TechTalent Preview: Q&A with Target’s Mike McNamara » MnTech

Target CIO Mike McNamara will deliver a keynote address at TechTalent Feb. 28. Here’s a look at his perspective on the local technology community and his optimism about change.

What’s the best thing about working in technology in Minnesota?

I moved to Minnesota when I joined Target in 2015 and was immediately impressed, and continue to be, by the strength of the tech community in the Twin Cities; and not just the great people I get to work with every day at Target but across the entire region.

What’s the hardest challenge facing our high-tech businesses?

One of the most difficult challenges the entire industry faces is the staggering lack of diversity in tech. To me, diversity means diversity of thought and perspective. I believe we need people who fundamentally think differently, which means—first and foremost—we must hire and retain talent from different backgrounds.

What will we learn from you at TechTalent?

It’s possible to massively change team or company culture in a relatively short period of time.

Which other speaker are you most excited to hear from?

I’m excited Nancy King from Target is speaking on the workforce initiatives panel. Our team has developed some strong programs to attract and retain talent that will resonate with the audience.

What are you reading?

I’m an avid reader. I recently took five books with me on a vacation, including The Power by Naomi Alderman, which I highly recommend.

Thursday, February 28, 2019 7:30 a.m.- 1 p.m.

Hyatt Regency Bloomington

Learn more and register at https://mntech.org/event/techtalent/

Jayshree Seth
Corporate Scientist, 3M

Jayshree Seth is a Corporate Scientist at 3M and currently holds 77 patents for a variety of innovations, with several additional pending. She joined 3M in 1993 after an MS and PhD in Chemical Engineering from Clarkson University, New York. She is a Distinguished Alumni Award recipient from her alma mater REC Trichy India, now NIIT Trichy, where she earned a B. Tech. in Chemical Engineering.

Jayshree was appointed 3M’s first ever Chief Science Advocate in 2018 and is using her scientific knowledge, technical expertise and professional experience to advance science and communicate the benefits of science and the importance of diversity in STEM fields. She is also a member of Carlton Society which is the 3M Science and Engineering “Hall of Fame.” Jayshree is the fourth woman and first female engineer to be inducted. In 2020, she was awarded Society of Women Engineers (SWE) highest Achievement Award. She is also the first-ever winner of a Gold Stevie® Award in the new Female Thought Leaders of the Year – category in the 18th annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business in 2021. Jayshree was featured in a docuseries titled Not the Science Type that premiered during the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival and accepted for Brand Storytelling Showcase, a sanctioned event at Sundance Film Festival. She is the author of the books, The Heart of Science – Engineering Footprints, Fingerprints, & Imprints, and The Heart of Science – Engineering Fine Print published by the Society of Women Engineers, and all sales proceeds go to a scholarship for underrepresented minority women in STEM. She is a sought-after speaker, globally, on a multitude of topics such as innovation, leadership and STEM advocacy and has featured in local, national and international media.

Jayshree has served on the CEOs Inclusion Council, chaired the 3M Asian Employee Resource Group A3CTION and serves on the Steering Committee for 3M Technical Women’s Leadership Forum (WLF). She also serves on the Board of the Science Museum of Minnesota, Engineering Advisory Council for Clarkson University, AAAS Committee on Science, Engineering and Public Policy (COSEPP), Advisory Board for Innovation – The Conference Board, and Advisory Group of Aspen Institute Our Future is Science program.

Jayshree has two adult kids, and her husband also works at 3M.