MINNEAPOLIS (May 28, 2020) – Children’s Minnesota has released the following statement on behalf of more than 50 executive leaders from across the state. They are joining together to stand united against acts of racism and violence.
As business leaders in Minnesota committed to the principles of greater equity, diversity and inclusion in our companies and in our community, we are deeply saddened and horrified by the recent death of Mr. George Floyd. We share our sincere condolences with his family and friends, and all those who mourn this tragic loss. His death while being restrained by Minneapolis police officers is yet another senseless loss of life—one that reflects deeply ingrained, long-standing injustice within our society. We are encouraged by the quick response of the authorities in terminating the officers and launching an investigation. We anticipate that it will lead to justice and accountability. It is hard to watch the video of the event as it is clearly evident Mr. Floyd was not treated with the dignity and respect he was due as a human being. These acts are painful and traumatic for our entire community, especially our communities of color. The repeated occurrence of racially charged events of this nature are contrary to the close-knit employment and residential communities we desire to have in Minnesota. We are committed to taking steps to eliminate the repeat of events like this in our society and committed to investing in substantive change in our organizations and the communities we serve to address racial inequities and social justice. Change has to start today, and it needs to start with us.
Michael F. Roman
3M
Walter White
Allianz Life
Penny Wheeler, MD
Allina Health
Jay Lund
Andersen Corporation
Russell Becker
APi Group
Amy Ronneberg
Be The Match
Corie Barry
Best Buy
Craig E. Samitt, MD
Blue Cross MN
David MacLennan
Cargill
Marc Gorelick, MD
Children’s Minnesota
Bob Biesterfeld
C.H. Robinson
Janel Wittmayer
CPC
Roxanne Bernstein
Crystal Farms Dairy Co.
Rodney A. Young
Delta Dental of Minnesota
Barry C. McCarthy
Deluxe Corporation
Ron Konezny
Digi International
Paul Sween
Dominium
Doug Baker
Ecolab
Greg Mason
Edina Realty Home Services
Michael J. O’Leary
Ernst & Young LLP
James Hereford
Fairview Health Services
Bob Gardner
Gardner Builders
Jeff Harmening
General Mills
Amy Goldman
GHR Foundation
Brian Leen
Gopher Resource
Peter Frosch
Greater MSP
Mark G. Mishek
Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation
Andrea Walsh
HealthPartners
Jennifer DeCubellis
Hennepin Healthcare
Beth E. Ford
Land O’Lakes, Inc.
Greg Frankenfield
Magenic
Michelle Edwards
Martell Diagnostics
John Naylor
Medica
Geoff Martha
Medtronic
Mark Westphal
Michael Foods
Charlie Weaver
Minnesota Business Partnership
Craig Leipold
Minnesota Wild
Daniel L. Johnson
Mortenson Construction
David C. Mortenson
Mortenson Construction
Richard Farrell
Nextern
J. Kevin Croston, MD
North Memorial Health
Nico Wyrobek
Northstar Balloons LLC
Morris Packaging Minnesota LLC
Timothy Murnane
The Opus Group
Chad Abraham
Piper Sandler Companies
Howard Friedman
Post Consumer Brands
Eric J. Mercer
PricewaterhouseCoopers Advisory Services LLC
Michael Armstrong
RBC Wealth Management
Tom Sagissor
RBC Wealth Management
Mark Urdahl
Red Wing Shoes
Brian C. Murray
Ryan Companies US, Inc.
Lisa Brezonik
Salo, LLC
Christopher M. Hilger
Securian Financial Group, Inc.
Drew Niemeyer
Smarte Carte
Archie Black
SPS Commerce
Brian Cornell
Target
Terry Rasmussen
Thrivent
David Wichmann
UnitedHealth Group
Julie Sullivan
University of St. Thomas
Bill Gray
Uponor North America
Andrew Cecere
US Bank
Laurie Nordquist
Wells Fargo MN
Michael J. Happe
Winnebago Industries
Ben Fowke
Xcel Energy, Inc.
Glen Gunderson
YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities
Read more: Joining together in times of tragedy
About Children’s Minnesota
Children’s Minnesota is the seventh largest pediatric health system in the United States and the only health system in Minnesota to provide care exclusively to children, from before birth through young adulthood. An independent and not-for-profit system since 1924, Children’s Minnesota serves kids throughout the Upper Midwest at two free-standing hospitals, 12 primary and specialty care clinics and six rehabilitation sites. Children’s Minnesota is regularly ranked by U.S. News & World Report as a top children’s hospital.
Find us on Facebook @childrensminnesota or on Twitter and Instagram @childrensmn. Please visit childrensMN.org.
###