Announcing the 2011-2012 Humphrey Policy Fellows!

Congratulations to the talented and community-minded Minnesotans who have been selected as this year's 2011-2012 Policy Fellows! See below for their names and affiliations and to get a sense of the diversity and capacity of this group.

As a 2006-2007 Fellow, I'm pleased to now be active with the Alumni group, which recently hosted a conversation with Governor Dayton where he announced that he would be taking action to end the Minnesota state shutdown. As we continue to support the Policy Fellow program's growth and mission, we'll also be looking to increase the number of program applicants and participants from the nonprofit sector. If you would count yourself among that crowd, I'd love to hear your thoughts on what is unique about the Policy Fellows program compared to other nonprofit sector training and leadership programs, what the value is of nonprofit voices in the Fellows cohort, and what might be additional promotional or marketing opportunities in the sector. Drop me a line in the comments below or at minnesota[at]gmail.com. Thanks for your insights and ideas!

2011-2012 Policy Fellows

Center for the Study of Politics and Governance

Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota

The Policy Fellows program offers practical training in public affairs leadership for emerging leaders seeking new experiences and skills. The nine-month leadership and professional development experience equips participants with core leadership competencies to inspire, organize, and work effectively with others to advance the public good.

The 2011-2012 Policy Fellows will be part of a diverse cohort of 35 people representing Minnesota's public, private, and non-profit sectors. Fellows meet once a month as a group between September and early June, and travel to Washington, D.C., for a multi-day study trip with prominent elected officials and national leaders in public affairs. Fellows also engage in a group project of their own design, working with community partners to address a public policy issue. To read more about the program, please go here.

Congratulations to our newly selected Fellows:

Mr. Jamal Adam, Counselor and Instructor, Minneapolis Community and Technical College

Mr. David Asp, Associate, Lockridge, Grindal, Nauen, PLLP

Ms. Karly Baraga Werner, Associate, Dorsey & Whitney LLP

Mr. Chad Bell, Senior Director, Best Buy Co., Inc.

Lt. Col. Sandy Best, Director of Government Relations, Minnesota National Guard

Ms. Jessica Beyer, Public Information Director, Blue Earth County

Mr. Nathan Burkett, County Administrator, Todd County

Mr. Mike Buttry, Vice President for Corporate Communications, Capella Education Company

Mr. Sunny Chanthanouvong, Executive Director, Lao Assistance Center of Minnesota

Ms. Elise Diedrich, Manager, Government Affairs, SUPERVALU Inc.

Ms. Valerie Dosland, Director of Government Affairs, Ewald Consulting

Mr. Jeremy Drucker, Director of Public Affairs, Minnesota Department of Human Services

Ms. Carly Eichhorst, Associate Director of Financial Aid, Augsburg College

Ms. Huda Farah, Executive Director, HEAL Institute

Mr. Cuthbert (Curt) Fernandez, Manager, Environmental Health, City of Minneapolis

Mr. Richard Fischer, Global Communications Manager, Medtronic Foundation and

Community Affairs

Ms. Ankur Garg, Program Manager, St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division

Ms. Anika Hagenson, Senior Group Manager, Government Affairs, Target Corporation

Ms. Kate Johansen, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce

Ms. Emy Johnson, Corporate Responsibility Manager, Target Corporation

Ms. Mariah Levison, Program Director, The Conflict Resolution Center

Ms. Danna MacKenzie, Director of Information Systems, Cook County Government

Ms. Sona Mehring, CEO, CaringBridge

Ms. Erika Mork, Fundraising and Development Manager, Three Rivers Park District

Ms. Kathleen Houlihan Motzenbecker, Director of Membership, Minneapolis Downtown

Council

Ms. Sandy'Ci Moua, Strategic Community Organizer, Community Action Against Racism (CAAR)

Mr. Kavon W. Nikrad, Assurant Health, Inc.

Ms. Pham Thi Hoa, Executive Director, CAPI

Ms. Kenna Poppler, Community Relations Manager, U.S. Bancorp Foundation

Mr. Jim Porter, Chief Financial Officer, Apogee Enterprises, Inc.

MAJ Kent Porter, Training and Administrative Officer, Minnesota Army National Guard

Mr. Laurence Reszetar, Associate, Litigation Practice Group, Maslon Edelman Borman &

Brand, LLP

Mr. Christopher Voss, CEO, RightSource Compliance

Mr. David Wilsey, Assistant Extension Professor / Regional Educator, University of

Minnesota Extension

Ms. Katrina Zabinski, Supervising Attorney/Project Manager, MN 4th Judicial District