
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.
Criteria for selection for the
Entrepreneur of the Year Awards:
- An alum of the College of Saint Benedict or Saint John’s University
- Recognized as an entrepreneur by others
- Mid-career or older, (this is not a lifetime achievement award)
- Currently engaged in a leadership role in a social or business venture
- Demonstrates strong entrepreneurial mindset: creative approaches, willingness to take risks, engages others, faces ambiguity with enthusiasm, leads others to new achievements
- Has started at least one venture
- At least one venture they have started was very successful and the current venture they are engaged in is recognized as a success
- 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
- Demonstrates Innovation: The Canidate has transformed traditional practice through an innovative product, service, approach or a more rigorous application of known technologies and ideas
- Has had an impact on the community, industry, employees and alma mater
Additional criteria for Social Entrepreneur
- Has made a demonstrated impact on a social or community issue through the work of the venture they started or currently lead
- Has transformed how a social or community issue is addressed
For more information or questions please contact Becca Brzezinski at 320-363-2065.
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