Business People: Bruce Karstadt to retire at American Swedish Institute

Pioneer Press
·3 min read

OF NOTE — ORGANIZATIONS

The American Swedish Institute, a Minneapolis-based cultural center and museum, announced that Bruce Karstadt will retire as president and CEO during the first half of 2023. The organization is planning an executive search effort to find his replacement.

ADVERTISING/PUBLIC RELATIONS

Goff Public, a St. Paul-based political public relations and lobbying firm, announced that Elizabeth Emerson has become a principal. Emerson has led government relations and public affairs work at Goff since 2012. … Minneapolis-based independent ad agency Rise and Shine and Partners announced that Matt Burgess has joined its leadership team as partner and chief creative officer.

ARCHITECTURE/ENGINEERING

Westwood Professional Services, a Minnetonka-based civil engineering firm, announced the appointment of 22 new shareholders and 32 new associates.

DEVELOPMENT

Dominium, a Plymouth-based affordable housing owner, developer and manager, announced that it has hired Jen Densmore to serve as its director of talent acquisition. Prior to joining Dominium, Densmore worked for more than 15 years as a talent acquisitions manager at Blattner Co.

EDUCATION

Hamline University, St. Paul, announced that Brent Gustafson has been named vice president for finance and administration. Gustafson has served the last 10 years as chief financial officer of the University of Minnesota’s College of Liberal Arts. He is an 1994 Hamline grad. … The University of St. Thomas announced that it has chosen Laura Dunham as next dean of its Opus College of Business, officially succeeding the retiring Stefanie Lenway on July 1. Dunham has spent the last five years as associate dean of the school’s Opus’ Schulze School of Entrepreneurship. The University of St. Thomas main campus is in St. Paul with its business school in downtown Minneapolis.

FEDERAL RESERVE

The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis announced the appointment of LuAnne Kinney Pederson as senior vice president and general counsel, effective June 1. Pederson joined the bank as an attorney in 2001 and has served in roles of increasing responsibility in the Legal Division.

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Merchants Bank announced that Lisa Lundell has joined the Merchants Bank Advisory Board for Cannon Falls, Hampton and Red Wing. Lundell is a Realtor for REMAX Cannon Realty located in Cannon Falls, Minn., and also serves on the board of directors for the Cannon Falls Chamber of Commerce.

HEALTH CARE

Allina Health, a Twin Cities-based operator of regional hospitals and clinics, announced that Kelly Spratt has moved from being president of Buffalo Hospital and Cambridge Medical Center to become vice president of operations at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis. He fills the position formerly held by David Joos, who was named the president of Abbott Northwestern. … Hope Dental Clinic, a St. Paul-based nonprofit offering free dental care and oral health education, announced that Jan Hallstrom has been named executive director.

HONORS

Spire Credit Union, Falcon Heights, announced that Matt Meyers, Spire’s PACE lender and senior commercial credit analyst, was named the winner of the Midway Chamber of Commerce “Volunteer of the Year” Award at the organization’s annual gala this year.

LAW

Winthrop & Weinstine, Minneapolis, announced the additions of attorneys Robert (Bob) E. Box as counsel in the real estate finance practice and Jeremy M. Walls as an associate in the general corporate practice.

MANUFACTURING

Uponor North America, an Apple Valley-based maker of PEX piping for residential and industrial construction, announced that Uponor Corp., the Finland-based parent of Uponor North America, has appointed Jennifer Hauschildt to the newly created position of chief human resources officer for the company worldwide, making her the first North America-based member of the Uponor Executive Committee in a non-presidential role.

OPENINGS

Stalk & Spade, a plant-based burger shop started in Wayzata, announced the opening of its first franchised location, at 3925 W. 50th St., Edina, owned by former NHL player David Backes.

TECHNOLOGY

ActiFi, a St. Louis Park-based provider of financial adviser software, announced the appointments of Derek Bruton and John Wernz to its board of directors. Bruton is senior managing director of the Gladstone Group; Wernz is in partnership with Cogo Labs.

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