Experience and expertise

I have 25 years of experience in strengthening communities locally, nationally, and internationally.  As an 12-year resident of St. Louis Park, I have taken these skills and put them to work for our community.  I have worked to strengthen the schools (elected Site Council representative), promote quality, life-cycle housing and affordable housing (St. Louis Park Housing Commissioner), and served as a community leader (Soccer coach, Wayside House Board of Directors, and most recently, as a St. Louis Park Community Foundation Board member).   

Experience and expertise:

  • Leader in public policy efforts and financing strategies to address Hennepin County affordable housing needs, including was appointed to serve on the Hennepin County Community Advisory Board on Homelessness, and led the implementation and coordination of programs to provide housing and services to homeless individuals and families at great cost savings to the public taxpayer
  • Certified Housing Development Finance Professional 
  • Facilitated a unique collaboration of schools, businesses, nonprofits and community members to address youth homelessness in St. Louis Park and six other West metro suburbs
  • Managed more than $50 million in U.S. government grants for local government reform and democratic initiatives in Russia.
  • As a staff member in the U.S. Congress, developed housing and community development legislation 
  •  Prepared the 1992 Presidential Transition Report recommendations for the Department of Housing and Urban Development 
  • As Executive Director of a neighborhood organization, implemented housing rehabilitation programs, crime reduction programs and neighborhood clean-up activities
  • Master’s degree in Public Policy, Georgetown University

 Commitment to St. Louis Park:

  • City of St. Louis Park Housing Commissioner
  • Vision St. Louis Park, Housing Committee Member           
  • Southwest Transit Station Area Planning Process Participant
  • Children’s First Initiative, Minikahda Vista Art Project Leader
  • St. Louis Park Public Schools Site Council and Room Parent
  • St. Louis Park Community Foundation Board
  • Wayside House Inc., Board and former President
  • League of Women Voters Member
  • St. Louis Park Soccer Coach

Throughout my life, I have dedicated my personal time and my professional career to helping empower people to have a voice in their own community.    For over two decades, I have been able to formulate and advance public policies that help communities keep government accountable and working on their behalf.