Top national and regional leaders will gather on Sept. 22 and 23 to discuss the issues, ideas and solutions shaping the future of the region and America
Minneapolis, Minn. – The Minnesota Star Tribune has announced its initial lineup for its second annual North Star Summit. Building off last year’s wildly successful event, the summit will take place on Sept. 22 and 23, 2026 at the Guthrie Theater and the Four Seasons. The Midwest’s most influential leaders, both in the audience and on the stage, will come together for substantive talks, newsmaker interviews and panel discussions.
A strong lineup of anchor sponsors includes Google, the New York Times, Fairview, and HealthPartners with participating organizations including the OpenAI, Spotify, Ecolab, C.H. Robinson and many more.
“The success of last year’s inaugural North Star Summit alongside recent events have shown that Minnesotans and Midwesterners are shaping culture and policy well beyond our borders,” said Steve Grove, publisher and CEO of the Minnesota Star Tribune. “The 2026 North Star Summit is shaping up to be the can’t miss event of the fall for anyone in a leadership position across our region.”
Tickets for the 2026 North Star Summit are now available at startribune.com/northstarsummit.
Speakers* scheduled to attend include:
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- Ro Khanna – United States Congressman from California’s 17th District in the heart of Silicon Valley, serving as a leading voice on technology, manufacturing, economic policy, and innovation.
- Varun Shetty – Vice President of Media Partnerships at OpenAI, leading collaborations with publishers, news organizations, and media companies to advance the responsible use of AI.
- Adam Winer – Head of Content Strategy, Insights & Analytics at Spotify, leading data-driven content strategy and audience insights to inform business and creator decision-making.
- Susan Dominus – Staff Writer at The New York Times Magazine, acclaimed journalist and author covering culture, science, education, and social change.
- Julie Pace – Executive Editor and Senior Vice President of The Associated Press, overseeing the organization’s global news report and editorial operations.
- Christophe Beck – Chairman, President and CEO of Ecolab and Chair of Greater MSP, leading the world’s water company to drive growth and performance while protecting people and the resources vital to life.
- Dave Bozeman – President and CEO of C.H. Robinson, leading one of the world’s largest logistics platforms with a focus on supply chain innovation and global transportation.
- Carla Vernón – CEO and Board Director of The Honest Company, leading the consumer products company focused on clean, sustainable, and purpose-driven personal care and household products.
- Wemimo Abbey – Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Esusu, Inc., leading the fintech company expanding financial access and credit-building opportunities for renters across the United States.
- Michelle Bellanca – CEO of Claros, leading an international team developing technology to destroy PFAS “forever chemicals” and bring breakthrough solutions to global markets.
- Adair Mosley – CEO of GroundBreak Coalition, an ambitious effort to reshape the future of equity in Minnesota by deploying $5.3 billion to close wealth gaps through homeownership, entrepreneurship and commercial real estate development.
- Joseph Lee – President and CEO of the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, nationally recognized addiction psychiatrist and mental health leader advancing innovative approaches to addiction treatment, recovery, and behavioral health care.
- Matt Caldwell – CEO of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx, leading the organizations’ business operations, fan engagement, and long-term growth initiatives across the NBA and WNBA.
- John Phelan – President of Center of the American Experiment, leading the Minnesota-based public policy organization focused on free-market solutions, fiscal responsibility, and government accountability.
- Andrew Dayton – Founder and CEO of Constellation Fund, a foundation that leverages analytics and insights to identify, fund and empower the organizations making the greatest measurable impact on poverty alleviation in the Twin Cities.
- Amy Webb – Futurist, founder and CEO of the Future Today Strategy Group, and bestselling author known for forecasting emerging technologies and their impact on business and society.
Additional speakers and session details will be announced soon at startribune.com/northstarsummit.
*All speakers are subject to change.
Last year’s inaugural North Star Summit convened political leaders, Fortune 500 executives, nationally recognized journalists and cultural leaders, earning coverage from regional and national media outlets. North Star Summit 2026 will showcase the Midwest’s leading voices and offer attendees deep insights they can apply to their work and daily lives. View key moments from North Star Summit 2025.
The North Star Summit is made possible through the help of generous sponsors like HealthPartners, Fairview, Google and the New York Times. Sponsorship and ticket packages remain available. For more information, visit startribune.com/northstarsummit.
About The Minnesota Star Tribune Media Company
The Minnesota Star Tribune is an innovative modern media organization building on an extraordinary 159-year legacy. With seven Pulitzer Prizes and hundreds of other awards, the Minnesota Star Tribune boasts the Midwest’s largest news organization and is an unrivaled force for journalistic excellence in Minnesota and beyond. As the heart and voice of the north, the Minnesota Star Tribune is on a journey to create the leading model for local news in America – driving innovation in media to make every Minnesotan’s life better. For more information, visit www.startribunecompany.com.