We invite southwest Minnesota child care providers, economic development professionals, community leaders and champions of child care to attend a listening session to learn about and provide feedback, ideas and concerns regarding the second draft of licensing standards for child care centers published by the Department of Human Services as part of the Child Care Regulation Modernization Projects.
Archives for April 2025
Initiators Fellowship application open
The Initiators Fellowship is recruiting for its 2026-2027 cohort. The two-year program provides a suite of supports for emerging entrepreneurs in Greater Minnesota whose business idea includes a socially beneficial outcome. The Initiators Fellowship application is open May 1 to June 16 at fellows.greaterminnesota.net.
What makes a leader?
In the face of challenges including addiction and incarceration, Mark Stewart has persevered. After suffering the loss of his partner, Taylor Joy, to mental illness, something clicked for him, and he has been relentlessly serving his community since then. A nontraditional leadership journey like Mark’s has steep highs and lows. He has kept going through them all.
Petra Jimenez on leadership
Petra Jimenez has lived most of her life in southwest Minnesota and makes her home in Fulda. A graduate of our latest Growing Local: Emerging Leaders cohort, Petra plans to run for the local school board next year. Last year, she organized the first Welcoming Week celebration in Fulda to help build belonging.
Brad Gruhot on leadership
Brad Gruhot is a husband, dad, “Chamber guy,” sports lover and a volunteer. He’s been with the Marshall Area Chamber for nearly 11 years and is involved in Business Development, Ambassadors and Transportation & Legislative Committees as well as overseeing daily chamber operations. Brad and his wife, Karen, live in Marshall with their two children.
Laura Curtiss on leadership
Laura Curtiss wears many hats in life. She serves as our Grants and Operations Assistant in addition to being a devoted mom, a supportive sister, a grateful daughter, an enthusiastic follower and an ambitious dreamer. Each of these roles allows her to demonstrate leadership in unique and meaningful ways. Laura is also part of the current cohort of McLeod For Tomorrow’s leadership program.
