Reuben D. Rotman is the founding President and CEO of the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies. The Network was established in 2017 following the merger of two predecessor associations, as an international membership association, with the mission of strengthening and advancing the Jewish human service sector. Today, The Network serves as the leading voice for the sector; the go-to for best practice research, innovation, and partnerships. Supporting its 180+ member organizations, The Network’...
Aug 12, 2025•34 min
Alex Neist is the visionary founder and CEO of Hostage Tape, the #1 selling, original mouth tape that has revolutionized the market and drastically changed how millions sleep. The company has inspired over 200,000 customers worldwide and formed high-profile partnerships with the UFC and Joe Rogan's podcast, emphasizing the importance of quality sleep. Before his entrepreneurial success with Hostage Tape, Alex was an Arena Football League quarterback. He later enjoyed a prosperous career in sport...
Jun 25, 2025•33 min
Cabby Lolmaugh was appointed President, Chief Executive Officer in January 2019. After serving four year years in the U.S. Marine Corps., Mr. Lolmaugh joined our company in 2001, working in the warehouse of our Roseville, Minnesota store. From that time through 2014, he served in various roles at several locations, including Store Manager in Roseville, one of the company’s largest and most successful stores. In 2014, Mr. Lolmaugh was asked to lead the company’s pro customer strategy. Under his l...
Jun 25, 2025•29 min
In a world where innovation often outpaces empathy, Brandon Sawalich stands out as a rare leader who blends both with purpose. As the President and CEO of Starkey, one of the world’s leading hearing technology companies, Brandon has spent over 31 years transforming not just a business—but an entire industry 1. From his first job in hearing healthcare at age 19, Brandon discovered a calling, not just a career. His journey is one of grit, vision, and a deep belief in the power of people. Under his...
Jun 24, 2025•30 min
Michael McDermott, founder and former CEO of Kona Grill, is a seasoned restaurant industry leader with a track record of creating and growing successful concepts. His portfolio includes the development of Tavern23, Rojo Mexican Grill, and Sushi on Shea. With extensive experience and a passion for innovation, Michael is now leading Chi-Chi’s into its next chapter.
Jun 24, 2025•29 min
Carlos M. Llanes Jr. is the founder and CEO of Spartan Carrier Group, one of the most dynamic and fastest-growing logistics companies in North America. A U.S. Army combat veteran, accomplished executive, and man of deep Christian faith, Llanes has built Spartan into a powerhouse—closing in on $75 million in annual revenue in under three years, all without venture capital or outside investment. Recognized as one of the Top 500 Largest Hispanic-Owned and Veteran-Owned Businesses in the United Stat...
Jun 23, 2025•29 min
Kent Roers, co-founder of Roers Companies, has 25 years of experience in real estate and finance. Since its founding in 2012, Roers Companies has become a leading developer in the Twin Cities, recognized for its significant contributions to the local real estate market. The company has achieved remarkable growth, being named the top developer in the region. Roers Companies is known for its strong workplace culture, innovative development strategies, and commitment to quality housing. It's a comp...
Jun 05, 2025•20 min
Jun 05, 2025•20 min
In 2010, I received a call from the hospital that would alter the course of my entire life. The nurse on the other end of the line said bluntly: “You need to stop telling my patients about nutrition.”I was a Home Health Physical Therapist at the time and had just discovered the vast world of nutrition. More specifically, I discovered how poor nutrition was linked to many of the health issues my patients were dealing with. So of course, I started telling them about it… I explained how gluten and ...
May 12, 2025•26 min
Based in St. Louis, Michael Lazaroff is one of the most successful entrepreneurs in jazz. As the director of Entertainment Cruise Productions, he oversees The Jazz Cruise, The Smooth Jazz Cruise and the most recently added Blue Note at Sea cruise. A former attorney, the energetic Lazaroff came into the business in 2000 when Norwegian Cruise Lines discontinued its jazz cruise and his mother Anita Berry, who ran a travel agency that serviced the jazz trips, said that she wanted to start her own ja...
Apr 30, 2025•31 min
Mar 17, 2025•37 min
Courtney Lightfoot began her journey with Squeegee Squad, a window-washing company, as an executive assistant and worked her way up to her current position as CEO. Squeegee Squad was founded by brothers Jack and Joe Ruegsegger in Minnesota. Initially named Jack & Joe’s Window Cleaning, the company grew from local roots to a national franchise. Squeegee Squad specializes in residential and commercial window cleaning, high-rise jobs, and building restoration services. Their commitment to quali...
Mar 17, 2025•22 min
Ilan Sobel has been the CEO of BioHarvest Sciences since July 2020. Ilan has brought the company’s first product, VINIA, to North America, building a direct-to-consumer machine that is now generating significant revenues. VINIA’s go-to-market success has established a template for the company’s near-term product pipeline of nutraceutical plant cell banks. In addition to commercial focus and planning, Ilan has scaled production capabilities from R+D up to industrial levels, and is building a biot...
Jan 17, 2025•45 min
Robin Ganzert, Ph.D., serves as president and CEO of American Humane, the country’s first national humane organization and the first to serve animals, whenever and wherever they are in need of rescue, shelter or protection. She is the executive producer of the acclaimed documentary, Escape from Extinction, narrated by Dame Helen Mirren, and its follow-up, Escape from Extinction Rewilding, which features narration by Oscar winner Meryl Streep. She is also the executive producer of the annual Amer...
Dec 27, 2024•30 min
Charlie Youakim is a serial technology entrepreneur with over a decade of experience driving fintech companies to success. He is the Co-founder, Executive Chairman, and CEO of Sezzle, a leading Buy Now. Pay Later platform that empowers consumers to gain financial freedom. Previously, he founded Passport, a pioneering software and payments service that transformed the transportation industry.
Oct 16, 2024•27 min
Chuck Runyon - CEO, Co-Founder at Self Esteem Brands, LLC, Anytime Fitness, Waxing the City, The Bar Method, Basecamp Fitness
Feb 23, 2024•23 min
LeeAnn is a graduate of the University of St. Thomas where she earned degrees in Mass Communications & Journalism – Public Relations and General Business Management. Throughout her career, LeeAnn has focused on consumer retail and financial services with an emphasis on brand building and digital transformations for Fortune 1000 companies including Macy’s, RBC Wealth Management, Sleep Number, and Securian Financial. In recent years, LeeAnn completed a Diversity & Inclusion certification t...
Feb 16, 2024•25 min
Justin Kehrwald is President, and CEO, and serves as a Board Member for Tradehome Shoes, Inc. Tradehome is employee-owned and operates 130 retail locations across 25 states, with Headquarters in the Twin Cities. Justin began his career with Tradehome Shoes in 1999. He has served several roles within the company including Store Manager, Regional Supervisor, and COO. In 2018 he became the fourth CEO in the company's 102-year history. Justin is responsible for all areas of the company's business pe...
Jan 10, 2024•27 min
Michael Hund is the CEO of EB Research Partnership (EBRP), a trailblazing medical research organization focused on curing Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), a life-threatening genetic skin disease. Under his leadership EBRP has accelerated the landscape from 2 to over 40 clinical trials and via their award winning venture philanthropy methodology funded the first FDA approved treatment for EB in 2023, the first ever topical gene therapy.
Nov 10, 2023•24 min
Joe Ennen is the CEO of SunOpta, a pioneer fueling the future of sustainable plant-based and fruit-based food and beverages. An expert in driving dynamic growth at scale, and building vibrant company culture, Ennen believes in the power of people to build a more sustainable future.
Aug 07, 2023•21 min
Brian Slipka is the founder and serves as the leader of True North. Throughout his career as a senior executive, Brian began investing in numerous independent operating companies, eventually forming the framework of today’s True North Equity Partners. Over time, and with his own hard-earned capital, Brian began acquiring controlling interest in independent operating companies across varied and diverse industries. Among these are Sunbelt Business Advisors and True North Mergers & Acquisitions...
Jun 20, 2023•31 min
May 11, 2023•17 min
Apr 24, 2023•1 min
Mike serves as President and CEO for The Shaw Group. Prior to his role with Shaw, Mike served in several executive level roles throughout the energy industry, including President of Bernhard Energy, President and CEO of Synergy Renewables, CEO of TXU/Luminant Development and SVP, Business Development and Marketing at Saulsbury Industries. Mike also served as EVP at the former Shaw organization. Mike serves as an independent board member at Aries Clean Energy and Cypress Creek Renewables. Mike ha...
Apr 24, 2023•1 min
Avenica CEO Scott Dettman is a dynamic leader with a strong track record of driving growth through transformation and innovation in the human capital arena. Scott joined Avenica in 2019 following a six-year stint with ManpowerGroup that included progressive leadership roles spanning analytics and transformation to general management and business development. Scott has a master’s degree and Ph.D. (ABD) from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and most recently completed an Executive Leadership ...
Oct 21, 2022•25 min
Ben Lipkin is the co-founder of Carpe Diem CBD, a Seed To Shelf Hemp To CBD Company
Sep 01, 2022•21 min
Clearfield, Inc. designs, manufactures and distributes fiber optic management products, helping service providers reduce the high costs associated with deploying, managing, protecting and scaling a fiber optic network to deliver the mobile, residential and business services customers want.
Aug 01, 2022•52 min
C.H. Robinson solves logistics problems for companies across the globe and across industries, from the simple to the most complex. With $21 billion in freight under management and 19 million shipments annually, we are one of the world’s largest logistics platforms. Our global suite of services accelerates trade to seamlessly deliver the products and goods that drive the world’s economy. With the combination of our multimodal transportation management system and expertise, we use our information ...
Mar 29, 2022•24 min
Neeraj Gunsagar is the CEO and President of byte®, a direct-to-consumer aligner company that is revolutionizing the orthodontic industry. Byte was recently acquired by Dentsply Sirona for $1.04 billion to expand its DTC Aligner business to dentists across the world. Prior to joining byte®, Neeraj was the Chief Marketing Officer, Chief Revenue Officer and SVP of Finance & Operations at TrueCar, Inc (NASDAQ: TRUE). In his various roles, Neeraj was responsible for the Company’s overall marketin...
Mar 18, 2022•14 min
Top Ten Liquors is one of Minnesota's fastest growing, locally owned liquor store chains. We pride ourselves on having a customer first mentality, an expansive selection of craft beer, wine, and craft spirits, and leading the local industry in innovative marketing strategies. We have taken the initiative to reinvent how consumers expect to shop for alcohol by expanding our in-store tastings to include every Friday and Saturday complimentary samples are available. We also have interactive learnin...
Jan 25, 2022•27 min
