MN CEOs You Should Know

By KFAN FM 100.3 (KFXN-FM)

Join us on the "MN CEO's You Should Know" podcast!

We dive deep into the minds of Minnesota's most influential business leaders. Each episode features candid conversations with top CEOs who

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· Business

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FAQs about MN CEOs You Should Know:

How many episodes does MN CEOs You Should Know have?

The podcast currently has 43 episodes available.

MN CEOs You Should Know episodes:

January 15, 2026 Kristi Piehl - Founder & CEO Media Minefield
Kristi Piehl joins host Adam West on the iHeartMedia podcast CEOs You Should Know for a candid conversation about her journey from award‑winning journalist to successful entrepreneur. In this episode, Kristi shares how her background in television news shaped her understanding of storytelling, credibility, and media strategy—skills she later used to launch and grow her PR firm, Media Minefield. Adam and Kristi dive into the transition from newsroom to business ownership, discussing the lessons she learned along the way and how firsthand media experience gives her clients a competitive edge. They also explore real-world stories, crisis communication, and why understanding how journalists think is critical for today’s leaders. The episode offers practical insights for entrepreneurs, communications professionals, and anyone interested in how powerful storytelling drives business success.
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28min
November 20, 2025 Brigette Wolf - Chief Marketing Officer at My/Mochi
Brigette Wolf is the Chief Marketing Officer at My/Mochi where she leads marketing and innovation and the brand’s transformation for growth. She is responsible for fueling the company’s innovation pipeline through the creation of beyond the core products and partnerships as well as building the brand’s equity and connection to consumers. Previously she was VP, Global Head of SnackFutures, Mondelēz International’s innovation and venture hub which launched in 2018 as part of the global snack leader’s growth agenda. There she ran intrepreneurship on her team launching new start up brands, venture capital and and CoLab, the company’s start-up engagement program.
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14min
November 12, 2025 Corey Thomas - CEO of Rapid7
Corey Thomas is the Chief Executive Officer of Rapid7, a leading global cybersecurity company based in Boston. His expertise in technology and business have been recognized through his appointments to the National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee (NSTAC) and the Council on Foreign Relations, as well as the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.
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27min
October 03, 2025 Laura Jacobson - Co-Vice President Heppner's Auto Body & Glass
Laura Jacobson serves as Co-Vice President of Heppner’s Auto Body & Glass alongside her husband Jesse. With 20+ years of leadership, she’s driven growth, service excellence, and community impact, solidifying Heppner’s reputation as a trusted leader in auto repair.
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36min
September 12, 2025 Housing First Minnesota - CEO James Vagle
James Vagle is the CEO of Housing First Minnesota, leading efforts to expand homeownership and strengthen the homebuilding industry. A Navy veteran and seasoned advocate, James brings vision, integrity, and deep policy expertise to Minnesota’s housing future.

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19min
August 22, 2025 Elizabeth Gray - CEO Audubon Society
Dr. Elizabeth Gray serves as Audubon’s Chief Executive Officer, leading the organization toward its vision of a future where birds thrive. A champion of science-based conservation and a renowned expert in global conservation and climate change, she joined Audubon in March 2021 as President and Chief Conservation Officer and was named CEO later that year—the first woman since Audubon’s founding in 1905 to hold the role. She leads more than 800 staff working across the Americas to alter the course of climate change and habitat loss. Since her arrival, she has led a landmark $826 million campaign, the groundbreaking release of the Migratory Bird Explorer, and the unifying Flight Plan strategy, reinforcing Audubon’s commitment to hemispheric conservation through the power of birds. Under Elizabeth’s leadership, Audubon has embraced a multicultural, multigenerational approach, ensuring its work reflects and engages all the communities connected to conservation across the Western Hemisphere.

Prior to Audubon, she most recently served as Global Managing Director of The Nature Conservancy’s (TNC) Climate Change program, where she played a key role in securing a $100 million philanthropic gift—one of the largest in TNC’s history—and managed the natural climate solutions initiative it funded. A proven fundraiser, she has secured six-, seven-, and nine-figure gifts to advance conservation and climate solutions. Trained as an ornithologist, she has spent 30+ years as a conservationist, spending considerable time in the field nationally and abroad. She also led two of TNC’s most notable impact capital projects, the $130 million Cumberland Forest Impact Investment Fund, which supported sustainable forestry in the Appalachians, and a groundbreaking urban conservation program in Washington, D.C. She holds a PhD in ecology from the University of Washington and an AB with highest honors in psychology from Harvard University.
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24min
August 12, 2025 Reuben Rotman - CEO of National Jewish Network of Human Service Agencies
Reuben D. Rotman is the founding President and CEO of the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies. The Network was established in 2017 following the merger of two predecessor associations, as an international membership association, with the mission of strengthening and advancing the Jewish human service sector. Today, The Network serves as the leading voice for the sector; the go-to for best practice research, innovation, and partnerships. Supporting its 180+ member organizations, The Network’s goal is to strengthen the capacities of its member agencies and to advance the scope and impact of the Jewish human service sector.

Reuben came to the Network having served as the CEO of Jewish Family Service of MetroWest New Jersey, where he held several increasingly responsible positions for 21 years. Previously, Reuben held positions with UJA Federation of New York, Jewish Family Service of Metropolitan Detroit and Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit.

Reuben currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of SourceAmerica, which connects the non-profit sector to the US Federal government and commercial sectors to secure employment opportunities for persons with disabilities, and also serves as the Treasurer of the Board of Directors of Social Current, a national organization which seeks to activate the power of the social sector by bringing together a dynamic network of human service organizations and partners. In 2021, Reuben was included among the listing of the international listing of the 100 People Positively Influencing Jewish Life, as published by the Algemeiner Publication.

Reuben earned a double Master of Arts from Brandeis University; in the Management of Human Services from the Heller School for Social Policy and Management and in Jewish Communal Service from the Hornstein Program for Jewish Professional Leadership. Reuben also earned his Bachelor of Arts in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies and in Sociology also from Brandeis University.
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34min
June 25, 2025 Alex Neist - Founder and CEO of Hostage Tape
Alex Neist is the visionary founder and CEO of Hostage Tape, the #1 selling, original mouth tape that has revolutionized the market and drastically changed how millions sleep. The company has inspired over 200,000 customers worldwide and formed high-profile partnerships with the UFC and Joe Rogan's podcast, emphasizing the importance of quality sleep.

Before his entrepreneurial success with Hostage Tape, Alex was an Arena Football League quarterback. He later enjoyed a prosperous career in sports technology, building a seven-figure software business that provided video analysis tools for coaches and teams, which was eventually acquired. However, personal challenges, including chronic snoring that led to marital strife and divorce, prompted a significant life transformation.

The turning point in Alex's life came when he discovered the concept of mouth taping through James Nestor's best-selling book, Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art. This simple yet effective technique not only improved his sleep but also profoundly impacted his physical health and mental well-being. He lost 25 pounds, regained his energy, and reconciled with his family.

Fueled by his personal transformation, Alex founded Hostage Tape in 2022 to provide others with the same life-changing benefits he experienced. The company's rapid growth and success reflect Alex’s commitment to promoting nasal breathing and improving sleep quality.

Alex’s journey is a testament to personal resilience and the power of change. After reconnecting with his ex-wife, the couple has since gotten back together, and Alex now enjoys a fulfilling family life, sharing the benefits of mouth taping with his loved ones.
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33min
June 25, 2025 Cab Lolmaugh - President & CEO at The Tile Shop
Cabby Lolmaugh was appointed President, Chief Executive Officer in January 2019. After serving four year years in the U.S. Marine Corps., Mr. Lolmaugh joined our company in 2001, working in the warehouse of our Roseville, Minnesota store. From that time through 2014, he served in various roles at several locations, including Store Manager in Roseville, one of the company’s largest and most successful stores. In 2014, Mr. Lolmaugh was asked to lead the company’s pro customer strategy. Under his leadership, the company developed various programs focused on training, product assortment, merchandising and marketing to increase the level of service to the pro customer. In 2016, he became our organization’s first Director of Talent Development, and was responsible for creating and implementing a comprehensive new sales associate and store manager training program throughout the Company. This work included launching new training, development and compensation programs for new sales associates and senior assistant store managers, which became the foundation of our talent development strategy. In 2017, Mr. Lolmaugh was promoted to Vice President of Retail Stores West; responsible for the leadership and management of approximately half of our stores. In February 2018, he was promoted to Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer.
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29min
June 24, 2025 Brandon Sawalich - President and CEO at Starkey
In a world where innovation often outpaces empathy, Brandon Sawalich stands out as a rare leader who blends both with purpose. As the President and CEO of Starkey, one of the world’s leading hearing technology companies, Brandon has spent over 31 years transforming not just a business—but an entire industry 1.

From his first job in hearing healthcare at age 19, Brandon discovered a calling, not just a career. His journey is one of grit, vision, and a deep belief in the power of people. Under his leadership, Starkey has championed cutting-edge hearing solutions while staying rooted in human connection. He’s a vocal advocate for purpose-driven leadership, healthcare innovation, and policy reform that puts people first. Tune in to this podcast and learn how Starkey has evolved and the impact that they have on our community.
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31min

FAQs about MN CEOs You Should Know:

How many episodes does MN CEOs You Should Know have?

The podcast currently has 43 episodes available.

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