Polly graduated with honors from the University of Minnesota with dual majors in Economics and International Relations/Cross-Cultural Communications, and then graduated with honors from its law school. After practicing with two of the finest law firms in the country, Polly left her legal practice to raise her four sons. During her time as a “stay-at-home” mother, Polly received repeated appointments from three Minnesota governors to various public policy positions. These included two separate stints serving as a member and the vice chair of the Metropolitan Council, the agency that plans and operates regional systems for the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area.As an engaged community volunteer, Polly was instrumental in the successful outcome of a contentious $9 million church building project, handling all internal and external communications and community outreach. For over 24 years, Polly has been actively engaged as a disability, special education, and gifted education advocate and consultant. She is currently utilizing this experience in school classrooms serving as a substitute teacher. Polly served two terms on the board of directors of TreeHouse Hope, a nonprofit that combats teen hopelessness. She has also served as a spokesperson/ambassador for a variety of civic and charitable organizations. Most recently, Polly was an Impact Speaker for Greater Twin Cities United Way’s 2021 annual workplace fundraising campaign. Polly also authored Becoming a Beauty Queen: The Complete Guide, published by Prentice Hall Press, a division of Simon & Schuster.Polly's portfolio of experience has honed a unique skill set. Polly is adept at 1) identifying needs, analyzing options, managing programs and evaluating results in law, government, business and nonprofit arenas, and 2) using public speaking, writing and personal interaction to inform, persuade, teach and motivate others to achieve desired goals. Polly has a history of taking on new challenges, learning quickly, establishing productive relationships with, and earning the respect of, colleagues and stakeholders, and making a positive impact.
Listed skills include Public Speaking, Nonprofits, Community Outreach, Fundraising, and 16 others.