Maria Ploessl has served in the role since 2017.
Minnestar Executive Director Maria Ploessl has announced that she will be stepping down from her position in June of 2023. In a letter to the Minnestar community, Ploessl shared that in addition to the organization’s cornerstone events and community offerings, the upcoming year will be focused on leadership transition, and the next few months will be her last serving as the executive director.
"It is hard to imagine a Minnestar without Maria at the helm. As Minnestar's very first executive director, she has been instrumental in keeping the organization's mission and values alive," said Antoinette Smith, vice chair of the Minnestar Board of Directors. "We look forward to working with her to pass the mantle to our next ED!"
Ploessl, who has served as Minnestar’s first Executive Director since 2017, is leaving on a positive note. In her letter, she expressed pride in the growth and evolution of Minnestar, which has expanded from two cornerstone events to a vibrant community of over 20 events and digital resources for year-round regional connectivity. She also highlighted the organization’s focus on community and showcasing hundreds of examples of local tech innovation.
Over the next several months, Ploessl will be working on transitioning her role to new leadership. Minnestar has posted a job opening for her replacement, which she encourages community builders, capacity builders, and inclusive event enthusiasts to apply for.
Ploessl has not yet announced her future plans, but she expressed her continued support and enthusiasm for Minnestar and the Minnesota tech ecosystem. She remains committed to ensuring a smooth transition for the organization and the community she has served.
About Minnestar
Minnestar is a non-profit organization dedicated to growing and supporting Minnesota's technology and startup community. Since its founding in 2006, the organization has provided a platform for thousands of entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts to connect and collaborate, offering various events, programs, and resources to support the growth of the community.
For more information about Minnestar, visit www.minnestar.org.
