Candace Campbell is Vice President, Sustainability Programs for Avant Energy, Inc., an energy management company in Minneapolis, where she leads efforts to develop sustainable energy solutions for communities. She has more than 25 years of experience in community and economic development, including the development of business incubation facilities, and programs to support regional competitiveness, technology transfer, new and small business development and commercial area revitalization. She has been Instructor at the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota and an Instructor at the Minneapolis College of Art & Design.

Relevant affiliations: Member, International Economic Development Council, Economic Development Association of Minnesota, American Planning Association, Urban Land Institute, and Superior Business Firm Roundtable.

FMR Board member since: 2002

Board committees: Executive, Finance

Quote: “The river is an incredible natural resource which divides, joins and supports the Twin Cities communities and economy, recreation, commerce, ecology and history. FMR serves to enhance its value and preserve it for the future.”

Hobbies: Bicycling, kayaking, traveling, collecting antiques.

Interesting book(s): Jared Diamond’s books on failures of human societies.

Favorite Mississippi River location: The gorge between the University of Minnesota and Fort Snelling

Favorite animal: Dragonfly

Last memorable vacation: Roatan, Honduras. The island featured great people and spectacular scenery.

Favorite band: Blind Boys of Alabama.

Conservation/Environmental heroes: Rachel Carson, Sigurd Olson, John Muir, Stewart Udall.

Challenge: “I’d love to challenge everyone to best my fundraising efforts for FMR’s Mississippi River Challenge — top pledge getter 2006 and 2010!” Read more…