Hennepin Arts invests in future of Minnesota’s creative economy

In today’s newsletter: Todd Duesing, Dan Ryan, Ari Koehnen Sweeney, Lindsay Holden, Zach Rieken, James Lawrence, Lynn Crump-Caine, Terry Rasmussen, Heather Malenshek, Ron Howard and a motivating list of goals from Dominic Iannazzo.

Hennepin Arts is acquiring InspireMSP, a workforce development program designed to expose middle and high school students to careers in creative industries. Hennepin Arts President and CEO Todd Duesing called the move an “evolution and expansion” of the theater organization’s strategy to serve not only as a presenter of live performances, but as “an active contributor to Minnesota’s creative economy and future workforce.”

“The creative economy extends far beyond the stage,” Duesing said. “If we want to thrive long term, we have to start earlier, reach broader and invest deeper. This is about building a more sustainable creative workforce.”

InspireMSP was founded four years ago by advertising executive Dan Ryan, who left Minneapolis agency Preston Kelly on a mission to expose young students to a wide variety of vocations with the idea that “you can’t be what you can’t see.” Over the years, he took thousands of local middle schoolers to places they might never have experienced: backstage at the State Theatre, design studios at Target headquarters, test kitchens at General Mills.

“When students step into creative spaces, meet professionals and see how creative work actually happens, it fundamentally changes what they believe is possible for themselves,” said Ryan, who will stay involved with InspireMSP in a strategic role after the assets of his nonprofit are transferred to Hennepin Arts. “Becoming part of Hennepin Arts allows this work to grow in scale and impact while staying grounded in what has always made it meaningful — centering students and their lived experiences.”

Hennepin Arts already runs education programs that serve thousands of Minnesota students each year through school theater programs, writing workshops and in-theater performance opportunities. InspireMSP adds a new dimension to student engagement, said Ari Koehnen Sweeney, vice president of arts education and partnerships at Hennepin Arts. “InspireMSP allows us to intentionally engage students as future professionals, strengthening the pathways we are building across the state.”

Introducing a new beauty product used to entail making the rounds to New York magazine offices for desk-side visits with editors. But “virtual group desk-sides” are the standard today. And though the modern practice makes place (and pants) irrelevant, Odele co-founder Lindsay Holden kicked off the brand’s Zoom tour on Jan. 20 by acknowledging the incongruity of unveiling new hair creams and finishing spray from Minneapolis while the city is under an ICE surge. “Hope is the key word,” Holden said. “We’re Minnesota proud.”

Odele’s current press tour precedes the February launch of several new products including thermal styling and curl defining creams and gels made with rice protein, tomato ferment and other natural ingredients. Odele is also introducing its first all-natural hair and body fragrances in four scents including Pink Pepper and Oakmoss — an addition Holden called an important part of building the brand. This is Odele’s largest product launch since the brand debuted. The new items will roll out at Target, Ulta and Odele’s website.

Land O’Lakes teamed up with Brian Grazer and Ron Howard’s Imagine Entertainment to develop a “toolkit for storytellers” aimed at changing the way rural America is depicted across film and television. The partnership comes out of the Modern Rural Collective, a network of storytellers, marketers and brands convened by Land O’Lakes with a mission to inspire authentic representation for all Americans.

“Authentic representation matters,” Land O’Lakes chief marketing officer Heather Malenshek said in a statement. “This initiative is about more than imagery; it’s about fostering understanding and connection across cultural divides.”

The toolkit is intended for screenwriters and producers to reference as they concept characters and story lines. Recommendations include showcasing innovation and entrepreneurship as qualities intrinsic to rural life and including more teens, people of color and working women.

“There’s long been a tendency to oversimplify rural America,” Howard said in the announcement, timed to coincide with the Sundance Film Festival which opens Thursday, Jan. 22 in Utah. “I look forward to storytellers using the context and practical guidance in this new resource to portray these communities with the depth, energy and authenticity they deserve.”

And Thrivent this week named Lynn Crump-Caine board chair effective Feb. 1. A board member since 2016, Crump-Caine spent 30 years at McDonald’s Corp., where she served as executive vice president of worldwide operations. Now a business management adviser, she serves on several boards of public companies and nonprofits. “Lynn’s business and leadership experience, deep understanding of Thrivent’s transformation and commitment to our purpose make her the ideal choice to chair our board of directors,” Thrivent President and CEO Terry Rasmussen said in a statement. The board announcement coincided with Thrivent being named to Fortune’s 2026 list of World’s Most Admired Companies.

EY’s Minneapolis Office Managing Partner Dominic Iannazzo’s goals for the year reflect his well-rounded and efficient leadership skills:

Iannazzo is already eight months in on the challenge; of course he’s got a ways to go to beat Grandpa Jack, who did it for 80 years.

Speaking of the connection between physical activity and improved work performance, join us Feb. 5 for North Star Network, an afternoon of connection with business leaders and advice on sleep, fitness and technology.

Official visit: Vice President JD Vance is expected in Minnesota Jan. 22. Sources tell the Star Tribune he will meet with ICE agents and applaud their work as well as discuss how Minnesota’s “sanctuary city” policies have harmed their efforts. Follow the live blog for updates.

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