Asche featured on MPR

Kelly Asche (MPP ’12) has been featured on MPR for his analysis of small-town Minnesota’s population statistics. He believes that rural communities are the most stable they have been in years, and says that small town populations are actually rising. Asche is currently the program coordinator for the Center for Small Towns at the University of Minnesota Morris.

Read the MPR article here.

Mehta featured in Twin Cities Daily Planet

Neeraj Mehta (MPP ’04) was recently quoted in the Twin Cities Daily Planet regarding racial and economic disparities in Minnesota. Mehta is currently the director of community programs at the University of Minnesota Center for Urban and Regional Affairs.

Read the Daily Planet article here.

Connect with Neeraj on LinkedIn.

Newbury moves to NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center

Sally Newbury (MPA ’11) recently became the volunteer engagement coordinator at NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center. NorthPoint supports Minneapolis community members in learning and practicing healthy behaviors.

Connect with Sally on LinkedIn.

Beaulieu joins Prevent Child Abuse Minnesota

Susan Beaulieu (MPP ’07) is now the director of the Tribal N.E.A.R. Science and Community Wisdom Project at Prevent Child Abuse Minnesota, a part of the Minnesota Communities Caring for Children organization. Beaulieu works to ensure that all children grow up in a safe and educational environment.

Connect with Susan on LinkedIn.

Larson moves to Missouri

Christian Larson (MPP ’11) recently became a research analyst with the Missouri Department of Economic Development. He was formerly a financial analyst at the University of Oregon.

Connect with Christian on LinkedIn.

Merkel joins Standing Rock Sioux Tribe

Haden Merkel (MURP ’10) is now the traffic safety coordinator with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in North Dakota. She works to prevent traffic-related accidents on the reservation.

Connect with Haden on LinkedIn.

Balcerzak moves up at USDA-APHIS

Eric Balcerzak (MPA ’09) recently became a management analyst at the US Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. He now designs methods for data collection and analysis and prepares a wide variety of reports and briefs which help to monitor and assess Agency and Program activities.

Connect with Eric on LinkedIn.

Amara moves to NOC

Abou Amara (MPP ’12) is now the director of public policy at NOC. He was formerly the special advisor to the Minority Leader in the Minnesota House of Representatives.

Connect with Abou on LinkedIn.

Hawkins awarded Endeavor Executive Fellowship

Jennifer Hawkins (MPP ’03) has been awarded an Endeavor Executive Fellowship from the Australian government. She will be spending the summer in Sydney exploring trade and innovation dynamics and the roles of universities with the American Chamber of Commerce.

Connect with Jennifer on LinkedIn.

Anderson moves up at American Public Media

Annie Anderson (MPP ’09) is now the engagement and inclusion manager at American Public Media. She was formerly the public insight partners manager at APM.

Connect with Annie on LinkedIn.

Fulton joins the City of Duluth

Adam Fulton (MURP ’07) is now the planning and community development manager with the City of Duluth. He was formerly the community development director with the City of Hermantown.

Connect with Adam on LinkedIn.

Gosack moves up at U.S. Department of State

Christina Gosack (MPP ’11) recently became a program officer at the U.S. Department of State. She was formerly a foreign affairs officer in the Office of the Special Coordinator on Middle East Transitions.

Connect with Christina on LinkedIn.

Hawkins moves to All Parks Alliance for Change

Owen Hawkins (MPP ’15) joined All Parks Alliance for Change as a program associate. APAC works with residents to improve the quality of life in park neighborhoods and protect the rights of park residents.

Connect with Owen on LinkedIn.

Zheng takes internship at EY

Letian Zhang (MPP ’15) is now an incoming assurance/audit intern at EY. EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services.

Connect with Letian on LinkedIn.

Koonjbeharry moves to Hennepin County

Amanda Koonjbeharry (MPP ’14) recently took a position with Hennepin County as the No Wrong Door/Sexually Exploited Youth Coordinator. She was formerly a senior planning analyst at Hennepin County.

Connect with Amanda on LinkedIn.

Krueger becomes CEO of Port Authority

Lee Krueger (MPlan ’88) recently became the CEO of Port Authority, a leading real estate authority in the St. Paul area. He was formerly the senior vice president of real estate and development within the company.

Connect with Lee on LinkedIn.

Kundan moves to Minnesota Department of Transportation

Gina Kundan (MPA ’14) is now the diversity and inclusion training coordinator at the State of Minnesota’s Department of Transportation. She was formerly the director of the Center for Health Interprofessional Programs at the University of Minnesota.

Connect with Gina on LinkedIn.

Igoye writes for Time, honored with award

Agnes Igoye (Humphrey Fellow 2010-2011) wrote an article for time.com (March 4th, 2016) regarding gender equality in her home country of Uganda. She also will be honored with the Diane Von Furstenburg Award this April. The award is given to women doing remarkable work to empower and support other women.

Read the Time article here.

Connect with Agnes on LinkedIn.

Brunelle joins GovDelivery

Amelia Brunelle (MPP ’12) recently joined GovDelivery as a marketing strategist. GovDelivery is a marketing platform built for public sector organizations in order to promote usage of services, enhance public awareness, and increase the contributions and involvement of citizen communities.

Connect with Amelia on LinkedIn.

Farley moves to General Services Administration

Evan Farley (MA ’95) recently became the Deputy Chief Financial Officer of the General Services Administration. He was formerly the Budget Director for the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Connect with Evan on LinkedIn.

Kelley joins the Metropolitan Council

Ryan Kelley (MURP '12) recently joined the Metropolitan Council as a senior planner in the Livable Communities Program. He manages the Livable Communities Demonstration Account (LCDA) and Local Housing Incentives Account (LHIA) programs. Ryan was previously a planner for the City of St. Louis Park working on development projects, environmental initiatives and the development of a form-based zoning code for the three Green Line Extension Station Areas in St. Louis Park.

Connect with Ryan on LinkedIn.

Scheibel writes for MinnPost

Jim Scheibel (MPA ’14) recently wrote an article for MinnPost regarding Minnesota’s precinct caucuses. He recommends that cities begin preparing for the 2020 elections now, in order to make the democratic process easier and more accessible for citizens.

Read the MinnPost article here.

Connect with Jim on LinkedIn.

Bipes renewed at Minnesota Home Ownership Center

Robyn Bipes (MPP ’07) was renewed as Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Minnesota Home Ownership Center at its March meeting. The Center is a statewide intermediary that promotes and advances successful homeownership in Minnesota.

Connect with Robyn on LinkedIn.

Hye Kim moves to Ronald McDonald House

Hye Kim (MPP ’07) recently became the manager of APMEA Field Operations at Ronald McDonald House Charities Global. She was formerly the senior associate director of policy development at Alzheimer’s Association.

Connect with Hye on LinkedIn.

Schiff becomes Legislative Assistant

Adam Schiff (MPA ’15) recently became a legislative assistant in the Office of Senator Al Franken. He was previously the outreach director in the Office of Senator Amy Klobuchar.

Connect with Adam on LinkedIn.

Gruen takes position as research analyst

Mark Gruen (MPP ’13) recently became a research analyst at Saint Paul Public Schools. He was previously a learning systems specialist in the Office of Teaching, Learning, and Leading at Saint Paul Public Schools.

Connect with Mark on LinkedIn.

Jorenby moves to Metropolitan State University

Kristin Jorenby (MPP ’13) recently became the director of disability services at Metropolitan State University. She is responsible for improving access of the campus, monitoring campus compliance, and providing administrative leadership and management of disability services. Jorenby was formerly the Olmstead Implementation Office assistant director.

Connect with Kristin on LinkedIn.

De Freitas moves to Chemonics International

Alejandra De Freitas (MDP ’13) recently became a project management associate within the Latin America and Caribbean region at Chemonics International. She was formerly a project officer at the Organization of American States. Chemonics International is an employee-owned company that partners with local and international organizations to promote social and economic change worldwide.

Connect with Alejandra on LinkedIn.

Pugh featured on MPR

Sherrie Pugh (MPA ’12) was recently interviewed by MPR regarding the Democratic presidential nomination.

Read the MPR article here.

Connect with Sherri on LinkedIn.