2025 Jean Harris Award Recipient – Pam Stegora Axberg
Pam Stegora Axberg is the CEO of Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities which provides life-transforming pathways for all people experiencing homelessness, hunger, and addiction. Prior to coming to Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities in 2020, Pam was an executive at UnitedHealthcare and Optum where she held several leadership roles, including managing national strategic partnerships, transforming the provider/patient experience, and leading national and international operations. Pam’s career also includes 20 years in telecommunications at Qwest Communications / US WEST.
In addition to her corporate leadership roles, Pam has served on many non-profit and community boards. She currently serves on the Ramsey County Continuum of Care Governance Board as well as the board of Citygate.
Pam recently served as a councilmember for the City of New Brighton. Early in her career, she chaired a national telecommunications advisory committee (NRIC VII) to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
As an advocate for girls and women, she has served on the YWCA USA Board of Directors and the YWCA Minneapolis board. She was a Girl Scouts troop leader for over a decade. Her prior board experiences include the Women Business Leaders in Healthcare Advisory Board, Girl Scouts River Valley, Junior Achievement North, and Topline Financial Credit Union.
She has received a variety of awards including the Women’s Health Leadership Trust Mentor of the Year and the YWCA Kate Berman Leadership Award. Pam earned her BA at St. Catherine University and her Master of Business Administration from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. She is a Public Policy Fellow from the Humphrey Institute at the University of Minnesota. She and her husband live in New Brighton, Minnesota, and have four adult children scattered throughout the country. Together they enjoy time at their cabin and farming. She is a winner of multiple blue ribbons at the Minnesota State Fair.
About the Jean Harris Award
Jean Harris, M.D. was a notable physician, administrator, politician and a true visionary. Jean’s pioneering life began in the segregated South and included being the first African-American graduate of the Medical College of Virginia. Dr. Harris advised five presidents on health policy, was a celebrated corporate and public health leader, and Eden Prairie’s first female mayor. Her remarkable life and achievements speak to the full promise of America and underscore the importance of continuing to inspire leaders and others to shape a world with hope, honor, and dignity.
The Jean Harris Award was established by the Women’s Health Leadership TRUST in 2001 to celebrate the vision and leadership of one of the TRUST’s most respected members. The award is presented at the TRUST Forum to a member who advances health care and exemplifies the vision of the TRUST.
Criteria for Nominees
- Reflect the vision and mission of the TRUST
- Demonstrate health care leadership locally, regionally and within her organization and with colleagues
- Participate in and provide leadership to TRUST committees or work groups
- Demonstrate personal and professional leadership and help develop these qualities in others
- Generate enthusiasm and energy while meeting the challenges of today’s environment
Other Jean Harris Award Winners by Year:
2021: Mary Welsh
2020: Monica Engel
2019: Theresa Pesch
2018: Paula Hart
2017: Stacie Usem
2016: Penny Wheeler, MD