OF NOTE

CB Baga

Maslon, Minneapolis, announced the addition of Public Interest/DEI Counsel CB Baga to the firm, representing clients on pro bono legal matters and pro bono program administration, and managing UPLIFT: Legal Institute for Teens mock trial program.

ADVERTISING/PUBLIC RELATIONS

Pivot Strategies, an Edina-based internal communications consultant for business, announced Lisa Brezonik as interim CEO while Founder Stacia Nelson goes on maternity leave until July 2024. Brezonik previously was CEO at staffing firm Salo.

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Kraus-Anderson Insurance, a Burnsville-based provider of commercial insurance and risk management services, announced the hires of Andrew Creary and Joe Tietema as business risk consultants, and Shannon Strom and Nick Swanson as benefits advisers. Kraus-Anderson Insurance is an arm of Kraus-Anderson Cos., a multichannel Minneapolis-based commercial developer. … Värde Partners, a global alternative investment firm with headquarters in Minneapolis and New York, announced the promotions of Shannon Gallagher and Tony Iannazzo to partner; Gallagher will serve as global head of business development and investor relations and Iannazzo as chief operating officer. … Piper Sandler Cos., a Minneapolis-based investment bank, announced that Brian White has been appointed co-head of technology investment banking, joining Steven Schmidt. White succeeds Nicholas Osborne, who will become chairman of technology investment banking.

HONORS

Lifeworks Services, a Richfield-based organization focused on helping people with disabilities, announced Natasha Merz, assistant commissioner of Aging and Disability Services at the Minnesota Department of Human Services, as the inaugural recipient of the Jim Wolford Community Impact Award, given to a person or organization who has advanced disability inclusion. Wolford was founder of Atomic Data, and a Lifeworks supporter; he passed away in 2023. … The Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce Foundation announced the following recipients of its Community Awards: Behind the Badge Award: Dustin Kallis, fire chief, City of Lake Elmo; Chamber Ambassador of the Year: Jen Rogness, FIT Real Estate; Educator of the Year: Matt Fosse, Stillwater Area High School; Large Business of the Year: Acapulco Mexican Restaurant Stillwater; Nonprofit of the Year: Summer Tuesdays; Service with a Smalley Award: Leo’s Grill & Malt Shop; Small Business of the Year: Mabel’s Ice Cream & Coffee Shop; Volunteer of the Year: Nicole Bartelt, Stillwater Zephyr Theatre.

LAW

Fredrikson, Minneapolis, announced that firm attorney Riley Conlin has been named a Leadership Council on Legal Diversity Fellow for 2024, and that attorneys Leakhena Au and Panhia Vang have been named LCLD Pathfinders for 2024. … Fish & Richardson, Minneapolis, announced that John Adkisson has been reelected to serve a second four-year term as president and CEO. Adkisson was first elected to the role in February 2020.

MEDIA

MinnPost, a Minneapolis-based online news outlet, announced the hire of Winter Keefer as Twin Cities metro reporter. Keefer previously was associate editor at Twin Cities Business.

NONPROFITS

Mendota Heights-based Angel Foundation, which helps cancer patients and their families meet financial needs,  announced the following appointments to its board of directors: Marc Baer, Destinatum Consulting; Whitney Green-Nymo, Stanford Institute; Sandy Jones, LTIMindtree; Stephanie Kennelly, Center for Genome Engineering, University of Minnesota; Ashley MacHolda, Esker; Glynis Schons, Allianz Life, and Caitlyn Squire, HealthPartners.

RECREATION

The St. Paul Parks Conservancy announced the following new board members: Jeffrey Baidoo, Lynne Beck, Karen Ekblad, Lindsey Thoreson Hansen and Peter Grayson.

RETAIL

Best Buy, Richfield, announced that current Board Chairman J. Patrick Doyle will retire effective June 12; David Kenny will succeed Doyle in the chairman role. Kenny is the executive chairman of Nielsen and has been on the Best Buy Board since 2013.

TECHNOLOGY

Digital River, a Minnetonka-based provider of e-commerce products and services to business, announced that Nate Kraft has been named senior vice president Product Strategy and Management. Kraft previously served in an executive role at Antylia Scientific.

Related Articles

Children’s Theatre names new managing director, part of a major leadership change for the Minneapolis institution

Business People: Maslon’s Bill Pentelovitch continues firm’s representation on Mpls. Human Rights Commission

Business People: Arise Community Credit Union becomes Minnesota’s first Black-led credit union

Anna Peterson named vice president of people and culture at Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity

Business People: Former Mark Dayton general counsel Kimberly Slay joins Maslon as partner

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