Coalition9 Community News - April 2026

Founder Message

Hi C9 Community + Friends!

April is here, and with it comes that unmistakable sense of possibility: warmer days, fresh energy, and a C9 Community that continues to grow and inspire. There's a lot happening this month, so let's dive in.

The C9 Spring Pop-Up Store is open now through April 15th. We’ve curated a fresh spring collection, focusing on what you love most—shirts, outerwear, and hats—plus a pretty sweet C9 cooler. It makes me so happy to see people wearing C9 Gear “in the wild.” So if you want to get on my good side, you could do worse than showing off your C9 pride! See below for details on how to access the store.

The C9 SPARK + C9 Gives Foundation Breakfast Pop-In is on Wednesday, April 29th—and it’s filling fast. I'll be sharing an update on the C9 Gives Foundation, including the launch of a mentorship program. And make sure to save the date for our next C9 Well event, “The Rewired Mind,” which will be on May 13th at Forgotten Star Brewing. Find more details below on our upcoming events.

Our C9 Signature Experience to Capitol Reef National Park has been rescheduled for early May 2027. Mark your calendars now if you are interested in joining us.

I’d like to take a moment to celebrate some recent growth within our community. A new C9 group is launching in May, led by Nathan Young—a longtime C9 Member who has stepped into a facilitator role. We're thrilled to have him leading the group. We're also excited to have Beth Elliott taking over as facilitator of the Bold School group. A marketing intern, Cali Nelson, is joining the team and will be working with C9 Director of Marketing + Communications Brenda Harvieux. A heartfelt welcome to all of you!

New Members, new facilitators, new adventures, new faces on the team—it’s definitely a season of growth. We're so fortunate to have all these amazing people in the C9 Community!

Cheers,

Aaron Eggert
Coalition9 Founder + CVO

Member Highlights

MEET SOME OF OUR MEMBERS ON THE POWER OF NINE PODCAST

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MEMBER NEWS

Community Supporter Versique announced that Versique Gives, formerly The Power of People, will take place on Thursday, April 30, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at the Metropolitan Ballroom in Golden Valley. This annual giving event benefits Dress for Success Twin Cities and features a hosted happy hour with appetizers, inspiring speakers, and silent and live auctions. Tickets are $75 per person. Last year, they raised over $100,000 for the organization. Sponsorship opportunities are also available for those who want to make a greater impact. Coalition9 is a proud Bronze Sponsor! Learn more + register
C9 Member + Community Supporter Mike Jones from EOS Worldwide is hosting a Sauna + Plunge at Embrace North in Minneapolis on Sunday, May 3 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. He rented the space to just hang out, and all C9 Members are welcome. Space is limited to 30, so come relax, connect, and enjoy a fun evening with fellow C9ers! Learn more + register
C9 Member Reed Robinson from Groove Capital invites you to Angel Fest, designed to connect, educate, and inspire. Join fellow angel investors, LPs, and emerging investors for an unforgettable event on May 6-7 at the Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The gathering focuses on practical learning, honest conversations, and building relationships across all experience levels. For more information and additional questions, email Emily Kist. Learn more + register
Member Katy Burke from TeamWomen announced that TeamWomen's 15th Annual Leadership Conference will take place on Thursday, May 8, 2026, at the Hyatt Minneapolis. More than 650 leaders will gather for a day designed to elevate leadership and foster meaningful connection across generations. The conference features keynote speakers including Marilyn Carlson Nelson, Kim Skanson, wellness leader Amanda Patterson, and a leadership conversation with Emmy Award-winning journalist Brandi Powell, alongside Allison Gettings and Jori Miller Sherer. This is a strategic investment in leadership development, talent retention, and meaningful connection. Coalition9 is a proud Gold Sponsor! Learn more + register
C9 Member Andrea McMaster from Amplify invites you to their Annual Fundraiser on May 13 from 7:45 to 10:30 AM at the Vikings Museum in Eagan—featuring an exclusive live interview with Vikings Head Coach Kevin O’Connell, led by Voice of the Vikings Paul Allen. Connect with fellow business leaders and hear powerful stories of organizations creating real impact in our community. If you have any additional questions, please email Andrea or call 612-222-4801. Learn more + register
Congratulations to Becky Lewis from All In One Accounting on being named a 2026 Women in Business honoree by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal (MSPBJ)! Not only is Becky the COO at one of our valued C9 Community Supporters, but she's also the Director of Finance for the C9 Gives Foundation. We're proud to have her in the C9 Community! Celebrate Becky and all the incredible honorees in person at the 2026 Women in Business Awards on May 15, 2026, from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM. Learn more + register
C9 facilitator Ben Nicholas and C9 Member David Hasz from Bethany International invite you to Bethany’s Excellence in Leadership on May 21 from 6:30 to 7:30 AM at Office Golf in Bloomington. The event features Terry Lijewski, longtime leader at Scott’s Equipment. Discover how to step into leadership even when you don’t feel qualified—learn to lead with confidence. Use Code C9 for $20 off. Email Ben with questions. Learn more + register
C9 Member Tracy Greer from Permanent Choice invites you to join their growing team as their new Marketing Manager. They are a woman-owned business with 30+ years in the industry, nearly a dozen locations, and big plans for growth across the Twin Cities. In this role, you’ll own their brand, run social media, manage the business’ reputation, execute campaigns, and grow with Permanent Choice. If you are an experienced marketing professional who thrives in a fast-moving environment and wants your work to truly matter, email your resume and a note to Tracy, and feel free to reach out with any questions!
C9 Community Supporter Bauer Design Build is proud to announce that Branton Smith has been named Partner! Since joining the company in 2015, Branton has grown through key roles—including Project Manager, Pre-Construction Manager, Director, and President—consistently demonstrating leadership, integrity, and a servant mindset along the way. Becoming Partner reflects both his lasting impact on the people and projects around him and Bauer's confidence in his vision for the future. Congratulations, Branton—this is well deserved!

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 Director of Marketing + Communications, at brenda@coalition9.com.

C9 Spring Pop-Up Store - April 1-15, 2026

The C9 Spring Pop-Up Store is Now Open!

Two Weeks Only: April 1-15, 2026

Have you been suffering from some serious C9 Gear envy? Well, your time has come to rock your very own.

We’ve picked out some quality items that are perfect for the golf course, exploring the outdoors, embracing lake life, and just chilling at home or with friends.

Since clothing has been the most popular in the past, we’ve focused on various shirts, outerwear, and hats this time around, with the addition of a pretty sweet C9 cooler.

We hand-selected items and priced them below cost so our Members, Supporters, and followers can get quality C9 Gear at a high value.

C9 Members receive free shipping—get the promo code from our 04/01/2026 email.

Don't miss your chance to stock up—get your C9 Gear before it’s gone!

SHOP THE C9 SPRING POP-UP STORE

April C9 SPARK + C9 Gives Event - Breakfast Pop-In + C9 Gives Foundation Update

For this breakfast pop-in event, we're bringing the Coalition9 + C9 Gives Foundation Communities together at C9 Community Supporter Tradition Capital Bank in Edina!

Pop in for a light breakfast and relationship building as your schedule allows. We’ll have a short program starting at 9:00 AM to provide an update on the C9 Gives Foundation, including the launch of the C9 Gives Mentorship Program.

Not familiar with the C9 Gives Foundation? This is your chance to get updated on all the details! This event is a collaboration between the C9 Gives Foundation and Coalition9, united by our shared vision: Changing Business Nine Leaders at a Time™.

Event Schedule
8:00-10:00 AM: Pop in as your schedule allows for relationship building
9:00-9:15 AM: Tradition Capital Bank welcome message + C9 Gives Foundation announcements

This is a C9 Member + 1 guest event. We've also invited friends of the C9 Community. If you’ve received the invite email (sent on 03/25/2026), you’re either a C9 Member, C9 Community Supporter, or are considered a friend of the C9 Community.

Limited to 90 attendees. Preregistration is required.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Friday, April 24, 2026 at 5:00 PM

May C9 Well Event - The Rewired Mind

Join us for our May C9 Well event at Forgotten Star Brewing in Fridley on Wednesday, May 13, 2026!

This candid fireside chat will explore the executive brain’s untapped potential and the science of neuroplasticity. Our moderator Mike Jones (EOS Worldwide) will sit down with Maggie Kirkwood (North Node) and Dr. James Mosher (Mosher Psychology) to bridge the gap between clinical psychology and the transformative power of non-ordinary states of consciousness. From the mechanics of "rewiring" the mind to an evidence-based overview of the microdosing protocols for mushrooms (psilocybin), you will gain a sophisticated understanding of how to optimize your mental architecture for modern leadership.

What to Expect:

The Science of Change: A look at how the brain physically reorganizes itself and why "plasticity" is a leader's greatest asset.
Non-Ordinary States: Insights into how shifting awareness can break cognitive loops and foster innovation.
Micro-dosing Education: A grounded, professional overview of the benefits, risks, and "sub-perceptual" effects of psilocybin.
Integrated Wellness: How to apply these psychological and biological insights to your daily high-performance routine.

Limited to 100 attendees. Preregistration is required. Light food + beverages will be provided.

C9 Members: Watch your inbox for the official email invitation! C9 Members attend for free and may bring 1 guest. C9 Members and Community Supporters receive priority registration the first two weeks tickets are available. After that, we may open the event up for general admission.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Friday, May 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM

Coalition9 Subscribable Events Calendar

Stay up-to-date on all of our events + gatherings! Our 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.

COALITION9 EVENTS

March Event Recap - C9 SPARK: Improv Workshop for Agility + Listening

On March 19th, our Coalition9 Community gathered at the Center for Performing Arts in Minneapolis for our C9 SPARK event, "Improv Workshop for Agility + Listening," led by improv experts from The Radical Agreement Project.

Although improv is often associated with comedy, its principles are powerful tools for professional development. We explored how improv games can transform communication and build more resilient teams.

Highlights:

Stay present. Being focused in the moment gives you the agility to adapt to real-time challenges rather than sticking to the same old script.
Listen to understand. Improv teaches us to truly engage—listening to interact, not just waiting for our turn to speak.
Embrace "Yes, And." This mindset encourages new ideas, removes creative roadblocks, and makes team members feel heard and valued.
Trust your instincts. Remember, don't invent. Your genuine thoughts are more valuable than trying to craft the "perfect" answer.
Build psychological safety. Improv creates space for authenticity, helping teams collaborate better and counteract disengagement or resistance to change.
Get comfortable being uncomfortable. Shaking off the fear of looking "silly" builds confidence and gives others permission to show up authentically too.

Key takeaway: Leaders who foster authentic presence, active listening, and a culture where team members feel safe enough to take risks will build more agile, creative, and connected teams.

A huge thanks to Terry Withers and Tim from The Radical Agreement Project for leading the workshop and pushing us out of our comfort zones, to the Center for Performing Arts for hosting us, and to everyone who joined us to play, learn, and grow!

The feedback has been AMAZING, so we’re planning on doing another one of these workshops next year.

Check out some pics! 📸 👇

EVENT PARTNER

Coalition9 Annual Signature Experience - Capital Reef National Park

We are so excited to be partnering with 4 Corners Exploration and Coalition9 facilitator Matt Norman on our first ever C9 Annual Signature Experience!

Dates (*to be confirmed): May 4-7, 2027

Join us for a signature experience designed exclusively for Coalition9 Members, facilitators, and Community Supporters. This is more than just a trip; it's a foundational journey to strengthen our community, deepen our purpose, and create an unforgettable experience for the C9 Community.

This unique 3-day desert hiking adventure through Capitol Reef National Park is a purposeful journey into one of America's most stunning and secluded landscapes. You'll traverse challenging terrain (hiking difficulty level: moderate), travel overland through surreal rock formations, and summit a peak for panoramic views, all in the company of your fellow C9ers.

Limited to 10 participants.

Stay tuned for more info!

LEARN MORE

Become a Coalition9 Member!

Now is the perfect time to invest in your growth and development. We're continually building a community of Members who are serious about growth, committed to showing up, and willing to invest in one another for the long term. That's how deep, transformational relationships are built. That's how real evolution happens.

Current Openings + New Groups

We have a few openings in current groups and are launching a new group in May.

If you've been considering joining, this is your moment. Let's find the right group for you!

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 others who share your mindset? Coalition9 isn't a networking group—it's a business community focused on building long-term relationships with good people like you.

We provide a community where a diversity of experiences in business and life is celebrated. You'll build lasting relationships with fellow Members through authentic conversations and a focus on leading with intentionality. 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.

Leadership is lonely. But it doesn't have to be. Build your tribe in the Coalition9 Community!

2026 C9 Community Supporters

PROSPERING LEVEL

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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.™

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