As the 6th-generation of her family farm in Waseca, MN, Molly has always had a deep connection to agriculture and entrepreneurship. Even while living in Chicago for ten years working in politics, these values remained important to her. During the pandemic, Molly reconnected with her southern Minnesota roots and enrolled in the Farm Business Management program at South Central College to learn how to manage her family farm. She also became an advocate for rural communities, which ultimately led to her decision to remain in her hometown and contribute to its growth. Molly worked at Waseca City Hall and the Waseca Area Chamber of Commerce, overseeing economic and community development projects such as the Waseca New Business Challenge, an entrepreneurial training program facilitated by the South Central Small Business Development Center, and a business pitch competition that resulted in the launch of five new businesses. Inspired by this experience, Molly co-founded The Meatery MN, a family business that became a semifinalist in the 2022 Minnesota Cup, the largest business pitch competition in the state. Her contributions to the community have not gone unnoticed, as she was recognized with the Waseca Chamber’s 2022 Young Professional Distinguished Service award and the Economic Development Association of Minnesota’s 2022 Emerging Professional of the Year award.

Kevin holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business and Mathematics from Central College, as well as a Master’s degree in Sport Management and a PhD in Educational Leadership from Iowa State University. He has worked in various roles within the field of education from 1995 to 2017, including admissions, student life, TRIO programs, and serving as an instructor in Health and Human Performance, as well as coaching intercollegiate athletics.

As a Mankato native, Wes juggles multiple roles as the co-owner of Zanz Mexican Restaurant, founder of OMG – Otto Media Group, and publisher of Connect Business Magazine. With his diverse background, he has honed his skills in marketing, restaurant management, organizational leadership, and overall business strategy.

Laura’s entrepreneurial journey began at the age of 6 when she started selling Kleenex tissues to neighbors for a penny each. Although this venture did not last long, she continued to pursue other endeavors over the years with varying degrees of success. Recognizing the importance of marketing and financial management in business success, Laura decided to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Marketing Communications. With her newfound education, she transitioned into becoming a copywriter, helping businesses boost their revenue through effective email campaigns, sales pages, and landing pages that convert visitors into satisfied customers.

Sarah brings a wealth of experience in licensing child care centers, securing grants from Federal, State, and Foundations, as well as establishing nonprofit organizations. As a lifelong resident of Mankato, she has deep roots in the community. Sarah is married and a proud mother of six children. Her commitment to the betterment of her community is evident in her work, and she takes great pride in making a positive impact on the lives of those around her.

Rovena’s experience as both an owner of a small retail store and an HR professional for over 30 years gives her a unique perspective on the challenges of starting and managing a business. She understands how overwhelming it can be to get started, particularly when it comes to employee hiring and retention. With her expertise, Rovena can guide you through the process of creating a productive and positive workplace culture, ensuring that your business has the foundation it needs to thrive.

Storytelling is Lisa’s true passion, and she feels fortunate to have the opportunity to pursue it in a variety of ways within the community. As the host of KEYC News Now This Morning and Kato Living television shows, Lisa brings a unique perspective to local news and entertainment. She also works in nonprofit marketing with MRCI, where she helps organizations tell their stories and connect with their audience. In her free time, Lisa shares her expertise by teaching as an adjunct at Minnesota State University Mankato and South Central College. With her extensive experience in storytelling, Lisa is able to encourage others to leverage the power of narrative to market themselves, their business, or their organization.

Bryan is experienced in Information Technology Operations and Information Technology Services with a demonstrated history of building relationships through effective communication, collaboration, and relationship management. He is skilled in creating and maintaining processes that reduce waste and increase efficiency while driving results across organizations. Bryan has strong program and project management professional who values equity, integrity, innovation, professionalism, and flexibility.

Matt is an accomplished executive leader and entrepreneur with more than two decades of experience in business management, financial analysis and oversight, business development, private equity, and international business.

Darolyn is a seasoned finance and accounting professional with a diverse background that includes dedicated service within non-profit organizations and school districts. Her passion lies in facilitating the dreams of aspiring and established business owners by guiding them through the intricate landscape of QuickBooks. In a world where numbers and financial strategies can be daunting, Darolyn is dedicated to demystifying the accounting process, enabling entrepreneurs to focus on what they do best—growing their businesses.