Lisa Schlosser, interim CEO and president of the Minnesota High Tech Association, is pleased to help advance the conversation around attracting, developing and retaining talent on technology teams in Minnesota at TechTalent Feb. 28. She speaks here about the event and our technology talent environment:
What’s the best thing about working in technology in Minnesota?
Minnesota has such a strong history of innovation, from the pacemaker to Post-it notes to wearable devices that help manage unconscious behaviors. The science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) community in Minnesota is building innovations that improve lives. Who wouldn’t want to be part of that community?!
What’s the hardest challenge facing our high-tech businesses?
Technology has revolutionized virtually every industry. The digital economy has changed how we do business. This means the demand for skilled technologists is higher than ever. Building a diverse, highly skilled pipeline to fill the growing technology demand will continue to be one of the greatest challenges facing all businesses now and in the near future.
What will we learn at TechTalent?
The day will begin with businesses sharing workforce strategies and innovative programs currently being used to build high-skilled tech employees. Next we will explore metrics that describe the origins of the problem, the ever-widening gap in the tech talent pool, and our need to harness demographic, socio-economic and other factors to close this gap. Finally, solution providers will share the innovative ways they are helping to build a diverse, skilled pipeline.
Which other speaker are you most excited to hear from?
Of course, I’m very excited to hear from our key note speakers, Mike McNamara, EVP and CIO of Target and Commissioner Steve Grove of DEED. At heart, I’m a data geek, so I’m especially looking forward to seeing the metrics around the problem and how data can help us understand the narrative and build solutions to solve the challenge.
How are you staying active this winter?
I am a huge basketball fan. The season is winding down now with March Madness coming up soon. There is nothing more exciting than conference championships and the NCAA tournament. Winter in Minnesota is great because it gives me an excuse to stay indoors in front of my big screen watching basketball. Go Wolves! Go Gophers! Go Bearcats! (And get ready for May when the Lynx are back at it!)
Thursday, February 28, 2019 7:30 a.m.- 1 p.m.
Hyatt Regency Bloomington
Learn more and register at https://mntech.org/event/techtalent/
