HOW CAN WE DO BETTER?

John brings more than 30 years of senior leadership experience in the public and private sectors. Mr. Petraborg is recently retired from Hewlett Packard (HP). At HP, he was the Client Industry Executive responsible for the development of health and human services solutions for HP’s State and Local government customers. Through his leadership of business transformation engagements with many government agencies in the US and abroad, he has focused on the use of innovation, application of best practice, and deployment of technology to restructure government health and human services. In addition to many roles in government, Mr. Petraborg served as Commissioner (Acting) of the Minnesota Department of Human Services, the state’s largest agency. Mr. Petraborg pioneered innovative policies for health care, welfare reform, children’s services, and child support. He led the successful business re-design and system development for several Minnesota programs. Mr. Petraborg received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Minnesota School of Social Work, the Public Service Award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Children’s Champion Award from Children’s Defense Fund. He served as national President of the Quality Control Directors Association. He recently served as Chairman of the Human Services IT Advisory Group of Tech America, the leading technology trade association in the US.

Marcia Kull offers experience and expertise to businesses seeking guidance with sales, strategy, and business planning. A tested and successful executive, Marcia has guided founders and CEOs from start-ups to century-old companies in executive sales, operations, and legal roles. She served most recently as Chief Transition Officer for Seven Marine, a Wisconsin-based outboard engine manufacturer, guiding integration efforts following Volvo Penta’s 2017 acquisition. Marcia served as President of Torqeedo, Inc., a world leader in marine electric propulsion, responsible for global revenue development and marketing. Previously, she was Vice President-Marine Sales for Volvo Penta, leading sales teams and distribution strategies for leisure and commercial marine segments throughout the North America. A former product liability defense attorney, Marcia’s skill in understanding how people purchase and use products provides a special expertise in bringing new technology to the market. Throughout her career she led the introduction of several innovative award-winning products from rapid market acceptance to multi-million-dollar revenue streams. She worked proactively with state and federal regulators to understand the advantages of these new products and revise outdated regulations. Marcia led strategic efforts to prepare OEMs, distributors, and dealers to accept and advocate for new technologies, ultimately ensuring their long-term success. Marcia’s active role in marine industry trade and governmental activities includes serving on the Executive Board of Directors for the National Marine Manufacturer’s Association (NMMA) from 2013-2017. She was Chairperson of the NMMA’s Engine Manufacturers Board of Directors, the first woman to chair that committee, following a four-year stint as its Vice Chair. She chaired the NMMA Boating Industry Risk Management Council for six years. In 2007, she was appointed to the National Boating Safety Advisory Council by the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and served two terms as a manufacturer representative. In 2006, Marcia was awarded the Darlene Briggs Marine Woman of the Year by Boating Industry magazine and was honored in 2016 by the Manufacturing Institute with the STEP Ahead Award as one of the Top 100 Women in Manufacturing. Marcia shares her passion for mentoring and training young workers and emerging leaders through her “Leadership at Any Level” seminar and workshop series. Recent clients include the Manufacturing Institute, Boating Industry magazine, and Reverb, Inc., (a subsidiary of Etsy). She has been featured as a speaker and writer on marketing and selling to women. Marcia is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Iowa, where she participated as letter-winning member of the varsity track and field team, and of the University of Iowa College of Law. She is an active adventurer, a recent summiteer of Mt. Kilimanjaro, and names surfing, backpacking, and bicycling among her favorite activities.

Susan is an Adjunct Professor in Food Science and Nutrition at the University of Minnesota. Until January 2013, she was VP & Sr Technology Officer for Health and Nutrition at General Mills where she led the Bell Institute of Health and Nutrition. Until 1999, she was Dean and Professor in the College of Human Development at Syracuse University. Crockett has degrees in Nutrition & Dietetics, is a Registered Dietitian & Fellow of the American Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics. With support of a Bush Foundation Leadership Fellowship, she completed a Ph.D. in Epidemiology from the U of MN. Crockett has published research about nutrition education in schools, effectiveness of nutrition interventions on the eating behavior of children & seniors. She received an award from the Secretary of Health & Human Services for Innovation in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. Her research has been funded by the Retirement Research Foundation & the National Institutes of Health. She has taught a wide variety of nutrition courses including clinical nutrition & nutritional biochemistry. Crockett chaired the Board of Directors of the International Food Information Council (IFIC), was active in the International Life Sciences Institute & is an advisor to the National Academy of Sciences about nutrition for seniors. Crockett helps lead a project to provide support & affordable housing for ex-offenders. She is an Elder at Westminster Presbyterian Church, past secretary to the VocalEssence board & past president of the Board of the United Theological Seminary.