The Future of Food – 3rd Annual Net Impact Fundraiser

3rd Annual Net Impact Minneapolis Fundraiser 

Social entrepreneurs are leading the way as they create innovative solutions to our society’s most pressing social issues. These change agents are utilizing systems thinking, inventing new approaches, setting ambitious goals, and seizing opportunities to create wide-scale change in our society.

Join us on Wednesday, March 9 at Town Hall Brewery to hear their stories, ask questions, and make connections as we bring the leading Twin Cities social entrepreneurs together at our 3rd Annual Net Impact Minneapolis Fundraiser. This year’s event will be focused on the future of food. Keeping with tradition, our Net Impact community will gather once again around beer and appetizers for an evening of networking to support Net Impact Minneapolis’ mission.

Tickets are $20 to support Net Impact Minneapolis’ community building initiatives and event lineup for 2016. Pre-registration is required as space is limited. We hope to see you for a fun night of community building, networking, beer, raffles and much more!

Get your tickets here!

Speakers confirmed to date (bios below):

May Seng Cha, Operations Director, Urban Oasis
Matt Halley, Executive Director, Cookie Cart
Eric Larsen, Owner/Operator, Stone’s Throw Urban Farm
Melissa Kjolsing, Director, MN Cup
Steve Spruth, Senior Lecturer, Strategic Management & Entrepreneurship, Carlson School of Management

Speaker Bios: 

Matt Halley, Executive Director, Cookie Cart  

Matt Halley is an Executive Director at Cookie Cart. He has rich experience in implementing successful strategic plans, fundraising, and developing innovative programs for youth. He came to Cookie Cart from Youthlink, where he held an Executive Director’s position. Matt is a graduate from Augsburg College.

Melissa Kjolsing, Director, MN Cup    

Melissa Kjolsing (coal-sing) is the director of the MN Cup, the premier resource for MN entrepreneurs. During her time as director of the program, the MN Cup has expanded its support of entrepreneurs by offering events and educational programming throughout the year including a Women’s Initiative, the development of a food innovation community and Social Entrepreneurship Series. Melissa is responsible for all aspects of the program including its relationships with 60+ sponsors and over 350 volunteers. Melissa brings a background in business development and marketing to the program, having worked for Fredrikson & Byron and The BioBusiness Alliance of Minnesota. Melissa has a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications from Minnesota State University, Mankato and is currently pursuing an MBA at the Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota.

Eric Larsen, Owner/Operator, Stone’s Throw Urban Farm

Eric Larsen has spent the last couple years of his life deeply engrossed in the local foods movement as a producer, consumer, and advocate.  In the spring of 2011, he helped start Stone’s Throw Urban Farm, a entrepreneurial venture that aims to grow fresh, healthy produce in the Twin Cities while working towards creating a sustainable, just livelihood for its farmers. Eric has also supported the innovative work of Shared Ground Farmers Cooperative, a farmer-owned producers coop, and the Twin Cities Agricultural Land Trust, a nonprofit organization advocating for long-term access to urban farmland, through service on their Boards.

May Seng Cha, Operations Director, Urban Oasis

Before joining Urban Oasis, May Seng Cha was a product specialist for UCare, a nonprofit health plan serving more than 300,000 individuals and families enrolled in Minnesota Health Care Programs, such as MinnesotaCare and Medical Assistance. She’s led strategic efforts in diversity marketing and health outreach that foster strong relationships in various communities in UCare’s Medicaid service areas, including Hmong, Karen, Latino, and Native American communities. Additionally, Cha chaired the Hmong Health Care Professionals Coalition and led health-care initiatives to improve the lives of Hmong Minnesotans.

May Seng has been an advocate and activist for healthy food on the East Side for years. She was an organizer in efforts to establish the Gateway Food Cooperative, which led to the opening of the Mississippi Market Natural Foods Co-op’s East 7th Street store. She has been an avid volunteer and supporter of Urban Oasis since its inception.

Steve Spruth, Senior Lecturer, Strategic Management & Entrepreneurship, Carlson School of Management

Steve Spruth is a Senior Lecturer at the Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota, with a BA in Biology from Brown University and a Masters in Public and Private Management from the Yale School of Management. His academic interests include entrepreneurship, innovation, globalization, social entrepreneurship and sustainability.  He currently brings University of Minnesota undergraduates to Cuba each March to study entrepreneurship, and to Brazil each January to study innovation and sustainability. His international experience includes study and teaching in Brazil, China, Spain and Venezuela.  His consulting clients include Medtronic, UnitedHealth Group, Select Comfort and Behavioral Health Services. He is on the Advisory Board of The Brown School of Social Work at Washington University St Louis. His industry experience includes executive positions at UnitedHealth Group, Long Term Care Group, and Peak Health Care.

Event Details

Date: Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Time: 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Location: Town Hall Brewery, 1430 S Washington Avenue, Minneapolis