Mike Brown, Owner, Travail Collective
Mike Brown is a chef and entrepreneur based in the Twin Cities and a co-founder of the Travail Collective, a hospitality group known for immersive dining experiences and community-driven restaurant concepts. He is a chef-owner of Travail Kitchen & Amusements, Pig Ate My Pizza, Italian Eatery, Dream Creamery, and Graze Food Hall, among others.
With a background in building both restaurants and teams from the ground up, Mike focuses on creative leadership, mentorship in the hospitality industry, and using food as a platform for connection, storytelling, and community impact.
Laurie Carlson, Can Do Canines
Laurie Carlson has been with Can Do Canines for 26 years. During that time she has worn many hats in the organization including staff trainer, volunteer and event coordinator.
In her current position as community outreach coordinator, Laurie gives presentations to the general public, employer groups and service clubs. She maintains and trains their group of speakers, and promotes Can Do Canines with community members in key areas.
About Can Do Canines
Can Do Canines has been transforming lives since 1989 by providing professionally trained assistance dogs to people with disabilities, free of charge. The organization is the largest provider of assistance dogs in Minnesota, serving clients throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin. Their dogs support individuals with mobility challenges, hearing loss or deafness, seizure disorders, diabetes with hypoglycemia unawareness, and children with autism. In addition, they train facility dogs that serve in hospitals and community service settings. Accredited by Assistance Dogs International, Can Do Canines relies on generous individual contributions to advance its mission of creating greater independence, connection, and possibility through the power of partnership between people and dogs.
https://candocanines.org/
Randy L. Dewitz, Owner, Fanfare Attractions
Randy started the Company in September, 1994. As an Event Producer, he has managed services for the Festivals and Events industry for over 42 years. Randy received his Certified Festival & Event Executive (CFEE) designation in September 2016 through the International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA).
He also is a Co-moderator for IFEA CEO’s and a member of the IFEA World Board. He also received his Festival Manager certificate in April of 1993. He has been the President of the Minnesota Festivals and Events Association and a long-standing member of MN Festivals and Events Association and the International Festivals and Events Association.
His Company has managed the Operations for many high profile events. Teaches Site Planning and Risk Management for the University of Minnesota Tourism Center on-line course. Randy enjoys providing Consulting services for the Festival Industry.
J Marie Fieger, CEO, Nemer FiegerJ. Marie is energized by the opportunity to work with a team of passionate experts to create and implement impactful communication and advertising strategies to grow our clients businesses. Their amazing team at Nemer Fieger works in harmony to deliver creative, meaningful and impactful creative solutions, media buys, public relations campaigns, events, and cause marketing initiatives with heart and soul.
She enjoys connecting great people, being active in the business community and is thankful for the chance to give-back through serving on boards and volunteering with a variety of non-profit organizations.
Andrea Graham, Co-Executive Director, Big Ten Men's & Women's Basketball Tournaments, Minnesota Sports and Events
Andrea is a Minneapolis-based brand experience consultant currently acting as the Co-Executive Director of the Big Ten Basketball Championships coming to Minneapolis in 2023 and 2024. She originally partnered with Minnesota Sports and Events as a member of the Minnesota Local Organizing Committee responsible for bringing the 2022 NCAA Women’s Final Four Championship Tournament to Minneapolis. For this project she was responsible for the VIP hospitality events programming, oversaw the partner advisory council, managed local DE&I priorities, and served as the Title IX Program Director for the Title IX 50th Anniversary campaign. With a passion for community building and a need to create work that positively impacts the world around us Andrea has also been lucky to have worked with the teams at Minnesota Festival and Events Association, Twin Cities Catalyst Music, St. Paul Downtown Alliance, Towerside Business Alliance, the Basilica Block Party Planning Committee, Rock What You Got, Surly Brewing Co, and American Public Media Group. Andrea is also a co-founder of the Great Lakes Association of Musicians and Artists, a membership-based non-profit committed to supporting the contribution of independent artists and musicians in our community by providing the social, mental, and physical support resources that allow them to continue to create a kinder, more beautiful world.
Molly Herrmann, Director of Operations, Graze Food Hall by Travail
Molly has over 20 years experience in the events and hospitality industry. As a pioneer in the shared commercial kitchen movement, Molly worked with over 65 small food businesses in the Twin Cities, as well as created unique, interactive cooking classes + events as owner of Kitchen in the Market. She has gone on to help open and create event and community programming at The Market at Malcolm Yards and now as Director of Operations at Graze Food Hall by Travail in the North Loop.
Cory Lake, CEO/Owner, Lake Group Insurance
Cory began his career as a real estate investor, sold his first company in 2014, and has decades of experience advising start-ups, corporate collaborations, and philanthropic partnerships. A leader in advising and evaluating changes in emerging markets, including the cannabinoid and med tech industries, Lake is also Co-Founder and Vice President of Strategic Partnerships for the medical software firm Palisaid.
Steph March - Principal, Smarch & Co Strategies
Stephanie March has been eating and drinking professionally for more than 35 years. She’s opened upwards of 50 restaurants, hosted Weekly Dish radio show for going on 19 years, lead the food and dining coverage at Mpls.St.Paul Magazine for almost two decades, and raised four kids. She’s currently co-founder of The Salt Cure Fund and partner in a creative collective called Smarch +Co., all while never giving up on cheese.
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Lisa Middag, Senior Director for Economic Development, Mpls Downtown Council & Downtown Improvement District
Lisa Middag is an urban planner who collaborates with communities, businesses, cultural organizations and artists to support equitable, vibrant, and sustainable places. As inaugural Senior Director for Economic Development for the Mpls Downtown Council and Downtown Improvement District, Middag leads strategies and programs that cultivate inclusive placemaking, innovative cross-sector collaboration, and intentional economic and community development.
Steve Madson, President/Owner, SRO Productions, Inc.
Steve Madson is the President/Owner of SRO Productions, Inc., a Minneapolis-based event production company. Each year, SRO provides production support for the Stone Arch Bridge Festival, We Fest, the Edina Art Fair, the Beer Dabbler, Minnesota Sports & Events, and many others.
SRO also provides transportation management services for many large public events including the Super Bowl, NFL Draft, College Football Playoff, Breeders Cup, and the Minnesota State Fair.
Shannon Masera, Director of Partnerships & Engagement, O'Shaughnessy Distilling Co
Shannon Masera is the Director of Partnerships & Engagement and a founding family member of O’Shaughnessy Distilling Co., where she has helped shape the vision and growth of Keeper’s Heart Whiskey since the distillery’s launch in 2021. In close collaboration with marketing and sales, she leads strategic partnerships, major sponsorships, and high-profile activations that position the Minneapolis distillery as an award-winning destination and vibrant community hub. Shannon is known for cultivating authentic, high-impact relationships that drive growth, expand visibility, and create lasting impact.
Tim Naumann - Owner, Luce Line Brewing Co.
Tim Naumann is an entrepreneur and craft brewing enthusiast, best known as the co-founder, CEO, and owner of Luce Line Brewing Co., Plymouth, Minnesota’s first craft brewery and taproom. He launched the brewery in November 2020, just days before a COVID-19 shutdown, and guided it through the early challenges with a focus on quality, adaptability, and community support.
Working with his team, Tim has grown Luce Line into a vibrant local hub, offering innovative beers and hard seltzers in a welcoming space for friends, families, and outdoor enthusiasts. Individuals and businesses also host private events at the brewery, while Luce Line self-distributes across the state and explores new ways to make its products more accessible. The brewery’s branding celebrates Minnesota’s biking and railroad heritage, inspired by the nearby Luce Line Trail.
Tim actively leads community initiatives—from cultural events to new products like craft-style coffee—and is known for hands-on leadership, innovation, and creating a space that reflects and celebrates the local community
Michael-Jon Pease, President and Chief Parks Champion, Saint Paul Conservancy
Michael-jon Pease is the President and Chief Parks Champion of the Saint Paul Conservancy. He brings 25 years of nonprofit leadership and fundraising experience to the work of strengthening the award-winning parks of the Capital City.
His career spans the arts, most notably as the founding executive director of Lanesboro Arts in Lanesboro, MN and Executive Director at Park Square Theatre.
Michael-jon earned his M.A. in Arts and Cultural Management from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota (Winona). He serves as the Rotary 5950 District Governor Elect and as Development Chair for Dodge Nature Center. For fun, he is the Emeritus Senior Captain of the University Club of St Paul Croquet Team, the “Varsity Blues.”
Andy Rodriguez, Director, Saint Paul Parks
Andy Rodriguez is a lifelong Saint Paul resident and a dedicated career employee of the Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Department. Growing up, he frequented Saint Paul recreation centers and parks and valued the mentorship of program staff as a source of support and guidance.
Andy’s career with the department began over 20 years ago as a community recreation leader. He has since held an array of program and management positions, including recreation program supervisor and Recreation Services Manager, and has been a dedicated member of the senior Parks and Recreation management team since 2019. After a community-led hiring process, Andy was appointed as Director by Mayor Melvin Carter in June 2022.
Andy’s notable career highlights include championing expanded free youth programming in recreation and aquatic centers, outdoor programming, and mobile recreation offerings. He has also helped raise the city’s profile through leadership on major initiatives and capital projects including the North End Community Center, geothermal conversion at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, Mississippi River Learning Center, expansion of youth job and mentorship opportunities through Right Track, and activation of downtown parks including the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival. Andy leads on a foundation of innovation, responsiveness, and equity to ensure that Saint Paul continues as one of the top park systems in the nation and is reflective of the needs of all communities throughout the city.
Andy is a proud Saint Paul Central High School graduate and holds a bachelor’s degree in Metro Urban Studies from Augsburg University. He lives in Saint Paul with his family.
Jason Tarasek, Counsel, Vicente LLP
Jason Tarasek founded Minnesota Cannabis Law in 2018 to serve the hemp, cannabinoid, medical-marijuana and adult-use marijuana markets in the Upper Midwest. During the Spring of 2022, Jason successfully lobbied in favor of Minnesota’s “THC-infused edible” law and he is currently lobbying in support of an adult-use legalization bill in Minnesota. Jason previously served as the Minnesota Political Director for the Marijuana Policy Project. Jason has nearly 20 years of legal experience as a transactional attorney and litigator. He has been named to the list of Super Lawyers, which is an honor bestowed on only the top 5% of attorneys in Minnesota. In addition to Minnesota, Jason represents clients in South Dakota, Wisconsin, Michigan and North Dakota. Jason previously served as an Adjunct Professor at Mitchell Hamline Law School, where he taught a seminar titled “Marijuana and the Law.” Jason is a frequent speaker on legal issues related to hemp, cannabinoids and marijuana.
Tim Zunker, President, Shakopee Chamber and Visitors Bureau
Tim Zunker is a recognized leader in chamber and tourism management with over a decade of experience in tourism and destination management. He was recently honored with the 2024 Star of the North Chamber Executive Award for outstanding leadership. As President of the Shakopee Chamber and Visitors Bureau, he drives organizational growth and advocacy across tourism, workforce, and economic development sectors.
A registered Minnesota lobbyist, Tim serves as a board director for the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Executives (MCCE) and as Co-Chair of the Public Policy Committee for the Minnesota Tourism Association (MNTA). His expertise in public policy and strategic leadership has earned him recognition, including the 2024 Mark McAfee Friend of Workforce Development Award.
Tim is also a trusted resource for local governments and regional organizations seeking data-driven solutions to complex challenges. He has extensive experience translating data into actionable strategies that support economic development, tourism growth, and community vitality. Whether working with municipal leaders, county officials, or regional coalitions, Tim brings a practical, evidence-based approach to understanding visitor trends, measuring economic impact, and aligning public investment with community goals. His work bridges the gap between data insights and policy decisions, helping communities leverage information to make smarter choices for long-term growth and sustainability.
