Minnesota Star Tribune Announces Programming for Second Annual North Star Summit

Expanded two-day event will convene influential leaders for conversations about artificial intelligence, economic growth, health care, media, sports and innovation 

 

Minneapolis, Minn. – The Minnesota Star Tribune today announced programming for its second annual North Star Summit. Expanded to two days, the event will bring together national and regional leaders to examine the ideas, technologies and decisions shaping the future of Minnesota, the Midwest and the nation. VIP tickets have sold out but standard admission tickets remain available at startribune.com/northstarsummit. 

 

The first day will feature wide-ranging conversations about artificial intelligence, economic competitiveness, health care, sports, leadership, media and public life. Day two will focus on innovation with discussions about Minnesota’s health care sector, local journalism, higher education and creative problem-solving. 

 

“Last year’s inaugural North Star Summit demonstrated the value of bringing people together for ambitious, substantive conversations about the forces shaping our region,” said Steve Grove, publisher and CEO of the Minnesota Star Tribune. “This year, we’re expanding the Summit and bringing together an extraordinary group of leaders to explore how Minnesota and the Midwest can navigate change, drive innovation and help shape the country’s future.” 

 

Day One: Tuesday, September 22 from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at The Guthrie Theater 

 

• AI, Policy and the Future of the Economy – A forward-looking conversation about how artificial intelligence and public policy are reshaping work, competitiveness and economic growth. Featuring Ro Khanna (U.S. Representative, California) and others to-be-announced soon. 

• Trust in an AI World – An exploration of the content, data and creative work powering AI, and what the changing technology landscape means for media, platforms and the public. Featuring Julie Pace (The Associated Press), Varun Shetty (OpenAI), Adam Winer (Spotify) and moderated by Tiffany Hsu (The New York Times). 

• The Business and Leadership of Sports – A candid look at the leadership decisions behind professional sports organizations, from team culture and performance to business growth and community impact. Featuring Matt Caldwell (Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx), Jacob Frey (Minneapolis Mayor), Christina Hennington (Minnesota United FC), and moderated by Eric Roper (Minnesota Star Tribune). 

• The GLP-1 Economy – How a new generation of weight-loss drugs is transforming health care while reshaping consumer behavior and the food, fitness and wellness industries. Featuring Bahram Akradi (Life Time), Dr. Kavita Patel (The Brookings Institution), Eliana Wahnon (General Mills), and moderated by Susan Dominus (New York Times Magazine). 

• Leading Transformation: A CEO Conversation – Prominent CEOs discuss how they are leading through technological and market change while keeping people, purpose and organizational culture at the center. Featuring Dave Bozeman (C.H. Robinson), Carla Vernón (The Honest Company), Terry Rasmussen (Thrivent) and moderated by Allison Kaplan (Minnesota Star Tribune). 

• Exit Interview with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz – A timely newsmaker conversation reflecting on public leadership, political change and lessons from governing. 

• Insight Talks – Fast, focused presentations from leaders working on Minnesota’s economy, opportunity, health and civic future. 

• • Adair Mosley (GroundBreak Coalition): New approaches to closing regional wealth gaps. 

• • Michelle Bellanca (Claros Technologies): Minnesota innovation working to eliminate “forever chemicals.” 

• • John Phelan (Center of the American Experiment): Minnesota’s economy and the challenge of affordability. 

• • Nico Pronk, Ph.D (HealthPartners): What it takes to build healthier, thriving communities. 

• • Christophe Beck (Ecolab): How Minnesota can grow, compete and attract companies. 

• • Wemimo Abbey (Esusu): Expanding opportunity through rent reporting, data and credit building. 

• • Dr. Joseph Lee (Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation): Addiction treatment and recovery in the age of AI. 

• • Andrew Dayton (Constellation Fund): Why better measurement can make philanthropy more effective. 

 

Day Two – Innovation Forum Presented by Fairview: Wednesday, Sept. 23 from 8 a.m. to Noon at The Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis 

 

• Morning Keynote – The Road to 2036: Futurist Amy Webb explores creative destruction, technological convergence and the forces that could reshape the region over the next decade. 

• Minnesota’s Health Innovation Frontier, Presented by Fairview: A series of rapid conversations highlighting breakthrough health care and medical-technology solutions being developed locally – from new therapies and imaging technology to care delivery and the patient experience. Featured participants include: 

• • Jeoff Will (Fairview) 

• • Dr. Michael Pitt (Q-rounds) 

• • Dr. Demetris Yannopoulos (Fairview) 

• • Dan Que Pham (Oncodea) 

• Innovation in Local Media – National and local media leaders examine emerging models for trusted journalism, audience engagement and sustainable community news. Featured participants include: 

• • Marc Lacey (The New York Times) 

• • Kimbriell Kelly (Chicago Public Media) 

• • Kathleen Hennessey (Minnesota Star Tribune) 

• • Brooks Johnson (Minnesota Star Tribune)  

• Innovation in Higher Education – Leaders from two of Minnesota’s leading universities discuss how higher education can adapt to technological change, prepare students for a rapidly evolving economy and strengthen its value to communities. Featured participants include: 

• • Rebecca Cunningham (University of Minnesota) 

• • Rob Vischer (University of St. Thomas) 

• Innovation Workshop – A hands-on session designed to help participants apply creative problem-solving methods to real-world business and civic challenges. Facilitated by Barry Kudrowitz, Ph.D. (University of Minnesota). 

 

Additional speakers and topics will be announced at startribune.com/northstarsummit. 

                                                             *All speakers and sessions are subject to change. 

 

 

 

View key moments from North Star Summit 2025. 

 

The North Star Summit is made possible through the help of generous sponsors like Target, HealthPartners, Fairview, Google, Thrivent and the New York Times. Individual and group ticket packages remain available. For more information, visit startribune.com/northstarsummit.