CSB+SJU Entrepreneur of the Year Awards

The Entrepreneur of the Year Awards celebrate the most influential and successful Entrepreneur alumnae/i of the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University.

Entrepreneur of the Year

These awards recognize the achievements of a Johnnie and a Bennie who best exemplifies the ideals of entrepreneurship by starting and successfully managing one or more businesses in a way that demonstrates notable entrepreneurial characteristics and achievements while practicing Benedictine values in the workplace and in their lives.

Social Entrepreneur of the Year

This award recognizes the achievements and qualities of a Johnnie or Bennie who best exemplifies the ideals of social entrepreneurship by starting and successfully managing one or more ventures that enriches humanity or addresses a social issue in a way that demonstrates notable entrepreneurial characteristics and achievements while practicing Benedictine values in the workplace and in their lives.

view past awardees

Criteria for selection for the
Entrepreneur of the Year Awards:

  1. An alum of the College of Saint Benedict or Saint John’s University
  2. Recognized as an entrepreneur by others
  3. Mid-career or older, (this is not a lifetime achievement award)
  4. Currently engaged in a leadership role in a social or business venture
  5. Demonstrates strong entrepreneurial mindset: creative approaches, willingness to take risks, engages others, faces ambiguity with enthusiasm, leads others to new achievements
  6. Has started at least one venture
  7. At least one venture they have started was very successful and the current venture they are engaged in is recognized as a success
  8. The person actively demonstrates Benedictine values in work and life and the venture workplace is guided by strong values. For example, they model listening with the heart and they contribute to build community
  9. Demonstrates Innovation: The Canidate has transformed traditional practice through an innovative product, service, approach or a more rigorous application of known technologies and ideas
  10. Has had an impact on the community, industry, employees and alma mater

Additional criteria for Social Entrepreneur

For more information or questions please contact Becca Brzezinski at 320-363-2065.

2024 Award Winners

Professional headshot of a woman with straight, dark brown hair, wearing a black shirt and smiling at the camera against a softly blurred brown background.

CSB Entrepreneur of the Year
Lacie Gerhardson ’00

A man with short dark hair and light stubble smiles at the camera. He is wearing a long-sleeve, gray, henley shirt and is posed against a plain light gray background.

SJU Entrepreneur of the Year
Anthony Schmidt ’09

A woman with long blonde hair and light eyes smiles at the camera. She is wearing a green top, a beaded necklace, and stud earrings. The background is blurred and red.

Social Entrepreneur of the Year
Katie Kalkman ’06

2023 Award Winners

CSB Entrepreneur of the Year
Shannon Verly Wiger ’04

SJU Entrepreneur of the Year
Dusan Kosic ’07

Social Entrepreneur of the Year
Paul Williams ’84

2022 Award Winners

CSB Entrepreneur of the Year
Hudda Ibrahim ’13
Filsan Talent Partners

SJU Entrepreneur of the Year
Pat Lynch ’88
Granite Logistics

Social Entrepreneur of the Year
Mary Lenard ’82
Giving Voice Initiative

Award Archive

2021 Awardees

Gina Shields Armada ’97
Kurt H. Vickman ’94
Chris M. Coborn ’81

2020 Awardees

Jennifer Dugan Roth ’91
Angela Untiedt Jerabek ’90
Dennis G. Carlson ’86

2019 Awardees

Steven P. Bresnahan ’75
John L. Bodette, Jr ’72
Bill Maney
Russell W. Sherlock ’83
Sandra Pfefferle Forster ’82
Timothy J. Wensman ’79

2018 Awardees

Elizabeth Madden Ogren ’85
Steven B. Cummings ’83
Teresa Mazzitelli ’72

2017 Awardees

Megan Junius ’99
Peter J. Rothstein ’88
Scott L. Becker ’77

2016 Awardees

Brian W. Kueppers ’89
Br. Paul H. Richards, OSB ’78

2015 Awardees

Janet Setter Dryer ’83
Krista Cleary Carroll ’00
Richard L. Bauerly ’91

2014 Awardees

Daniel D. Bastian ’90
Kathleen Straight Huebsch ’84
Gregory J. Lais ’78

2013 Awardees

Lisa Spoden ’83
Michael J. Wethington ’79
William H. Kling ’64

2012 Awardees

Margaret Murphy ’90
Joseph T. Cavanaugh ’81
Cary Musech ’80

2011 Awardees

Denise DeVaan ’75
Timothy M. Fleming ’82
William D. Jeatran ’82