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Alumni News
Nicole Johnson-Hoffman ’98
Nicole Johnson-Hoffman ’98 Becomes CEO of Future Meat Technologies
Nicole Johnson-Hoffman ’98 was named chief executive officer at Future Meat Technologies, an Israeli company developing technology to produce cultivated meat.
Johnson-Hoffman has more than 25 years of experience across the agriculture, food manufacturing, food service, and meat production industries. She most recently was managing director of further processed foods for OSI Europe. She jointly served as senior vice president, leading the company’s global operations for McDonald’s, and chief sustainability officer, setting the strategic direction for OSI’s approach to sustainability and corporate responsibility.
“It’s an honor to serve as the CEO of Future Meat Technologies,” says Johnson-Hoffman. “Not only has the company made meaningful progress in developing the technology to achieve widespread adoption, but it is driven by a desire to support the entire meat industry’s shift to more sustainable practices, a cause I have championed throughout my career. I’m pleased to join the company at this pivotal moment as we prepare to commence cultivated meat production in the U.S.”
Prior to joining OSI, JohnsonHoffman was in-house counsel for 19 years at Cargill, where she held leadership roles in financial services and beef plant operations.
Red Cross Names Tonia Teasley ’83 CEO for Minnesota and Dakotas Region
The American Red Cross Minnesota and Dakotas Region has named Tonia Teasley ’83 as its CEO. Teasley came to the Red Cross from Untangle the Knot, a Minneapolisbased nonprofit she founded to simplify access to services for people with disabilities. Prior to that, she spent seven years as a senior executive at Capella University. She has also been an attorney and a leader at law firms in Minnesota and California.
Beyond her professional experience, Teasley serves as a board member for Beyond Walls Urban Squash Twin Cities, a nonprofit focused on building academic excellence, character, and well-being for youth in under-resourced communities.
Tonia Teasley ’83
Andrea Walsh ’88 Among 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare
HealthPartners President and CEO Andrea Walsh ’88 was named one of Modern Healthcare’s 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare. She’s among a prestigious group of the nation’s top health care leaders who’ve made major contributions to the industry this year.
Liwanag Ojala ’98
Andrea Walsh ’88
Judge Joan Ericksen ’81
Notable accomplishments cited include: • Leading HealthPartners and the community through the ongoing
COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on vaccine equity, continued testing, research and education, and access to timely, affordable care. • Building a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion by working to eliminate health care disparities, hosting colleague forums, addressing unconscious bias, and co-leading the HealthPartners equity, inclusion, and anti-racism cabinet. • Shaping health policy at the local and national levels through efforts focused on setting new safety standards for health care workers, improving access to mental health care, supporting maternal and child health, and making health care simpler and more affordable for patients and members.
“This is really a recognition of our team of 26,000,” Walsh says. “It’s an honor to work with colleagues and partners who focus on the health and well-being of our patients, members, and communities every day.”
Liwanag Ojala ’98 Named Chief Transformation Officer of American Public Media Group
American Public Media Group has appointed Liwanag Ojala ’98 as senior vice president and chief transformation officer. In this new role, Ojala is responsible for mobilizing the organization’s digital transformation and guiding cross-functional initiatives to accelerate new revenue growth, audience growth, and impact.
From 2016 through 2020, Ojala served as CEO of CaringBridge, a global nonprofit social network dedicated to connecting friends and families facing challenging health journeys. Prior to CaringBridge, she served as vice president of E-commerce for Meijer Inc., a Midwest-based supercenter chain, where she championed and led its multichannel grocery strategy. She also previously held senior leadership positions at Pear Tree Greetings and CobornsDelivers. com and practiced law at Briggs & Morgan and SpartanNash.
Ojala was the 2021 commencement speaker at Minnesota Law.
Courthouse Portrait Unveiled of U.S. District Court Judge Joan Ericksen ’81
The U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota unveiled the official portrait of Judge Joan Ericksen ’81 at a ceremony at the Diana E. Murphy U.S. Courthouse last December. The portrait was done by artist Burton Silverman of New York, who joined the ceremony via Zoom.
Ericksen began her legal career working in private practice. She went on to serve as an assistant U.S. attorney for the District of Minnesota, as a judge on the Fourth Judicial District Court in Minnesota, and as an associate justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court. She was nominated to the U.S. District Court by President George W. Bush in 2002.
Planned Giving for future generations of Lawyer-Leaders.
—Tim Dordell ’87
We thank those who have supported future lawyer-leaders by creating a lasting legacy through a planned gift to Minnesota Law!
Donors who have chosen to make a planned gift receive a host of benefits ranging from inclusion in the Law School’s 1888 Society, invitation to the annual Lockhart Club Celebration and Heritage Society Dinner, recognition in the Law School’s Annual Report, special recognition at events, and quarterly insider newsletters.
If you’ve ever thought about joining your fellow visionaries by documenting a bequest to the Law School, know there are many ways to benefit both you and your alma mater: · Name the Law School as a beneficiary · Make a gift and receive income · Give appreciated assets
Donors make planned gifts for many reasons: to give back to the institution that opened doors to new and brilliant opportunities, to support hard-working students looking to make a difference in their communities and the world, to accomplish their philanthropic goals, maximize tax benefits, and so many more. Whatever their reason, we thank them.
For more information on making a planned gift and how you can help us to secure the future of the Law School for generations to come, visit law.umn.edu/give/planned-giving or contact David L. Jensen, Chief Advancement Officer at dljensen@umn.edu or 612-625-2060.
