Allison Campbell Jensen

A dash of chutzpah distinguishes The Innovatives, whom I interviewed for the April 2011 Twin Cities Business, including Olga Selifonova, green chemistry entrepreneur, who wants to establish “the bio-based capital of the world in the Twin Cities.” Good on her for that ambitious goal. For Abir Sen, CEO of Bloom Health, the goal has been the same—improving the health care business—but he’s co-founded three companies along the way. And the force behind Medtronic‘s “hospital of the future” project, Paul Thompson, keeps finding new problems to solve in a company renowned for innovation. Jennifer Ford Ready revamped philanthropy with GiveMN. Engaging ideas, implementing changes, envisioning the future—these innovative Minnesotans are downright fresh.