Minnesota CEOs join Children's Minnesota in response to recent tragedy

President and CEO Dr. Marc Gorelick urges the community to address structural racism

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May 28, 2020, 20:15 ET

MINNEAPOLIS, May 28, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Children's Minnesota is releasing the following statement on behalf of more than 50 executive leaders from across the state. They are joining together to stand united against acts of racism and violence.

As business leaders in Minnesota committed to the principles of greater equity, diversity and inclusion in our companies and in our community, we are deeply saddened and horrified by the recent death of Mr. George Floyd. We share our sincere condolences with his family and friends, and all those who mourn this tragic loss. His death while being restrained by Minneapolis police officers is yet another senseless loss of life—one that reflects deeply ingrained, long-standing injustice within our society. We are encouraged by the quick response of the authorities in terminating the officers and launching an investigation. We anticipate that it will lead to justice and accountability. It is hard to watch the video of the event as it is clearly evident Mr. Floyd was not treated with the dignity and respect he was due as a human being. These acts are painful and traumatic for our entire community, especially our communities of color. The repeated occurrence of racially charged events of this nature are contrary to the close-knit employment and residential communities we desire to have in Minnesota. We are committed to taking steps to eliminate the repeat of events like this in our society and committed to investing in substantive change in our organizations and the communities we serve to address racial inequities and social justice. Change has to start today, and it needs to start with us.

Michael F. Roman
3M

Penny Wheeler, MD
Allina Health

Jay Lund
Andersen Corporation

Russell Becker
APi Group

Amy Ronneberg
Be The Match

Corie Barry
Best Buy

Craig E. Samitt, MD
Blue Cross MN

David MacLennan
Cargill

Marc Gorelick, MD
Children’s Minnesota

Bob Biesterfeld
C.H. Robinson

Barry C. McCarthy
Deluxe Corporation

Ron Konezny
Digi International

Paul Sween
Dominium

Doug Baker
Ecolab

Greg Mason
Edina Realty Homes Services

Michael J. O’Leary
Ernst & Young LLP

James Hereford
Fairview Health Services

Bob Gardner
Gardner Builders

Jeff Harmening
General Mills

Amy Goldman
GHR Foundation

Peter Frosch
Greater MSP

Mark G. Mishek
Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation

Andrea Walsh
HealthPartners

Jennifer DeCubellis
Hennepin Healthcare

Beth E. Ford
Land O’Lakes, Inc.

Greg Frankenfield
Magenic

Michelle Edwards
Martell Diagnostics

John Naylor
Medica

Geoff Martha
Medtronic

Mark Westphal
Michael Foods

Charlie Weaver
Minnesota Business Partnership

Craig Leipold
Minnesota Wild

Daniel L. Johnson
Mortenson Construction

David C. Mortenson
Mortenson Construction

J. Kevin Croston, MD
North Memorial Health

Nico Wyrobek
Northstar Balloons LLC
Morris Packaging Minnesota LLC

Timothy Murnane
The Opus Group

Chad Abraham
Piper Sandler Companies

Howard Friedman
Post Consumer Brands

Eric J. Mercer
PricewaterhouseCoopers Advisory Services LLC

Michael Armstrong
RBC Wealth Management

Tom Sagissor
RBC Wealth Management

Mark Urdahl
Red Wing Shoes

Brian C. Murray
Ryan Companies US, Inc.

Lisa Brezonik
Salo, LLC

Christopher M. Hilger
Securian Financial Group, Inc.

Drew Niemeyer
Smarte Carte

Archie Black
SPS Commerce

Brian Cornell
Target

Terry Rasmussen
Thrivent

David Wichmann
UnitedHealth Group

Julie Sullivan
University of St. Thomas

Bill Gray
Uponor North America

Andrew Cecere
US Bank

Laurie Nordquist
Wells Fargo MN

Michael J. Happe
Winnebago Industries

Ben Fowke
Xcel Energy, Inc.

Glen Gunderson
YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities

About Children's Minnesota

Children's Minnesota is the seventh largest pediatric health system in the United States and the only health system in Minnesota to provide care exclusively to children, from before birth through young adulthood. An independent and not-for-profit system since 1924, Children's Minnesota serves kids throughout the Upper Midwest at two free-standing hospitals, 12 primary and specialty care clinics and six rehabilitation sites. Children's Minnesota is regularly ranked by U.S. News & World Report as a top children's hospital.

Find us on Facebook @childrensminnesota or on Twitter and Instagram @childrensmn. Please visit childrensMN.org.

SOURCE Children's Minnesota