Professional Experience & Preparedness for City Council

My Past:

Being raised by a high school math teacher that was head of our local League of Women Voters in a lower-middle class family taught me to be honest, open-minded, and interested in public service.

I moved here in 1997 from Madison, WI to attend the University of Minnesota

• My main job in school: researched lake water quality and exotic aquatic plants (Milfoil, the pesky weed that overwhelms Lake Calhoun, Harriet, Isles, and all other Municipal lakes)
  • Biological, long-term solutions to cleaning city lakes

• Wrote and received grant money to create a valuation plan for Alternative Energy project in St. Peter, MN

• Cost-Benefit Analysis and valuation of land quality, water quality, and resulting profitability of growing short rotation woody crops for biomass gasification in both the short and long-term.

• While working with city council members, homeowners, and city planners, we were able to create a sustainable development plan for the city of Minnetrista, MN.

• ·Leveraging community values, sound development plans, and building long-term goal consensus between stake holders, we were able to develop a strong plan.

While working for North Country Cooperative Development Fund in 2003 I had the unique opportunity to help lower-income families purchase homes and develop personal equity in long-term apartment buildings that they lived. 

• · Offered viable mortgage solutions and cooperative housing planning

• ·  Life-cycle analysis of building improvements and investments for energy efficiency

• ·  Assisted in building “community” that created higher standards of living and personal wealth, one large complex at a time.

Travel has given me a greater world view and better understanding of cultures, perspectives, and ideas that I will leverage to ensure Minneapolis runs successful programs for all residents. 

• ·While Living in Peru for 5 months I was able to work with tribal leaders, school officials, non-profit groups, and the government to develop an environmental education program for a school district located in a National Jungle Reserve.

• Spent considerable time in Shanghai, China

• ·Travelled across Europe several times, including living in Holland for 2 months

• ·Multiple trips around the U.S. and Canada, experiencing a wide range of public transportation, life-style, parks, and general city planning

Education:

·         University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

o   B.S. Economics

o   B.S. Environmental Science, Public Policy & Law

Current Work:

Starting my own business in 2003, I’ve been a major advocate in increasing local tourism, art, culture, food, music, and sustainability.

I work with over 60 clients, all local business owners that contribute jobs and culture to Minneapolis.  For them, we’ve completed creative marketing plans and solutions that met a high level of Return on Investment that they demand while creating strategies and options to achieve their goals.