Business People: Ka Vang to lead equity, diversity and inclusion at Meet Minneapolis

Pioneer Press
·3 min read

OF NOTE – CIVIC PROMOTION

Meet Minneapolis, an organization that promotes the Twin Cities area as a destination for conventions and meetings, announced that Ka Vang has been named its first-ever vice president of equity, diversity and inclusion. Vang previously was director of impact and community engagement for Minnesota Public Radio and American Public Media.

EDUCATION

The Bloomington Chamber of Commerce announced its 2022 Bloomington Future Leaders scholarship winners, awarding $49,250 to Kennedy High School students Kenia Benitez Sanchez, Senghong Mod, Jaidieanne Moore and Julia Ohm. … ECMC Group, a Minneapolis-based student-funding organization, announced the appointment of Dan Fisher as president and chief executive officer, effective July 3. Fisher also was elected to the board of directors of ECMC Group, Educational Credit Management Corp., and ECMC Foundation. Fisher has been with organization since November 2000.

HEALTH CARE

Allina Health, a Minneapolis-based statewide operator of hospitals and clinics, announced that Josh Shepherd has been named president of Buffalo Hospital and Cambridge Medical Center, succeeding Kelly Spratt who was promoted to vice president of operations at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis. …Synergy HomeCare, a national franchisor of in-home medical and companion care services, announced the opening of Synergy HomeCare of Eagan, owned by franchisees Bri and Jo Beltran.

LAW

Merchant & Gould, Minneapolis, announced it has again achieved Mansfield Rule Certification, this time also attaining the more stringent “Plus” certification, recognizing the firm’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion through its hiring, promotion, and leadership decisions. … Minneapolis attorney Peter Michaud has been named chair of national law firm Ballard Spahr, effective in 2024, and will become the first to hold that position outside of Philadelphia, where Ballard Spahr is headquartered, and also be the first openly gay person to serve as the firm’s chair. Michaud will remain based in Minneapolis. … Moss & Barnett, Minneapolis, announced the hire of attorney Madeleine F. Peake for the firm’s Multifamily and Commercial Real Estate Finance team. … Milwaukee, Wis.-based Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren announced the addition of Amanda Cefalu to its Minneapolis office, joining the firm’s Employee Benefits practice. … Halunen Law, Minneapolis, announced the addition of attorneys Charles Horowitz and Robyn Uri to its employment law practice group.

MANUFACTURING

Nortech Systems, a Maple Grove-based developer of electronic products for the medical, aerospace, defense and industrial markets, announced that David Graff was elected to the company’s board of directors. Graff has held executive leadership roles at Deluxe, Colwell Industries and Ecolab. … Malco Products, an Annandale-based maker hand tools for the HVAC trade, announced that Phil Sponsler has been appointed to its board of directors. Sponsler is president and general manager of industrial manufacturer Orbitform.

MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

Electromed, a New Prague-based developer of airway clearance technologies, announced that Chief Financial Officer Michael MacCourt is leaving the company effective July 1 to pursue a new opportunity; Corporate Controller Michelle C. Wirtz has taken on the position of interim chief financial officer, effective June 1. … SpineThera, a Plymouth-based clinical stage developer of pharmaceutical treatments for sciatica, announced that Doug Drysdale and Dr. Shaheen Lakhan have joined the company’s board of directors. Drysdale is the CEO of biopharmaceutical company Cybin Inc.; Lakhan is board-certified in neurology and pain medicine and currently serves as chief medical officer at Click Therapeutics.

OPENINGS

Restaurateurs Brian and Sarah Ingram announced the opening of the Apostle Supper Club on the 16th floor of Duluth’s Radisson Hotel. … Entrepreneur Brittney Kline has opened Boss Lady Shoetique at Northtown Mall in Blaine, making her the first Black woman to open a shoe store in the mall.

TECHNOLOGY

SecureTech Innovations, a Roseville-based emerging-growth developer of cybersecurity and cryptocurrency technology products and services to business, announced the addition of Ken Salway as vice president of sales.

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