Current Priorities

	1.		Improve Financial Fitness – A task force researched the best ways to improve the long-term economic stability of the Twin Cities by increasing the financial fitness of individuals and families in our community. Employees, especially those who are minorities, young and earn lower incomes, are often not getting the full advantage of their benefits and are struggling with financial issues. We're working with Minnesota employers to respond to this crisis by vigorously promoting practical, focused actions that will help maximize the value of the benefits they provide to their employees and close the gaps in participation within their companies. This initiative is led by Brad Anderson, CEO of Best Buy. More information will be available at financiallyfitmn.org.
	2.		Set Regional Performance Indicators -- Itasca Project and Wilder Research launched the Twin Cities Compass in late 2007 (www.tcompass.org), which will be the central source of data about regional progress toward closing socio-economic disparities and sustaining our regional competitiveness and quality of life. This initiative is led by Kathy Tunheim, President and CEO of Tunheim Partners, and Irv Weiser, Chairman of RBC Dain Rauscher.
	3.		Advance a Regional Transportation Plan – An Itasca task force is lending support to existing efforts to forge a comprehensive transportation plan that will meet with state legislative approval during the 2008 session. This task force is led by Charlie Zelle, CEO of Jefferson Lines, and Jay Cowles, President of Unity Ave.
	4.		Increase Understanding of the Region’s Socio-economic Disparities – Building on the launch of the Brookings Institution’s “Mind the Gap” study and a subsequent awareness campaign in 2006-7, the Itasca Project is collaborating with Twin Cities Public Television (TPT) to further build awareness of the issues through a five-part documentary that will air this year. This task force is led by Mary Brainerd, CEO of HealthPartners, and Lynn Casey, Chairman and CEO of Padilla Speer Beardsley. Additional information will be available at tcompass.org.
	5.		Support the Strategic Direction of the Minneapolis Public Schools – A new superintendent and an invigorated school board received pro bono support from McKinsey & Company consultants to build a plan to transform the district. Itasca Project sponsored this work and continues its involvement as part of its commitment to closing socio-economic disparities and workforce development gaps. This initiative is led by Bruce Nicholson, Chairman, President and CEO, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

Other initiatives

	1.		Build a Stronger University – Business Partnership – Using a team of loaned executives, Itasca worked with the University of Minnesota to create a “front door” to the U that would facilitate stronger cooperation with business, improve the process to commercialize intellectual property, and strengthen the U as a talent magnet. The work was led by Jim McNerney, when he was CEO of The 3M Company.
	2.		Retain and Grow Leading Employers – Itasca worked with the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce to enhance the Grow Minnesota! initiative. The initiative has been effective at building better relationships with the state’s employees. The task force is led by Jon Campbell, Regional President of Wells Fargo.
	3.		Improving Early Childhood Education - In 2005, Itasca provided the Governor the pro-bono services of a consulting team from McKinsey and Company to examine the current programs, develop a common fact base, and identify opportunities for improvement. The outcome of the study was the basis of the Governor’s legislative agenda. Itasca has also played a brokering role among a group of the critical players in early childhood to identify and address gaps and overlaps and to develop a common change agenda. The initiative is led by Bob Bruininks, President of the University of Minnesota.
	4.		Support the Growth of Small Business – Itasca worked with the University of Minnesota, DEED, the University of St. Thomas, and others to build a collaborative web tool for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and investors. The initiative is led by Tom Kieffer, CEO of Virteva.