Next Level Leader

Arthur J. Rolnick is a senior fellow at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. He previously served at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis as a senior vice president and director of research and as an associate economist with the Federal Open Market Committee—the monetary policymaking body for the Federal Reserve System. Rolnick is working to advance multidisciplinary research on child development and social policy. His essays on public policy issues have gained national attention; his research interests include banking and financial economics, monetary policy, monetary history, the economics of federalism, and the economics of education. His work on early childhood development has garnered numerous awards, including those from the George Lucas Educational Foundation and the Minnesota Department of Health, both in 2007; he was also named 2005 Minnesotan of the Year by Minnesota Monthly magazine.

In addition to his role as a senior fellow at Humphrey School for Public Affairs, Dr. Rolnick is an adjunct professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Minnesota. He has also been a visiting professor of economics at Boston College, the University of Chicago, and Lingnan College, Guangzhou, China. He is past president of the Minnesota Economic Association. He serves on several nonprofit boards related to early childhood, including Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ), Way to Grow, Think Small, Close Gaps by 5, Minnesota Early Learning Council, City of Minneapolis Cradle to K Advisory Board, New York City Early Childhood Advisory Board, and Ready Nation Advisory Board. Rolnick also serves as an ad hoc advisor to several communities across the country regarding the field of early childhood education.

A native of Michigan, Rolnick has a bachelor's degree in mathematics and a master's degree in economics from Wayne State University, Detroit; and a doctorate in economics from the University of Minnesota.

I hope you enjoy episode 10 with Jack Reuler, the Artistic Director at Mixed Blood Theatre…Jack has held that job for 43 years and counting.

USING THEATER TO ILLUSTRATE AND ANIMATE, MIXED BLOOD CHANGES ATTITUDES, BEHAVIOR, AND POLICY BY PAYING POSITIVE ATTENTION TO DIFFERENCE.

The company's predictably unpredictable work addresses injustices, inequities, and cultural collisions, providing a voice for the unheard—on stage, in the workplace, in the company's own Cedar Riverside neighborhood and beyond. Mixed Blood continues to lead the field in programming and engagement at the crossroads of art and social justice, and in eliminating barriers to participation through its signature Radical Hospitality.

The company annually presents a mainstage season of plays in its historic firehouse; works extensively with the Cedar Riverside, disability, Latino and transgender communities, using art as a tool to promote health and civic engagement; and produces customized productions addressing workplace inclusion through On the Job.

Mixed Blood is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and is a member of Theatre Communications Group (TCG) and the National New Play Network (NNPN).

You can donate at https://mixedblood.com/support/

Sally Mainquist grew up in Fort Dodge, Iowa in a family of eight…This taught Sally how to communicate well, be flexible and negotiate with others. She graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in Accounting and moved to Minneapolis where she met her husband, Kent Mainquist, while they both worked at Peat Marwick (KPMG).

Sally's career reveals a diverse blend of executive roles. While External Reporting Manager at Graco, she discovered an interest in cost accounting leading to a demanding role as a Factory Manager. Her successful track record at Graco prepared her for her next role as Vice President of Manufacturing at PUR where she helped grow the company at a 70% annual growth rate for over four years.

After nine years in finance and nine years in operations, Sally's passion for people and desire for a more balanced lifestyle lured her into executive staffing. Her long-term success as CEO of a local high-end interim staffing company demonstrated her ability to lead, grow and transition a successful organization. Sally's love for matching candidates with clients and ever-present desire to give back, inspired her to co-found Veritae Group where she continues to make a difference in the lives of people. "We're just helping out friends out and every now and again we get paid!"

It is estimated that there are approximately 44 million people worldwide living with Alzheimer's disease or a related form of dementia. In the U.S., an estimated 5.5 million people of all ages have Alzheimer's disease. ... About two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer's disease are women. You will learn why this is personal for Sally and how she is making a difference!

You can join Sally on Tuesday July 9, 2019 at Target field for the Corporate team breakfast to learn more or go to the website www.alz.org/walk

Emily Hunt Turner is a civil rights attorney in Minneapolis with a background in housing, architecture and public policy. She was born in St. Paul, grew up in Wahpeton, North Dakota and spent the last thirteen years in New York, Atlanta, and New Orleans.

Prior to launching All Square,​ Emily worked on issues of prisoner reentry, fair housing and segregation for the Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD). Her hope with All Square is to leverage her talent, privilege, and network to empower those historically excluded while dismantling the divides that are isolating and destabilizing communities across the country.

All Square is a civil rights social enterprise centered on a craft grilled cheese restaurant and professional development institute. Our aim is to ensure that people impacted by the criminal justice system have the financial support and social capital necessary for a bright and productive future. If this mission inspires you please reach out to [email protected] or you can donate at www.allsquarempls.com

Trust me when I tell you the grilled cheese is wonderful and you will leave inspired and motivated to support the mission.

The vision to start a Sarasota Chapter of Impact 100 began in February, 2017.

Jane Watt, the founding president, was incredibly inspired by her mother and sister's involvement in their Impact 100 Pensacola chapter. Jane shared her dream of founding a chapter in Sarasota with two of her close friends, Jodie Zerega and Tilly McFadden.

Together, the three of them built the infrastructure that enabled her dream to become a reality. Impact 100 SRQ was officially incorporated in May 2017. Their passion for Impact 100 has quickly spread among the women in the community. Their hope is to empower women of all ages, staged, income levels and backgrounds to collectively join together to give transformational grants in Sarasota and Manatee counties. Together they make a sustainable impact in their community...one transformational grant at a time.

Impact 100 SRQ debuts as the 53rd not-for-profit chapter in the international network with a goal to award a high impact $100,000 grant to one not-for-profit in Sarasota or Manatee county, annually, beginning in 2019.

Mary Frey, Melissa Johnson, and Lynn Giovannelli - 3 founding members of GIVING WoMN along with the current VP of the Board Susan Dowd sit down with host Craig Pratt to share the humble beginnings of GIVING WoMN.

GIVING WoMN is the largest and most established women's collective giving organization in the Twin Cities, and helped found the national women's collective giving organization. Started by a few women discussing the concept in early 2004, the organization was established in early 2005, made its first grants in 2006 and has continued to grow. We currently have over 100 members.

Over the last 14 years, 81 GIVING WoMN grants have been made to 65 organizations who have a collective impact on thousands of individuals in need in the Twin Cities. Our organization was founded as Women of Courage in February of 2005. A small group of women started discussions in early 2004, envisioning the potential power of in philanthropy and pooled giving, and how it could make a difference in the greater metropolitan area of Minneapolis/Saint Paul, Minnesota. That small group of women has grown to over 100 members. In April of 2009, membership voted to change the organization's name to GIVING WoMN. Collectively, to date, we have donated over $1,369,000 and have touched the lives of countless people in our community served by Twin Cities non-profits providing vital social services.

If you want to learn more, get engaged or donate you can reach the group at http://www.givingwomn.org/

Katherine Meerse (Executive Director for Avenues) and Shrey Pothini (Student Volunteer) sit down with host Craig Pratt to discuss the current state of affairs surrounding LGBTQ Youth Homelessness in Minnesota…Katherine shines a light on the the following statistics:

• On any given night 6,000 youth in Minnesota are homeless and unaccompanied
• Overall homeless in Minnesota increased 10% between 2015 2018
• African Americans, Native Americans and youth who identify as LGBTQ are over represented in the homeless population
• Avenues supports over 300 young people experiencing homelessness every year
• 78% of youth move into stable housing when they leave Avenues

Katherine also shares her personal and professional journey that led her to Avenues.

Shrey, 15, of Savage, has been collecting towels to donate since he was 4, and has now named his campaign Towels for Teens. On his most recent birthday, he collected over 1,900 bath towels to donate. It has become his annual tradition. Shrey's generosity and his boundless energy for doing good, as it turns out, are highly contagious. By third grade, he was organizing his very first service club at his elementary school—which is still going strong with 60 to 100 participants every year. Since then, other schools in the district have created clubs of their own.

You can learn more about Avenues at https://avenuesforyouth.org/

Cathy Maes, the Executive Director at Loaves & Fishes, sits down with host Craig Pratt to share her personal and professional story of growing up in Minnesota…Cathy puts a spotlight on the hunger issue here in Minnesota and what organizations like Loaves and Fishes are doing to serve and protect those who need it the most. If you would like to learn more about Loaves & Fishes you can reach her at [email protected] or you can donate online athttps://www.loavesandfishesmn.org/donate.html

Matt Bykowski and Nick Schneider sit down with host Craig Pratt and talk about their epic fundraiser called Schneider-Stock…Over the last 5 years they've helped raise awareness and significant money to help others with real life problems. What started as a crazy idea over a couple of beers has raised north of 6 figures for worthy causes inside and outside of Minnesota…They define what it means to live on the NEXT LEVEL! If you like this podcast and want to donate please use the Eventbrite attached.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/schneiderstock-2019-tickets-60735281863?ref=enivtefor001&invite=MTYzNTUwMzIvYnlrb3dtQGdtYWlsLmNvbS8w%0A&utm_source=eb_email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=inviteformalv2&utm_term=attend

Craig Pratt sits down with Dave Payne a serial high tech entrepreneur based in Minneapolis...Dave describes his life in the arena while sharing the lessons he's learned personally and professionally.