MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL (Feb. 18, 2026) — Children’s Minnesota today announced the appointment of three new members to its hospital board of directors, as well as the full slate of officers and board members for 2026. Sophie Miller, Miguel Alexander Pozo and Kari Severson Snaza bring unique perspectives on artificial intelligence, legal and compliance and health care business strategy. They begin their 3-year term this week. In addition, Garfield Bowen, former 3M executive, will begin his 2-year term as board chair.
“Our hospital board of directors plays an essential role in ensuring we live up to our value of putting kids first, every day,” said Emily Chapman, MD, president and CEO of Children’s Minnesota. “I’m grateful for the leadership and expertise of our board members, who bring diverse perspectives and a shared commitment to ensuring we provide the highest quality, safest care possible to the children and families in our community. I’m pleased to welcome Sophie, Miguel and Kari to the board. Their insights and experience will help strengthen our ability to serve families today and help us meet the needs of kids for generations to come.”
The following are Children’s Minnesota hospital board of directors Officers for 2026:
Chair: Garfield Bowen, former 3M executive.
Vice Chair: JJ Kuhn, senior vice president and chief ethics and compliance officer, Solventum Corporation.
Treasurer: Matt Van Slooten, CEO, United Properties.
Secretary: Andrew Pugh, senior vice president and chief legal officer, Children’s Minnesota.
The full Children’s Minnesota hospital board of directors for 2026 is as follows:
Garfield Bowen, former 3M executive.
Matt Carter, senior vice president of Total Rewards, Best Buy Co. Inc.
Shelley Carthen Watson, president and CEO, YWCA Minneapolis.
Emily Chapman, MD, president and CEO, Children’s Minnesota.
Archelle Georgiou, MD, president, Georgiou Consulting.
Jeff von Gillern, former vice chair, technology and operations services, U.S. Bancorp.
Tom Goodmanson, CEO, EcoOnline Global.
Chris Hedberg, chief operating officer, AB CarVal.
Nestor Jaramillo, retired CEO.
Andrew Kiragu, MD, FAAP, FCCM, pediatric Intensivist, Children’s Respiratory and Critical Care Specialists, Vice-Chief of Staff, Children’s Minnesota.
JJ Kuhn, senior vice president, chief ethics and compliance officer, Solventum Corporation.
Damu McCoy, executive vice president, talent acquisition, Wells Fargo.
Sophie Miller, vice president, Google Labs & Gemini.
William Mize, MD, FACR, medical director of radiology, Children’s Minnesota; Chief of Staff, Children’s Minnesota.
Miguel Alexander Pozo, shareholder, Cozen O’Connor.
Anna Richo, former senior vice president, general counsel, chief compliance officer, corporate secretary, Cargill.
Kari Severson Snaza, founder and CEO, Oasis Health Partners.
Matt Van Slooten, CEO, United Properties.
About Children’s Minnesota
Children’s Minnesota is one of the largest pediatric health systems in the United States and the only one in Minnesota devoted exclusively to children, from before birth through young adulthood. An independent and not-for-profit system for more than 100 years, Children’s Minnesota offers more than 60 pediatric specialties through its two hospitals, multiple specialty centers and clinics throughout the metro area. The Kid Experts® at Children’s Minnesota are chosen by more families than any other pediatric health system in the region.
Find us on Facebook @childrensminnesota or on Instagram @childrensmn. Please visit childrensMN.org.
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