MEDA Welcomes Four Experienced Local Leaders to Board of Directors | Muldowney, Perera, Svenkeson, Thompson to empower BIPOC Entrepreneurs through board service

Contact:

Carol Schuler
Carol@cschuler.com
612.281.7030

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MINNEAPOLIS, MN (Feb 15, 2024) – The Metropolitan Economic Development Association (MEDA) is pleased to appoint four outstanding individuals to its Board of Directors. These esteemed professionals bring a wealth of experience, passion, and commitment to the mission of supporting BIPOC Entrepreneurs in their journey toward financial and professional success.

“To say we are pleased to welcome these four individuals into leadership through our Advisory Board is an understatement,” said MEDA President and CEO Dorothy Bridges. “Their collective expertise will contribute significantly to MEDA’s 2024 goal to ‘Dream Big, Scale Bigger.’”

Mary Muldowney leads a 22-person team responsible for all North American raw materials and global price risk management. In 2022 Mary joined the General Mills Enterprise Leader Acceleration class, which is designed for top global employees to accelerate to the Officer level.

Lalin Perera (Al) joins the Board with more than 25 years of banking experience. In his current role as a Wells Fargo Commercial Banking Leader, Al manages a team of relationship managers that delivers a comprehensive suite of products to serve the diverse financial needs of the Twin Cities, Greater Minnesota, and Western Wisconsin markets.

As the CEO of NEOO Partners, D'Angelos Svenkeson provides executive-level guidance for NEOO’s vision of strategic partnership, market expansion, and client services. D’Angelos leads executive-level operations across the organization’s bevy of projects by leveraging more than 15 years of industry experience in real estate development, finance, long range planning, and client advisory services.

Matt Thompson is the Senior Vice President - Banking Market Leader for Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. This role includes the supervision of more than 90 bankers. Matt’s US Bank experience spans 25 years and is highly focused on business and retail branch banking.

MEDA will officially welcome the new board members at the 2024 MEDA Annual Meeting at the Guthrie Theatre on June 20.

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About MEDA (Metropolitan Economic Development Association):

MEDA was founded by a group of Minnesota business leaders who saw BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) business ownership as a positive, long-term response to rising economic inequity within minority communities in our state. MEDA provides business development services, access to capital and corporate and governmental market support for BIPOC entrepreneurs. Over the years, MEDA has helped launch more than 500 BIPOC businesses and assisted more than 30,000 Minnesota BIPOC entrepreneurs. MEDA operates a growing fund as a Community Development Fund Institution (CDFI) that provides needed capital for minority businesses to become sustainable. MEDA is also the host organization for the Minneapolis Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Center, which has been recognized by the MBDA as the top-performing center four consecutive years from 2016- 2019. For more information, visit MEDA.net.

MEDA Welcomes Four Experienced Local Leaders to Board ofDirectors

Muldowney, Perera, Svenkeson, Thompson to empower BIPOC Entrepreneurs through board service

MINNEAPOLIS, MN (Feb 15, 2024) – The Metropolitan Economic Development Association (MEDA) is pleased to appoint four outstanding individuals to its Board of Directors. These esteemed professionals bring a wealth of experience, passion, and commitment to the mission of supporting BIPOC Entrepreneurs in their journey toward financial and professional success.

“To say we are pleased to welcome these four individuals into leadership through our Advisory Board is an understatement,” said MEDA President and CEO Dorothy Bridges. “Their collective experience will contribute significantly to MEDA’s 2024 goal to ‘Dream Big, Scale Bigger.’”

Mary Muldowney leads a 22-person team responsible for all North American raw materials and global price risk management. In 2022 Mary joined the General Mills Enterprise Leader Acceleration class, which is designed for top global employees to accelerate to the Officer level.

Lalin Perera (Al) joins the Board with more than 25 years of banking experience. In his current role as a Wells Fargo Commercial Banking Leader, Al manages a team of relationship managers that delivers a comprehensive suite of products to serve the diverse financial needs of the Twin Cities, Greater Minnesota, and Western Wisconsin markets.

As the CEO of NEOO Partners, D'Angelos Svenkeson provides executive level guidance for NEOO’s vision of strategic partnership, market expansion, and client services. D’Angelos leads executive-level operations across the organization’s bevy of projects by leveraging more than 15 years of industry experience in real estate development, finance, long-range planning, and client advisory services.

MEDA Appoints Hoyt Hsiao as Board Chair MEDA honors Craig Veurink for two-year legacy as former chair

Contact:

Carol Schuler
Carol@cschuler.com
612.281.7030

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MINNEAPOLIS, MN (July 24, 2023) – Metropolitan Economic Development Association (MEDA) is pleased to appoint Hoyt Hsiao as Chair of its Board of Directors. Hsiao originally joined the board after being named MEDA’s 2015 Entrepreneur of the Year.

Hsiao brings over 35 years of business experience in the construction industry, including almost 15 years in his current role, President and CEO of Shaw-Lundquist Associates Inc. Hsiao takes a conservative, human-focused style in leading one of America’s largest Asian-American contracting companies. His approach translates to his influence in the community. In addition to MEDA, Hsiao serves on boards with the University of Minnesota Foundation, the Minnesota Chamber Foundation, and the Children’s Theatre Co. Hsiao holds a BS from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota.

“This is an exciting time to support MEDA and the local BIPOC community,” said Hsiao. “People need change, and MEDA is intentional to connect people with vital services that make a lasting impact. MEDA is well-positioned to continue building its earned and impactful legacy to an even greater scale, so they can assist even more BIPOC leaders.”

“We are thrilled to continue learning and benefiting from Hsiao’s experience and wisdom,” said MEDA President and CEO Dorothy Bridges. “We share a mission to build stronger BIPOC communities and to see MEDA as a leading resource for empowering BIPOC Entrepreneurs.”

Hsaio succeeds the former Board Chair, Craig Veurink, who left a two-year legacy of service for MEDA. MEDA recognized Veurink for his service in the 2023 Annual Meeting and presented the 2022 Annual Report.

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About Meda (Metropolitan Economic Development Association):

MEDA was founded by a group of Minnesota business leaders who saw BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) business ownership as a positive, long-term response to rising economic inequity within minority communities in our state. Meda provides business development services, access to capital, and corporate and governmental market support for BIPOC entrepreneurs. Over the years, Meda has helped launch more than 500 BIPOC businesses and assisted more than 30,000 Minnesota BIPOC entrepreneurs. Meda operates a growing fund as a Community Development Fund Institution (CDFI) that provides needed capital for minority businesses to become sustainable. Meda is also the host organization for the Minneapolis Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Center, which has been recognized by the MBDA as the top-performing center for four consecutive years from 2016-2019. For more information, visit meda.net.

MEDA Secured $16M for BIPOC-Owned Businesses in 2022 | Client D’Angelos Svenkeson recognized as Entrepreneur of the Year; new Board Chair announced for 2023

Contact:

Carol Schuler
Carol@cschuler.com
612.281.7030

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MINNEAPOLIS, MN (June 14, 2023) – To address the continuing demand for resources supporting BIPOC Entrepreneurs, MEDA (Metropolitan Economic Development Association) met on June 14, 2023 in North Minneapolis for its annual meeting. CEO and President Dorothy Bridges led a conversation about deepening MEDA’s value on BIPOC communities through scaling impactful programs and services. MEDA also recognized multiple award-winning clients and new board member leadership as evidence of their intentional mission-based focus.

MEDA’s focus in 2022 aided BIPOC Entrepreneurs through financial assistance, consulting services, and networking connections to scale and grow BIPOC businesses. In 2022, MEDA secured over 80 new loans for its clients, totaling to $16M. MEDA increased its hours of client service from 6,000 hours in 2021 to over 10,000 hours in 2022, including a combination of services related to business consulting, loans, and the Volunteer Affiliate Network. The Ascend program, which matches clients to contracts, increased the average contract size from $171k to $2.3M year over year in 2022. During this time, MEDA’s social media traffic also doubled.

New leadership announced at the annual meeting included Board Chair Hoyt Hsiao, the President and CEO of Shaw-Lundquist Associates, Inc. MEDA honored former Board Chair Craig Veurink, who is stepping down after two years of board service. Other notable hires in 2022 include MEDA CEO and President Dorothy Bridges, Senior Director of Business Consulting Robert Harper, Marketing Director Jon Berry, and multiple business consulting, financial services and IT positions.

“It is vitally important that MEDA is intentional about uplifting BIPOC Entrepreneurs and businesses and scaling our services to this community,” said Bridges. “We can’t afford to be incremental if we are going to gain ground with the economic disparity gap, given today’s political climate and culture. MEDA is focused and dedicated to empowering BIPOC Entrepreneurs by scaling our services, creating powerful connections, and causing transformative impact, now and in the coming months.”

MEDA also recognized multiple clients for their business ingenuity and success:

• Entrepreneur of the Year: D’Angelos Svenkeson, CEO of NEOO Partners

• Community Builder of the Year: Dario Otero, CEO of Youth Lens 360

• Resilient Entrepreneur of the Year: Jacqui Coleman, Owner, President and CEO of InGensa

• BIPOC Business Champion: Dr. Samuel Myers, Jr., Professor at University of Minnesota Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs

“To serve larger clients, we needed more of a robust system and a more robust theory behind our operations. MEDA helped prepare us for more corporate conversations,” said Svenkeson. “That has been a game-changer for us in how to work as an organization, how to work as an organism, and how to be of service to our community.”

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About Meda (Metropolitan Economic Development Association):

MEDA was founded by a group of Minnesota business leaders who saw BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) business ownership as a positive, long-term response to rising economic inequity within minority communities in our state. Meda provides business development services, access to capital, and corporate and governmental market support for BIPOC entrepreneurs. Over the years, Meda has helped launch more than 500 BIPOC businesses and assisted more than 30,000 Minnesota BIPOC entrepreneurs. Meda operates a growing fund as a Community Development Fund Institution (CDFI) that provides needed capital for minority businesses to become sustainable. Meda is also the host organization for the Minneapolis Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Center, which has been recognized by the MBDA as the top-performing center for four consecutive years from 2016-2019. For more information, visit meda.net.

Pam Cannon Appointed to the Board of Directors for the Greater Twin Cities United Way

Contact:

Carol Schuler
Carol@cschuler.com
612.281.7030

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MINNEAPOLIS, MN (Apr. 3, 2023) – Metropolitan Economic Development Association (MEDA) is proud to announce that Pamela Cannon, JD, MA, Vice President & Chief People Officer at Meda, has been appointed to the Board of Directors for the Greater Twin Cities United Way (GTCUW). GTCUW is a leading provider of community giving, committed to creating a thriving community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Ms. Cannon brings 20 years of experience in human resources and organizational development, including legal compliance expertise, to the board. She holds a BS in Human Development from Vanderbilt University, a MA from Webster University, and a JD from St. Louis University School of Law.

Ms. Cannon has been appointed to serve on the Finance and Human Capital committee, which will assist in the board's financial, administrative, and operating oversight responsibilities. This includes budgets, investments, risk management, human capital, diversity, equity, and inclusion, data strategies, and information technology systems.

"Pamela Cannon's extensive experience in human resources and organizational development, combined with her legal compliance expertise, make her a valuable addition to the GTCUW board," said Dorothy Bridges, President & CEO of MEDA. "We are confident that her expertise and leadership will help further the organization's mission to create a thriving community for all."

Ms. Cannon is excited about her appointment to the GTCUW board and looks forward to contributing her skills and expertise to advance the organization's important work. "I am honored to join the Greater Twin Cities United Way board and serve on the Finance and Human Capital committee," she said. "I am committed to working with my fellow board members to help create a more equitable and inclusive community for everyone."

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About Meda (Metropolitan Economic Development Association):

MEDA was founded by a group of Minnesota business leaders who saw BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) business ownership as a positive, long-term response to rising economic inequity within minority communities in our state. Meda provides business development services, access to capital, and corporate and governmental market support for BIPOC entrepreneurs. Over the years, Meda has helped launch more than 500 BIPOC businesses and assisted more than 30,000 Minnesota BIPOC entrepreneurs. Meda operates a growing fund as a Community Development Fund Institution (CDFI) that provides needed capital for minority businesses to become sustainable. Meda is also the host organization for the Minneapolis Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Center, which has been recognized by the MBDA as the top-performing center for four consecutive years from 2016-2019. For more information, visit meda.net.