As a former educator, non-profit executive director, Saint Paul legislative assistant, outreach director who's committed to inspiring our community, I see myself as a lifelong leader both within government and outside of our public institutions. I have led successful education funding campaigns, managed a budget and raised money for a non-profit, helped pass historical public health legislation, developed educational plans for leading state political candidates, worked on countless political campaigns, run for office myself, and successfully lobbied elected officials on education policy. As a public school teacher, Graduation Standards Specialist, executive director of a non-profit, City of Saint Paul legislative assistant, and Government Affairs Coordinator for Minnesota Department of Education, I have worked towards positive social change for all of my professional life. I have developed critical strengths in organizing and connecting (both grassroots and grasstops), fundraising (ranging from local levy campaigns to non-profit work, to national congressional races such as that for Congressman Collin Peterson), and conducting outreach at all levels of the government. I have developed an enviable Rolodex of public and private sector contacts who will take my call, advise me or help me move forward critical pieces of action or information.My career to date has afforded me with a deep knowledge of how to be successful within numerous realms and alongside many different people. As an inclusive, positive manager and effective communicator I am always relying upon my foundation as a teacher to strengthen and inform the work I do. As a leader I understand how important it is to cultivate good supporters and to make the most out of each opportunity. Whether it be mobilizing supporters, building consensus, or getting into the nitty gritty of stuffing envelopes, I never shy away from the work required to be successful each day, in each opportunity given.