Do Business with Purpose: Full Schedule

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

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 credit options, this session will help you turn debt into an opportunity.

Speakers

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 nonprofitâ€™s lending portfolio. She supports NDCâ€™s loan officers as they prepare clients for the loan process by helping en

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.

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

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 →

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 →

Christine Metzo

Co-Director, Initiators Fellowship, Initiative Foundation

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

Panel/Presentation

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

Christine Metzo

Co-Director, Initiators Fellowship, Initiative Foundation

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