2022 INDUCTEES

Wendy Ethen, President, Guaranty Commercial Title, Minneapolis

Wendy has grown Guaranty Commercial Title, Inc. from a primarily residential title company in 2004 to a boutique commercial title firm in 2022, an enduring period of 18 years, with cumulative growth of 10 times its initial revenue. Growing a commercial title company is no easy feat. She was up against large, established, national players in this industry. Notably, Guaranty has an all-women leadership team and Wendy has made a way for women leaders within her organization.

A Minneapolis resident, Wendy’s philanthropic passions are aligned with her business goals. She is an active member of the Minnesota Housing Partnership Investors Council as well as the Urban Land Institute. She serves as a board member of RETHOS and Amplio, as well as serving on numerous committees for the betterment of our community.

Wendy’s previous honors include 2020 Notable Women in Commercial Real Estate, 2020 Power Women in Business, Top Women in Finance Circle of Excellence and NAWBO Achieve! Pioneer Award, among others.

Dayna Frank, President and CEO, First Avenue Productions, Minneapolis

First Avenue is celebrated as one of the longest-running, independently owned and operated venues in the United States.

Originally founded in 1970, First Avenue promotes more than 1200 shows annually, and owns and operates the Fine Line, Turf Club, Palace Theatre, and Fitzgerald Theater, as well as the First Avenue Mainroom & 7th St Entry. Dayna is co-founder and Board President of the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA), which rallied music lovers and lobbied Congress, securing $16.25 billion dollars to Save Our Stages.

Dayna has served on countless boards, giving of her experience, time and energy. Her inspirational leadership and knowledge of the music and arts business, along with tremendous creativity and innovation, have resulted in advancement and support of the culture of music and its artists. Dayna is a 2018 Henry Crown Fellow at the Aspen Institute, Rolling Stone Future 25 2021, Billboard Women in Music Top Executive, pickleball champion, and firm believer in community building through live music.

Anne Ketz, CEO and Service Director, 106 Group, St. Paul

Anne’s career in cultural resources management, interpretation and planning extends over 40 years and three continents, including projects in the United States, Great Britain, India, the Middle East and Canada. Her sensitivity to others and sense of diplomacy have brought complex and potentially controversial projects to successful conclusion. Since co-founding 106 Group with her husband and business partner David Ketz in 1992, she has worked closely with a broad range of stakeholders, including community activists, planners and Native American leaders to ensure respect for each community’s heritage within the planning process.

Anne’s commitment to the profession is further demonstrated through public speaking, scholarly publications, school programs, and volunteer training. Originally from the United Kingdom, Anne has witnessed the field of interpretive planning change significantly. She has been instrumental in establishing it as a vital part of any planning process. In 1981, she was one of the first students in the field of Museum Studies. Much of her career has been dedicated to increasing public access to and understanding of the world’s cultural resources and sites.

Anne was awarded the honor of Master Interpretive Manager Region V by the National Association of Interpretation. Today, Anne is honored to serve as Vice President (for programs and activities) for the International Committee on Interpretation and Presentation of Cultural Heritage Sites for the International Council for Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS). She is also an “Expert” Member of the ICOMOS International Cultural Tourism Committee, and an invited member of the Indigenous Tourism Collaborative of the Americas.

Their company, 106 Group, has received numerous awards including the 2022 American Institute of Architects MN Preservation Award; the 2022 American Association for History – Award of Excellence for Leadership in History; and has earned the Media Award for Exhibits multiple times from the National Association for Interpretation.

Heather Manley, CEO, On-Demand Group and Crooked Water Spirits, Minneapolis

Heather purchased On-Demand Group (ODG), a technology consulting company and family business, in 2008 with her brother, Sean Manley. As a second generation WBENC/WOSB certified company, they have since led the organization through significant growth and expanded ODG’s services to global markets by offering offshore solutions in Southeast Asia. Under their leadership, ODG has grown 30x over the last decade, generating over $150M in revenue, Heather’s true north is the Rotarian 4-Way Test: Is it the Truth, Is it Fair and Beneficial to all Involved? Does it build stronger partnerships? She strives to lead everyday with intention, curiosity, and authenticity with her team and clients while focusing on legacy and impact within her community.

In 2013, Heather founded Crooked Water Spirits (CWS), an award-winning national spirits line. As a certified Whiskey Sommelier, all recipes are made in-house by Heather. The brand is found in over 7 states and over 500-plus liquor stores, restaurants and airlines, gathering more than 70 awards nationally. A WBENC certified business, CWS’s heavy philanthropic focus has helped nonprofits raise over $150,000 since 2019. Heather also owns Heather’s Dirty Goodness, a boutique spice company.

Heather currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Society of Information Management MN Chapter and Burnsville Rotary. She also served as the Board President for the National Association of Women Business Owners MN, from 2011-2014, where she helped establish the MN Women Business Owners Hall of Fame. She was President of the Burnsville Rotary Club from 2020 to 2021.

Heather’s many honors include being named to the TCB Notable Women in Tech in 2022; 2019 Ernst & Young Finalist for Entrepreneur of the Year; 2017 TCB Wonder Woman Award and 2014 SBA Women in Business Champion Award.

Lynn Wehrman, Founder and President, The Wehrman Collaborative, dba Digital Accessibility by WeCo

In 2011, Lynn took the digital accessibility work she pioneered for the Minnesota Department of Transportation and turned it into a “win/win” opportunity. Digital Accessibility by WeCo trains professionals with disabilities to audit websites and software, and assist governments and companies in making them accessible and compliant with US and international accessibility requirements. With nearly all leadership positions held by minority women, WeCo and Wehrman work to ensure that no one is left out. WeCo works with the smallest non-profit organizations to Fortune 100 organizations across the globe.

Lynn has volunteered as an Advisory Board Member for the University of Minnesota Technical Communication since October 2020. In this position she collaborates, supports, mentors and works to enhance student experiences and research opportunities for technical communication from the perspective of digital accessibility, usability and inclusion. WeCo also provides pro bono services to advance digital accessibility.

Lynn has previously been honored as AARP 50 over 50 Honoree 2022. Digital Accessibility by WeCo is also a National Organization on Disability Leading Disability Employer (2019-2020-2021-2022); a Social Enterprise Alliance/Minneapolis Impact Award winner (2021); and was named a SCORE Small Business of the Year Award (2018).