2026 IES Minnesota Regional

Steve Simon is Minnesota’s 22nd Secretary of State. As Secretary of State, he partners with township, city, and county officials to organize elections on behalf of Minnesota’s nearly four million eligible voters, and to ensure that the election system is fair. He also oversees a wide range of services for Minnesota businesses, with the goals of expanding access to voting, removing barriers to voting, and making business services as streamlined as possible. He and those at the Secretary of State’s Office strive to make it as easy as possible for Minnesotans to set up and run their businesses.

Brian McDonald is the District Director for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Minnesota District Office. Under his leadership, McDonald’s team facilitates SBA-backed loans, advocates and trains small businesses for federal government contracting opportunities, and works to improve entrepreneurial development to strengthen business growth across all 87 Minnesota counties. Before joining the Minnesota District Office, Brian worked in Washington, D.C. for the U.S. SBA Headquarters Office of Entrepreneurial Development and for the U.S. Treasury CDFI Fund. 

Y. Elaine Rasmussen, founder of ConnectUP! Institute, is a leader in impact investing and inclusive economic development. With a background in mediation, communications, and finance, she builds cross-sector partnerships to democratize capital access. A Cordes, BII, and RSF Fellow, her Integrated Capital Fund was a MetLife Foundation semi-finalist. Honored by NAWBO, Fearless Commerce, and AARP/Pollen’s 50 Over 50, she serves on multiple boards and investment committees. Her mission: to move billions into Black, Brown, and rural communities.

Ose Sesay, founder of Push Strategist LLC, is a first-generation Nigerian-Liberian American dedicated to empowering immigrant and BIPOC professionals. With a corporate background in retail, HR, and training, she specializes in executive coaching, DEI, and business development. Ose led high-impact programs like CEO Now and founded Push For Prosperity, a nonprofit advancing economic equity. Through tailored strategies, she helps growth-minded leaders scale sustainably, close economic gaps, and turn purpose into profit.

Babatope Adedayo is a Vendor Specialist with the MN Department of Administration’s Office of Equity in Procurement. He is responsible for promoting diversity and inclusion within state government procurement, representing the program at various workshops and trade show, providing information about the Small Business Procurement Program to interested vendors, setting subcontracting goals on construction projects, and monitoring the usage of certified vendors to meet construction goals. 

Fatoumata M. Dibba is a seasoned financial expert with over 12 years in banking, real estate, and finance. She’s led multi-million-dollar portfolios at institutions like Merrill Lynch and Standard Chartered Bank. An ACCA and MBA holder, she’s recognized as a top 50 Under 50 Black Financial Advisor and Africa’s HIPO (High Potential) Leader. As Director of Lending at ADC and founder of Dibba Wealth LLC, she empowers communities through inclusive finance, real estate ventures, and strategic lending solutions.

Xavier Francis, Founder and Managing Attorney at Francis Law, is renowned for his expertise in employment-based visas. His journey in immigration law started at 17 when he migrated from Jamaica to the U.S. This formative experience has deeply influenced his personal values and professional approach. He has advised a wide array of clients including Fortune 500 companies, professional workers, and startups. Xavier’s approach is rooted in his understanding that immigration is transformative, which shapes the firm’s ethos for its clients.

Juan Llerena is a Peruvian-born author, business and marketing consultant, and founder of JLLB Media and Vamos Entrepreneur. With over 15 years of experience helping entrepreneurs and small businesses grow, Juan blends strategic marketing know-how with a deep commitment to empowering diverse communities. His work sits at the intersection of communication, community, and creativity—fueled by the belief that entrepreneurship is not just about making money, but making meaning.

Maribel Mallet joined SBA in 1994. In 2003 she transferred to the Minnesota District Office and brought her deep knowledge on SBA programs and services. Fluent in Spanish, Maribel runs entrepreneurial classes in two languages. Maribel’s collaboration with the SBA has ensured that small businesses and communities receive the critical services they need to start, grow and expand their business.

Ray McCoy is the Program Coordinator for Minnesota’s Employer Reasonable Accommodation Fund (ERAF). He provides outreach, technical assistance, and guidance to help small and mid-sized businesses create inclusive workplaces. Under his leadership, ERAF is steadily growing, with a consistent increase in reimbursements each quarter—demonstrating its expanding impact across the state. 

Diane McMonigal-Paterson, as the Regional Director of the Small Business Development Center at the University of St. Thomas’ Opus College of Business, is a resource for economic development and small business, where she is passionate about sustainability and innovation as they relate to business. Her observations and insights on businesses successes, challenges and trends have been published in the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, Star Tribune, Pioneer Press, Finance and Commerce and Minnesota Business Magazine.

Amanda Minor joined Stearns Bank in 2011, spending 12 years as a credit analyst in Equipment Finance. Since 2023, she has led community development efforts, advancing Community Reinvestment Act goals. Amanda partners with nonprofits to support financial literacy, access to capital, sponsorships, and volunteerism. Her professional and personal experiences help her connect authentically with the communities she serves.

Adrian Ruddock is Vice-President of Lending and Business Consulting Services at Metropolitan Economic Development Association (MEDA) in Minneapolis. He is a skilled debt and equity financial professional with 25 years of for-profit and non-profit lending experience. Mr. Ruddock has assisted hundreds of entrepreneurs to grow their companies and create wealth.

Ying Sa is the CEO & Managing Partner, and Certified Public Accountant of Community CPA, a firm she founded in 1998. Born in Beijing, China she immigrated to Canada before settling in the US. Ying served 6 years as the CFO for the Iowa Manufacturing Extension Partnership at Iowa State University and 5 years as VP of Controllers for Wells Fargo Financial, Inc. Among her contributions, Ying served on IRS Taxpayer Advocacy Panel from 2019-2021. She is also an author of two business books. 

Dr. Sneha Singh is a social entrepreneur with 15+ years’ experience in socio-economic growth. Her area of expertise is training & development, strategic planning, and she is passionate about protecting income and financial future of immigrants and marginalized communities. Max Umanzor is her colleague, who will be co-presenting on the topic. Max has 15+ years’ experience in the financial industry and he has helped businesses build strong retirement income strategy to provide peace of mind.

Biel Wiel is the son of refugees and dreamers. He says, “I am an entrepreneur. A former D1 athlete. A military servicemember. And most of all, a student of life. I learned about challenge and loss early in life, and saw the struggles of both human life and our society. There is a path forward to realizing our potential individually and collectively. And it begins with leadership. With intention. With purpose. With you.”