Our Team

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is the state's principal economic and workforce development agency. Our mission is to empower the growth of the Minnesota economy, for everyone.

DEED’s economic development programs promote business recruitment, expansion, and retention; international trade; workforce development; community development, and more.

Economic Development Leadership

Photograph of Matt Varilek

Matt Varilek

Commissioner

Photograph of Kevin McKinnon

Kevin McKinnon

Deputy Commissioner, Economic Development and Research

Photograph of Gabrielle Gerbaud

Gabrielle Gerbaud

Executive Director of Minnesota Trade Office

Minnesota Trade Office

Photograph of Catalina Valencia

Catalina Valencia

Executive Director of Business Development

Business Development

Photograph of Neela Mollgaard

Neela Mollgaard

Executive Director of Small Business and Innovation Office

Small Business and Innovation Office

Photograph of Meredith Udoibok

Meredith Udoibok

Executive Director of Community Finance

Photograph of Stephen Wolff

Stephen Wolff

Executive Director of Business Finance

Photograph of Bree Maki

Bree Maki

Executive Director of Broadband Development

Office of Broadband Development

Photograph of Neal Young

Neal Young

Director of Economic Analysis

Economic Analysis

Photograph of Angelina Nguyen

Angelina Nguyen

Director of Labor Market Information

Labor Market Information

For a full picture of the agency’s Senior Leadership Team across both workforce and economic development programs & operations, see our DEED Website.