Description
Join us for a thought-provoking event where you will hear from the broader business community represented by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.
Doug Loon, Minnesota Chamber President, will moderate a panel of local executives from three major Minnesota companies. Panelists will discuss the economic outlook for the upcoming year, how they are focusing investments in their businesses, changes in customer demands and how they are responding. Audience members will have an opportunity to engage in a dialogue with panel members.
Panelists:
- Traci Tapani, Co-President, Wyoming Machine
Traci became an owner of Wyoming Machine in 1994 and has shared the position of President, with her sister Lori, since 1997. Traci is actively involved in volunteer activities that promote math and science education, technical training, and careers in manufacturing. In 2014 Traci was honored by The Manufacturing Institute with the Women in Manufacturing STEP Award for demonstrating excellence and leadership in Manufacturing and in April 2015 Traci participated in the Upskill America Summit hosted by the White House. Since, then she has made many trips to Washington, D.C. advocating for strong workforce development policy and in May 2018 she testified on this topic before Congress. Minnesota NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners) awarded Traci and her sister, Lori, with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Traci currently serves as Board Chair at the Initiative Foundation, serves on the board of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, and recently completed a 3-year term as an appointee to the Minnesota Governor’s Workforce Development Council.
- Christopher Clark, President, Xcel Energy
Chris Clark is President of Xcel Energy - Minnesota, South Dakota, and North Dakota. Previously, as regional vice president of rates and regulatory affairs for Minnesota, he was responsible for Xcel Energy’s regulatory filings with the utility commissions in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota, including rate, resource acquisition, and service quality filings. Clark joined Xcel Energy in 1999 as a senior attorney and in his more than 20 years of experience in energy and regulation, he has represented Xcel Energy in regulatory proceedings before the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, handled most issues related to rate cases, renewable energy, and long term power purchase projects, and supported retail products and programs, including conservation improvement programs. Clark serves on the Board of Directors for the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and People Serving People. Prior to joining Xcel Energy, he worked as an in-house attorney for Alliant Energy appearing for that company before public utility commissions in Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, and Wisconsin.
- Jean Kane, CEO, Colliers International
Jean Kane is CEO of Colliers International, one of the largest commercial real estate firms in the Twin Cities and has been a key contributor to the company since 1987. Through hands-on leadership, she actively lead the strategy of the company’s real estate services, including; Brokerage, Real Estate Management, Project Management, Architecture and Engineering & Property Services. Jean is responsible for collaborating with a high performance management team to achieve the objectives of the company and our clients by fostering a results-orientated culture that encourages creative thinking. Jane has earner numerous prestigious awards including:
- Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal Most Admired CEO’s, 2017
- National Real Estate Investor Top 11 Woman CRE Executives, 2017
- National NAIOP Outstanding Service Award, 2017
- Top Women in Finance, Finance & Commerce, 2014
- Real Estate Forum Women of Influence Hall of Fame, 2014
- Real Estate Forum Legends Woman of Distinction, 2013
- Midwest Real Estate News’ Hall of Fame 2012 & 2011
- 200 Minnesotans You Should Know, Twin Cities Business Magazine, 2010
- Women of Influence, Real Estate Forum, 2009 & 2014
- President’s Award, NAIOP, 2008
- Women to Watch, Business Journal, 2002
- Top 10 Corporate Women in Minnesota - Twin Cities Business Magazine