This Week at DEED

This Week at DEED

November 6, 2017 


DEED Commissioner Shawntera Hardy

Leadership Corner









Hello Team DEED:

I hope you had a wonderful weekend! 

As you may know, tomorrow is Election Day. While it is an off-year for statewide elections in Minnesota, there are a number of races at the local level throughout the state. Last week, I sent information about voter registration, absentee voting, how to coordinate voting time during work hours, and how to find a sample ballot. Please refer to that email for additional details, and be sure to make your voice heard tomorrow!

I hope you also saw last week that Gov. Mark Dayton declared November “Veteran and Service Member Appreciation Month in Minnesota.” Throughout the month, DEED will take part in Minnesota Honors You – a statewide campaign to acknowledge, support, and extend appreciation to our veterans, service members, employees, and fallen heroes. This Friday is also Veterans Day. More than 3,000 veterans are employed by the State of Minnesota. Thank you to all of our Team DEED veterans and active service members.

I would also like to extend a big congratulations to Veterans Employment Programs Director Jim Finley for the recognition he received recently in Twin Cities Business Magazine. Jim first took a job with the state in 1977, and has been in his current role since 2008. Thank you Jim for your great work with Minnesota’s veterans and for being such a great representative of DEED!

Lastly, Lt. Governor Tina Smith is calling for all nominations for the 2017 Governor’s Better Government Awards. See additional details below. Last year DEED won as part of a multi-agency effort to promote the state as a great place to start and grow your career through the State Career Fair. Please think about all the work you’ve done throughout the past year and nominate any project you feel meets the requirements. I would love to see many nominations from DEED!

Thank you all and have a great week.

Commissioner Hardy


Submit a Nomination For The Governor's Better Government Awards

The 2017 Governor’s Better Government Awards are an opportunity to celebrate the successes of state government and the hardworking public servants who make it happen.

The awards will recognize individual and organizational achievements within Minnesota state government that provide great customer service, make the state a great place to work, and have results that are worth sharing enterprise wide. 

Last year, DEED was part of a multi-agency collaboration that won the Great Place to Work category for work on the State Career Fair. 

The nomination period for the 2017 Awards runs from October 23 – November 17. There are three Award Categories: Great Customer Service, Great Place to Work, and Great Results.

To submit a nomination and for detailed evaluation criteria regarding the 2017 Awards visit the Office of Continuous Improvement Governor’s Awards webpage


One Combined Charities Basket Still Needs To Be Claimed!

It's been over a week since we announced the winners of this year's Combined Charities Basket Raffle and we still have one unclaimed basket. To find a winner, we are now going to the backup winning number which is 702273. If you are a winner, please come to the Communications department to claim your prize. 


Job Opportunities

Do you know someone who is looking for employment?   Are you seeking a promotional opportunity?  There are great employment opportunities here at DEED.  To see a current listing of all career opportunities please go to www.mn.gov/careers to begin your search. 



Suzanne Sopko

Employee Spotlight:

Suzanne Sopko

What is your role here at DEED?
I’m a Business Analyst, with the Systems Projects unit in Unemployment Insurance.

How long have you worked at DEED?
Eight years.

Where do you work? 
On the second floor, of the First National Bank Building.

Hometown?
Owatonna, MN.

What do you do for fun on outside of work?
I enjoy spending time with my husband as well as my nieces and nephews.

Favorite travel destination?
Toledo, Spain.

Who or what inspires you?
My mom.

Favorite food or restaurant?
Brasa.

What are you reading now?
"The Alchemist", by Paulo Coelho.

Favorite movie?
"Love Actually."

Something you’re looking forward to?
I’m looking forward to going on a trip to Colorado with my husband.


Wanted: Employee Spotlight Candidates

We’re always looking ahead for DEED employees to Spotlight. It’s quick and easy! Tell us if you’d like to take part or have someone you’d like to nominate.


November is National American Indian Heritage Month

National American Indian Heritage Month

National American Indian Heritage Month celebrates and recognizes the accomplishments of the peoples who were the original inhabitants, explorers and settlers of the land now called the United States.

On November 1, 2017, DEED’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee together with the Office of Diversity & Equal Opportunity, hosted Indigenous Roots at the Diversity Spotlight session.  Indigenous Roots began their work in 2007 from a dance and drum community circle known as Kalpulli Yaocenoxtli.  This session was incredibly informative about the rich cultural history of Mexica Nahuas - indigenous people of Mexico – and illustrated their beliefs and ways of being in the world through dance with each step, movement or breath having significance.  Approximately 60 staff attended in person or via WebEx and even learned a few dance steps!


November Diversity and Inclusion Events

Ingaa Lizhitchige Nibi Oonjii-I will do it For the Water Talk: Doreen Day, Bois Forte Ojibwe will present a talk on the importance of water to the Native American Community on Monday, November 6th from 1:00-2:30 PM at the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul. Admission is free. More info

Somali Day at the MIA and Children’s Theater: On Friday, November 10th from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM there will be a Somali dance troupe and a DJ playing Somali dance music. Traditional weaving will be taught. Performances of poetry and storytelling. There will also be an opportunity to view the MIA exhibition “I am Somali”: Three Visual Artists from the Twin Cities. Admission is free. Location is at the Minneapolis Institute of Art (MIA) and the Children’s Theater in Minneapolis. More info

World War I America Exhibit: Closing celebrations on Veteran’s Day, November 11th from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. From 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM, there is a Forgotten Stories of the Red Bull 34th Infantry Division program. Admission is $6 to $12 dollars and veterans and active military are free.  Exhibit held at the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul. More info.