This week, Richard welcomes Jeff Tollefson, the President and CEO of the Minnesota Technology Association, to discuss driving growth and innovation. Jeff brings over 25 years of experience in the technology sector to his role leading MnTech. Before this position, he held leadership roles with several impactful organizations, like Genesys Works, where he focused on providing skills training and work experiences for underserved youth. He co-founded the venture capital firm Crescendo Ventures, leading investments in dozens of early-stage startups. In his current capacity at MnTech, Jeff steers the strategic direction of an organization that has powered Minnesota's innovation economy for over 30 years. With decades of investing in people and enabling cutting-edge technologies, Jeff has valuable insights to share. Tune in to hear Richard Walker engage Jeff in an inspiring dialogue about relationship-building within the technology ecosystem and reaping the rewards that meaningful connections can bring, personally and professionally.

About Jeff Tollefson: Jeff leads the overall management and strategic direction of the Minnesota Technology Association, with a focus on enhancing member value and driving community impact.  Before joining MnTech in August 2019, Jeff held various leadership roles with Genesys Works, a national nonprofit helping low-income high school students achieve career success in the tech field through skills training and meaningful work experiences. Before founding Genesys Works’ Twin Cities program in 2008, Jeff spent 17 years in the venture capital industry, including 10 years as co-founder and General Partner of Crescendo Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm with more than $1.1 billion under management and offices in Minneapolis, Palo Alto, and London. Away from work, Jeff and his wife, Jennie, love spending time with family and friends at their cabin in NW Wisconsin.