As a tenacious, multi-faceted problem solver, I'm looking to partner with people and organizations to make meaningful and lasting change. With a 20+ year history of running nonprofit organizations, I bring expertise around strategic planning, board & staff development, organizing, public policy, and government relations. My career has spanned a variety of issue areas, including affordable housing, environmental justice, labor, and criminal justice reform. I've lobbied policy makers, written legislation, and built coalitions to pass complex and controversial policies at the state and local levels. My experience as both an advocate and an elected official has given me deep working knowledge of the policy process.

Served on the Board for the Minnesota branch of 350.org, responsible for fiscal decisions as well as supporting local campaigns (Stopping Line 3, Minneapolis Green New Deal)

Designed and implements the program for local elected leaders to accelerate positive climate policy. Created online trainings and documents to help under resourced local officials implement local climate policy. Works with internal political and legislative teams to create vertical power strategies.

I am passionate about the power of government to be a force for good and believe we need to hold our elected officials to a higher standard. For over 17 years, I have worked with local governments, keeping elected officials accountable to their campaign promises and exposing those who blatantly ignore the will of the constituents who voted them into office. My commitment and passion for advocacy started when I served a year with the Lutheran Volunteer Corps, pushing for socially progressive programs to lift up under-resourced communities. In the years since then, I’ve partnered with indigenous peoples, union families, and death row exonerees. I have successfully spearheaded legislation to increase the minimum wage, extend healthcare coverage to more people, and abolish the death penalty. I’ve seen the best and worst of our elected officials, and understand what it takes to be successful in that role.

Responsible for setting and executing the legislative and policy agenda for Common Cause Minnesota; working in coalition with key nonprofit, community, and business partners; and mobilizing and educating the community on issues of good government. Increased volunteer/intern program and participation with likely and unlikely coalitions. Utilized technology to deepen coalition partnerships and frame media narrative around issues.

Responsible for fiscal decisions of national organization as well as strategic restructuring, fundraising and outreach. Chairman of Strategic Plan Implementation Review Team, member of the Nominating Committee, Co-lead on Impartiality Review Taskforce

Statewide coordinator for all state lobbying, policy and legislative work on behalf of Amnesty International's work to abolish the death penalty. Also responsible for public speaking and teaching human rights.

Responsible for assisting state affiliates with the development and implementation of their strategy to repeal the death penalty as well as the national strategy of the organization. Responsible for working with state partners who are running repeal legislation on legislative strategy, staff organization and coalition mobilization. Increased the impact of the organization through new technology and re-focusing field staff. Re-vamped training program to include in-depth mentorships on advanced skills and incorporation into organizing/policy work of organization.

Successfully developed and implemented multi-year plan to repeal the death penalty through legislation by using grassroots organizing, coalition building and media. Responsible for all aspects of the organization including budgeting, hiring, developing a strategic plan, organizing, lobbying for the abolition of the death penalty, public speaking including media work, website development, and fundraising.

Responsible for developing, writing, lobbying, passing and implementing legislation to benefit home and childcare workers, speaking publicly on issues and legislation, representing 85,000 union members as part of a negotiations team, working with coalition organizations to influence policy and legislation, and handling all matters of homecare and childcare policy including drafting positive and blocking harmful proposed regulations.