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For the second season of Conversations on the Creative Economy, which kicks off on Sept. 16, Chris Farrell interviews leaders from a range of industries on how they create and maintain an open culture that values innovation and collaboration; achieve significant change; and succeed in the face of adversity.

During this season, Farrell sits down with serial entrepreneur 

; and CEO and President of Red Wing Shoe Company, Inc. 

 is a proven serial entrepreneur. He made his mark in the Twin Cities with his pub empire, the Local, Liffey, Cooper, and Kieran's. He sold the pubs to start an Irish whiskey brand, 2 Gingers. Illinois-based Jim Beam bought 2 Gingers and Folliard became the giant distillery's chief Irish whiskey ambassador. His latest venture is the "Food Building" in Northeast Minneapolis, an "innovation-obsessed facility" for artisan food producers.

Brainerd started working at HealthPartners in 1992. She became president and chief executive officer a decade later at the largest consumer-governed, nonprofit health care organization in the country. Before coming to HealthPartners, Brainerd was an executive at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. She grew up in St. Paul and is actively involved in the Twin Cities community. She is one of the CEOs of the Itasca Project, a group of government, civic and business leaders focused on the region's long-term economic growth.

Lyons is founder, President, and CEO of Minneapolis-based Clockwork, makers of enduring digital products and experiences. The digital and technology firm creates and builds applications for the web, mobile, and environments. Lyons is coauthor of "Interactive Project Management: Pixels, People, and Process." Her profile on the company's website captures her interests outside of work: "Laughter. Music. Theater. Social justice. Family Equality. Good books. Good friends. My little family. And breathing."

Murphy is president of Red Wing Shoe Co. and interim chief executive officer at Fairview Health. Red Wing boots are popular from Brooklyn hipsters to roughnecks on North Dakota's Drift Prairie to farmers in California's San Joaquin Valley. Since 1905, the privately-held company has manufactured its working boots and shoes now sold in 110 countries. Before joining Red Wing Shoes, Murphy was a senior executive with General Mills.

Wednesday, February 17, 2016: MayKao Hang

Dr. MayKao Hang is the President and CEO of the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of those who live in the greater St. Paul, MN area. She has extensive experience in the public and the non-profit sectors, serving low income and disadvantaged populations. She is committed to achieving an equitable society where everyone can prosper. She believes in harnessing and building social and civic capital to change the world.

Ansari got a home brewing kit as a gift in 1994. He enjoyed crafting his own beer while working at his dad's abrasives business. By 2004 he realized he wanted to open a brewery. His family backed his vision for Surly Brewing. His father was willing to get out of abrasives and into beer. A decade later, Surly is a well-known, locally-brewed craft beer, and its destination brewery in Minneapolis is a popular hangout for everything from business meetings to family reunions.

Business and Economic News

For the second season of Conversations on the Creative Economy, Chris Farrell interviews leaders from a range of industries on how they create and maintain an open culture that values innovation and collaboration; achieve significant change; and succeed in the face of adversity.

Conversations on the Creative Economy: The new season kicks off Sept. 16

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