The Board Role in Strategic Planning

Overview

One of the most important roles of a board of directors is to partner with the leadership of the company to set the direction of the enterprise. We will hear four perspectives on what the role looks like and the impact realized through the wisdom they brought to the boardroom.

Parking

Parking lots are available nearby and parking will be validated 

Agenda

3:30-4:15p  Networking
4:15-5:30p  Program
5:30-6:00p  Networking

Registration

$25 Member Registration Fee
$45 Non-Member Registration Fee

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Panelists

Steve Buege Former CEO and current board member

Steven M. Buege is a three-time CEO and five-time board member with over 25 years’ experience in B2B SaaS software, cybersecurity and digital content businesses.  Companies include Arctic Wolf Networks, Code42 Software, Thomson Reuters and Ascend Learning.  Over the years he also been a co-investor, COO, GM, CTO, CIO, CFO and independent consultant at these and other companies.  

Mr. Buege earned an MBA from the University of Minnesota and graduated summa cum laude from Minnesota State University at Mankato, with a triple major.

Amy Johnson Independent Director  Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines

Amy Johnson has served as an independent director of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines since January 2020 and a trustee of the Parnassus Funds since December 2022. She has been a board member of Friends of Ngong Road since 2009 and currently serves as its volunteer chief operations officer. In 2019, Amy retired from her position as global head of operations for Columbia Threadneedle Investments. Additional roles she held during her time in the Ameriprise family of companies included president of Ameriprise Trust Company from November 2006 to April 2017 and Columbia Threadneedle Investments COO - North America from May 2010 to April 2016. Amy also served as vice president of mutual fund administrative services at U.S. Bank. She began her professional career at KPMG where she focused on audits of financial services companies. Amy received her bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master of arts degree in accounting from the Tippie College of Business at the University of Iowa.

Lisa Brezonik CEO  Brezonik Consulting

Lisa Brezonik is a seasoned business strategist dedicated to fostering growth and success for individuals and organizations alike. With a diverse background spanning business operations, executive coaching, organizational consulting, and leadership roles in notable companies such as RBC Dain Rauscher and Room and Board, Lisa brings a wealth of experience.

Her business, Brezonik Consulting, specialized in guiding clients across various industries before she transitioned to Salo, where she ascended to Chief Executive Officer after initially joining as Chief Talent Officer. Under her leadership, Salo experienced exponential growth, doubling in size through initiatives focused on consultant and employee engagement and national strategy execution, culminating in a successful acquisition by Korn Ferry.

Beyond her corporate achievements, Lisa is an accomplished author, having penned “Fire Yourself! Reignite your career and live your life with intention,” a guide for professionals navigating career transitions. Actively engaged in her community, Lisa serves on the boards of Bridgewater Bank and Kipsu while supporting numerous non-profits, including the Jeremiah Program and the Ann Bancroft Foundation. A dedicated mentor, she has volunteered with Menttium and continues to mentor professionals seeking guidance in their careers. 

Rick Wall CEO  Highland Bank

Rick Wall serves as Chief Executive Officer for Highland Bank, a role he has held since 2000. Highland Bank has been owned by the Wall family since the mid 1970’s, and carries on its tradition as a privately-held community bank focusing on commercial, real-estate, SBA and Home equity lending with 8 offices in Minnesota since acquiring Boundary Waters Bank in Fall 2023.

Rick is a Twin Cities native and attended University of Colorado in Boulder where he graduated with a Bachelors in Economics and Political Science. After joining the family banking business in the early 1990’s, Rick broadened his financial experience by earning professional designations from the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin – Madison and from the National Commercial Lending School of the American Bankers Association.

As a business owner himself, Rick recognizes the challenges facing business owners. After years of working with many family business clients and operating within a family business, he appreciates the unique challenges that are part of working within a family. Highland Bank strives to create a culture that supports small business owner needs with the services, technology and advisory partnership that they need to be successful. 

Moderator 

Kris Petersen  Independent Board Member

Kris Petersen is an independent board member and accomplished financial services executive who governs with expertise in strategic growth, P & L management and organizational development, specifically executive coaching, succession planning and organizational optimization. She’s held senior leadership positions with American Express Financial Advisors, Ameriprise Financial, US Bank and think2perform.

Kris takes an active role in the community through service on nonprofit and for-profit boards. She recently completed three terms (9 years) as a board director and Finance, Audit and Investment Committee Chair for Hennepin County Medical Center, a board member and former Board Chair for think2perform Research Institute, Board Advisor for The Disruptive Element, Board member for think2perform and Board Chair for Friends of Ngong Road. Kris is the former Board Chair for the Ann Bancroft Foundation and Board Member for the YWCA of Minneapolis, Foundation for Financial Planning and Professional Association of Treatment Homes.

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