The Top 50 Minneapolis Women Leaders of 2026
The Twin Cities economy runs on an unusually powerful combination: a dense headquarters corridor, a deep healthcare-and-insurance engine, and a civic culture where “big systems” (transit, education, energy, food access) shape the day-to-day reality of talent, business growth, and quality of life.
That’s why the most influential women in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro aren’t only the ones with the biggest job titles. They’re the leaders holding the “leverage seats”-the roles that quietly determine whether the region can hire and keep talent, move people efficiently, build housing, keep the lights on, deliver healthcare, and fund the next generation of entrepreneurs.
For the contact info of the Top 50 and Members Join or Login
#1 Beth Ford
Beth Ford leads one of Minnesota’s most consequential “real economy” institutions-food, agriculture, and supply chains. When Land O’Lakes invests, innovates, or shifts strategy, the ripple effects show up in jobs, manufacturing, farm economics, sustainability priorities, and the broader regional business ecosystem that supports those sectors.
#2 Gunjan Kedia
The Twin Cities is a finance-and-payments powerhouse, and the CEO of U.S. Bank sits at the center of capital access for households, small businesses, and major employers. Gunjan Kedia’s influence is felt in how the region funds growth, manages risk, modernizes payments infrastructure, and competes for national financial talent.
#3 Corie Barry
Best Buy is one of the metro’s signature employers and a national bellwether for consumer technology retail. Corie Barry’s leadership shapes not only a massive local workforce and vendor ecosystem, but also how the region’s brand is perceived by corporate talent-especially in omnichannel retail, services, and the future of consumer tech support.
#4 Heather Cianfrocco
In a region where healthcare and health administration are core economic drivers, this is a high-leverage role. Heather Cianfrocco sits at the intersection of governance, trust, and cybersecurity for one of Minnesota’s most influential enterprises-helping determine how a complex healthcare organization manages risk, protects data, and operates with integrity at scale.
#5 Andrea Walsh
HealthPartners is both a care provider and a health plan-meaning its decisions directly affect access, affordability, employer coverage dynamics, and healthcare workforce stability across the metro. Andrea Walsh’s leadership matters to every organization trying to recruit and retain talent in a market where health benefits, preventive care, and provider capacity are make-or-break.
#6 Lisa Shannon
Allina Health is a major care delivery system and employer, making its leadership central to the metro’s healthcare capacity and workforce reality. Lisa Shannon’s role influences service availability, staffing strategies, and the operational resilience of care-factors that shape business productivity and the lived experience of families across the region.
#7 Dana Erickson
In any metro, major health plans shape what care is accessible, how it’s paid for, and which innovations get scaled. Dana Erickson’s leadership touches employer coverage decisions, value-based care momentum, and affordability pressures-an enormous “invisible hand” in how healthy (and financially stable) the regional workforce can be.
#8 Robin Hutcheson
The Met Council is one of the Twin Cities’ most practical centers of influence: transit, long-range regional planning, and essential infrastructure decisions that determine how easily people can live and work across the metro. In a tight labor market, regional mobility and coordinated planning aren’t abstract-they’re economic competitiveness.
#9 Rebecca Cunningham
A metro rises or falls on talent, research, and commercialization capacity-and the University of Minnesota is foundational to all three. Rebecca Cunningham’s leadership influences the region’s pipeline of engineers, clinicians, scientists, and civic leaders, along with the research partnerships that anchor innovation and startup formation.
#10 Tonya Allen
In the Twin Cities, philanthropy is a serious strategic force-not just charitable giving. Tonya Allen leads one of the region’s most important convening and capital engines for community priorities, shaping what gets funded, scaled, and sustained across equity, arts/culture, climate, and economic mobility.
#11 Cara Sylvester
Few roles influence the metro’s corporate ecosystem like senior leadership at Target. As Chief Merchandising Officer, Cara Sylvester has a direct line into what gets built, sourced, marketed, and moved through one of the region’s flagship retail supply chains-impacting vendors, logistics, brand strategy, and thousands of local careers tied to the Target enterprise.
#12 Lisa Roath
Operations is where strategy becomes reality: stores, fulfillment, distribution, and the day-to-day customer experience at scale. Lisa Roath’s leadership affects jobs, productivity, and how effectively one of Minnesota’s most visible employers executes-an influence that reaches deep into the metro’s labor market and business-to-business networks.
#13 Linda Findley
As CEO of a major consumer brand headquartered in the metro, Linda Findley influences everything from corporate employment to innovation investment and brand visibility for the Twin Cities. Leadership at this level has spillover effects on marketing, tech, analytics, manufacturing partners, and the broader professional services ecosystem.
#14 Amanda Rome
Energy is destiny for economic growth-especially as electrification accelerates and reliability expectations rise. Amanda Rome holds a role that touches affordability, customer strategy, and long-range utility planning, putting her at the heart of how the region powers homes, workplaces, and future development.
#15 Patricia Correa
A CHRO at a major utility influences far more than “HR”: workforce strategy, safety culture, labor stability, and enterprise capability-building. Patricia Correa’s leadership affects how a critical infrastructure employer attracts, develops, and retains talent-skills that also feed the region’s broader labor market.
#16 Jacqueline Williams-Roll
General Mills is a cornerstone employer and brand headquartered in the metro, and human-capital leadership at this scale is a competitive advantage for the region. Jacqueline Williams-Roll influences workforce transformation, leadership development, and talent systems that shape how a global enterprise grows from a Twin Cities base.
#17 Gayle Schueller
With major operations and a legacy footprint in Minnesota, 3M’s sustainability agenda is not just a corporate program-it shapes manufacturing practices, product stewardship, innovation priorities, and climate credibility. Gayle Schueller’s role represents a powerful “direction-setting” seat for how large industrial organizations adapt and lead.
#18 Irene Fernando
For business leaders, county government is often the decisive layer for public health systems, human services capacity, justice-related infrastructure, and large budget priorities that affect quality of life and workforce stability. As Board Chair, Irene Fernando helps steer one of the region’s most operationally consequential institutions.
#19 Sarah Moberg
Second Harvest Heartland isn’t just a nonprofit-it’s a regional logistics-and-partnership engine that influences food access, school readiness, family stability, and health outcomes. Sarah Moberg’s leadership matters because “basic needs stability” is a workforce strategy, whether employers name it that way or not.
#20 Melodie Rose
In a headquarters-heavy metro, top law firms are part of the region’s deal-making, risk management, and growth infrastructure. As President of Fredrikson & Byron, Melodie Rose influences the legal and strategic counsel that supports major employers, growing companies, and civic institutions across the Twin Cities.
#21 Jennifer Ford Reedy
As President of the Bush Foundation, Jennifer Ford Reedy directs catalytic philanthropy that strengthens communities and expands opportunity across the region. Her leadership connects bold ideas with the partners and resources needed to deliver durable civic and economic impact.
#22 Jandeen Boone
Jandeen Boone steers governance and legal strategy for Ecolab, helping the company navigate complexity while pursuing disciplined growth. Her counsel safeguards innovation and reputation, enabling long-term value creation from one of Minnesota’s most influential headquarters.
#23 Chris Leong
Chris Leong blends marketing excellence with innovation leadership, helping Ecolab translate customer needs into new solutions and stronger market positions. By aligning brand, product strategy, and growth priorities, she drives meaningful results while elevating the Twin Cities’ global corporate footprint.
#24 Deirdre McGraw
Deirdre McGraw shapes Ameriprise’s brand and reputation through integrated marketing and communications that build trust with clients and advisors. Her community relations leadership deepens the company’s civic presence and reinforces its economic impact across the Twin Cities.
#25 Heather Melloh
Heather Melloh provides steady legal and compliance leadership that helps Ameriprise manage risk while innovating for clients. Her governance expertise supports long-term stability, protecting stakeholders and reinforcing Minneapolis as a center for financial leadership.
#26 Pilar Cruz
Pilar Cruz advances sustainability strategy at Cargill by aligning environmental priorities with resilient supply chains and long-term business value. Her leadership strengthens responsible growth that benefits customers, producers, and communities while supporting the company’s global influence from Minnesota.
#27 Joanne Knight
Joanne Knight guides financial strategy for Cargill with disciplined capital stewardship and a clear focus on long-term resilience. Her leadership supports investment decisions that ripple through global food systems and strengthen the Twin Cities economy.
#28 Dorothy Capers
Dorothy Capers leads legal and governance strategy at CH Robinson, enabling the company to operate with integrity across complex global markets. By strengthening compliance, risk management, and strategic decision-making, she supports reliable service for customers and enduring value for stakeholders.
#29 Angie Freeman
Angie Freeman connects people strategy with ESG leadership, ensuring CH Robinson can attract talent, build culture, and meet evolving stakeholder expectations. Her work strengthens workforce resilience and responsible practices that support sustained performance in a demanding logistics sector.
#30 Kamy Scarlett
Kamy Scarlett shapes Best Buy’s workforce and corporate affairs strategy, building a culture that supports frontline excellence and enterprise transformation. Her leadership helps the company serve customers at scale while advancing community engagement and talent development across the region.
#31 Lanette Shaffer Werner
Lanette Shaffer Werner drives innovation, technology, and quality for General Mills, turning consumer insights and science into trusted products. By integrating research, manufacturing excellence, and rigorous standards, she helps the company compete and grow while safeguarding brand reputation worldwide.
#32 Jenny L. Nack
Jenny Nack leads a flagship Polaris business with a focus on performance, customer loyalty, and profitable growth in a highly competitive market. Her operational leadership supports product excellence and strengthens Minnesota’s reputation for world-class outdoor recreation manufacturing.
#33 Renee Montz
Renee Montz provides legal leadership at Securian Financial that keeps the company positioned for disciplined growth and strong governance in a complex regulatory environment. Her counsel supports strategic initiatives and risk management that protect customers, employees, and long-term business performance.
#34 Kristi Fox
Kristi Fox oversees critical enterprise functions that keep Securian Financial running effectively, from operational infrastructure to organizational alignment. Her leadership helps the company execute strategy with efficiency and integrity, strengthening its ability to serve clients and invest in the Twin Cities.
#35 Gloria Perez
Gloria Perez leads the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota with a focus on investing in women and girls as a driver of statewide prosperity. Her coalition-building and philanthropic strategy deliver lasting community outcomes and elevate equity-focused leadership in the region.
#36 Sondra Samuels
Sondra Samuels has built a results-oriented model at Northside Achievement Zone that connects education, family support, and community partnerships to expand opportunity. Her leadership shows how coordinated, data-informed work can create long-term economic mobility and stronger neighborhoods.
#37 Carrie Chang
Carrie Chang leads the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors, supporting professionals and consumer education in a vital part of the regional economy. Her leadership strengthens ethical standards and industry collaboration, helping communities navigate housing markets with confidence.
#38 Mary Moriarty
As Hennepin County Attorney, Mary Moriarty influences public trust and the effective administration of justice in Minnesota’s largest county. By strengthening accountability and community safety, she helps create the stability that strong neighborhoods and thriving businesses rely on.
#39 Rebecca Noecker
Rebecca Noecker provides civic leadership that shapes the conditions for economic vitality, infrastructure investment, and inclusive growth in Saint Paul. As City Council President, she guides collaboration across stakeholders to deliver practical outcomes that strengthen the region.
#40 Natalie Hudson
Natalie Hudson leads the Minnesota Supreme Court with a commitment to integrity, clarity, and public confidence in the rule of law. Her stewardship supports a stable civic framework that underpins commerce, community trust, and long-term investment across the state.
#41 Cheryl Reeve
Cheryl Reeve has built an elite culture as Head Coach and President of Basketball Operations for the Minnesota Lynx, combining talent development with strategic excellence. Her leadership strengthens the Lynx brand and generates broader regional impact through fan loyalty, community engagement, and national visibility.
#42 Anne Behrendt
Anne Behrendt leads Doran Companies with a developer’s vision and an operator’s discipline, guiding projects that shape housing, workplaces, and neighborhoods. Her steady leadership turns complex real estate undertakings into durable value for residents, partners, and the Twin Cities economy.
#43 Nancy Lyons
Nancy Lyons co-founded Clockwork and has grown it into a respected digital partner that helps organizations modernize how they serve customers and operate. Her leadership pairs entrepreneurial grit with culture-building, strengthening the Twin Cities tech community and creating high-skill jobs.
#44 Lili Hall
Lili Hall founded KNOCK, inc and built a mission-driven firm known for helping organizations tackle complex challenges with clarity and accountability. Her entrepreneurial leadership has expanded the company’s reach while creating opportunities for talented professionals across the Twin Cities.
#45 Margaret Murphy
Margaret Murphy founded Bold Orange and is known for helping leaders align brand, culture, and strategy so teams can move faster with shared purpose. Her leadership shows how bold facilitation and clear thinking can unlock growth, innovation, and stronger business results.
#46 Niki DeConcini
Niki DeConcini co-founded Female Founders Twin Cities to expand access to networks, mentorship, and resources for women entrepreneurs. By building community and visibility for founders, she helps accelerate new ventures and strengthen the region’s startup pipeline.
#47 Brittany Heyboer
Brittany Heyboer co-founded Female Founders Twin Cities and helped create a welcoming platform where women entrepreneurs can learn, connect, and grow. Her leadership expands opportunity and increases the flow of innovative companies and talent across the Twin Cities.
#48 Allison Murdock
Allison Murdock leads Stinson LLP as Managing Partner with strategic vision, guiding a major law firm that supports business growth, risk management, and complex transactions. Her leadership strengthens client service and talent development, reinforcing the Twin Cities’ role as a center of professional excellence.
#49 Melissa D’Alelio
Melissa D’Alelio leads Robins Kaplan’s Insurance and Catastrophic Loss Group, bringing clarity and advocacy when outcomes are consequential. Her leadership helps clients manage risk and recover faster, delivering meaningful business value in times of uncertainty.
#50 Jennifer Barta
Jennifer Barta brings seasoned leadership as a fractional CEO, helping organizations gain momentum and execute strategy without losing focus. Through FINNOVATION Lab, she supports innovation and sustainable growth that strengthens the region’s ecosystem for new ideas and practical results.
FOR THE CONTACT INFO OF THE TOP 50 AND MEMBERS: Join or LoginTop 50 recipients may display this badge on their profiles, signature & LinkedIn (must link to this page for verification).
Corrections to photos or bios may be sent to Barbara in our Customer Service: Service @ WomanLeaders.org
Recipients are chosen purely on merit, our association is not related to other publishers that charge fees to appear.