2027 Board Proposed Slate of Candidates & Officers

Per St. Paul Area Chamber bylaws, the Board Chair has appointed a Nominating Committee. The 2026 Nominating Committee consisted of: 

• Lea Hargett, JOG Associates (Chair)
• Mike Hauswirth, Associated Bank
• Brandon Griffin, East Side Funders Group
• Nancy Haas, Poul Haas
• Tom Whaley, St. Paul Saints
• Jennifer Bounnakhom, Huntington Bank
• Jennifer Hellman, Goff Public
• Jim Pearson, Xcel Energy

Graduating Board members:

• Matt Lemke, Flint Hills
• Brandon Griffin, East Side Funders Group
• Andy Barkley, Wells Fargo

Per Chamber By-laws: Additional names of candidates for Directors can be nominated by petition bearing the genuine signatures of at least twenty (20) members of the Chamber. Such petition shall be filed with the Nominating Committee within ten (10) days after notice has been given, as of October 5, 2026, of the names of those nominated. The determination of the Nominating Committee as to the legality of the petition(s) shall be final. Petitions may be sent directly to: [email protected].

If no petition is filed by October 5, 2026, the nominations shall be closed, and the nominated slate of candidates shall be declared elected by the Board of Directors at their next regular Board meeting.  
Proposed Slate of Candidates:

Proposed New Board Members:

• Craig Anderson, TKDA
• Caleb Brunz, Paul Davis
• Gretchen Cepek, Allianz Life
• Kate Hensing, Comcast
• Ethan McClelland, Sunrise Banks
• Charlie McGough, Monaghan Construction
• Jill Renslow, Mall of America
• Beth Risberg, Gillette Childrens
• Tony Sanneh, Sanneh Foundation

 
Returning board members (accepted & starting another term): 

• Elizabeth Allen, Childrens Cancer Research
• Anthony Bass, American Cancer Society
• Mike Burbach, St. Paul Pioneer Press
• Sara Daggett, Minnesota United FC
• Nicki Donlon, Baker Tilly
• Marcia Droege, Land O’Lakes
• Jennifer Hellman, Goff Public
• Courtney Henry, KCB Corporation
• Joe Johnston, Hubbard Broadcasting
• Chris Kalla, Travelers
• Jan Kruchoski, Every Meal
• Lisa Lehman, Blaze Credit Union
• Dan Miller, Old National Bank
• Mike Moberg, Taft Law
• Johnny Opara, JO Companies
• Jeff Pellegrom, Minnesota Wild
• John Swanholm, Fairview Health Services
• Brent Webb, Mortenson
• John Wilgers, Greater Twin Cities United Way

Ex Officio Board Members

•  Renee Alexander, Minnesota State Fair
• Marc Cove, First Resource Bank (PAC chair)
• Todd Hurley, Saint Paul Port Authority
• Patrick Kincade, Stonebridge Capital (Ambassadors co-chair)
• Chad Kulas, Midway Chamber of Commerce
• Jaimee Lucke Hendrikson, Visit Saint Paul
• Yolanda Pierson, Minnesota Black Chamber of Commerce
• Tony Schwartz, eXp Realty (Ambassadors co-chair)
• Joe Spencer, Saint Paul Downtown Alliance
• Mary Stoutenburg, Travelers (YPro chair)
• Holly Weinkauf, Grand Avenue Business Association

 
Below are the 2027 Proposed Executive Committee Officers, to be voted on by the full Board at its December 2026 regular Board meeting. Please note that, in advance of voting via written ballot, the floor shall be open for further nominations:

• 2027 Immediate Past Chair: Jennifer Hellman, Goff Public
• 2027 Board Chair: Jim Pearson, Xcel Energy, proposed
• 2027 Vice Chair: Joe Johnston, Hubbard Broadcasting, proposed
• 2027 Finance/Audit Chair: Jeff Pellegrom, MN Wild, proposed
• 2027 Treasurer: B Kyle, St, Paul Area Chamber President, President and CEO

 
​If you are a current member of the Chamber and would like your name added for consideration of a board seat, please email [email protected].