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North Star Summit Schedule

North Star Summit
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North Star Summit Schedule

  • OCt 7, 2025 - from 7:30 AM to 6:30PM

Event Schedule

7:30-8:30

  • 7:30-8:30

Check In & Breakfast

Registration and networking over a breakfast buffet.

8:30-8:45

  • 8:30-8:45

Welcome & Opening Remarks

Minnesota Star Tribune CEO and Publisher Steve Grove and Editor Kathleen Hennessey welcome attendees and premiere the North Star Index.

8:45-9:15

  • 8:45-9:15

Morning Keynote: Peter Leyden

Peter Leyden, futurist and co-founder of The Great Progression presents "Understanding the Next Great Digital Age."

9:20-10:30

  • 9:20-10:30

Insight Talks: Big Ideas in Brief

Fast-paced presentations from bold thinkers unpacking the trends shaping the Midwest's future.

Susan Brower: State of Minnesota

Presents “Demographic shifts that will define the next generation of regional leadership and growth.”

  • 9:25am - 9:35am

Myles Shaver: University of Minnesota

Presents “Minnesota’s competitive edge in headquarters and talent.”

  • 9:35am - 9:45am

Chanda Smith Baker: Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation

Presents “The Minnesota Paradox and the role of philanthropy in addressing inequality.”

  • 9:45am - 9:55am

Peter Meijer: The New Industrial Corporation

Presents “Independent thinking from the Midwest and its national impact.”

  • 9:55am - 10:05am

Houston White: Houston White Ventures

Presents “Building community-first businesses and bridging divides.”

  • 10:05am -10:15am

Danielle Russell: Google

Presents “What Midwest businesses must know about data, privacy and digital transformation.”

  • 10:15am - 10:25AM

10:30-11:15

  • 10:30-11:15

Fireside Chat: AI

Ronnie Chatterji (OpenAI), Neel Kashkari (Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis), and Josh Boak (Associated Press) discuss the profound economic and societal implications of artificial intelligence.

11:20-11:55

  • 11:20-11:55

Panel: The Future of the Republican Party in Minnesota

Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Sen. Zach Duckworth, Sen. Julia Coleman. Moderated by Rochelle Olson (The Minnesota Star Tribune).

11:55-1:30

  • 11:55-1:30

Lunch & Networking Reception

Mix and mingle with other attendees while enjoying a specially prepared lunch.

1:30-1:55

  • 1:30-1:55

Panel: Midwest Creativity

A discussion featuring artist Dessa, novelist Curtis Sittenfeld, and journalist Ernesto Londoño (The New York Times).

2:00-2:45

  • 2:00-2:45

Panel: Leadership in this Moment

A discussion featuring Dr. Gianrico Farrugia (Mayo Clinic), Gunjan Kedia (U.S. Bancorp), Beth Wozniak (nVent). Moderated by Allison Kaplan (Minnesota Star Tribune).

2:50-4:00

  • 2:50-4:00

Midwest Disruptors: Challenging the Status Quo

Meet the visionaries driving innovation, redefining industries, and putting the Midwest on the world's radar.

Dayna Frank: First Avenue Productions

Presents “When live music becomes civic power.”

  • 2:55-3:10

Zachary Mannheimer: Alquist 3D

Presents “Reinventing how Americans live through housing innovation.”

  • 3:10-3:25

Andrew Miller: Minnesota Vikings

Presents “Disrupting sports business and fan engagement.”

  • 3:25-3:40

Ping Yeh: Vocxi Health

Presents “Midwest grit and MedTech breakthroughs.”

  • 3:40-3:55

4:00-5:00

  • 4:00-5:00

Fireside Chat: States vs. Washington

Gov. Tim Walz and Gov. JB Pritzker will join Lisa Lerer (The New York Times) to debate state and federal leadership in this pivotal moment.

5:00-6:30

  • 5:00-6:30

Closing Reception & Happy Hour

Event concludes with networking and conversation over light bites and beverages.

  • Tuesday, Oct 6 - 7, 2025
  • 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
  • Walker Art Center
    725 Vineland Pl,
    Minneapolis, MN 55403
  • $300 – $500
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  • $300
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Session Information: Morning Keynote

The Great Progression: Understanding the Next Great Digital Age: Peter Leyden reveals how AI and emerging tech could spark a new era of progress and possibility.

Speakers:

Peter Leyden
Tech Expert & Futurist

Leyden is a tech expert and thought leader on artificial intelligence, climate technologies and a more positive future through his keynote speaking, writing and advising.

Insight Talks: Big Ideas in Brief

Fast paced presentations from bold thinkers unpacking trends shaping the Midwest’s future. 

Speakers:

  • Speaker
Susan Brower
State Demographer
State of Minnesota

Brower is the Minnesota State Demographer and directs the MN State Demographic Center. She travels the state talking with Minnesotans about the new social and economic realities that are brought about by recent demographic shifts.

  • Speaker
Myles Shaver
Professor and Associate Dean at the University of Minnesota-Carlson School of Management

Shaver is Associate Dean of Faculty and Research at the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management. Myles’ research about corporate expansion is published in leading scholarly journals and he is invited to present at conferences and universities around the world.

  • Speaker
Chanda Smith Baker
President & CEO
Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation

Smith Baker is President and CEO of the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, which stewards nearly $2 billion in charitable assets and is the state’s largest community foundation. A nationally recognized executive and strategist, she brings more than 25 years of leadership experience across philanthropy, business, government, and community.

  • Speaker
Peter Meijer
Co-Founder and Head of Strategy
The New Industrial Corporation

Meijer is a co-founder and Head of Strategy at The New Industrial Corporation, an investment company specializing in project development at the intersection of venture and infrastructure capital. In Congress, he represented Michigan’s Third Congressional District in the US House of Representatives, serving on the Homeland Security, Foreign Affairs, and Science, Space, and Technology committees. 

  • Speaker
Houston White
CEO & Entrepreneur
Houston White Ventures

White is a creative visionary who brings people, cultures, and communities together to elevate one another. Houston is invested in creating a better world, especially for the black community, and regularly collaborates with local government officials and business leaders to increase racial equity. The driving force behind his work over the past two decades has been to inspire a renaissance of optimism and action with and for people who believe in vibrant Black futures. 

  • Speaker
Danielle Russell
Managing Director of Data, Measurement, and Analytics
Google

 Russell is a seasoned senior strategy and operations executive with over 25 years of experience advising C-suite leaders at Fortune 500 companies. As a Managing Director at Google and a recognized Top Technology Executive in Michigan, she drives business growth and digital transformation by helping clients modernize their marketing efforts. 

Insight Talks: Myles Shaver

Why does Minnesota punch above it’s weight in headquarters and talent? Fresh insights into the Midwest’s competitive edge. 

Speakers:

  • Speaker
Professor & Associate Dean of Faculty & Research
University of Minnesota-Carlson School of Management

Shaver is Associate Dean of Faculty and Research at the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management where he is a Professor of Strategic Management and Entrepreneurship and holds the Curtis L. Carlson Chair in Corporate Strategy. Myles’ research about corporate expansion is published in leading scholarly journals and he is invited to present at conferences and universities around the world. 

Insight Talks: Chanda Smith Baker

A reflection on the Minnesota paradox and the creative role that philanthropy can play in addressing systemic inequality.  

Speakers:

  • Speaker
Chanda Smith Baker
President & CEO
Minnesota & Saint Paul Foundation

Smith Baker became the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation’s President & CEO on August 25, 2025.The Foundation is a trusted philanthropic partner for individuals, families and organizations statewide, providing more than 9,000 grants annually. A seasoned executive and nationally recognized thought leader, Chanda brings deep expertise in aligning vital resources with community priorities and a steadfast belief in what’s possible when people unite around a common purpose.

Insight Talks: Peter Meijer

What does it mean to rethink industry and politics from the Midwest? How can independent thinking from our region disrupt the status quo nationally? 

Speakers:

  • Speaker
Peter Meijer
Co-Founder & Head of Strategy
The New Industrial Corporation

Former Congressman Peter Meijer is a co-founder and Head of Strategy at The New Industrial Corporation, an investment company specializing in project development at the intersection of venture and infrastructure capital. In Congress, he represented Michigan’s Third Congressional District in the US House of Representatives, serving on the Homeland Security, Foreign Affairs, and Science, Space, and Technology committees.

Insight Talks: Houston White

What building community-first businesses in Minneapolis can teach the nation about bridging divides. 

Speakers:

  • Speaker
Houston White
CEO & Entrepreneur
Houston White Ventures

Business leader and entrepreneur Houston White is a creative visionary who brings people, cultures, and communities together to elevate one another. 

Insight Talks: Danielle Russell

What Midwest businesses must learn about data, privacy, and digital transformation.

Speakers:

  • Speaker
Danielle Russell
Managing Director: Data, Measurement, and Analytics
Google

Russell is a seasoned senior strategy and operations executive with over 25 years of experience advising C-suite leaders at Fortune 500 companies. As a Managing Director at Google and a recognized Top Technology Executive in Michigan, she drives business growth and digital transformation by helping clients modernize their marketing efforts. 

Insight Talks: Susan Brower

What do the numbers tell us about the Midwest’s future? Demographic shifts that will define the next generation of regional leadership and growth.

Speakers:

  • Speaker
Susan Brower
State Demographer

 Brower is the Minnesota State Demographer and directs the MN State Demographic Center. Susan’s work applies an understanding of demographic trends to changes in a range of areas including the state’s economy and workforce, education, health, immigration and rural population changes.