FINNOVATION FELLOWSHIP DISCOVERY MODULE LAUNCHES NEW COHORT OF SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS
17 changemakers tackling pressing social, environmental, and economic challenges
ST. PAUL, August 14 2025 – FINNOVATION Institute, a champion for changemakers committed to solving systemic problems through the power of business, has announced the newest cohort of fellows for the Discovery Module of the FINNOVATION Fellowship. This dynamic group of 17 entrepreneurs will spend the next several months developing and refining innovative business models designed to address some of today’s most pressing issues.
The Discovery Module is the first phase of the FINNOVATION Fellowship, providing fellows with targeted curriculum, mentorship, and peer support to sharpen their vision and strengthen their strategies. Over the course of the module, participants will engage in business model development, market research, pitching, systems thinking, trend analysis, and network building, laying a strong foundation for sustainable social impact.
“These fellows represent the creativity, commitment, and resilience that define Minnesota’s entrepreneurial ecosystem,” said Connie Rutledge, Executive Director of FINNOVATION Institute. “We’re thrilled to support them as they explore solutions that are not only innovative but deeply connected to the needs of their communities.”
The 2025 Discovery Module fellows are:
Alexandra De Kesel Lofthus: addressing the lack of sustainable strategies and systems in organizations tackling complex health and social challenges.
Alison Brueggemann: tackling the gap in appealing, accessible, science-based education about the female body for all gender identities.
Amal Muse: preparing communities to integrate Advanced Air Mobility into regional transportation systems equitably and effectively.
Caroline Hegstrom: providing cold-climate gardeners with seeds and resources adapted to USDA Zones 3 and 4 to boost local food production.
Corissa Sutton: reducing the homeownership gap for first-time buyers, women-led households, and communities of color.
Devin Boeing: closing the digital divide by increasing technology and AI literacy for youth and underserved communities.
Emma Hoyhtya: improving community arts education by ensuring fair pay and support for performing arts instructors.
Gladys Daniela Mejia: reducing plastic waste and pollution using mycoremediation to break down non-recyclable plastics.
Liban Kano: solving fragmented care coordination for families through a mobile platform for shared tasks and communication.
Mai Soua Yang: countering financial misinformation with culturally aware planning for first-generation and underserved communities.
Malik Mitchel: helping older adults age in place safely through coordinated home maintenance and repair services.
Mika Emily Thuening: enabling sustainability teams to share the real-world impact of their supply chains through automated media.
Nasrieen Abdi Habib: making outdoor spaces more inclusive with modest, sustainable apparel and community-centered activities.
Nick Anderson: using basketball to promote personal growth, education, and career development for under-resourced youth.
Ramadhan Mohamed: addressing textile waste and economic exclusion through ethical, small-batch manufacturing and training.
Dr. Sheila Sweeney: increasing access to culturally grounded emotional wellness tools for women of color and caregivers.
Tyjuan Morrow: promoting equity and sustainability in cannabis through subscription delivery from diverse, ethical producers
The FINNOVATION Fellowship Program is made possible through the generous support of the Bush Foundation.
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About FINNOVATION Institute
FINNOVATION Institute is an inclusive community inspiring social change, growth, innovation, and experimentation. FINNOVATION Institute empowers social entrepreneurs to make a positive change in the world through the power of business. For more information, visit https://finnovationinstitute.org.