C-Speak Minnesota

Kofi Bruce, Chief Financial Officer of General Mills, is our next guest with Kate Kelly of PNC Bank and Jordana Green from WCCO Radio. Mr Bruce became the CFO in February of 2020 and has been with General Mills since 2009. Listen as we discuss the importance of Corporate Values, Racial and Social Equity, “Courageous Conversations” for employees, and the Allyship program! 

Amanda Agati, Chief Investment Officer of PNC Financial Services Group, is our next guest with Kate Kelly and Jordana Green. The year 2021 has been full of uncertainty, volatility, and change and 2022 is at our doorstep. Amanda has been watching all this very closely as she is responsible for the firm's overall investment strategy, portfolio and risk management, investment solutions, as well as the developments and execution of investment policies. She is a frequent guest on CNBC, CNN, Wall Street Journal and many more. Hear Amanda's valued insight for her 2022 outlook. Plus, catch the famous PNC Christmas Price Index based on the 12 Days of Christmas.

Geoff Martha, CEO of Medtronic, is our next guest with Kate Kelly and Jordana Green. Since becoming CEO in April of 2020, Geoff's leadership has had an immediate impact firmly establishing Medtronic as the global leader in healthcare technology. Listen as they discuss taking the reins as CEO in the midst of a global pandemic, the State of Healthcare today, Medtronic's renewed focus on harnessing technology and innovation driving healthcare into the future, and their responsibility as a global citizen to be a cornerstone of societal change.

Tonya Allen, President of the McKnight Foundation, is our next guest with Kate Kelly and Jordana Green. Listen as they discuss Philanthropy and Private Sector Partnerships. Public trust in institutions across sectors has plummeted, the nature of truth has come into question. Racial disparities, born of the institutional racism that is part of our nation's legacy, persist today. Listen as they discuss the power of people and communities to make positive change.

Kate Kelly and Jordana Green discuss why former Minnesota Vikings star Kyle Rudolph has dedicated years of service and philanthropy in support of the healing and research mission of the hospital? Listen in as Kyle and Fairview Health Services President and CEO James Hereford discuss the deeply personal significance of their work in our community.  It is a terrific conversation!

Andrea Walsh, President and CEO of HealthPartners is our next guest on C-Speak MN: The Language of Executives. Kate Kelly and Jordana Green discuss how to increase equity, and to invest where it matters most. HeathPartners' biggest opportunity to strengthen racial equality and confront systemic racism lies with our children, as they are all connected across cultures by a shared commitment to raising the next generation and giving them the brightest future they can. Yet, they know access to experiences and resources varies widely, which is why they need to care about all children as if they were their own.

Neel Kashkari, President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, is our next guest on C-Speak MN: The Language of Executives.  Kate Kelly and Jordana Green discuss with Neel a number of different topics, including his teaming up with retired Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Alan Page to propose amending Minnesota's constitution to make a quality public education a fundamental right to learning about how the 12 District Banks of the Federal Reserve System are partnering to highlight the implications of racism in the United States and identify solutions. 

Dr. Jakub Tolar, MD, PhD and Dean of the University of Minnesota Medical School, is our next guest with Kate Kelly and Jordana Green and they discuss “Sustaining the lessons of Covid-19... Learn how a pandemic accelerated change for the university's Health Sciences.” Learn how Dr. Tolar and his team of doctors and scientists adapted to the constantly-changing world of COVID-19 over the past 12 months.  It's a fascinating interview!

Our next fantastic C-Speak Minnesota podcast presented by PNC is with Tawanna Black, CEO of the Center for Economic Inclusion here in the Twin Cities. Jordana Green and Kate Kelly discuss how Tawanna and her team are engaging with Minnesota businesses and local government with consulting products and services to move from diversity and inclusion programs to triple bottom line results that are good for employees, employers and communities! #insolidarity

Amy Ronneberg, CEO of Be The Match, is our next guest with Kate Kelly and Jordana Green and they discuss “Turning Life Altering Events into Greatness!”. Learn how Ms. Ronneberg's cancer diagnosis helped her see an opportunity to adjust her attitude towards work and home life. Learn about Amy's three takeaways from this life changing event.

Learn how a group of local business leaders are creating an environment for minority business owners to grow and thrive in the Twin Cities. This month, Jordana and Kate have a terrific conversation with Karl Benson, Former President of the Minnesota Black Chamber of Commerce and Twin Cities Business Leader.

Learn how the University of Minnesota generates more than $8.6 billion in economic impact for the state of Minnesota every year. This month, Jordana and Kate have a terrific conversation with Joan Gabel, President of the University of Minnesota

Bob Frenzel, COO of Xcel Energy, joins us to discuss how Xcel Energy is supporting their customers during these turbulent times, while still leading the clean energy transition. Learn how Xcel Energy is leading in the midst of a global pandemic.

Doug Baker, CEO of Ecolab, Inc, joins us as we discuss the financial implications of polluted lakes, rivers and the Mississippi Headwaters for global business. Mr. Baker is acutely aware of how important it is to protect our water resources. 

Our guest is Katie Clark Sieben, Senior Director of the Cargill Foundation. They discuss Food Security: “Agriculture is key to nourishing the world.”

Our inaugural episode is with James Hereford, President and CEO of Fairview Health Services and we discuss the future of healthcare and innovating through a pandemic.