The Process is
the Product

Let's Build a Future Together

As a nonprofit and public-sector executive leader with 25+ years of experience, I empower and collaborate to achieve our most challenging shared goals. I am a change agent who nurtures reform and innovation while strategically managing organizational culture and focus.

My style of leadership is a highly inclusive one, and I thrive when generating a sense of shared accomplishment, clarity in the path moving forward, and creating wide reaching and meaningful social impact. I have a strong commitment to racial equity and social justice, and my work has continually reflected that.

Whether I am participating in a voter registration drive for the homeless or collaborating with the CEOs and leaders of Minnesota’s largest companies and public entities, I am comfortable operating in diverse settings. Variety in my work keeps it engaging, and I enjoy both ‘getting my hands dirty’ and operating in a C-Suite setting. I am known as an adept communicator who connects easily and excels at crafting and delivering relevant messages.

I am especially skilled at developing, maintaining, and expanding partnerships between public and private entities. The large majority of my work experience has been a unique blend of working closely with the private sector while in government or nonprofits, leading to outstanding results for all parties. No matter what I am working on, I am outcome driven and motivated by creating impactful, measurable results. I have produced successful outcomes at every stage of my career, and bring solid credibility with public, private, and nonprofit sectors.

CEO, Rainbow Health, April 2019 to Present

Lead all aspects of the agency’s mission to work for equitable health care access and outcomes for people who experience injustice at the intersection of health status and identity. Center the organization’s efforts on individuals and communities at risk of HIV or facing barriers to equitable healthcare access and outcomes because of their identity and gender, sexual, and/or racial minorities. Responsible for day-to-day operations, financial performance, legal compliance, and mission implementation, with 2022 annual budget of $10.7M. Build strong relationships with community partners, funders, donors, and public officials. Develop and implement a 3-year strategic plan. Create a respectful, inclusive work culture to engage and retain quality, passionate employees. Guide direct reports and program leads overseeing 90+ employees providing social services, mental health care, advocacy, and community education and empowerment. Be a forceful voice for health equity in the community and media outlets. Serving on the Minnesota Health Equity Advisory Leadership Council.Edit your content page from the Pages tab by clicking the edit button.

Key Accomplishments

Drove development and implementation of 3-year strategic plan unifying a newly integrated organization with a common purpose and vision of stability and growth.
Grew the budget from $5.5M to $10.7M in three years. Eliminated $1M structural deficit.
Expanded mental health practice >60% year over year 2 years running. Launched new programs for COVID community outreach, a free tele-PrEP/STI clinic, and aging services for older LGBTQ+ adults.
Increased number of new BIPOC hires from 25% to 35% and overall BIPOC employment from 25% to 29%. Increased number of BIPOC Board of Directors from 15% to 50%. Launched and implemented internal Racial Equity Plan, Racial Equity Program Plans, and integrated Anti-Racism into Board Goals and Work Plans.
Spearheaded re-brand with new name and website with staff, board, and stakeholder engagement. New brand drove increased website traffic, social media growth, and SEO growth.
Named 2021 a Notable LGBTQ Executive by Twin Cities Business Magazine and featured in several local TV, radio and print publications.

Deputy Commissioner of Workforce Development, State of Minnesota, June 2014 to March 2019

Facilitated strategic direction for the State of Minnesota’s (MN) workforce development programs and aligned public job training/work readiness resources with the needs of business. Provided vision, cohesion, and leadership across seven state and federally funded programs, with an annual budget of $304M. Guided seven direct reports overseeing more than 1,200 employees. Directed several programmatic areas, including workforce development policy and employment programs. Partnered with multiple public and private stakeholders to align strategies, leverage resources, connect jobseekers with employers, and grow the state economy. Collaborated closely with business and economic development associations to ensure job training programs meet the needs of businesses.

Key Accomplishments

Spearheaded the development and implementation of MN’s innovative new Workforce Development Plan, which focused on employment equity for people of color and people with disabilities, priority industry sectors, and measuring outcome performance.
The first state in country to put racial equity as a value expectation at the core of its plan.
Aligned 50 centers, 16 boards, hundreds of service providers, and $194M around an understandable, measurable strategy to provide better outcomes for people of color and those with disabilities.
Developed and oversaw implementation of MN’s transition to a regional structure for workforce development strategy, planning, and service delivery. Will result in regions maximizing their local economy, providing more accessible/relevant services to customers, and creating a path for system innovation.
Drove rebranding of the State’s Workforce Center System, bringing physical centers, programs, and providers under one unified brand and philosophy; resulted in increased awareness of services and programs.
Orchestrated and provides executive leadership of MN’s first-ever “virtual” workforce service center.
Redesigned and aligned business-facing workforce development services, with a significant staff reorganization and resource realignment. Resulted in better serving key industry sectors and measurement of outcomes.

Executive Director, Minneapolis Community Planning and Economic Development, April 2012 to March 2014

Directed a multifaceted department in an innovative and fiscally responsible manner. Provided vision and strategic leadership to build a robust economic strategy for the City during a time of tremendous growth. Oversaw and ensured cohesion across four divisions of Economic Development, Housing, Long Range Planning, and Development Services. Supervised eight direct reports and a department of 230 employees. Partnered with external stakeholders to leverage resources for the City’s development. Championed a culture of innovation and continual improvement.

Key Accomplishments

Envisioned, guided, and implemented a significant department reorganization; utilized effective change management and communication to successfully merge two departments with different cultures and goals.
Reformed $94 million agency budget to have greater transparency, accountability, principles, and balance. Resulted in erasing a long-standing structural budget deficit of $5 million.
Led successful negotiations involving large-scale, complex real estate and redevelopment projects on behalf of the City, including a renovated Target Center and new U.S. Bank Stadium.Enhanced racial equity of staffing, purchasing, and program outcomes by developing a racial equity toolkit, growing awareness, and modifying goals and processes.
Increased department hiring of people of color from 17% in 2012 to 21% by 2014 and increased procurement going to women/POC owned businesses.

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