Patrick Salaski

Title/Position
Instructor, Metropolitan State University

Expert Areas: 

• Strategy Execution
• Mergers/Acquisitions
• Business Architecture Practice Creation

Education/Professional Certificates:  

• Business Architecture Certification – Business Architecture Guild
• Master of Business Administration (MBA) – Minnesota State University, Mankato
• Bachelor of Science – St. Cloud State University

Relevant experience to topic areas:  

• Directed the growth and on-going management of a Business Architecture Practice for a Fortune 500 company
• Helped guide the development of a Business Architecture practice for healthcare organizations
• Part of a team that has led the post-merger activities for two mega mergers in the Healthcare Industry (Medica/Express-Scripts and Covidien/Medtronic)

Philosophy of training in a nutshell:   

I love to share my knowledge and experience with others and teach by example.  I also feel like I can help facilitate learning by helping people connect concepts with reality.

Why instructor is excited about teaching at Metro State:   

The courses at Metro State provide a strong balance of industry-leading concepts and theories with practical, real-world application through case studies, class related discussions and instructors that are recognized thought-leaders focused on delivering on the promise of business architecture services for local, leading companies.

Jeannette Grace

Title/Position
Instructor, Metropolitan State University

Expert Areas: 

• Communication
• Customer Service
• Employee Engagement
• Conflict Resolution
• Teambuilding
• Psychological Safety
• Emotional Intelligence

Education/Professional Certificates:  

• MA: Communication from Bethel University
• BA: Professional Communication from Metro State
• AAS: Sales & Management from St. Cloud Community and Technical College
• Foundations of Positive Psychology Certification: University of Pennsylvania
• Certified Qualified Administrator of Intercultural Development Inventory®

Relevant experience to topic areas:  

• Author of G Factor: 8 Secrets to Increasing Your Gravitational Pull at Work
• Worked as Professional Relations Representative for medical practice
• Managed a private optometric practice

Some of the organizations that Jeannette has trained include:

• City of Minneapolis
• Boston Scientific
• CH Robinson
• Scott County
• League of Minnesota Cities
• MnDOT
• Bailiwick
• Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis
• Danfoss
• Wagner Spray Tech
• Room & Board
• Minnesota Bankers Association
• Holiday Companies

Philosophy of training in a nutshell:   
Learning should be fun, inspiring, and useful. I create the opportunity for growth and then let the learner own the action.

Why instructor is excited about teaching at Metro State:   

• First, as an alumnus of Metro State, I believe in the quality education they provide.
• Second, the Institute for Professional Development is forward-thinking and focused on providing information and skills to businesses and their people on the front end of the trends.

Mandy Spiess

 Title/Position
Instructor, Metropolitan State University

Expert Areas: 

Identifying, designing, and implementing organizational strategy and operational improvements.

Education/Professional Certificates:  

• Business Architecture Certification – Business Architecture Guild
• Business Architecture Certificate from Metropolitan State University – St. Paul, MN
• Master’s degree in organizational leadership from Regis University – Denver, CO
• Bachelor’s of Business Administration from University of Minnesota – Minneapolis, MN
• Certification in process improvement Process Management International
• Certification in training US Army – Total Army Instructor Trainer Course (TAITC)
• Certification in project management (PMP) from Project Management Institute (PMI)
• Certification in program management (PgMP) from US Program Management Office

Relevant experience to topic areas:  

• 23 years of experience in a broad range of industries including:
  • Financial services
  • Manufacturing
  • Military
  • Legal services
  • Healthcare / Non-Profit
• Chief of Operations with the US Army
• Senior director of IT-PMO and Quality Services at MoneyGram International
• Vice President of Client Services at Rust Consulting
• Director, Enterprise Portfolio Management Office (EPMO) at Be the Match
• Business Architecture Consultant with Target
• Business Architecture Consultant with Medtronic
• Vice President with Beneficiary Services of Prudential Financial

Philosophy of training in a nutshell:   

Training should be interactive, collaborative and engaging and should leave all participants feeling energized and empowered to put their new gained knowledge to use.

Why instructor is excited about teaching at Metro State:   

Teaching enables me to be able to not share my knowledge and experience but also learn from others who have the benefit of completely different perspectives and viewpoints. As an instructor I realize that I am also a student and that the learning process is always in both directions. And being able to teach at a local organization like Metro State is extremely rewarding because you have a direct impact and connection directly within your own community and business environment.