Speaker: Michelle Leonard
\n\nTransportation accounts for 25 percent of Minnesota&rsquo\;s greenhouse gas emissions\, with more than 70 percent of that GHG contribution from personal vehicles. Edina-based Commuter Services works to mitigate that impact.
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\nCommuter Services provides employers\, commuters\, and residents with information about sustainable commute options &ndash\; carpool or vanpool\, bus or light rail\, bike commuting or walking to work\, or even working from home &ndash\; to find ways of getting around without driving alone.
\nMany people say the commute is the worst part of their workday. As a Transportation Management Organization (TMO)\, Commuter Services offers free services and resources to help employers craft a plan to ease the commute woes for staff\, set up transit pass programs and other incentives\, and meet sustainability goals.
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\nCommuter Services also hosts the Twin Cities Telework website\, which features free telework and hybrid work resources for employers\, managers\, and teleworkers. In addition\, employers can receive road and transit construction updates from Commuter Services.
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\nCommunications and Outreach Manager Michelle Leonard spearheads Commuter Services&rsquo\; new residential outreach program and develops materials to educate the public on how sustainable commuting benefits GHG emission mitigation.
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\nShe serves as the Association for Commuter Transportation (ACT) Midwest Chapter communications chair and recently joined Minnesota Association of Government Communicators. And\, after a 22-year newspaper career\, Michelle continues to support local journalism as the volunteer/operations coordinator for the Minnesota Newspaper Museum at the Minnesota State Fair.
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\nThe Sunrise Edina Business Breakfast is a networking event created to bring small- to medium-sized businesses in the Edina community together for an opportunity to learn more about our local businesses\, gain knowledge through education\, and share business challenges and opportunities. Be sure to bring your 60 second "\;creative"\; commercial detailing your business\, upcoming special event\, or a product offering you have. And don'\;t forget to bring plenty of business cards for networking!