Fuse Duluth Young Professionals Logo

Fuse Duluth Mission: Developing young leaders to strengthen our community

Established in 2005, Fuse Duluth is the young professionals program of the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce, dedicated to connecting and empowering emerging leaders in the community. Committed to professional development, networking, and community involvement, Fuse Duluth aims to cultivate the next generation of business leaders in Duluth.

Engaged young professionals become active contributors to their local economies; Fuse provides participants with the opportunity to deepen their understanding of economic components and build meaningful connections to the greater community.

The program serves three purposes: 

  1. Develop and network young professionals (ages 20-40) looking to expand their roots in the Duluth business community, 
  2. Connect employers with local talent, and
  3. Maximize collaboration between generations to grow our local workforce.
Fuse Duluth Young Professionals event Wearing Costumes

Get Involved

Involvement in Fuse is easy. Fuse Duluth does not operate within a membership model. Instead, all community members are encouraged to participate through events, volunteer opportunities, and sponsorship. As a program of the Chamber, Fuse offers discounted event prices for staff or students of Chamber member organizations. Join us at our many program offerings that are designed to fit with almost any schedule.

Sign up for Fuse emails to stay current on all happenings.

Fuse Duluth Young Professionals event

Events

Fuse programming is open to all ages yet focused on providing unique development experiences that young professionals seek. Through experience-based learning, networking events, educational offerings, and groundbreaking tours, Fuse serves to elevate you as an active participant in the community and a leader in your career.

We can’t wait to meet you.

Kids Smiling with Champ from UMD Bulldogs

Initiatives

Today’s young leaders strive to make a difference for generations to come. 

Project Party is an initiative by Fuse Duluth celebrating the birthdays of children in need. Our Volunteer Focus Committee hosts bi-monthly birthday parties at the Steve O’Neil apartments for their tenants and children who would otherwise not receive one. We believe that all children deserve a day to be celebrated surrounded by games, cake, decorations, and people who care.

Is there an age limit?

Just as schools need teachers and students, Fuse Duluth thrives on participation from business professionals of all ages. Fuse works by fusing emerging professionals with community-established professionals to develop a thriving regional workforce and encourage collaboration, networking, and mentorship.

Meet the Volunteers Behind Fuse Duluth

Fuse Duluth is a program of the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce and fueled by the Leadership Council, a group of motivated volunteers that drive the direction of Fuse Duluth. The Leadership Council members provide input, work on Fuse initiatives, volunteer at events and assist in promoting the program.

Aubrey Hagen Duluth Chamber

Aubrey Hagen
Director
Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce

Kassidy Derfus
Fuse Duluth Intern
Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce

Jenna Kowaleski Headshot

Jenna Kowaleski
Acting Past Chair
St. Luke’s

Fuse Duluth Young Professionals Portrait

Andrew Weisz
Chair
Finden Marketing

Fuse Duluth Young Professionals Portrait

Hunter Bergerson
Chair-Elect
J3 Insurance

Samantha Bergum
Second Harvest Northland

Antonio Davis
Loffler Companies

Jordan DeCaro
DeCaro Real Estate

Madeline Joynes Evanson
Merrill Wealth Management

Will Holz
Northwestern Mutual

Fuse Duluth Young Professionals Portrait

Tim Leutgeb
Bent Paddle Brewing Co.

Fuse Duluth Young Professionals Portrait

Amber Lewis
Northspan

Moe Ludwig
Gardner Builders

Matthew Lunde
University of Minnesota Duluth

Kynze Lundeen
Lundeen Productions

Jason Reid
Bremer Bank

Bailey Thorson
Essentia Health

Duluth Chamber member smiling at her desk

Stephanie Williams
Business Advisor

Project Party Committee

Jennifer Brannan, Pier B Resort
Lindsey Dueland, Northwestern Mutual
Erin Grabinger, Head of the Lakes United Way
Rob Hedburg, maurices
Heather Hughley, Pier B Resort
Lindsay Kern, Kern & Kompany
Jenna Kowaleski, St. Luke’s
Niki Lampi, Minnesota Masonic Children’s Clinic for Communication Disorders
Bailey Olson, Northspan
Abbey Saralampi, maurices
Bri Waldoch, Gopuff

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Fuse Duluth is an essential recruitment and retention tool for developing the young professionals on your staff. Thank you to the generous Sponsors of the Fuse program for contributing to our mission  and investing in local emerging professionals:

North Shore Federal Credit Union logo
Maurices logo
St. Luke's Logo

Stay Connected

If you have questions about Fuse Duluth or how to get involved, please don’t hesitate to contact us:

Aubrey Hagen

Program Director of Fuse Duluth
Director of Membership Development
Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce
ahagen@duluthchamber.com
(218) 740-3758