In Partnership with the Twin Cities Aerospace Network (TCAN)

Building Connections Across Minnesota's Aerospace & Defense Innovation Community

Wednesday, August 19 | 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
 

The Technological Leadership Institute (TLI) is pleased to launch another year of its Industry Network Series, bringing together leaders from business, engineering, technology, government, higher education, and entrepreneurship to strengthen Minnesota's innovation ecosystem.

The first event of the academic year is presented in partnership with the Twin Cities Aerospace Network (TCAN), one of the region's leading organizations connecting aerospace, defense, manufacturing, and technology professionals.

Whether you are an executive, technical leader, entrepreneur, alumnus, student, faculty member, or industry partner, this evening offers an outstanding opportunity to build new relationships, reconnect with colleagues, and explore opportunities for collaboration across industries.

Why Attend?

• Expand your professional network with leaders from Minnesota's aerospace, defense, engineering, manufacturing, technology, and innovation sectors.
• Meet professionals from throughout the TLI community, including alumni, students, faculty, advisory board members, and corporate partners.
• Learn more about the work of TCAN and organizations advancing Minnesota's aerospace and defense industries.

• Explore opportunities for collaboration, talent development, innovation, and future partnerships.

  Register Today

About the TLI Industry Network Series

The TLI Industry Network Series is one of the ways we bring our mission to life.

At TLI, we believe one of the greatest benefits of being part of our community is becoming connected to an exceptional network of technical professionals, organizational leaders, innovators, alumni, faculty, and students.

Throughout the year, TLI hosts a series of networking events, executive conversations, company visits, and industry forums that create opportunities to exchange ideas, build relationships, and strengthen connections across Minnesota's technology and engineering community.

Our partnership with TCAN reflects our commitment to creating meaningful collaborations that benefit our students, alumni, corporate partners, and the broader innovation ecosystem.

Hosted by

Technological Leadership Institute (TLI)
College of Science & Engineering
University of Minnesota

Industry Partner

Twin Cities Aerospace Network (TCAN)

Special thanks to TCAN leaders Jeff Johnson, Pat Lawton, Chip Laingen, and the broader TCAN community for partnering with TLI on this event.

We hope to see you there!

Join us online for an info session and discover how the Technological Leadership Institute’s graduate programs can help you stand out, lead with confidence, and take your career to the next level. 

If you’re aiming for a promotion, preparing for a new role, or looking to sharpen your expertise, our flexible, industry-aligned master’s degrees and graduate certificates are built to fit your goals and your schedule.

Meet our team, get your questions answered, and find the right program to match your ambitions.

Once you register, an admissions associate will reach out with more information. If you register on the day of the event, please email [email protected] to ensure your registration was received. 

Register Now

Questions?

Contact Brooke Barnhart, TLI Admissions Director to see which program could best serve you.

Schedule Meeting

Join us online for an info session and discover how the Technological Leadership Institute’s graduate programs can help you stand out, lead with confidence, and take your career to the next level. 

If you’re aiming for a promotion, preparing for a new role, or looking to sharpen your expertise, our flexible, industry-aligned master’s degrees and graduate certificates are built to fit your goals and your schedule.

Meet our team, get your questions answered, and find the right program to match your ambitions.

Once you register, an admissions associate will reach out with more information. If you register on the day of the event, please email [email protected] to ensure your registration was received. 

Register Now

TLI’s Spring Social at Surly Brewing Co. is back for round three! Whether you joined us last time or are new to the fun, you’re invited for another evening of great conversations, connections, and yes—free pizza and beer.

Join us for an evening of networking & reconnecting on Wednesday, April 29 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Pizza Upstairs.

This event provides a fantastic opportunity to connect in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. Whether you're looking to expand your network, exchange ideas, or explore potential collaborations, this evening promises to be both enjoyable and beneficial.

Date: Wednesday, April 29
Time: 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Location: Pizza Upstairs at Surly Brewing Co. (520 Malcolm Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414)
Bonus: Free pizza + 1 drink ticket included

Spots are limited to 40 attendees — RSVP by Wednesday, April 22 to secure your spot!

RSVP Today

We hope to see you there!

Join us online for an info session and discover how the Technological Leadership Institute’s graduate programs can help you stand out, lead with confidence, and take your career to the next level. 

If you’re aiming for a promotion, preparing for a new role, or looking to sharpen your expertise, our flexible, industry-aligned master’s degrees and graduate certificates are built to fit your goals and your schedule.

Meet our team, get your questions answered, and find the right program to match your ambitions.

Once you register, an admissions associate will reach out with more information. If you register on the day of the event, please email [email protected] to ensure your registration was received. 

Register Now

We are pleased to invite you to the final event in TLI’s three-part Networking Series for the 2025–2026 academic year. Join us at the headquarters of Arctic Wolf for an evening hosted by Mike Jackson, Senior Director at Arctic Wolf and member of the TLI Advisory Board. 

This event marks the capstone of our Networking Series—designed to connect students, alumni, and technical professionals with leading organizations at the forefront of innovation and leadership. We are especially excited to conclude the series in partnership with Arctic Wolf, a global leader in security operations. 

Agenda

• 5:00–6:00 p.m. | Open Networking 

  Connect informally with Arctic Wolf leaders, TLI alumni, students, and fellow professionals over light food and snacks.

• 6:00–7:00 p.m. | Company & Industry Insights 

  Members of the Arctic Wolf team will share:

  • Insights into their company
  • Career opportunities within the organization
  • Broader trends in the cybersecurity space 
  • We will also hear from alumni from various TLI programs who now work in cybersecurity, offering practical perspectives on navigating and building a career in this dynamic field.
     
• 7:00–8:00 p.m. | Continued Networking 

Transportation for TLI Students

Complementary round-trip van transportation will be available for TLI students only. If you would like to reserve a seat, please indicate your interest on the RSVP form below. 

RSVP Today

Arctic Wolf 

Arctic Wolf helps organizations proactively manage cyber risk through its cloud-native security operations platform, serving thousands of clients worldwide. As cyber threats grow in sophistication and scale, cybersecurity has become a strategic imperative across every industry. 

For technical professionals, cybersecurity knowledge is increasingly essential. Not just for those in dedicated security roles, but for engineers, product leaders, IT professionals, and technical managers whose work touches data, systems, and infrastructure. Understanding risk, resilience, and secure design principles strengthens both individual career mobility and organizational performance.

Host: Mike Jackson , Senior Director at Arctic Wolf and TLI Advisory Board member 
Light food and snacks will be provided. 
For any questions, please contact Randall Ross at [email protected].

Join us online for an info session and discover how the Technological Leadership Institute’s graduate programs can help you stand out, lead with confidence, and take your career to the next level. 

If you’re aiming for a promotion, preparing for a new role, or looking to sharpen your expertise, our flexible, industry-aligned master’s degrees and graduate certificates are built to fit your goals and your schedule.

Meet our team, get your questions answered, and find the right program to match your ambitions.

Once you register, an admissions associate will reach out with more information. If you register on the day of the event, please email [email protected] to ensure your registration was received. 

Register Now

The next TLI networking event is officially on the calendar!

Join us from 4-7 p.m. on January 14, 2026 at the 3M Innovation Center for a special tour of the facility and networking meetup.

Conversation, connection, and community — what better way to kick off a new year?

Learn more and RSVP below:

RSVP Today

Apply to TLI for Free During No-Fee Week!

Dreaming of advancing your career with a graduate degree? Now’s the time! For a limited period, the Technological Leadership Institute (TLI) is waiving application fees across all our graduate programs for those who submit their application between December 8 - 14, 2025.

Start your journey with TLI at no cost—don’t miss out! Find the steps to how to submit your application without paying the application fee during the no fee week in the link below:

Learn About No Fee Week

Join us online for an info session and discover how the Technological Leadership Institute’s graduate programs can help you stand out, lead with confidence, and take your career to the next level. 

If you’re aiming for a promotion, preparing for a new role, or looking to sharpen your expertise, our flexible, industry-aligned master’s degrees and graduate certificates are built to fit your goals and your schedule.

Meet our team, get your questions answered, and find the right program to match your ambitions.

Once you register, an admissions associate will reach out with more information. If you register on the day of the event, please email [email protected] to ensure your registration was received. 

Register Now