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Springing into action!
Entering into Spring, we are anxious for the snow to melt and clear the way for new life to grow. As we work to strengthen our foundations for success, we feel very much akin to the new plant life ready to sprout forth. We are deepening our roots through stronger community relationships, increased access to capital for our clients, capacity and leadership building!
In this issue, see how our roots and branches are reaching through Minnesota to help entrepreneurs build their own foundations for success. Also, save the date for our 37th Annual Recognition Luncheon scheduled Tuesday, June 10 at the Hilton Minneapolis. We will be honoring MEDA clients, volunteers and supporters.
Be sure to let us know if there's something you'd like MEDA to share. Send your suggestions via e-mail to info@meda.net.
We look forward to sending you our monthly connection to everything MEDA.
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| Leadership program aims high with consulting and networking support
Last fall, MEDA announced a comprehensive three-year program focused on leadership development, business development and community involvement, supported, in part, by the Bush Foundation. The MEDA Entrepreneurial Leadership Program is designed to serve as a tool for the development of new business leaders of color.
With the commitment of four initial participants, MEDA has engaged the brightest and best to assist in the program execution. Two industry leaders have joined the team in the execution and delivery of this ambitious initiative.
MDA Leadership Consulting has earned its reputation as trusted advisors to senior leaders who need  a robust pipeline of high-performing leadership talent to sustain growth. The results of MDA services -- superior leadership and a sustainable competitive advantage -- have been experienced by their high profile clients.
Heather Wray-Isquierdo, senior consultant at MDA Leadership Consulting, said she is excited to support the leadership program. "The effort will inform our expertise to help leaders lead more effectively in multicultural environments."
Consulting Solutions  is a highly successful consulting firm based in Alexandria, Minn. For more than a decade, Yvonne Kinney-Hockert has partnered with business leaders to create lasting strategic change within their organizations. As a national speaker, executive coach and consultant, Kinney-Hockert's core principles of everyday excellence and personal accountability have helped maximize the performance of leaders and team members.
In addition to leadership grooming, the participants  are connected with a high caliber advisory council, comprised of seasoned industry and business professionals, to help with strategic guidance. Chuck Rauenhorst of Rauenhorst Recruiting Company has offered, pro bono, a dedicated staff to study, recruit and match our clients' specialized needs with hundreds of potential advisory council members using their network of Twin Cities' executives.
Combining MEDA's and Rauenhorst's networks, we have attracted many of the Twin Cities' best corporate talent to help our clients reach a higher level of success.
We thank all who have stepped up to help us provide excellent value to our clients. Stay tuned as future e-letters highlight other great partners who are making the commitment to help entrepreneurs of color succeed!
(pictured above, from top to bottom: Heather Wray-Isquierdo and Pelé Raymond Ugjboajah, MDA Leadership; Yvonne Kinney-Hockert, Consulting Solutions; and Chuck Rauenhorst, Rauenhosrt Recruiting Company)
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U.S. Bancorp President & CEO to lead next EDS luncheon
 Richard K. Davis, chairman, president and chief executive officer of U.S. Bancorp, will lead the next Executive Development Series luncheon, April 9. Register now, as event is nearly sold out!
With 31 years of experience in the banking industry, Davis' strategic vision continues to influence the company's consumer banking, wholesale banking, private client, trust, asset management, risk management and payments businesses. He chairs U.S. Bancorp's managing committee, which comprises the 13 highest-ranking executives within the organization.
The EDS luncheon continues to provide a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs of color to meet industry leaders and network with other entrepreneurs.
For more information, or to register, click here. |
Board Spotlight 
David Holleran
Board Member/ Fund Development and Communications committee
When MEDA asked board member David Holleran to talk about his work on the board, the Piper Jaffray exec was more interested in putting the spotlight back onto MEDA.
"I'd like to see MEDA be the premier organization serving entrepreneurs of color."
Naming clients such as MEDA Entrepreneur of the Year Andy Wells of Wells Technology, Inc., Holleran said he is inspired by how clients have benefited from MEDA services and are now sharing their testimonials and assisting other people. "It is clearly taking something meaningful and leveraging that into something even bigger," he said.
As both a board member and outside observer, Holleran has had the opportunity to watch MEDA fine-tune its message and services over the years. He recalled his introduction to MEDA through a former employer. At the time, he said, its message was not well understood by constituents.
Since then, "MEDA has spent some time crafting a message that is now resonating [with constituents]," said Holleran. "Look at some of MEDA's past successes. They are evidence of MEDA's mission and MEDA's ability to execute that mission successfully. In this day and age, people don't fund organizations that don't have a track record of success."
He called MEDA "a gem that entrepreneurs of color have" and need to talk about. "People that have an opportunity to work with MEDA don't realize the impact they create by talking about the organization, by educating others about what MEDA does."
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MEDA Updates
As of February 29, 355 entrepreneurs have made it their business to succeed with MEDA!
As of March 21, MEDA approved $492,200 in new loans and helped secure an additional $2,128,000 in loans from area banks.
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Client News
La Loma Tamales, Marcelita's Cookies, Manny's Tortas and El Meson Latin Bistro are among a select few of the restaurants featured at the Macy's in the Marketplace in downtown Minneapolis.
The Latin-themed event features foods and wares representing various Latin countries with free food samplings from local restaurants, along with special demonstrations, entertainment and mask-making demonstrations.
Several MEDA staff attended the first event on March 14 and found it fun and inviting. The next (and last) event takes place Friday, March 28, from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Get there early as the free samples went quickly!
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Upcoming Events
March 25
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
April 7 - 8
Conference exploring ways to create strong, self-sufficient microenterprise programs and robust, diverse local economies
April 8,
8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Speaker: Jan Polach, Ph.D., president, Leadership Solutions (for Pacesetters ONLY)
Speaker: Richard K. Davis, President & CEO, U.S. Bancorp
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2008 Recent
General Operating Contributors
* General Mills
* McKnight Foundation
* SuperValu
* Fredrikson & Byron
* Fastenal
Individual Contributors
* Arlette Abrahamson
* Terrance Brown
* Uri Camarena
* Marilyn Dahl
* Jim Faricy
* Gary Hobart
* Dan Holmquist
* Jan Jordet
* Sherri Komrosky
* Deborah La Bonne
* Joel Lebewitz
* Christina Nebel
* Scott Ochsner
* Edgardo Rodriguez
* Kathy Tunheim
* Tim Wagner
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