Annual
VHEDC
Dinner and
Business Awards
T
he annual Vadnais Heights
Economic Development
Corporation (VHEDC) Dinner
& Awards Celebration recognizes
a year of hard work, success and
the vitality of the Vadnais Heights
and Northeast Metro business
community. Business Award winners
are either located in Vadnais Heights
or are VHEDC investing businesses.
Additionally, the award-winners
demonstrate strong commitment to
social responsibility and exemplify
strong community involvement. A
sold-out audience filled Jimmy’s
Event Center, Vadnais Heights,
November 8, 2018 to celebrate
the year and honor the Awards’
recipients: Century College, Dynamic
Air and NAC Mechanical & Electrical
Services.
The Keynote Speaker was Liwanag
Ojala, CEO of CaringBridge.
CaringBridge is the first and most
widely used global nonprofit social
network dedicated to helping family
and friends communicate with and
support loved ones during a health
journey. In 2015 the Women’s Health
Leadership TRUST recognized
Liwanag as a “Top Emerging
Woman Leader” in healthcare. In
2016 Liwanag was a recipient of
the Minnesota Business magazine
“(Real) Power 50 Award,” and in
2017 she was selected as one of
the “2017 Women in Business”
by Minneapolis/St. Paul Business
Journal. Liwanag began her career
as an attorney with Briggs & Morgan,
PA and remains a member of the
Minnesota State Bar and a trustee
emeritus of the Blandin Foundation.
Former VHEDC Executive Director
Ling Becker says, “The evening
is always a tremendous night
celebrating the vitality of the
business community. The Northeast
Metro area is fortunate to have many
outstanding businesses who care not
only about their own bottom lines
and profits, but are also passionate
about the success of other
businesses in the area. Our annual
year celebrates a year of hard work,
and positivity of our organization
to enhance networks and build
collaborations. Congratulations to all
winners!”
20
Northeast Metro Business