Nurturing Innovation, Fostering Connections

Global Entrepreneurship Week Minnesota, a nonprofit, is on a mission to empower communities, bridge gaps, and create opportunities for individuals and businesses within the global landscape. We believe in the transformative power of entrepreneurship to drive positive change, and our commitment to fostering connections between Minnesota entrepreneurs and the world is at the heart of our work.

Our Vision

To be a dynamic force for change, cultivating an environment where innovation thrives, and aspiring entrepreneurs have the resources and support needed to turn their ideas into reality.

Meet Our Team

  • Ini Augustine

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & STATE COORDINATOR

    Ini Augustine (She/Her/Hers) is a network engineer, social innovator, and serial entrepreneur. A Network Engineer, Ini Augustine occupies the space between equity, technology and art. Her organization to close the digital divide, Technologist Computers, was launched in direct response to covid-19 & the George Floyd protests. She was named Aspiring Businesswoman of the Year for NAWBO Iowa, The National Association of Women Business Owners. Ini's commitment to equity and access led her to complete two terms of service as an Americorps volunteer, in Public Allies & Reading Partners. She is an alum of The Josie R Johnson Leadership Academy,African American Leadership Forum.

  • Tonya Draughn

    VICE PRESIDENT

    Tonya is the Executive Director of Uplift MN. Uplift MN is a grassroots organization that helps underrepresented communities navigate through policies that affect their lives & educates communities on voter engagement. She is the co-founder of The Fannie Education Alliance & was selected by St Paul City Council to sit on a Legislative Advisory Committee on poverty. Tonya is currently lending her voice to the Ramsey County Equity Healthcare Committee to assist in the county's response to Covid 19 and sits on Ramsey County's Racial Equity Policies and Practices Committee

  • Inie Clement

    Inie Clement

    Inie Clement specializes in the development of affordable housing in poverty-stricken areas of Iowa. She utilized the housing stock. She works with properties from neighborhood threat to neighborhood to provide Iowans with affordable housing. Her areas of expertise include city, state, and housing grants. With a pharmaceutical lens, she has worked to create health equity for indigenous reservations of the Navajo and Tohono Nations in Arizona.