Minnesota CEOs join Children's Minnesota in response to recent tragedy

MINNEAPOLIS, May 28, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Children's Minnesota is releasing the following statement on behalf of  more than 50 executive leaders from across the state. They are joining together to stand united against acts of racism and violence.

As business leaders in Minnesota committed to the principles of greater equity, diversity and inclusion in our companies and in our community, we are deeply saddened and horrified by the recent death of Mr. George Floyd. We share our sincere condolences with his family and friends, and all those who mourn this tragic loss. His death while being restrained by Minneapolis police officers is yet another senseless loss of life—one that reflects deeply ingrained, long-standing injustice within our society. We are encouraged by the quick response of the authorities in terminating the officers and launching an investigation. We anticipate that it will lead to justice and accountability. It is hard to watch the video of the event as it is clearly evident Mr. Floyd was not treated with the dignity and respect he was due as a human being. These acts are painful and traumatic for our entire community, especially our communities of color. The repeated occurrence of racially charged events of this nature are contrary to the close-knit employment and residential communities we desire to have in Minnesota. We are committed to taking steps to eliminate the repeat of events like this in our society and committed to investing in substantive change in our organizations and the communities we serve to address racial inequities and social justice. Change has to start today, and it needs to start with us.

Michael F. Roman 
3M

Penny Wheeler, MD 
Allina Health 

Jay Lund
Andersen Corporation

Russell Becker 
APi Group

Amy Ronneberg 
Be The Match

Corie Barry 
Best Buy

Craig E. Samitt, MD 
Blue Cross MN

David MacLennan 
Cargill

Marc Gorelick, MD 
Children’s Minnesota

Bob Biesterfeld 
C.H. Robinson

Barry C. McCarthy 
Deluxe Corporation

Ron Konezny 
Digi International

Paul Sween 
Dominium

Doug Baker 
Ecolab

Greg Mason 
Edina Realty Homes Services

Michael J. O’Leary 
Ernst & Young LLP

James Hereford 
Fairview Health Services

Bob Gardner 
Gardner Builders

Jeff Harmening 
General Mills

Amy Goldman 
GHR Foundation

Peter Frosch 
Greater MSP

Mark G. Mishek 
Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation

Andrea Walsh 
HealthPartners

Jennifer DeCubellis 
Hennepin Healthcare

Beth E. Ford 
Land O’Lakes, Inc.

Greg Frankenfield 
Magenic

Michelle Edwards 
Martell Diagnostics

John Naylor 
Medica

Geoff Martha 
Medtronic

Mark Westphal 
Michael Foods

Charlie Weaver 
Minnesota Business Partnership

Craig Leipold 
Minnesota Wild

Daniel L. Johnson 
Mortenson Construction

David C. Mortenson 
Mortenson Construction

J. Kevin Croston, MD 
North Memorial Health

Nico Wyrobek 
Northstar Balloons LLC 
Morris Packaging Minnesota LLC

Timothy Murnane 
The Opus Group

Chad Abraham 
Piper Sandler Companies

Howard Friedman 
Post Consumer Brands

Eric J. Mercer 
PricewaterhouseCoopers Advisory Services LLC

Michael Armstrong 
RBC Wealth Management 

Tom Sagissor 
RBC Wealth Management

Mark Urdahl 
Red Wing Shoes

Brian C. Murray 
Ryan Companies US, Inc.

Lisa Brezonik  
Salo, LLC

Christopher M. Hilger 
Securian Financial Group, Inc.

Drew Niemeyer 
Smarte Carte 

Archie Black 
SPS Commerce

Brian Cornell 
Target

Terry Rasmussen 
Thrivent

David Wichmann 
UnitedHealth Group

Julie Sullivan 
University of St. Thomas

Bill Gray 
Uponor North America

Andrew Cecere 
US Bank

Laurie Nordquist 
Wells Fargo MN

Michael J. Happe 
Winnebago Industries

Ben Fowke 
Xcel Energy, Inc.

Glen Gunderson 
YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities

Read more Joining together in times of tragedy

About Children's Minnesota

Children's Minnesota is the seventh largest pediatric health system in the United States and the only health system in Minnesota to provide care exclusively to children, from before birth through young adulthood. An independent and not-for-profit system since 1924, Children's Minnesota serves kids throughout the Upper Midwest at two free-standing hospitals, 12 primary and specialty care clinics and six rehabilitation sites. Children's Minnesota is regularly ranked by U.S. News & World Report as a top children's hospital.

Find us on Facebook @childrensminnesota or on Twitter and Instagram @childrensmn. Please visit childrensMN.org.

SOURCE Children's Minnesota

Related Links

www.childrensmn.org