Dean GerShun Avilez Recognized by TCB 100
Dean GerShun Avilez has been a part of the CLA community for two weeks, but has already secured his spot as one of Twin Cities Business people to know in 2025. The TCB 100 distinction highlights his leadership, dedication to fostering community and belonging, and impactful contributions to higher education and the broader Twin Cities region.
Dean Gershun Avilez Named to TCB 100
"CLA educates more of the workforce than any other college in the state...providing a skill set that enables people to work and think for a lifetime."
Congratulations to the following CLA alumni who made the TCB 100 list:
In November, Erin Fitzgerald, a commercial real estate broker, closed her first deal since founding Willow Peak, focusing on downtown redevelopment. She purchased a 100,000-square-foot office building at 300 First Ave. N., 53% leased, with plans to add nightlife, a food hall, wellness spaces, coworking, and short-term rentals. Targeting digital nomads, she aims to make this a proof of concept for expansion.
Molly Gaeckle, an advocate for sustainable agriculture, founded Northerly Flora eight years ago, growing over 100 flower varieties in Minneapolis and Hudson, Wisconsin. She highlights a local shift in high-end florists, reducing carbon emissions and waste while supporting pollinators. In 2024, Northerly opened a South Minneapolis studio for order pickups and workshops.
After 30+ years at outlets like the Guardian and New York Times, Twin Cities native Aron Pilhofer returned to help the Star Tribune evolve into a modern digital media company. Over the past year, his team rebuilt the website, mobile app, and e-edition, while focusing on subscriptions, advertising, data analytics, and new storytelling strategies like real-time reporting.
President Rebecca Cunningham was also recognized as a leader to watch in the new year.
"How the university contributes to the economic impact of the state, to the health of communities, to the service of the health care workforce—it’s a big enchilada."
