Page 7 - 2023 Graduate Commencement

KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Peggy Flanagan
BA ’02, Child Psychology, American Indian Studies minor Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan is Minnesota’s 50th Lieutenant Governor, a member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe, and currently the country’s highest-ranking Native woman elected to executive office. She earned her bachelor’s degree in American Indian studies and child psychology from the University of Minnesota.
ALUMNI SPEAKER
Ann Sheldon
Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering ’88
Vice President Product Security at Medtronic
Ann Sheldon has spent her career leading teams, sponsoring initiatives, and delivering results. She did this by driving strategy, fostering team collaboration, and investing in employee development. Throughout her career she transformed processes and optimized customer experiences. She spent a majority of her career in the medical device industry with early career wins in control systems and fitness equipment industries.
Ann is passionate about developing people and showcased her skills by facilitating lean-in circles, mentoring emerging leaders, and sponsoring employee development programs. Through her coaching practice, she enjoys helping individuals and teams think creatively, interact differently, and consider new ways of getting
work done in order to drive both personal fulfillment and business results. She is an advocate and ally for the LGBTQ+ community. She currently serves on the University of Minnesota Alumni Association board of directors and is the chair. Ann received her bachelor of mechanical engineering from the University of Minnesota and has completed the Minnesota Executive Program at the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management. She is a certified professional co- active coach (CPCC) and an associate certified coach (ACC).
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