Four CLA Alumni Selected as 2025 40 Under 40 honorees
Four CLA alumni have been selected as 2025 40 Under 40 honorees by the Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal. The award honors young business leaders for their professional accomplishments and community involvement. Congratulations to Patrice Banks, Janelle MacLean, Mike Linnemann, and Kristin Lonsbury for their achievement! Learn about each honoree below and follow the links to learn more about their work, check out an item on their professional bucket list, and receive a Twin Cities travel recommendation.
Patrice Banks may hold the title of program director for Spark-Y: Youth Action Labs, but those who’ve seen her in action say air traffic controller may be a more apt description. The 34-year-old has been with the Minneapolis-based nonprofit, which focuses on empowering youth through entrepreneurship, for six years. She started as a part-time agriculture/STEAM educator (that's science, technology, engineering, arts and math), graduating to program director. She now fosters relationships with 2,500 youth and more than 30 schools, businesses and government partners with a goal of helping to close racial, educational and economic gaps.
Janelle MacLean has transformed United Properties’ environmental, social and governance initiatives. Since taking the role as corporate ESG manager in April 2022, she has implemented strategies to integrate sustainability and inclusivity into the company’s business operations. She also leads cross-functional teams as chair of the ESG Advisory Group, the United Together DEI Committee, and six ESG focus groups. She was recently promoted to director, sustainability and community impact.
Mike Linnemann has more than 15 years of experience in managing nonprofits and facilitating their fundraising and development. From 2018 to 2024, he was the development and membership director for the Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness. Before that, he was senior project manager for annual giving at the University of Minnesota Foundation.
