Jeannie Entenza, Honorary Consul of Iceland to Minnesota and North Dakota, joins “Access to Democracy” host Steve Francisco for an informative discussion about Iceland and its connections to Minnesota. Although fewer than 400,000 people live in this volcanic island nation in the North Atlantic Ocean, as Jeannie notes, this small country “punches above its weight” in many ways.
Jeannie discusses her Icelandic heritage and the role of Icelandic immigrants who settled in Southwestern Minnesota and elsewhere. Iceland has become a world leader in protecting the environment and fighting global climate change. An Icelandic company is even using fish skin in innovative ways to help burn patients recover and is planning to open a Minnesota office.
In addition to her honorary diplomatic role for Iceland, Jeannie has had a long and distinguished career in the nonprofit sector. She is a former Fulbright specialist and is currently teaching at the Humphrey Institute at the University of Minnesota.
