You will be able to validate your attendance (Check-In to sessions) using your personal schedule.
Venue:
Auditorium clear filter
8:30am CDT
Breakfast
Thursday August 27, 2026 8:30am - 9:00am CDT
Thursday August 27, 2026 8:30am - 9:00am
CDT
Auditorium
9:00am CDT
9:15am CDT
The State of Social Entrepreneurship
Thursday August 27, 2026 9:15am - 10:00am CDT
Moderators 
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...
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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...
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Executive Director, FINNOVATION Institute
Dr. 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...
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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...
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Thursday August 27, 2026 9:15am - 10:00am
CDT
Auditorium
10:00am CDT
Credit Opens Doors: Debt as a Pathway to Growth Panel
Thursday August 27, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am CDT
Moderators 
Southwest Initiative Foundation
Briana’s journey into economic development began nearly ten years ago, serving as the Redwood County Economic Development Coordinator. In 2024, Briana joined the Southwest Initiative Foundation (SWIF), and is leading the certification, launch and implementation of SWIF’s subsidiary...
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Neighborhood Development Center
Perla Mayo serves as Senior Director of Lending at Neighborhood Development Center, where she leads NDC’s lending team and develops initiatives that expand access to capital for small businesses. With more than 20 years of experience in community lending, Perla is passionate about...
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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.
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...
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Thursday August 27, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am
CDT
Auditorium
10:45am CDT
Entrepreneur Journeys: Lived Experience in Securing Support for Your Business
Thursday August 27, 2026 10:45am - 11:30am CDT
Moderators 
Co-Director, Initiators Fellowship, Initiative Foundation
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...
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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...
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Thursday August 27, 2026 10:45am - 11:30am
CDT
Auditorium
12:00pm CDT
12:15pm CDT
Transitional Remarks
Thursday August 27, 2026 12:15pm - 12:30pm CDT
Speakers
Co-Director, Initiators Fellowship, Initiative Foundation
CEO, ConnectUP! Institute
ConnectUP! Institute (CI) is a Black-led nonprofit social enterprise based in St. Paul and serves Minnesota. We operate at the intersection of entrepreneur development, ecosystem coordination, and capital innovation. Our mission: strengthen connections between underestimated founders...
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Thursday August 27, 2026 12:15pm - 12:30pm
CDT
Auditorium
12:30pm CDT
Keynote Speaker
Thursday August 27, 2026 12:30pm - 1:00pm CDT
Speakers 
Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)
Matt Varilek became the DEED Commissioner on June 20, 2023. Since late 2016, he served as President of the Little Falls-based Initiative Foundation, which supports economic and community development in the 14 counties and two sovereign tribal nations of Central Minnesota. Previously...
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Thursday August 27, 2026 12:30pm - 1:00pm
CDT
Auditorium
1:45pm CDT
Snack Break
Thursday August 27, 2026 1:45pm - 2:00pm CDT
Thursday August 27, 2026 1:45pm - 2:00pm
CDT
Auditorium
2:45pm CDT
Closing Remarks
Thursday August 27, 2026 2:45pm - 3:00pm CDT
Speakers
CEO, ConnectUP! Institute
ConnectUP! Institute (CI) is a Black-led nonprofit social enterprise based in St. Paul and serves Minnesota. We operate at the intersection of entrepreneur development, ecosystem coordination, and capital innovation. Our mission: strengthen connections between underestimated founders...
Read More →
Thursday August 27, 2026 2:45pm - 3:00pm
CDT
Auditorium
