Why am I Running?
We all need help at some point, and we all have gifts to share.
I have lived and worked in Ramsey County for over thirty years. I am an active member of many diverse and interlocking community circles as a parent, neighbor, athlete, worker, volunteer, and advocate.
As the primary caregiver for aging parents and children with serious chronic health conditions, I have learned to navigate complex health and human service systems. Along the way, I have met many other families who have also struggled.
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Life is humbling, it is full of unique and universal triumphs and tragedies. We all need help at some point, and we all have gifts to share.
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These lived experiences inform my advocacy for quality, accessible, affordable, culturally-responsive, and age-friendly services. My professional mission is building community capacity to meet the needs of its members while building member capacity to meet the needs of the community. I affectionately call this the Big Work.
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I am running for office so that I can continue to champion the needs of families and the community. I am running for Ramsey County Commissioner because the county is at the center of so much of the Big Work.
The Big Work
My Priorities
I will be a champion for:
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Youth and Families: nutrition, childcare, mental health, workforce, and aging services
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Livable Communities: housing, transit, economic development, parks, and public safety
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Environmental Protections: water management, recycling and waste, and clean energy
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Responsible Stewardship: financial, infrastructure, technology, and natural resources
Informed, Pragmatic Leadership
I bring decades of leadership experience to the role of County Commissioner:
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Lived-Experience as a caregiver, provider, and advocate
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Compassionate listening to diverse viewpoints
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Inclusive community engagement
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Collaborative partnership and consensus building
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Systems-thinking to reduce disparity in access and outcomes
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Strategic approaches to complex issues