March 28th, 2025
MANKATO – Greater Mankato Growth, Inc. is inviting business leaders and community members to a special event to learn about Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities (CEO), an innovative entrepreneurship program that equips high school students with real-world business skills, mentorship, and hands-on experiences to shape the next generation of leaders.
This pitch meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, April 2, at 8 am, will introduce attendees to the unique benefits of CEO and include how the program connects students with local business leaders, providing them with invaluable relationship-building opportunities. Other CEO program benefits that will be discussed include how the program leverages experiential learning, helps build and foster an entrepreneurial mindset, and guides students in developing and launching their own businesses. By fostering an entrepreneurial mindset, CEO empowers students to drive innovation, take initiative, and contribute to their local economies.
“Mankato Area Public Schools is excited to explore the CEO program. Providing students with opportunities for relevant, community-based learning is a win for everyone—our students, local businesses, and the future of our community,” stated Mankato Area Public School Superintendent Paul Peterson.
The CEO program is never held in a classroom. Instead, participants spend each session in an area business, absorbing essential skills from local business owners and community leaders. With CEO programs currently operating in 350 high schools across 11 states, the initiative has demonstrated remarkable success in transforming how students engage with entrepreneurship and business leadership.
“I am overjoyed that our Mankato business leaders and community members are exploring the CEO program. As an early adopter of CEO in the southwest region of our state, I have witnessed firsthand how this program energizes local and regional businesses as well as the academic communities. CEO students create passion and excitement. Quite simply, the program is instrumental in developing the business leaders of tomorrow, today, and our community will be better for it!” shared Dr. George Taylor, Dean of Business and Industry for South Central College
Aligned with the Transforming Tomorrow Together regional plan, the CEO program will directly support the pillars of Establishing the Region as a Human Talent Hub and Driving Innovation, Investment and Entrepreneurship, ensuring that the next generation of business leaders is equipped with knowledge, skills, and resources to succeed and advance our local and regional communities.
“The CEO Program is more than just a class—it’s an incubator for future business leaders and innovators,” said Greater Mankato Growth, Inc. President & CEO Della Schmidt. “Through this initiative, business leaders can help mentor and inspire students while also strengthening the future of our local economy.”
“The CEO Program is a game-changer for our community,” agreed Brent Christopherson, Director, Talent Acquisition for Taylor. “It will redefine how we prepare the next generation of leaders. Through hands-on business experience, mentorship, and a culture of innovation, students will gain the skills and confidence to shape the future. We can’t wait to see the meaningful impact they will make.”
“The College of Business at Minnesota State University, Mankato, along with its Maverick Innovation Gateway (powered by Nidec), is pleased to collaborate with Greater Mankato Growth, Inc. towards cultivating this opportunity to pursue this high school focused Creating Entrepreneurs Opportunities (CEO) program, which aligns with our mission to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset in the region and to foster Minnesota’s next generation of innovative leaders.” stated Seung Bach, Dean and Professor of Entrepreneurship and Strategy, MSU.
This is a unique opportunity for area business and civic leaders to learn how they can be involved in shaping young entrepreneurs and fostering a culture of innovation in our community. Space is limited, so interested parties are encouraged to RSVP.