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Thursday, August 27
 

8:30am CDT

Breakfast
Thursday August 27, 2026 8:30am - 9:00am CDT
Auditorium
Enjoy a delicious breakfast

MENU
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- Buttered Croissants
- Fresh Fruit
- Coffee
- Water
- Juice
Thursday August 27, 2026 8:30am - 9:00am CDT
Auditorium
  Break/Meal

8:30am CDT

Registration
Thursday August 27, 2026 8:30am - 9:00am CDT
Resource Training & Solutions

Thursday August 27, 2026 8:30am - 9:00am CDT
Resource Training & Solutions
  Open Discussion

9:00am CDT

Welcome + Opening Remarks
Thursday August 27, 2026 9:00am - 9:15am CDT
Auditorium
Feedback Survey

Thursday August 27, 2026 9:00am - 9:15am CDT
Auditorium
  Remarks

9:15am CDT

State of Social Entrepreneurship
Thursday August 27, 2026 9:15am - 10:00am CDT
Auditorium
Feedback Survey
 Join us for an insightful overview of today’s dynamic landscape. In this session, experts will unpack the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping social entrepreneurship. You'll gain a clear understanding of the ecosystem—and how to navigate its future developments.
Speakers
avatar for Tina Pfau Gonzales

Tina Pfau Gonzales

Founder & Principal, Pfau Gonzales Associates
Tina Pfau Gonzales, is currently an Outreach Coordinator with the Minnesota PROMISE Act and an idea stage, social entrepreneurship coach for Elevate Hennepin County.

Tina brings more than 30 years of experience in community engagement, nonprofit leadership, entrepreneurship, fund... Read More →
avatar for Dr. La JuanaW hitmore

Dr. La JuanaW hitmore

Co-Founder, FINNOVATION Institute
La Juana Whitmore is an entrepreneur-first business strategist and financial education leader who helps small business owners turn ambition into durable success. As Executive Director of FINNOVATION Institute, and the founder of NextFemme Financial and La Juana Whitmore Consulting... Read More →
avatar for Keri Clifton

Keri Clifton

Program Director, Augsburg University
Keri Clifton, MA
Keri is the Seeing Things Whole Program Director at Augsburg University. She brings passion and excitement for supporting individuals and organizations to thrive through effective programming, sustained engagement, and continuous development. She is committed to serving others for... Read More →
avatar for Tyler Vogel

Tyler Vogel

Co-Director, Initiators Fellowship, Initiative Foundation
Tyler Vogel is Co-Director of the Initiators Fellowship at the Initiative Foundation, where he helps lead efforts to strengthen main street social entrepreneurship and build a more connected support ecosystem across Greater Minnesota. The Initiators Fellowship supports rural social... Read More →
Thursday August 27, 2026 9:15am - 10:00am CDT
Auditorium
  Panel/Presentation

10:00am CDT

Credit Opens Doors: Debt as a Pathway to Growth Panel
Thursday August 27, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am CDT
Auditorium
Feedback Survey
Debt is more than an obligation—it’s a tool for growth. This panel explores different types of credit, how to use them strategically, and why borrowing can strengthen financial stability. Experts will break down business lines of credit, personal loans, and common myths, offering actionable insights for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Whether you're scaling, investing, or navigating...
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Speakers
avatar for Perla Mayo

Perla Mayo

Neighborhood Development Center
Perla Mayo, who joined NDC 15 years ago as its Latino program coordinator, now oversees the St. Paul-based community development nonprofit’s lending portfolio. She supports NDC’s loan officers as they prepare clients for the loan process by helping en
avatar for Doug Adams

Doug Adams

Initiative Foundation Impact Fund
Business Finance Manager with the Initiative Foundation for 5 years and was a ag/commercial loan officer with various banks before this for 20 years.
avatar for Alma Flores

Alma Flores

LEDC
Alma Flores is a seasoned housing, community, and economic development professional focused on leveling the playing field for marginalized communities. For over 20 years, she served as a public servant in Oregon, Massachusetts, and most recently in Minnesota in community development... Read More →
Thursday August 27, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am CDT
Auditorium
  Panel/Presentation

10:45am CDT

Entrepreneur Journeys: Lived Experience in Securing Support for Your Business
Thursday August 27, 2026 10:45am - 11:30am CDT
Auditorium
Feedback Survey
Securing funding, finding support from organizations that provide services to entrepreneurs, connecting with people who “get” what you are all about… these are all challenges in the journey of a social entrepreneur. Alumni of the Initiators Fellowship will share stories from their journeys to finding community champions and capital, from early investment to expansion.
Speakers
avatar for Funwi Tita

Funwi Tita

Better Greens LLC
Funwi Tita is the founder and owner of Better Greens LLC and President of the Minnesota African Immigrant Farmers Association (MAIFA). He is a farmer, entrepreneur, and food systems advocate dedicated to increasing access to culturally significant foods while creating economic opportunities... Read More →
avatar for Erin Schutte Wadzinski

Erin Schutte Wadzinski

Kivu Immigration Law PLLC
Erin Schutte Wadzinski was a 2020-2021 Initiators Fellow. Through this fellowship, she founded Kivu Immigration Law PLLC, a social enterprise law firm in her rural hometown of Worthington, Minnesota. Kivu Law provides flat-rate, below market-rate immigration legal services to immigrants... Read More →
avatar for Christine Metzo

Christine Metzo

Co-Director, Initiators Fellowship, Initiative Foundation

Thursday August 27, 2026 10:45am - 11:30am CDT
Auditorium
  Panel/Presentation

11:30am CDT

Exhibitors
Thursday August 27, 2026 11:30am - 12:00pm CDT
Resource Training & Solutions
Feedback Survey
Attendees can get the conversation started by proposing a topic on a table card or jumping into an existing discussion on a subject that sparks their interest. It’s a casual, engaging space to share ideas and explore new perspectives in a relaxed setting.
Thursday August 27, 2026 11:30am - 12:00pm CDT
Resource Training & Solutions
  Open Discussion

12:00pm CDT

Lunch
Thursday August 27, 2026 12:00pm - 12:15pm CDT
Auditorium

Thursday August 27, 2026 12:00pm - 12:15pm CDT
Auditorium
  Break/Meal

12:15pm CDT

Transitional Remarks
Thursday August 27, 2026 12:15pm - 12:30pm CDT
Auditorium

Speakers
avatar for Christine Metzo

Christine Metzo

Co-Director, Initiators Fellowship, Initiative Foundation

avatar for Y. Elaine Rasmussen

Y. Elaine Rasmussen

Founder/CEO, ConnectUP! Institute
Y. Elaine Rasmussen is a on-air personality, futurist and change agent who has consulted with over 400 small business owners of color through her no-nonsense approach and to the entrepreneurship across Minnesota. Elaine also worked with Fortune 500 companies and is most noted for... Read More →
Thursday August 27, 2026 12:15pm - 12:30pm CDT
Auditorium
  Remarks

12:35pm CDT

Keynote Speaker
Thursday August 27, 2026 12:35pm - 12:55pm CDT
Auditorium
Feedback Survey

Thursday August 27, 2026 12:35pm - 12:55pm CDT
Auditorium
  Keynote

1:00pm CDT

Getting on Track: Building Business Credit
Thursday August 27, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm CDT
Breakroom II
Feedback Survey
Strong business credit is key to unlocking funding and growth opportunities. In this session, you’ll learn the essential steps to establish, improve, and leverage business credit. Discover practical strategies to separate personal and business finances, build a solid credit profile, and access the resources you need to scale your business with confidence.
Speakers
avatar for Briana Mobley

Briana Mobley

Founder / CEO, Affluent Culture Inc
Briana Barnes-Mobley is the CEO and Founder of Affluent Culture Inc., a Minnesota-based Financial StabilityAccelerator Program specializing in credit repair, business funding assistance, and transformative financial education.With 16+ years of experience in the financial industry... Read More →
Thursday August 27, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm CDT
Breakroom II
  Breakout Session

1:00pm CDT

Network is Net Worth: Make and Grow Connections
Thursday August 27, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm CDT
Breakroom I
Feedback Survey
Discover the art of building connections to fuel your business growth. This session will guide you through effective research techniques and strategies to confidently put yourself out there, helping you create meaningful relationships that drive success. Don't miss this opportunity to elevate your networking skills!
Speakers
avatar for Y. Elaine Rasmussen

Y. Elaine Rasmussen

Founder/CEO, ConnectUP! Institute
Y. Elaine Rasmussen is a on-air personality, futurist and change agent who has consulted with over 400 small business owners of color through her no-nonsense approach and to the entrepreneurship across Minnesota. Elaine also worked with Fortune 500 companies and is most noted for... Read More →
Thursday August 27, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm CDT
Breakroom I
  Breakout Session

1:45pm CDT

Snack Break
Thursday August 27, 2026 1:45pm - 2:00pm CDT
Auditorium

Thursday August 27, 2026 1:45pm - 2:00pm CDT
Auditorium
  Break/Meal

1:45pm CDT

Table Talks
Thursday August 27, 2026 1:45pm - 2:00pm CDT
Resource Training & Solutions
Feedback Survey
Attendees can get the conversation started by proposing a topic on a table card or jumping into an existing discussion on a subject that sparks their interest. It’s a casual, engaging space to share ideas and explore new perspectives in a relaxed setting.
Thursday August 27, 2026 1:45pm - 2:00pm CDT
Resource Training & Solutions
  Open Discussion

2:00pm CDT

Leveraging the Power of Greater MN
Thursday August 27, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm CDT
Breakroom I
Feedback Survey
Discover how to tap into the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Greater Minnesota building a more equitable, thriving statewide small business community. This panel explores the opportunities, resources, and collaborations driving Greater Minnesota’s economic growth. Hear from experts on how to bridge urban-rural divides, support diverse founders, and leverage regional strengths. Whether you're an...
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Speakers
avatar for Zach Tabatt

Zach Tabatt

Initiative Foundation
Zach is vice president for economic opportunity at the Initiative Foundation where he oversees
the small-business lending program and Certified Community Development Financial Institution
(CDFI) work. Zach also oversees training and technical assistance for small businesses, and th... Read More →
avatar for NeTia Bauman

NeTia Bauman

CEO & President, Greater St. Cloud (GSC)
NeTia joined Greater St. Cloud in July 2023 to serve as CEO & President. In this role, she leads the organization’s mission to advance inclusive and equitable economic development across the Greater St. Cloud region. Her career reflects a diverse and intentional progression beginning... Read More →
Thursday August 27, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm CDT
Breakroom I
  Breakout Session

2:00pm CDT

Scale Smart: Growing Your Business Without Losing Your Foundation
Thursday August 27, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm CDT
Breakroom II
Feedback Survey
Is your business ready to scale? Growth brings opportunities—but also challenges. This interactive session covers key strategies, common pitfalls, and real-world case studies to help you expand sustainably. Gain practical tools to navigate scaling, avoid costly mistakes, and seize the right opportunities. We’ll also discuss unique obstacles entrepreneurs may face and how to overcome them. Walk...
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Speakers
avatar for Sarah Sengupta

Sarah Sengupta

Associate Professor of Operations and Supply Chain Management, St. Cloud State University
Dr. Sarah Sengupta is a supply chain and operations faculty member at St. Cloud State University with 20+ years of research and industry experience. Her work includes a recent MJSP-funded supply chain leadership initiative with Niron Magnetics, prior consulting for U.S. Oil, and healthcare... Read More →
Thursday August 27, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm CDT
Breakroom II
  Breakout Session

2:50pm CDT

Closing Remarks
Thursday August 27, 2026 2:50pm - 3:00pm CDT
Auditorium
Feedback Survey

Thursday August 27, 2026 2:50pm - 3:00pm CDT
Auditorium
  Remarks

3:30pm CDT

Reception
Thursday August 27, 2026 3:30pm - 6:00pm CDT
Bad Habit Brewing

Thursday August 27, 2026 3:30pm - 6:00pm CDT
Bad Habit Brewing 25 College Avenue North, St. Joseph, MN
  Break/Meal
 
Do Business with Purpose
From $127.22

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Thursday, August 27
Auditorium
Bad Habit Brewing
Breakroom I
Breakroom II
Resource Training & Solutions
  • Break/Meal
  • Breakout Session
  • Keynote
  • Open Discussion
  • Panel/Presentation
  • Remarks