November 16, 2022 • 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Best Buy Headquarters – Richfield, MN
November 16, 2022 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Best Buy Headquarters – Richfield, MN
Minnesota’s tech ecosystem has provided the world with a multitude of technological innovations and innovative ideas. This same ecosystem has provided hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans with high paying jobs in a sector with negative unemployment. But Minnesota’s tech ecosystem is at risk due to a pressing lack of homegrown skilled technologists and costly lack of technologist diversity.
It is time for a collective push to equitably double the number of skilled technologists working in our region over the next 10 years.
As a trusted convener and unifying voice of Minnesota’s tech community, the Minnesota Technology Association invites its public, private, nonprofit, and corporate partners to increase our collective impact.
The Minnesota Tech Workforce Summit will spend the day illuminating challenges and designing solutions for the decade ahead.
Minnesota’s tech ecosystem has provided the world with a multitude of technological innovations and innovative ideas. This same ecosystem has provided hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans with high paying jobs in a sector with negative unemployment. But Minnesota’s tech ecosystem is at risk due to a pressing lack of homegrown skilled technologists and costly lack of technologist diversity.
It is time for a collective push to equitably double the number of skilled technologists working in our region over the next 10 years.
As a trusted convener and unifying voice of Minnesota’s tech community, the Minnesota Technology Association is well positioned to champion this cause and invites its public, private, nonprofit, and corporate partners to increase our collective impact.
AGENDA
9:00 am – 9:30 am • Welcome and setting the stage
9:30 am – 10:10 am • Business Panel
10:10 am – 10:30 am • Coffee Break
10:30 am – 11:05 am • Training and Development Panel
11:05 am – 11:30 am • Attracting and Retaining Diverse Talent – A Business Imperative
9:00 am – 9:30 am • Welcome and setting the stage
9:30 am – 10:10 am • Business Panel
10:10 am – 10:30 am • Coffee Break
10:30 am – 11:05 am • Training and Development Panel
11:05 am – 11:30 am • Attracting and Retaining Diverse Talent – A Business Imperative
SPEAKERS
Welcome & Setting the Stage
Steve Grove, Commissioner of the MN Department of Employment and Economic Development, will provide opening remarks and share his perspectives on the importance of building the skilled, inclusive tech workforce needed to drive Minnesota’s innovation economy forward. Brian Tilzer, who leads Best Buy’s digital initiatives, will also speak to the group, along with a presentation from the Minnesota Technology Association on our state’s tech talent challenges and opportunities.
Steve Grove
Commissioner
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
Brian Tilzer
Chief Digital, Analytics, and Technology Officer
Best Buy
Steve Grove, Commissioner of the MN Department of Employment and Economic Development, will provide opening remarks and share his perspectives on the importance of building the skilled, inclusive tech workforce needed to drive Minnesota’s innovation economy forward. Brian Tilzer, who leads Best Buy’s digital initiatives, will also speak to the group, along with a presentation from the Minnesota Technology Association on our state’s tech talent challenges and opportunities.
Steve Grove
Commissioner
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
Brian Tilzer
Chief Digital, Analytics, and Technology Officer
Best Buy
Business Panel
Sharon Kennedy-Vickers
Moderator
CEO
Software for Good
Phil McKoy
Chief Information Officer
Optum
Tim Welsh
Vice Chair
U.S. Bank
Rachel Whitcomb
Vice President, Technology
Target
Amelia Hardy
Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer
Best Buy
Sharon Kennedy-Vickers
Moderator
CEO
Software for Good
Tim Welsh
Vice Chair
U.S. Bank
Phil McKoy
Chief Information Officer
Optum
Rachel Whitcomb
Vice President, Technology
Target
Training and Development Panel
Stephanie Hammes-Betti
Moderator
SVP, Systems and Digital Risk
U.S. Bank
Mats Heimdahl
Department Head, College of Science and Engineering
University of Minnesota
Stephanie Graff
Assistant Commissioner
MN Department of Education
Dr. Rhoda Mhiripiri – Reed
Superintendent
Hopkins Public Schools
Richard Walker
Chief Executive Officer
York Solutions
Stephanie Hammes-Betti
Moderator
SVP, Systems and Digital Risk
US Bank
Mats Heimdahl
Department Head, CSE
University of Minnesota
Stephanie Graff
Assistant Commissioner
MN Department of Education
Rhoda Mhiripiri – Reed
Superintendent
Hopkins Public Schools
Silvia Hinton
VP, Program Development – B2E
York Solutions
Attracting and Retaining Diverse Talent – A Business Imperative
Tawanna Black
CEO
Center for Economic Inclusion
Tawanna Black
CEO
Center for Economic Inclusion
Small Group Work
After the morning session, select working groups will continue the day by designing solutions for the issues discussed during the day. Their work will be shared later on in the year as part of our effort to equitably double the number of technologists in the region.
The five different working groups are focused on:
K-8 STEM Identity
9-12 CS Education
9-12 Tech Work Experience
College CS Education
Adult Upskilling and Reskilling
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
Presenting Sponsors
Host Sponsor
Event Sponsors
REGISTER
Please use the form below to register yourself for the 2022 Minnesota Tech Workforce Summit. This is an invitation only event. If you have questions regarding this event, please reach out to Joel Crandall, VP of Programs at Joel@MnTech.org.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
LOCATION:
Best Buy Headquarters
7601 Penn Avenue S, Minneapolis, MN 55423
PARKING
Free, on-site parking will be available in the “Visitor” lot.
ENTRANCE
Upon entering the Best Buy campus, you must proceed through the security checkpoint.
REFRESHMENTS
Coffee, water, and light breakfast items will be served in the morning prior to the beginning of the Summit at 9:00 am.
