Neela Mollgaard is the Executive Director of Launch Minnesota, an initiative from the State’s agency of Employment and Economic Development, working to create an environment to support entrepreneurs by empowering and elevating Minnesota’s innovation ecosystem. She connects, convenes, and catalyzes efforts statewide by bringing together public and private orga¬nizations from diverse sectors and industries. Launch Minnesota has been able to increase access to capital, statewide connectivity, and entrepreneurial expertise.

Her career has involved bringing people together to create change. She has been a leader and facilitator of organization and community innovation. Most recently, a founder of the nonprofit Red Wing Ignite, which supports entrepreneurs, businesses, and students to succeed in the 21st-century economy. Red Wing Ignite created a model, that received national attention, developing an innovative ecosystem by forging partnerships with government, academic, corporate, and community partners.
She has served in a variety of leadership roles with local organizations, nonprofits, and philanthropic organizations. She is a former member of the Governor’s Task Force on Broadband and founder and chair of Women Cents, a non-profit support children and families and serves on the Jones Family Foundation.