The People Behind the ProgramThe FINNOVATION Fellowship is powered by people.
Our team, board members, coaches, curriculum providers, panelist, and partners bring the experience, care, guidance, and behind-the-scenes support that make this program possible.
The Fellowship simply could not run without them; we are grateful for the community that helps our entrepreneurs grow, lead, and create meaningful impact.
Team & Board
-
Jacquie Berglund, MA
Founder, Board Chair, Judge
Founder, FINNEGANS Brew Co., FINNEGANS Community Fund & FINNOVATION Institute
-
Dr. La Juana Whitmore, ASBC, CFEI
Executive Director
Business Strategist | Accredited Small Business Consultant® | Certified Financial Education Instructor℠
-
Connie Rutledge, MPA
Treasurer, Judge
Director FINNOVATION Fund | Co Founder, SlingGrip, LLC | Former Executive Director, FINNOVATION Institute
-
Renay Dossman, MA, CPCC
Board Member, Judge
President & CEO, Neighborhood Development Center | Board Chair & Founder, Affirmation House
-
Stephanie Malon-Rufi, MBA
Alumni Coordinator, Judge
Co-Host, Social Change Leaders Podcast | Founder & CEO, Spark Good
Content Partners & Judges (‘25-’26)
-
Vanessa Tennyson
Curriculum Partner, Leadership Coach, Judge
Executive, Leadership & Team Coach | Business Consultant | Founder & CEO, Capitalize Your Humanity
-
Erik Halaas, MPA
Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Judge, Panelist
Founder, Live On Minnesota | Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program Manager, Macalester College | Former FINNOVATION Fellow
-
Kari Niedfeldt-Thomas, MBA
Judge, Former Board Member
President & CEO at BBB, MN & ND | Mayor at City of New Brighton. -
Dr. Ramon Pastrano IV
Curriculum Partner, Judge
Organizational Culture, Transformational Leadership, and Management Consulting Expert | CEO & President, Third Sphere, LLC
-
Dr. Seth Werner
Curriculum Partner, Judge
National Pricing Expert | Sr. Pricing Analyst, Cargill
-
Sheletta Brundidge
Curriculum & PR Partner
Emmy Award-Winning Comedian | Radio Host, WCCO Radio | Commentator, TPT’s Almanac | Boss Lady, Sheletta Makes Me Laugh
-
May Lee-Yang, MFA
Curriculum Partner, Judge
Founder and CEO, Mayhem Games | Co-Founder, Funny Asian Women Kollective (FAWK) | Creative Writing Professor, University of MN | Former FINNOVATION Fellow
-
Paul Taylor
Curriculum Partner, Judge
Serial Mentor to Minnesota Start-Ups | Founder, Serial Mentors Ltd.
-
Alysha Price, MBA
Judge, Panelist
CEO & Founder, The Price Dynamic | Author | Podcast Host | Former FINNOVATION Fellow
-
Brittany Clausen, MSW, LGSW
Judge, Panelist
Fractional HR Leader & Executive Coach | Speaker | CEO and Executive Business Consultant, Envision Greatness | Former FINNOVATION Fellow
-
Tony Drews
Judge
Founder and CEO at Nashke Games | Former FINNOVATION Fellow
-
Natalia Mercado
Judge
Director of Business Services, Neighborhood Development Center | Business Consultant, Natalia & Co.
-
Angel Antje, MHA
Judge
Founder, Led by Truth | Clinical Operations Project Leader, Bluestone Physician Services
-
Davis Senseman, Esq.
Curriculum Partner
Business and Non-Profit Attorney and Consultant | Professor, Mitchell Hamline School of Law | Founder, Davis Law Office, PLLC
-
Dr. Quendrida Whitmore, CPCC
Curriculum Partner
Author | Speaker | Executive Coach & Team Architect | Executive in Residence, Boston University | Organizational Change and Leadership Expert
-
Josh Heriot
Curriculum Partner
Founder & Logo Designer, Heriot Creative
-
Scott Mikesh
Curriculum Partner
Founder & CEO, 4D Fit Mental Fitness
-
Nate Lockett
Curriculum Partner
Automation Engineer | Technologist | Business Strategist | Founder & CEO, Think Mission & Think Insights
-
Emily Anne Page, MA
Curriculum Partner
Business Growth Strategist | Coach | Speaker | Founder, Start to Sold
-
Jessica Horton
Leadership Coach
Certified Well-being and Life Coach Practitioner, Jessica Horton Coaching
-
Naomi Lepore, MSpEd
Curriculum Partner
Co-Owner, Pandora Advisors | District Sales Coordinator/Benefits Advisor, Aflac
-
Alyson Butler
Curriculum Partner
Agency Owner, Lakeside Guard Insurance Agency
-
Marty McTigue
Curriculum Partner
Social Media Strategist | Web Developer | Google Marketing Specialist | President SKOL Marketing
-
Dave Skovholt
Curriculum Partner
Systems, Communications, and Educational Interventions Principal, Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry
-
Alanna Galloway
Curriculum Partner
Education and Engagement Specialist, Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry
-
Diana Salas
Curriculum Partner
Education and Engagement Specialist, Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry
-
Jules Porter Esq., MBA
Panelist
Lawyer | AI Developer | Professor | CEO and General Counsel, Seraph 7 Studios | Former FINNOVATION Fellow
-
Tommy McBrayer Jr
Panelist
President & CEO, Don't Shoot Guns, Shoot Hoops | Former FINNOVATION Fellow
-
Chou Moua, MDP
Panelist
Doctoral Candidate | CEO and Founder, Northend Consulting | Former FINNOVATION Fellow
-
Charie Gill
Panelist
Founder, The Right Reach, LLC | Director of Program Partnerships, Peris Foundation | Former FINNOVATION Fellow
-
J.D. O'Brien
Videographer
Director | Producer | Editor | Founder, Amplified Story Co. | Videographer, Bethel University
-
Madeline Milles
Photographer
Founder, Milles Photography