Neela Mollgaard

As the Executive Director of Small Business Development for the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, Neela Mollgaard is working to create an environment to support entrepreneurs and nurture tech startups with a goal of fostering an innovation ecosystem across the state that draws global attention, talent, and capital. Neela has a proven track record in this area. She was a founder of the nonprofit Red Wing Ignite, which supports entrepreneurs, businesses, and students to succeed in the 21st century economy. She has created a model in Greater Minnesota that has received national attention by forging partnerships with government, academic, corporate and organizational partners – and included creation of a regional makerspace at Minnesota State College Southeast, the Golden Triangle angel investment fund, a regional network to support entrepreneurs, and programs to grow the talent pipeline. Neela has served in leadership roles with local nonprofits. She’s a former member of the Governor’s Task Force on Broadband and chair and a founder of Women Cents. Neela holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and a Master of Science in community health from the West Virginia University School of Medicine.