
Four Under 40 Award Recipient: Meet Jesse Zahn
Celebrating The Next Wave of Leaders in the Brainerd Lakes Area
Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce
Meet Jesse Zahn, one of the recipients of the 2025 Four Under 40 Awards. These awards are hosted by the WAVE Young Professionals Network (a program by the Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce) and recognize four outstanding leaders between the ages of 18 and 39 who live and work in the Brainerd Lakes Area.
An anonymous panel of judges reviewed and scored the submissions based on the following criteria: professional excellence, leadership, community involvement, and potential for future success. Jesse Zahn rose to the top and was selected by the judging panel as one of the honored award winners.
Four Under 40: Jesse Zahn
CEO | Conductor Power - A Zahn Power Group
As Chief Executive Officer of Conductor Power, Jesse oversees a national energy infrastructure company headquartered in Baxter. Conductor Power operates in the critical space of EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) and utility construction, managing complex projects that ensure communities across the country have the power they need to function and thrive. Under Jesse’s leadership, the company has experienced significant growth—yet it’s not the scale of the business that stands out most. It’s the mindset.
Jesse leads with intention. He’s a decision-maker who takes pride in being transparent, empathetic, and solutions-oriented. Whether navigating multi-million-dollar construction projects or working alongside elected officials, Jesse brings a steady presence and a sharp focus to every table he sits at.
But his impact doesn’t stop at the edge of the business world. Jesse also serves his hometown in an official capacity as a member of the Nisswa City Council. Appointed in 2022 and serving through 2026, he has taken on key liaison roles in Public Works and the Liquor Committee, as well as past leadership in Planning & Zoning, Financial Management, and Personnel. His civic approach mirrors his business values—rooted in facts, fairness, and a belief that public service should always prioritize the people it represents.
His commitment to community is not just theoretical—it’s active. Jesse co-founded the Joe Haeg Game Winning Drive Golf Fundraiser, which has raised significant funds for the Brainerd Warriors Football Association. He has personally supported efforts benefiting the Nisswa Fire Department and the Nisswa Chamber of Commerce, among many others.
At a relatively young age, Jesse holds dual roles that many professionals might spend a lifetime working toward. He’s running a complex, growing company while helping guide the future of local government. That combination of ambition, vision, and humility makes him a standout leader in the Brainerd Lakes Area.
What Jesse Zahn proves is that leadership isn’t about titles. It’s about being consistent, thoughtful, and willing to take risks for the greater good. It’s about learning from every misstep, lifting up the people around you, and keeping your mission grounded in values.
Whether in the boardroom or at a council meeting, Jesse brings his whole self to the table—and that’s the kind of leadership communities need more of.
"To my younger self, I’d say, harness the journey, and don’t focus only on the destination. Failure has far more value than success, and it’s through failure that you build resilience and clarity about the kind of leader you want to be."
- Jesse Zahn
The WAVE Gala
The WAVE Gala will celebrate Jesse and the other Four Under 40 award recipients on September 18th at Catalyst by Nature Link in Nisswa. Of these four winners, one individual will be named the “Young Professional of the Year” and will receive additional recognition. The Young Professional of the Year will be announced live at the end of the Gala.
With support from The Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation, our Philanthropic Sponsor, each Four Under 40 winner will receive $500 for the charity of their choice. The Young Professional of the Year will receive an additional $500 for their charity.
The public is invited to attend and celebrate the accomplishments of the award winners. You do not have to be a WAVE or Chamber member to attend. You also do not need to be under 40 to attend—all are welcome.
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