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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.

Contact Us

Economic Development Leadership

Photograph of Steve Grove
Steve Grove
Commissioner
Photograph of Kevin McKinnon
Kevin McKinnon
Deputy Commissioner, Economic Development and Research
Photograph of Gabrielle Gerbaud
Gabrielle Gerbaud
Executive Director, Minnesota Trade Office
Photograph of Anisa Hajimumin
Anisa Hajimumin
Assistant Commissioner, Immigrant & Refugee Affairs
Photograph of Marc Majors
Marc Majors
Deputy Commissioner, Workforce Development
Photograph of Neela Mollgaard
Neela Mollgaard
Executive Director, Launch Minnesota
Photograph of Jeff Nelson
Jeff Nelson
Interim Executive Director of Business Finance
Photograph of Meredith Udoibok
Meredith Udoibok
Executive Director, Community Finance
Photograph of Catalina Valencia
Catalina Valencia
Executive Director, Business Development
Photograph of Neal Young
Neal Young
Director, Economic Analysis
Photograph of Vacant Vacant
Vacant Vacant
Executive Director, Broadband Development
Photograph of Vacant Vacant
Vacant Vacant
Deputy Commissioner, Workforce Services

Business Development Office

Information is great, but sometimes it’s easier to pick up the phone and have your questions answered by one of our experts. Give us a call today. Contact our Business Development Office at 651-259-7432 or email JoinUsMN@state.mn.us.

Photograph of Catalina Valencia
Catalina Valencia
Executive Director, Business Development
Photograph of Chet Bodin
Chet Bodin
Northwest Region
(218) 829-2183
Photograph of Bradley Brzezinski
Bradley Brzezinski
Northeast Region
(218) 310-7757
Photograph of Colleen Eddy
Colleen Eddy
Twin Cities Metro Region
(651) 259-7459
Photograph of David Heyer
David Heyer
West Central Region
(651) 259-7468
Photograph of Lisa Hughes
Lisa Hughes
Southwest Region
(507) 344-2601
Photograph of Natalie Siderius
Natalie Siderius
Southeast Region
(507) 205-6069
Photograph of Vacant Vacant
Vacant Vacant
Twin Cities Metro Region

Minnesota Trade Office

The Minnesota Trade Office provides export assistance to Minnesota's manufacturer's and service providers. Programs and services focus primarily on assisting small and medium-sized companies.

Photograph of Gabrielle Gerbaud
Gabrielle Gerbaud
Executive Director, Minnesota Trade Office
Photograph of Elise Buchen
Elise Buchen
International Business Development Manager
(651) 259-7481
Photograph of Rachel Limon
Rachel Limon
Regional Trade Manager, Latin America & Caribbean
(651) 259-7492
Photograph of Barbara Mattson
Barbara Mattson
Regional Trade Manager, Canada & Mexico (NAFTA)
(651) 259-7490
Photograph of Mykola Megits
Mykola Megits
Regional Trade Manager, Central & Eastern Europe and Central Asia
(651) 259-7495
Photograph of Abdiwahab Mohamed
Abdiwahab Mohamed
Regional Trade Manager, Africa, Middle East & India
(651) 259-7484
Photograph of Laurence Reszetar
Laurence Reszetar
Director, International Business Strategy
(651) 259-7488
Photograph of Steve Riedel
Steve Riedel
Regional Trade Manager, Western Europe/Energy & Environment Industries
(651) 259-7494

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

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