
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,…
After turning his Pimento Jamaican Kitchen into a safe space for protestors during the George Floyd uprising, then into a community food bank in the days following, Tomme Beevas knew…
Penumbra Theatre Co. recently announced a new strategic vision to transform beyond its much-lauded history as a theater organization into the Penumbra Center for Racial Healing. The center will encompass…
2021, Rooted: In a weak mayor system like Minneapolis’s, the city council president is powerful. Lisa Bender has been a lightning rod for aggressive advocacy of bike lanes, increased residential…
How do you educate the next generation of health care workers during a global health crisis? You call Dr. Bradley Benson. As chief academic officer of M Health Fairview and…
Karl Benson is in the business of helping other businesses, particularly Black-owned companies. And after months of nationwide tension over racial inequity, his job’s never been more important. An entrepreneur…
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…
2023: Jude Bricker arrived at MSP in 2017 to run the little airline that couldn’t, mostly. In and out of bankruptcy and shifting business models, Sun Country Airlines was vast…
The credo of the Citizens League is “common ground, common good.” Kate Cimino became the league’s new executive director in September, just weeks before highly partisan election battles were decided.…
Is there room for one more media outlet in the Twin Cities? Hell yes, says the Minnesota Reformer. The politically focused online news site launched in January and soon established…
2021, Alumni: Brian Cornell remained calm and steady in the face of unprecedented challenges and supply chain shortages, while an agile response to constantly changing conditions drove soaring Q2 profits,…
Jay Dillon and his father, Bob, started New Hope-based Yardbird in 2016 to offer affordable patio and outdoor furniture, buying direct from Asia to keep prices down. It began as…
The pandemic has revolutionized the way many people think about health and wellness. Technology, for one, has emerged as a primary way for folks to interface with doctors. At Best…
When a company needs to grow fast, TD Dixon is the man they call. So when Lakeville-based Post Consumer Brands (Fruity Pebbles, Honey Bunches of Oats, Grape-Nuts) experienced a few…
When Target made its elevated commitment to the Neighborhood Development Center and established a new partnership with Midtown Global Market (which NDC co-owns) for home delivery via Shipt, it’s likely…
The longtime Twin Cities journalist landed one of the more difficult directives of 2020, changing (and healing) the culture at MPR, while rethinking its approach for a new generation of…