Tech, Media, Government – Rebuilding Trust in a Digital Age

Tech, Media, Government – Rebuilding Trust in a Digital Age w/ Steve Grove

Fri, October 10th | 11:30am-1pm | The Great Hall

Steve Grove’s new book, How I Found Myself in the Midwest, traces his journey from a high-powered career at Google in Silicon Valley back to his home state of Minnesota, where he entered public service and now leads one of the state’s most influential media organizations as Publisher and CEO of the Star Tribune. In this moderated conversation, Grove will share insights from his career across tech, government, and media—exploring how these institutions can be strengthened in a time of profound change, and why Minnesota might lead the way.

The event will feature a moderated Q&A with Jason DeRusha and is open to the public. The ticket price includes a plated lunch. Books will be available for purchase before and after the event, with a signing to follow the presentation.

About Steve Grove:

Steve Grove is CEO and Publisher of the Star Tribune, where he is leading the transformation of this storied Minnesota institution into a modern model for local news in America. Before joining the Star Tribune in April 2023, Grove served as Commissioner of Employment and Economic Development under Governor Tim Walz, guiding Minnesota’s economic strategy through a dynamic and challenging four-year period.

Prior to his public service, Grove spent 12 years at Google, where he was the founding director of the Google News Lab and led the company’s efforts in civic engagement and innovation in journalism. He also built YouTube’s news and politics team and earlier worked as a journalist for The Boston Globe, ABC News, and the Northfield News—his hometown paper.

A graduate of Northfield High School, Grove holds degrees from Claremont McKenna College and Harvard University. He and his wife, Mary, are co-founders of Silicon North Stars, a nonprofit helping underserved youth pursue careers in tech. They live in Minneapolis with their seven-year-old twins, a yellow lab, and two farm cats.

How I Found Myself in the Midwest, published by Simon & Schuster, is Grove’s memoir of reinvention—charting his return to Minnesota and his pivot from tech to public service to local media.