Coalition9 Community News - April 2025
Founder Message
Hi C9 Members + Friends!
As the last traces of winter fade, there’s a renewed energy in the air—a fresh start that comes with longer days, warmer temps, and the promise of new growth. Spring always feels like an invitation to reset, reflect, and re-engage with what matters most.
That spirit of renewal is exactly what our C9 Well May Event is all about. Spring Renewal: A Five Elements Mindfulness + Meditation Experience will guide us through an immersive morning at Lake Harriet, led by local yoga therapist and Ayurvedic health counselor Meghan Foley. We’ll explore how the five elements—Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Space—show up in our lives and how honoring them can help us find more balance. Think forest bathing, walking meditation, gentle yoga, and a deep savasana by the lake—what better way to align with the season?
Today is the last day to register for our April SPARK Event, a Breakfast Pop-In + C9 Gives Foundation Launch Party. Almost 80 people have registered and only a few spots are still available. We’re keeping it to C9 Members + Community Supporters for this one. The email invite was sent on March 14 + 28.
The C9 Gives Foundation is our way of leveraging the power of the C9 Community to do even more good. It's a natural extension of our belief in shared growth and giving back, and I can’t wait for you to learn more. Keep an eye on your inbox the week of April 21—we’ll be sending out more info, including ways to get involved.
We have a new group starting today. I’m so excited to welcome our new Members to the C9 Community! If you’ve been considering joining, we have a few spots open in current groups. Hit me up, and we’ll schedule a chat!
Cheers,
Aaron Eggert
Coalition9 Founder + CVO
Member Highlights
MEET SOME OF OUR MEMBERS ON THE POWER OF NINE PODCAST
Episode 88:
Preparing Our Future Leaders
Sara Dziuk | Watch on YouTube
Episode 89:
Painting a Picture Through Communication
Heather Heefner | Watch on YouTube
Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts:
Spotify for Creators | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RadioPublic | Pocket Casts
All of our videos, including podcast episodes, event recordings, and everything C9, are now available on our YouTube Channel.
Check it out—and don't forget to subscribe. We would love a review from you as well! We take great pride in the community we’re building, and your reviews have a huge impact on welcoming new listeners.
C9 TEAM MEMBER SPOTLIGHTS
MEMBER NEWS
Member Shane Haggerty and his wife welcomed a beautiful baby girl to their family on March 25. Lucia Hildegard Haggerty arrived weighing 6 lbs., 13oz. Baby, mom, and the whole Haggerty family are doing well. Congrats, Shane!
C9 Community Supporter All in One Accounting is pleased to welcome Kyle Sturgeon as their newest Director, Business Development. Coalition9 loves hearing about the growing teams behind our amazing Community Supporters!
Member Sara Dziuk from Junior Achievement North announced that their Company of the Year celebration will be held on Thursday, April 17, 2025 from 6 to 8 PM at their location in St. Paul. Sara invites the C9 Community to help celebrate the hard work of their JA student entrepreneurs as they sell and promote their products and compete to become Junior Achievement North’s Company of the Year. Learn more + register
Member Robin Edgar from Wealth Progression Group announced that their “Ready.Set.Exit!” business succession and exit planning event will be on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, from 3:00 to 6:00 PM. Designed for business owners, this event will provide essential insights into building a business with a successful exit in mind. Attendees will hear from experts in Mergers and Acquisitions, as well as local CPAs and attorneys specializing in succession planning. The event also features product sponsors offering strategies to help minimize or eliminate capital gains taxes when selling a business. Reserve your spot by emailing info@wealthprogressiongroup.com.
Congratulations to Member Tim Olsen of Carlson Partners for being named a finalist in the Minnesota RE Journal Real Estate Awards for Executive of the Year! We’re cheering you on, Tim! Learn more
Coalition9 Facilitator Laura King and Member Aramondo "Mondo" Davison have teamed up to launch Heavenly Humans—a podcast for anyone feeling called to something deeper. Through raw, soulful conversations blending spirituality and personal growth, they share the journey from burnout to alignment. Several episodes have already dropped–check it out on Apple or Spotify.
Community Supporter Versique announced that their biggest networking and giving event of the year, The Power of People, which supports Dress for Success Twin Cities (DFSTC), will be on Thursday, May 1, 2025 from 4 to 8 PM at the Metropolitan Ballroom in Golden Valley. It will be a fun night of entertainment, networking, and live + silent auctions—all while coming together for a great cause! They are still accepting sponsorships and donations for this year’s event. Click here to register, sponsor, and donate today!
Member and Community Supporter Andy Schornack from Security Bank and Trust announced that they released their 2024 Annual Report. Check it out here
Member Mark Ostrom from Joy Collaborative is looking for volunteers for their Joy Mobile this summer. It’s a fun way to help those find relief at public events. Ideal groups are: students looking for community service hours, employee engagement groups, and social clubs/churches looking to help in the community. Email Mark or call 612-245-8453 to volunteer.
Matt Hall from Community Supporter Pivotal Advisors announced their upcoming event, “The Executive’s Role in Generating Leads,” is on Thursday, May 8 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the MN CPA Education Center in Bloomington. Join Pivotal Advisors’ Gary Braun for a free, in-person masterclass designed for executives, business owners, and sales leaders. Learn why traditional lead generation tactics are no longer enough—and what to do instead. Walk away with practical strategies to help your team modernize their approach and fill the pipeline with high-quality opportunities. Learn more + register
Member David Buonfiglio announced Sales Xceleration’s “2025 State of Sales for SMBs” webinar is on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at 11:30 AM. Sales Xceleration’s President will dive into the performance of small- to mid-size businesses across the four key areas of sales. Whether you're looking to refine your sales strategy or curious about the latest trends, this session is for you. Learn more + register
Member Keith Becker from Transworld NorthStar announced that they are hosting a lunch and learn event called “AI Unleashed for Business Owners” at their Bloomington office on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 from 11:45 AM to 1:15 PM. Email Keith Becker or call 763-587-1187 with questions. Learn more + register
Member Peyton Green has been named Partner at Traction Capital, marking a significant milestone in his journey with the firm. Peyton’s story is one of grit, growth, and unwavering commitment to entrepreneurship, both within Traction and in the broader Minnesota startup ecosystem. A well-deserved honor and an exciting new chapter in Peyton’s career!
Coalition9 is a proud Sponsor of Loffler’s Tech Fest, which will be on Thursday, April 10, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM at the Saint Paul RiverCentre. Industry leaders and experts will share their insights and knowledge on the most pressing topics in technology and business. From mastering AI in the workplace to understanding the latest trends in law and cybersecurity, this event offers a diverse range of sessions designed to equip you with the tools and strategies you need to succeed. Free. Learn more + register
Matt Hall from Community Supporter Pivotal Advisors announced that they are partnering on an event with Manufacturers Connect: “Recognition that Retains Talent with Kirby Sneen, President + CEO of Manufacturers Alliance.” This session geared towards executives from manufacturing companies will be held on Thursday, May 1st, 2025, from 3:00 to 6:00 PM at Surly Brewing in Minneapolis. You will learn recognition strategies that will help you develop a cohesive team without overdoing it, playing favorites, and sounding hokey. Free. Learn more + register
Member Reed Robinson of Groove Capital announced that this year’s Angel Fest will be held on May 8 + 9, 2025 at Huntington Bank Stadium, Club Cambria Room in Minneapolis. Angel Fest brings together regional and national thought leaders to discuss and explore early-stage investing trends and best practices while adding regional context. Find out more about their impressive lineup of speakers + register
Member Kelli Schnieder announced that she is chairing the American Cancer Society's 3rd annual Twin Cities Golf Classic this summer at Oak Ridge Country Club in Hopkins on Sunday, June 22, 2025. Join them for this summer networking social event (no golf experience needed!). The golf outing is Monday, June 23, 2025. Sponsorships and team sign ups are open. Email Kelli with questions. Learn more + sign up
Do you have news you want to share? Submit the information through our C9 Member News Form, and we'll be sure to highlight you in future updates! Please note: This is exclusive to C9 Members, facilitators, and Community Supporters. Questions? Contact Brenda Harvieux, C9 Marketing + Communications, at brenda@coalition9.com.
Now Available: Coalition9 Subscribable Events Calendar
Stay up-to-date on all of our events + gatherings! Our new events calendar is powered by AddEvent and supports all major calendar platforms, including Apple, Google, Outlook, Outlook.com (online), Office 365 (online), and Yahoo.
When you subscribe, all Coalition9 events will be synced to your preferred calendar (may take up to 24 hours to populate). You can find directions on how to subscribe on our Events Page. Or check out our recent email announcement for more details.
April C9 SPARK Event - Breakfast Pop-In + C9 Gives Foundation Launch Party
LAST DAY TO REGISTER! Wednesday, April 9, 2025 by 5 PM.
For this SPARK Series Breakfast Pop-In event, we're bringing the Coalition9 Community together at C9 Community Supporter Tradition Capital Bank in Edina for breakfast, relationship building, and the official launch of the C9 Gives Foundation!
Pop in as your schedule allows. We’ll have a short program starting at 9:15 AM to introduce the foundation, board of directors, mission, and guiding principles.
Not familiar with the C9 Gives Foundation? It’s been in the works behind the scenes, and this is your first chance to get all the details!
A light breakfast will be provided.
This is a C9 Members-only event, and it’s almost full! Preregistration is required.
The email invite was sent on March 14 + 28, 2025 if you are a Member or Community Supporter and want to attend.
Limited to 90 attendees.
Event Schedule:
8:30-10:30 AM: Pop in as your schedule allows!
9:15-9:30 AM: C9 Gives Foundation announcements
May C9 Well Event - Spring Renewal: A Five Elements Mindfulness + Meditation Experience
Join local yoga therapist and Ayurvedic health counselor Meghan Foley for a relaxing morning by Lake Harriet to celebrate the season of renewal. This unique event invites you to connect with nature and embrace the energy of spring through a guided exploration of the five elements: Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Space.
Imbalance often arises when we fail to honor the five elements within and around us, resisting the natural flow of the seasons. By taking a moment to pause and appreciate the changing world around us, we can reset our system, restore balance, and bring harmony to both mind and body.
We’ll begin with a brief introduction of the five elements, including where and when they show up, followed by a grounding practice of forest bathing and a walking meditation. The experience will culminate with gentle yoga movements and finish with a long, restorative savasana.
Want to learn more about forest bathing? Check out the Global Wellness Institute’s website.
This morning is perfect for those seeking to refresh their mind, body, and spirit in harmony with the changing season.
Limited to 50 attendees. Rain or shine—the park has a covered picnic area we will use in the event of rain.
C9 Members: The email invite was sent to your inboxes Tuesday, April 8, 2025. This event is not open for general admission at this time.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Thursday, May 1, 2025 by 5 PM
Event Series Partner: Mike Jones, Professional EOS Implementer + Co-Founder of Alchemy 365
SAVE THE DATE! June C9 SPARK Event
Safeguarding Business Innovation - AI + Cybersecurity
Thursday, June 5, 2025 | 8:30 to 10:30 AM
Loffler Companies in St. Louis Park.
More info coming soon!
Become a Coalition9 Member!
Are you ready to invest in your personal and professional development this spring? Now's your chance to join the Coalition9 Community!
We have a few spots available in current groups and would love to have you join our growing C9 Community!
If you’ve been thinking about joining C9, let's connect! Contact C9 Founder + CVO Aaron Eggert at aaron@coalition9.com to learn more about the C9 Member experience and apply online for C9 Membership.
About Coalition9 Membership:
Do you want to connect with other leaders who share your mindset? Coalition9 provides peer to peer advisory groups with a focus on growth and development. Our memberships are designed to promote interactive learning regardless of what stage you’re at on your journey while connecting you to the resources and people that will help you be your best. We provide a community where a diversity of experiences in business and life is celebrated. You’ll build relationships with your fellow Members by sharing experiences and investing in one another to create a positive impact.
Leadership is Lonely. Build your tribe in the Coalition9 Community.
March C9 SPARK Event Recap
We hear business professionals throw around the word "culture" a lot. But what does it really mean? And as leaders, how do we help create a culture people actually want to be part of?
At last month’s Coalition9 SPARK Series Jam Session—Beyond the Buzzword: Culture as Your Competitive Edge—our workshop leader and panelists whittled it down to its essence:
~Culture is a sense of belonging~
With loneliness at an all-time high, creating spaces where people feel seen, valued, and understood is essential to forming a good workplace culture.
Thanks to everyone who made it to the event! A huge thanks to our workshop leader, panelists, and live graphic recorder:
Workshop leader - Chelsey Paulson from Keystone Group International
Panelist - Brett Cavanagh from TempWorks Software, Inc
Panelist - Kim Holen from Gemini Advanced Marketing Solutions
Live Graphic Recorder - Heather Willems from TwoLine Studios
We’re deeply thankful for our Community Supporters and Event Partners + Supporters who make events like this possible. Your involvement means so much to the C9 Community.
EVENT PARTNER
EVENT SUPPORTERS
2025 C9 Community Supporters
PROSPERING LEVEL
THRIVING LEVEL
EVOLVING LEVEL
Cece: Coalition9's Concierge Service
Cece is Coalition9's concierge service. C9 Members can text Cece with questions, current needs, and connection requests, and Cece will take it from there.
Want to learn more about this revolutionary new way to engage with our Members? Visit our Cece page or send us a message. We're saving Cece for Members and Supporters 😉.
Follow Coalition9 on Social Media
If you haven't already, follow Coalition9 on social media! We post fun Coalition9 Community event photos, The Power of Nine Podcast episode releases, C9 Community news, content recommendations, and a bunch of other good stuff.
Changing business nine leaders at a time.
THE POWER OF NINE
STAY CONNECTED
SUBSCRIBE TO THE COALITION9 COMMUNITY NEWS
Sign up for our monthly newsletter, Coalition9 Community News, to receive the latest updates, C9 Member news, recent The Power of Nine Podcast episodes, group openings, info on events, and opportunities to connect with the C9 Community.
Copyright © 2025 Coalition9. All rights reserved.