Power Luncheon | Better Together: The Power of Relationships That Last

TeamWomen is continuing one of our favorite Valentine’s traditions by celebrating the power of women supporting women and the relationships that enrich our lives, careers, and communities.

Join us for a special Power Luncheon featuring longtime friends and respected Minnesota leaders Maureen Bausch and Deb Hopp, interviewed by Allison Kaplan.

Maureen and Deb’s paths first crossed more than three decades ago, when they worked together on the launch of Mall of America. Since then, their careers and lives have intersected through hundreds of events, major community moments including the Super Bowl, the Minnesota Women’s Economic Roundtable, and now service together on the Bachman’s Board of Directors.

Throughout their remarkable careers, both women have led some of Minnesota’s most respected organizations, built extensive networks, and made a lasting impact on our community. But perhaps one of the most meaningful threads through it all has been the relationships they’ve built and sustained along the way.

In this candid conversation, Maureen and Deb will share stories and lessons from 35 years of friendship and collaboration, exploring how authentic relationships can open doors, create opportunities, provide support through seasons of change, and enrich both our professional and personal lives.

You’ll leave inspired to think differently about the relationships you’re building today and the impact they could have for decades to come.

Maureen Bausch is a respected Minnesota business and community leader whose career has spanned retail, marketing, tourism, major events, business development, and board leadership. She is currently a founder and partner at Bold North Associates and serves on the boards of Canterbury Park and Bachman’s Garden & Gift Stores.

Most recently, Maureen served as Interim Chief Marketing Officer for Mayo Clinic, leading marketing during a period of transition and overseeing professional sports partnerships, corporate outreach, and market growth initiatives.

Maureen spent 25 years with Mall of America, joining the organization two years before it opened and ultimately rising to Executive Vice President. During her tenure, she helped lead one of Minnesota’s most recognized destinations, overseeing a $1 billion asset, a $100 million budget, a team of 1,500, and relationships with more than 800 retailers, restaurants, and attractions.

In 2015, Maureen left Mall of America to become CEO of the Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee, leading the effort to bring Super Bowl LII to Minnesota. She raised $60 million in private funding, created the Bold North brand, mobilized 10,000 volunteers and 400 community leaders, and oversaw more than 200 events surrounding the game. Super Bowl LII generated an estimated $450 million in economic impact for Minnesota.

Maureen began her career directing advertising for Cub Foods, her family’s business, during a period when the company grew from four stores to 85 locations across 14 states.

Throughout her career, Maureen has been deeply committed to her community and has served on numerous corporate and nonprofit boards. In addition to Canterbury Park and Bachman’s, her current board service includes the University of St. Thomas School of Law, Safe Passage for Children, and the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport Foundation.

Maureen earned her master’s degree in Journalism and Marketing from the University of Minnesota and has completed continuing board education at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. She and her husband, Bill, live in St. Paul and have five adult children.

For more than 35 years, Maureen and Deb have shared a friendship and professional partnership that has spanned the launch of Mall of America, hundreds of events, the Super Bowl and, today, their service together on the Bachman’s Board of Directors.

Deb Hopp, now retired, spent her 50+ year career in media, publishing, marketing and communications, helping shape some of the Twin Cities’ most recognized media brands. She spent 31 years at MSP Communications, where she held leadership roles across Twin Cities Business, Mpls.St.Paul Magazine, Custom Publishing and The Agency at MSP. She helped launch Twin Cities Business and later served as publisher of Mpls.St.Paul Magazine before leading MSPC, the company’s award-winning content marketing agency.

Throughout her career, Deb has been known not only for building successful brands and businesses, but also for developing talent, mentoring women and creating connections across the Twin Cities business community. She has worked with organizations ranging from local businesses to Fortune 500 companies and has been a longtime advocate for recognizing and nurturing emerging leaders.

Community leadership has also been a defining part of Deb’s career. She has served on more than 20 corporate and nonprofit boards, including Bachman’s, HealthPartners, the University of Minnesota Foundation, Walker Art Center, Minnesota Orchestra, Greater Twin Cities United Way, Minnesota Children’s Museum, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, Minneapolis Downtown Council and Women Winning. Her board leadership has included serving as Chair of the University of Minnesota Foundation, Walker Art Center and Women Winning.

A graduate of the University of Minnesota with a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications, Deb has remained deeply connected to the university throughout her career, including serving as National President of the University of Minnesota Alumni Association and as a Life Trustee of the University of Minnesota Foundation.

Of all her accomplishments, Deb is most proud of her two daughters, Leslie and Deven, who followed in her footsteps as marketing executives, one in the Twin Cities and the other in Los Angeles. Her grandson, meanwhile, appears destined to become CEO of the world’s largest construction company, based solely on his current body of knowledge.

Maureen is a longtime friend and much-admired colleague. Over more than 35 years, their careers, board service and friendship have intersected in countless ways, making it especially meaningful for Deb to join her for this conversation.

Ali is the Director of Innovation and Engagement for the Star Tribune, and was previously vice president of content for MSP Communications’ Cities Media Group division, which includes Twin Cities Business, where she also served as editor in chief. Ali oversaw digital content for both TCB and sister publication MplsSt.Paul Magazine, contributed to overall strategy and new initiatives for the magazines and led the Twin Cities Business editorial team, including print and events.

An authority on retail, fashion, and consumer experience, Ali’s writing has appeared in numerous publications including Lucky and Delta Sky Magazine. Her award-winning monthly magazine column and blog bridged the space between business and lifestyle, offering a practical perspective on how we shop, why we shop, and the impact of trend, product, service, and technology on consumer experience. In recent years, she’s broadened her scope to coverage of technology, entrepreneurship, development issues, and workplace culture. Her ability to zero in on what matters to people, with advice and humor, has made her a sought-after speaker, and helped to build a robust social media following.

A frequent event emcee and moderator, she appears regularly as an on-air expert for television and radio. She also hosts the weekly radio show Shop Girls on myTalk107.1. Her latest venture is Mother Of, an online platform to help mothers of the bride and groom find their perfect dress.

She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Journalism and Mass Communication and now serves on the school’s Board of Visitors.

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