HEALTH CARE
Kaohly Her
HealthPartners announced that St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her and HealthPartners President and CEO Andrea Walsh will co-chair the East Metro Mental Health Roundtable, a public-private partnership committed to improving mental health care across the Twin Cities region. The group is comprised of representatives from more than 85 organizations. HealthPartners is a Bloomington-based health insurer and health care provider.
ARCHITECTURE/ENGINEERING
WSB, a Golden Valley-based design and consulting firm, announced that Ben Maurer has been promoted to chief marketing officer; Maurer previously was vice president of marketing and communications.
FINANCIAL SERVICES
Forvis Mazars, a national public accounting and consulting firm, announced that Tyler Aldridge, Minneapolis, is one of 26 newly elected partners nationwide. … JNBA Financial Advisors, Minneapolis, announced that CEO and Chairman Richard S. Brown has been named to the 2026 Forbes Best-in-State Top Wealth Advisors – Minnesota – Minneapolis Area High Net Worth list.
FOOD
Rise Baking Co., a Minneapolis-based wholesaler of prepared baked goods, announced the appointment of Sarah Testa as chief commercial officer. Testa previously held executive leadership roles at Flagstone Foods and TreeHouse Foods, and most recently as chief growth officer at Roskam Foods. Rise’s brands include Brill, South Coast Baking, Table Talk, Best Maid, Henry & Henry and Bakestone Brothers.
LAW
Fredrikson, Minneapolis, announced that Volunteer Lawyers Network has selected the firm as its 2026 Housing Law Firm of the Year for the second straight year. Fredrikson shareholder Jeremy P. Greenhouse was named VLN’s 2026 Housing Volunteer of the Year. … SiebenCarey, Minneapolis, announced that law clerk Auria T.S. Gauger will join the firm as an associate attorney following her anticipated admission to the Minnesota Bar in 2026. Gauger is completing her J.D. at Mitchell Hamline School of Law, St. Paul.
MEDIA
Steve Karnowski announced his retirement after 31 years as a Minnesota-based reporter for the Associated Press.
OPENINGS
Miller Hill Mall, Duluth, announced the planned opening of Carter’s, a national children’s apparel and accessories retailer, this fall. … The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes, a Maple Grove retail center, announced the opening of national eyewear chain Warby Parker. … Cannabis dispensary Silver Therapeutics announced its opening at 1778 Greeley St. South, Stillwater. Teresa Klettenberg is general manager. … British Swim School, a national franchised chain, announced a location at 6350 Vinewood Lane North, operating out of the Hilton Garden Inn in Maple Grove. The franchise is owned and operated by Jesse Crooks.
ORGANIZATIONS
OpenTable, a national restaurant reservation booking platform, announced that chef Ann Kim, owner of Pizzeria Lola and Hello Pizza in Minneapolis, has been chosen as one of 20 members nationwide for its inaugural U.S. Restaurant Ambassador Council, consulting on issues affecting hospitality businesses. … The League of Minnesota Cities, a St. Paul-based quasi-governmental advocacy group, announced it has named Jen Wolf as chief insurance officer. She succeeds Dan Greensweig, who retired May 1. Wolf has been with the organization since 2023, most recently serving as deputy administrator. She previously served as head of the Dakota County Attorney’s Office Civil Division.
REAL ESTATE
JLL, a global commercial real estate and investment firm, announced the promotion of Jeff Lepley to senior managing director; Lepley is in the firm’s capital markets group in Minneapolis.
RETAIL
Winmark Corp. a Plymouth-based franchisor of retail resale chains, announced the appointment of Stephanie S. Hoppe to its board of directors. Hoppe serves as vice president of omnichannel marketing at Casey’s General Stores Inc. The company also announced that Lawrence A. Barbetta will not stand for reelection to the board of directors at the company’s 2027 annual meeting, in accordance with the company’s independent director term limits. Barbetta joined the board in 2012. Winmark’s franchised brands include Plato’s Closet, Once Upon A Child, Play It Again Sports, Style Encore and Music Go Round.
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