Speakers

Born in Luverne, Mn. Graduated 1967

St John’s University, 1967- 1971 Bachelor of Arts degree

Wm Mitchell College of Law 1972- 1976 Juris Doctor degree

Employment:

     Skewes, Klosterbuer and Connell 1976-1987

     Rock County Attorney  1976-1987

     District Judge, 5th Judicial District. 1987-2011

     Mediator: 2012- present

Professional :

     President, Minnesota District Judges Association 2001-2002

     Began Rock-Nobles County Drug Court 2010

     Served on numerous statewide committees as a Judge

Personal:

     Married, spouse Connie, 3 children, 8 grandchildren including 1 Edina daughter-in-law and 1 Edina son-in-law!

At Ronald McDonald house, we believe when families are together, they cope better. We believe no family should have to deal with their child’s medical crisis alone. Visit the website at https://www.rmhc.org/about-us to read more about Ronald McDonald House.

Topic

Self-Empowerment in the Age of Multiculturalism

During this interactive presentation, Amalia shares her personal and professional career journey weaving 4 pillars of personal success (know yourself, empower yourself, connect yourself, and involve yourself) and delivers a series of learning curves, challenges, and successes, that have contributed to a lifelong of learning.

Bio

Amalia Moreno-Damgaard is a chef entrepreneur and award-winning author born and raised in Guatemala City with a prior career in corporate America. She is the founder of Amalia Latin Gourmet, a WBENC-nationally certified woman-owned business enterprise. Amalia helps organizations of all sizes develop a broader understanding and appreciation of Latin cultural nuances using healthy, traditional cuisine as a platform for speaking, representing food brands in the media, consulting, and gourmet experiences. She also is co-founder and chief board advisor of Women Entrepreneurs of Minnesota, a 501c6 nonprofit fostering women entrepreneurship and diversity and inclusion through leadership education and mentoring. 

Amalia’s work and talent have been recognized locally and internationally. Recently she was named Woman in Business Champion of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration Minnesota District Office, received The Catalyst award by Women Venture and the Advocate Award by NAWBO-The National Association of Women Business Owners, and was named Woman in Business Honoree by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal (MSPBJ. Amalia has a long history of board service and currently she serves on the board of Open Arms of Minnesota, Les Dames d’Escoffier International-Minnesota, and NAWBO-The National Association of Women Business Owners. Learn more: AmaliaLLC.com WeMN.org.

Kendall Qualls is the President of TakeCharge. TakeCharge strives to unite Americans regardless of background toward a shared history and common set of beliefs. They celebrate with people that have achieved the American dream while encouraging people still working to achieve it. Kendall leads an organization that inspires and educates black and other minority communities to take charge of their own lives and not to rely on government and politicians for redemption and prosperity. Mr. Qualls has a unique vantage point to convey that message and to plant the seeds of change desperately needed. During his childhood, Mr. Qualls lived with his divorced mother and siblings in public housing projects of Harlem, NY in the late 1960s. Before middle school, Mr. Qualls left NYC to live with his father who lived in a trailer park in Oklahoma. Neither of his parents finished high school. Despite the challenges and turmoil of his early life, Mr. Qualls worked full-time to pay for college, served as an officer in the U.S. Army, earned three graduate degrees including an MBA from the University of Michigan. He worked his way up the ranks at several Fortune 100 healthcare companies before he became Global Vice President of an $850M business unit. Mr. Qualls champions the principles of meritocracy and supports the notion that free enterprise, and the private sector are the fastest and most equitable way to lift people from poverty to prosperity including black Americans. Mr. Qualls has been married to his wife, Sheila for 35-years and they have five children together. He was a mentor at Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge. He serves on the Board for Lundstrum’s Performing Arts Center in North Minneapolis as well as Hope Farm School, a school for at-risk boys from Minneapolis.