November 9 2016

Todd Klingel Memorial Gifts to STEP-UP Youth Employment Program

Todd Klingel

AchieveMpls has lost one of our dearest friends and strongest champions with the death of Todd Klingel, former President and CEO of the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce. Todd's 40-year career spanned publishing, promoting downtown Minneapolis, championing regional economic development and connecting Minneapolis youth with business internship opportunities through the City of Minneapolis STEP-UP youth employment program, which is managed in partnership with AchieveMpls.

Todd often said that his role in establishing STEP-UP and his success in rallying the Chamber behind the program were his proudest accomplishments. Co-founded by then-Mayor R.T. Rybak and U.S. Bancorp CEO Richard Davis, STEP-UP has now provided over 22,000 internship opportunities with Twin Cities companies, nonprofits and public agencies.

Todd was a dedicated ambassador and advocate for STEP-UP in the business community and beyond. He also relished his participation in the annual STEP-UP mock interviews, which match 400 community volunteers with interns who have just completed their work readiness training. He usually partnered with his buddy Tom Whelan from Nemer Fieger for the interviews, connecting with interns on a personal level and learning their stories.

Todd was also instrumental in the creation of the AchieveMpls Career & College Centers in Minneapolis Public Schools high schools, which provide personalized guidance and resources to thousands of students each year as they plan their career and post-secondary paths for life after graduation. 

We are honored that gifts in memory of Todd are being directed to STEP-UP or Youthlink, two programs serving Minneapolis youth. You can make your memorial gift to STEP-UP online, or mail a check to AchieveMpls at 111 Third Avenue South, Suite 111, Minneapolis, MN 55401. Be sure to designate Todd Klingel Memorial in the Tribute Information section of our donation page or on your check memo. 

We are tremendously thankful for Todd's many years of passionate support for STEP-UP and our young people. We will put these memorial gifts to good use in preparing our STEP-UP interns to become the kind of skilled, innovative and committed community leaders that Todd would be so proud of.

Learn more about Todd's life and work in this Star Tribune tribute by Neal St. Anthony.