Fluence Forum

With decades of firsthand agricultural experience both on the farm and in the State Capitol, retiring Representative Paul Torkleson offers indispensable perspective on where Minnesota's ag policy has been and where it needs to go next. Moderated by Blois Olson, this session features a candid, forward-looking conversation with retiring Representative Torkelson, a longtime champion for Minnesot...

Navigating shifting national policies, federal farm bill dynamics, and broader macroeconomic pressures requires a strong, unified strategy across Minnesota's agricultural sector. Moderated by former CFANS Dean Brian Buhr, this panel focuses on the Federal Landscape and Minnesota's Ag Economy, featuring insights from Compeer Financial Vice President of Legislative Affairs Perry Aasness, M...

With the upcoming election bringing an entirely new governor, a reconfigured Minnesota Legislature, and a new leadership team at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, this timely panel addresses how Minnesota’s ag sector must adapt its advocacy and strategy. Moderated by government affairs expert AJ Duerr, the discussion features leaders from across Minnesota agriculture: Wes Beck representing...

In this conversation hosted by Blois Olson, Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen provides a comprehensive look at the state’s agricultural economy, farm safety nets, and rural development priorities. Drawing on his background as both a lifelong farmer and public advocate, Commissioner Petersen joins Olson to break down the immediate opportunities and challenges facing Min...

In this featured conversation hosted by Blois Olson, U.S. Senator and gubernatorial candidate Amy Klobuchar lays out her executive vision for addressing Minnesota’s aging population and long-term care crisis. Bridging her federal legislative experience with her platform for the governor's office, Senator Klobuchar discusses how state-level leadership can partner with communities and providers...

In this featured discussion hosted by Blois Olson, Minnesota House Speaker and gubernatorial candidate Lisa Demuth addresses the critical issues facing Minnesota’s aging population and long-term care infrastructure. Speaker Demuth shares her policy vision for elder care, workforce retention, and rural health sustainability as Minnesota approaches the 2026 election.  Nisswa, MN  September 18, 2026

The latest Fluence Forum in partnership with the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce is a relaunch of the Twin West legislative breakfast.  It included Sen. Nick Frentz (DFL) , Sen. Mark Johnson (R) Rep. Jamie Long (DFL) and Rep. Harry Niska (R) discussing key legislative issues.

Welcome back to the Fluence Forum, hosted by Fluence Advisory! In this episode, we continue our coverage from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce's 2026 Workforce Summit, recorded live on March 4, 2026. Following our discussions on state labor force data and skills-based hiring, we turn our focus to the critical role of higher education in shaping the future of work. This panel of leaders from...

Welcome to the latest Fluence Forum, hosted by Fluence Advisory! In this episode, we dive deep into the economic realities and demographic shifts facing Minnesota today. Recorded live at the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce's annual Workforce Summit on March 4, 2026, this episode features a data-driven presentation by Sean O'Neil, Senior Director of Economic Development and Research at the...

Welcome back to the Fluence Forum, hosted by Fluence Advisory! In this episode, we continue our coverage from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce's 2026 Workforce Summit, recorded live on March 4, 2026. Following up on our previous deep dive into the state's labor force data, we are joined by Meghan Hughes, Head of Workforce Development, Art and Heritage at Bank of America. Meghan unpacks...

Energy policy has rapidly become a top issue for voters and businesses alike, and Minnesota stands at the forefront of this transition. In this episode of the Fluence Forum, host Blois Olson is joined by a panel of key energy leaders— Zac Ruzycki  (Great River Energy), Pete Wyckoff (MN Dept. of Commerce), and P.J. Martin (Xcel Energy)—to unpack the complex reality of powering the North Star State....

In this episode of the Fluence Forum , moderator Drew Christensen leads a high-level discussion on the financial and operational realities of Minnesota's energy transition. The panel features Kari Groth Swan (Executive Director, Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority) and Gregg Mast (Executive Director, Clean Energy Economy Minnesota), who dive into the "green bank" model an...

In this panel, moderator John Burns (Carnival Burns) gathers a diverse group of industry heavyweights to discuss the practical policy considerations facing Minnesota leaders. The conversation brings together the perspectives of an investor-owned utility, rural electric co-ops, and organized labor. Jim Pearson (Xcel Energy), Darrick Moe (Minnesota Rural Electric Association), and Lucas Franco (LIUN...

In the final session of the forum, Laura Bordelon (Minnesota Chamber of Commerce) moderates a candid and often sharp dialogue between two of the state's most influential energy legislators: Senator Nick Frentz (DFL), Chair of the Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate Committee, and Representative Chris Swedzinski (R), Co-Chair of the House Energy Finance and Policy Committee. The...

In this reaction-focused episode, host Blois Olson is joined by Mary Krinkie of the Minnesota Hospital Association to lead a deep-dive conversation with two of the state's most influential healthcare policymakers: Senator Matt Klein (DFL, District 53) and Representative Danny Nadeau (R, District 34A). As Minnesota navigates a shifting healthcare landscape marked by federal funding cuts and a...

Blois Olson leads a critical discussion on the evolving relationship between Minnesota's healthcare payers and providers. As the industry faces mounting financial pressures and shifting care models, this episode examines how collaboration—and friction—between these two pillars is shaping the future of patient care. Blois is joined by Jeremy Drucker (Assistant Commissioner, MMB), Libby Callum...

Host Jim Schowalter is joined by Joe Schindler (VP of Finance, MN Hospital Association), Lucas Nesse (President/CEO, Minnesota Health Plans) and Anne Neu Brindley (Policy Director, Minnesota Business Partnership) to examine how Minnesota and other states are uniquely positioned to lead healthcare innovation in the face of federal uncertainty. The conversation explores the shifting dynamics between...

In this episode, Blois Olson looks into why rural health care is struggling and what can be done to help rural Minnesotans with Dr. Carrie Henning-Smith (Associate Professor, UMN School of Public Health), Rhonda Kazik, DNP, RN, CENP, FAAN (Chief Nurse Executive, Essentia) and John Fox (Secretary and Treasurer, MN Ambulance Association & Director, Dodge Center Ambulance).