Brenda Baumann, MBA, has built her career on helping others realize their visions with a passion for creating community in small towns.

Brenda brings over 32 years of experience in areas of strategic planning, community development and engagement, entrepreneurship, marketing, communications, event planning, and public relations. Her most recent role was Executive Director of The Hub, an entrepreneur incubator and coworking space in Warroad, Minnesota.

Brenda enjoys being active in the community in very purpose-driven ways. She and her husband, Brad, make their home in Warroad, Minnesota. Both enjoy spending time with family, the company of their golden retriever Macey, and taking an occasional trip to Arizona.

Helping others succeed, keep a positive spirit despite difficulties, and surrounding herself with a network of motivated and driven people inspires Brenda to put forth her best every day.

This outlook has led to several professional and personal accomplishments:

  • Received the Ruth Edevald Award for Excellence in Leadership from the Northwest Minnesota Foundation on September 17, 2024.

  • Incubated a small-town coworking space and new business start-up resource center from 2017-2024, where community collaborations and partnerships were key to their success. The Northwest Minnesota Small Business Development Center (SBDC) was an important partner, as client registrations increased from 5 to over 65 within the first year.

  • Co-led a talented team over 2.5 years to bring Hockey Day Minnesota to Warroad in January 2024 resulting in bringing 15,000 people to Warroad over a 3-day experience.

  • Serves as current Chair of the Warroad Area Community Fund advisory committee and member since the fund’s origination in 2002, with net assets exceeding 3.2 million dollars.

  • Received the Emerging Leaders Award from Twin Cities Business / MDA Consulting, March 2006.

  • Earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of St. Thomas, Minneapolis, Minnesota, May 2005.

  • Past-President of a few community-based organizations such as Warroad Community Partners, Warroad Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Zion Lutheran Church.