The Bakken Museum
About The Bakken Museum
The Bakken Museum inspires a passion for innovation by exploring the potential for science, technology, and the humanities to make the world a better place.
Since 1975, The Bakken Museum has been committed to nurturing a passion for science in visitors from around the world. Founded by Earl Bakken, a Minneapolis native and co-founder of Medtronic, The Bakken Museum offers something for everyone.
Located in the historic West Winds mansion on Bde Maka Ska (formerly Lake Calhoun) and home to the Florence Bakken Medicinal Gardens, The Bakken Museum boasts one of the most beautiful settings you will find in the Twin Cities. In addition, the museum maintains a world class collection of historic and scientific and medical instruments as well as books, journals and manuscripts.
The Bakken Museum offers dynamic exhibit experiences and industry-leading STEM-focused education programs. Our experiences focus on the history and nature of electricity and magnetism, Minnesota’s medical technology industry and, of course, Frankenstein!
A historic mansion, unique collections, medicinal gardens, dynamic exhibits, and rich education experiences; The Bakken Museum truly has something everyone can enjoy.
Michael Sanders
President & CEO
OFFICERS
Chair, Brad Bakken - Citizens Independent Bank, President/CEO
Vice-Chair, Matthew Hunt - U.S. Bank, Vice President - Customer Service Experience Office
Secretary, Ann Ladd - Fredrikson & Byron, Partner
Treasurer, Mark van Osnabrugge - Medtronic, Vice President, Strategy & Finance
BOARD MEMBERS
Rebecca Bergman - Gustavus Adolphus College, President
Matt Boehlke - Xcel Energy, Director, Real Estate Services
Doreen Bortel - UnitedHealth Group, Senior Vice President – Chief Growth Officer
Jeffrey Blank - Tamarack Partners, Vice President
Raquel Briskin - U.S. Bank, Vice President – Employee Relations
Jessica Burdette - Minnesota Department of Commerce Energy, Regulation & Planning Manager
Georgine Busch - Bakken Family Office, LLC, Treasurer & Secretary
Caroline Byrd - Nextern, VP Regulatory, Quality, and Clinical
Lavanya Gundamaraju - Thomson Reuters, Director – Software Development, Legal & Research Technology
Jeff Hillins - 3M, Global Business Director – Industrial Adhesives
Cat Jennings - Boston Scientific, Vice President of Marketing – Peripheral Interventions
Pat Keran - UnitedHealthcare, Vice President – Product & Innovation
Mary Jo Kreitzer - University of Minnesota, Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing, Director
Molly Sanford - University of Minnesota College of Design, Fabrication Director
Paula Skjefte - Waterford Consulting, CEO
Carl Stamp - CM Stamp Consulting, Founder & CEO
Barb Stinnett - Timmaron Group, Founder and CEO
John Uribe - Blue Cross Blue Shield Minnesota, Vice President of Corporate Development
Heather Walch - H.B. Fuller, Global Director, Business Development
Contact Us
We welcome all comments and inquiries. You may also call us directly at (612) 926-3878.
The Bakken Team
Leadership
Michael Sanders
President & CEO
Joseph Imholte
Vice President of
Programs & Operations
Sara Kietzmann
Director of
Finance & Administration
Anika Taylor
Director of Education
Programs & Research