Join us to celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit of the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University. The Donald McNeely Center for Entrepreneurship presents the 2026 Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, honoring alumni who launch and lead ventures, seize opportunities, and create lasting value.

Award winners are alums who have successfully launched and led ventures, seized opportunities, and initiated changes that create value.

Event Details
Date: Wednesday, Nov. 4
Time: 5 - 8 p.m.
Location: Metropolitan Ballroom & Clubroom, 5418 Wayzata Boulevard, Golden Valley, MN 55416
Cost: $35-$50, plus sponsorship opportunities

Event Schedule:
5 - 6 p.m. – Social hour, featuring heavy appetizers and cash bar
6:15 p.m. – Awards presentation
7 p.m. – Networking and dessert

CSB Entrepreneur of the Year: Wendy Kampa Hinnenkamp ’97 Wendy is the co-founder of Clo Clo Foods, a women-owned wellness and lifestyle food brand built on a simple belief: great food should make life better, bring people together, and never require compromise. Wendy and her husband, Augie Hinnenkamp, founded Clo Clo Foods after their daughter, Chloe, inspired them to rethink what was possible in everyday food. What began with a desire to create a better pizza for their family quickly became something much bigger—a vision to create innovative, plant-powered foods that fit the way modern families want to eat and live. Read more.

SJU Entrepreneur of the Year: Matt Bergmann '04 Matt Bergmann is the CEO of Laketown Electric Corporation (LEC), one of Minnesota's leading commercial and industrial electrical contractors. A 2004 graduate of Saint John's University, Matt earned degrees in Management and Communication, where he developed the leadership, service, and relationship-building principles that continue to guide his career today. Read more.

Social Entrepreneur of the Year: Elizabeth (Beth) Lenhardt Finch '85 With more than 20 years of experience in education, Beth Finch founded CharterSource to help school boards and leaders establish the governance, operational frameworks, and systems needed to build and sustain high-performing schools. In addition to serving schools throughout Minnesota, CharterSource provides school startup and consulting services nationally. As a founder of Lake Country Academy, a Pre-K4 through 8th-grade public charter school in Wisconsin, Beth understands firsthand the complexities of launching, leading, and growing schools. She also served as Board Chair of KIPP in North Minneapolis, part of the nation's largest charter school networks. During her more than five years as board chair, she helped guide the organization's growth and facilities strategy, culminating in the successful opening of KIPP's elementary school. Read more.