Leadership + Governance
Meet Our Leadership
The League of Women Voters of Minnesota is proud to work in collaboration with our elected State Board Members, State Office Staff, local League leaders and members, and with our key coalition partners, to accomplish our mission to empower voters and defend democracy.
Together, we share leadership to help build a multiracial democracy where every person has the desire, the right, the knowledge and the confidence to participate.
LWVMN is staffed with a mixture of full-time, part-time, on-demand and volunteer leaders who work together as a team to accomplish our mission.

Amy Perna is the Executive Director of the League of Women Voters of Minnesota, where she works to strengthen democracy and expand civic participation across the state. Her passion for civic and community engagement began in high school, where she organized students and faculty to celebrate underrepresented communities, formed a PFLAG chapter, and created a poetry club (it was the 90s!).
Amy first became involved with the League in 2016, when she was hired by the League of Women Voters of Saint Paul to coordinate candidate forums. She enjoyed the work so much that she joined the board in 2017 and went on to serve in several leadership roles, including co-president.
Amy’s professional background spans county government, the nonprofit sector, and public service. She served in AmeriCorps with the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants and was placed at the International Institute of Minnesota, where she worked in the refugee mentoring program and taught citizenship classes. She has also held leadership roles on her district council.
Amy is a first-generation college student and holds a B.A. in Anthropology and African History from the University of Minnesota and a Master of Public Policy from the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs.
Outside of work, Amy enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, and rowing. She lives in Saint Paul with her family.

Heidi Kloempken has been an active League member since 2016, serving with LWV St. Paul as Secretary and co-President, and contributing to LWV Minnesota through the 2nd Century Task Force and as Youth Civic Engagement Coordinator (2023–2024). She is especially passionate about helping young people find their voice in democracy and ensuring that all community members feel empowered to participate.
Outside of the League, Heidi has spent the past 15 years as a Teacher Educator at the Minnesota Historical Society, following several years as a social studies teacher. She brings to LWVMN a deep commitment to civic engagement, education, and the power of informed participation.
Contact me for: Youth Engagement, League/member support

Sam Streukens grew up in Winona, MN where he found his passion as an organizer around climate change, democracy, and racial justice. Before coming to LWVMN, he volunteered on local political campaigns and led a voter outreach effort during the 2020 election, and also worked with the Land Stewardship Project to promote sustainable farming and healthy rural communities. He wants to continue advocating for issues impacting our lives and building relationships based on shared values. Sam will never to turn down an opportunity to meet for coffee!
When he is not working, Sam enjoys hiking and biking, spending time with friends and family, and traveling. He completed his Master’s in Advocacy and Political Leadership from Metro State University in 2023, after earning a Bachelor’s in Global Studies from Winona State University and serving a short stint in the Peace Corps.
Contact me for: Advocacy, Volunteering & Civic Engagement-related Information

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Growing up on a farm in southwest Minnesota, Bridgit learned to milk cows, raise chickens and drive tractors, instilling the “roll up your sleeves and get the work done” ethic at an early age.
After graduating from St. Olaf College with a degree in social work, Bridgit worked in that field for a couple of years before moving out of state with her husband. Since her social work licensure wouldn’t transfer, she found work in nonprofit finance instead. Twenty years later, she has never looked back. Today, she helps to keep the doors open and the lights on, bringing that same hardworking ethic to the League.
Bridgit lives with her husband, two daughters and three cats in south Minneapolis. Now, if only Minnesota could look a little more like a sunny, Mexican beach…
Email Bridgit | 651-224-5445
Contact me for: Financials for local Leagues, IRS and tax issues

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Mary grew up in Moline, Illinois, "farm-implement capital of the world." She went off to college in Washington, D.C., then spent three years working as a contractor at the US Embassy in Moscow, USSR/Russia. Back in Illinois, she and her husband raised two children, all the while involved in Scouting, PTA, and marching band.
Mary worked as a church secretary in IL and then MN for almost twenty years. They were lured to Minnesota by a job opportunity for her husband, and Mary began her involvement with the local LWV in 2018. She enjoys helping MN's local Leagues use all our technology tools to spend less time on admin and more time "empowering voters and defending democracy." Mary enjoys reading (working on presidential biographies right now), collecting fountain pens, and weightlifting. She and her husband live in Woodbury.
Email Mary | 651-224-5445
Contact me for: Database, Vote411.org, website, Canva, Google Workspace

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Lorene grew up on a farm in southeast Minnesota, near Rochester, and later went on to college at Augsburg, receiving her Bachelor’s in American Studies and Library Science. She spent the bulk of her career at Fairview Hospital and Healthcare Services. Now semi-retired, she enjoys gardening, playing handbells, and spending time with her grandchildren.
Email Lorene | 651-224-5445
Contact me for: Lorene will happily accept all questions and will do her best to guide you!

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Paul joined LWVMN as a state member in 2018 and joined the Woodbury-Cottage Grove Area League in 2019. He has been committed to public service throughout his life, beginning as a nuclear submarine officer in the U.S. Navy, where he served 13 years on active duty and retired as a Commander from the Naval Reserve. He also worked in the nuclear utility industry where he held a number of senior operating and corporate leadership positions, retiring from Xcel Energy in 2019 as General Manager Nuclear Fleet Operations.
Paul was attracted to LWV by its commitment to “Empowering Voters” and “Defending Democracy,” as well as LWV’s track record in supporting redistricting reform and opposing partisan gerrymandering. He has been LWVMN’s Redistricting Coordinator since June 2019 and is a member of the Our Maps Minnesota redistricting campaign steering committee. In 2020, he became the LWV WCGA Voter Service Director, was a precinct Head Election Judge during the 2020 Election, and served on the Washington County Ballot Board.
In serving as Election and Redistricting Policy Coordinator, Paul wants to use his organizational and strategic planning experience, and his education and experience in election administration, to support innovation and growth in LWVMN’s support for voters to maximize their readiness and willingness to participate in elections, and to create long term partnerships to support a healthy democracy.
Paul has a master’s degree in National Security Affairs from the Naval Postgraduate School, an MBA from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, and recently received a graduate Certificate in Election Administration from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of MN.
Board of Directors
Laura Helmer
President
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Karen Schaffer
Secretary
Email Karen
Shelley Colvin
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Lead
Email Shelley
Grace Gee
Membership Lead
Email Grace
Judy Zaunbrecher
Voter Service Lead
Email Judy
Patsy Green
Development Lead
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Sarah Carlson
Director
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Kathleen Oganovic
Director
Email Kathleen
Colleen Feige
1st Vice President
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Jackie Reis
2nd Vice President
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Cathy Thom
Advocacy and Program
Planning Lead
Email Cathy
Susan Clark
Finance Chair
Email Susan
Cindy Holker
Treasurer
Email Cindy
Jane Hovland
Director
Email Jane
Karen Kraemer
Director
Email Karen
Carolynne White
Director
Email Carolynne
LWVMN Board Nominations
LWV continues to bring diverse voices to the tables of power. Add your skills and talents to the LWVMN Board of Directors. Join us in our 2nd Century of empowering voters and defending democracy. All are welcome to apply!
Functions
The LWVMN Board of Directors has two sides: governance and volunteer.
Governance
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LWVMN’s Board of Directors is responsible for defining and upholding the organization’s mission, vision, and values, and for providing overall leadership and strategic direction to the organization. In addition to setting policies and maintaining the nonprofit’s overall direction, the board establishes priorities, crafts strategies, and ensures that plans and programs are implemented within budget.
Volunteer
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Leading or working on a portfolio or set of goals and objectives with staff and other members. Many of our board members also act as volunteers on important projects to fulfill our mission to empower voters and defend democracy.
Why Join the Board?
- Use your knowledge and experience to create change
- Provide insight and inspiration, and receive insight and inspiration from others
- Meet LWV Minnesota leaders from around the state
- Attend monthly meetings virtually, from anywhere in the state
Applications for 2025-2027 close on March 31, 2025.
Quick Stats
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FY24 Revenue: $734,422
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FY24 Net Assets: $1,222,702
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FY24 Members: 2,330
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Local LWVs: 33, including 2 state units
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Employees: 3 full-time, 1 part-time, 1 part-time volunteer, plus interns as funding allows
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More info can be found in our Governance section
More Information on Board Nominations & Service
Responsibilities
Organization
- Ensure that LWVMN is run in an ethical and legal manner and implement good governance practices that establish accountability.
- Ensure that LWVMN operationalizes the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion.
- Support and provide direction to the Executive Director and work to support the strategic plan.
- Approve compensation and benefits policies and practices.
- Annually evaluate the performance of the Executive Director.
- Annually review and evaluate the performance of the Board of Directors and take steps to improve its performance.
Community Outreach
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Identify and develop relationships to build alliances and networks within your community to elevate the mission and work of LWVMN.
Fund Development
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Promote and support charitable giving to LWVMN.
Financial Oversight
- Review and understand financial statements that are submitted to the board.
- Stay familiar with the LWVMN bylaws and operation policies and procedures.
- Sign a conflict of interest statement and disclose all potential conflicts in advance to the board of directors.
Competencies
- Mission and Values Lens: understand and value LWV mission and principles.
- Strategic Thinking: develop action to reach desired goals.
- Accountability: understand LWVMN bylaws and board-approved policies and procedures.
- Institutional Memory: appreciate LWVMN history, process and procedure.
- Organizational Learning: desire to create, share and retain knowledge to improve LWVMN.
Knowledge and Expertise
Specific areas of expertise are beneficial to the overall impact of the Board’s ability to understand and assess planning, program, stewardship and governing responsibilities:
- Nonprofit Governance
- Nonprofit Finance
- Organization Development
- Legal
- Funding and Development
- Human Resources
- Marketing and Communications
- Google Drive: creating, collaborating, editing and sharing. We work in Google Drive and board members need to have this basic knowledge to minimize administrative burden on staff and to collaborate and work effectively.
Other
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Additional information and rules for board participation can be found in the bylaws (Article V).
Committees
Named in Bylaws
- Executive Committee: President, Vice President(s), Secretary, Treasurer
- Nominations Committee: 3 members confirmed at Convention, 2 current members of the board
- Finance Committee: At least four members, at least two of whom are members of the board, Treasurer
Established by the Board of Directors
- Human Resources
- Advocacy and Program for Action
- Membership
- Voter Service
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Development
Time Commitment
- Each director is asked to commit to a two-year term.
- The full board meets monthly. Meetings are generally the fourth Monday of the month, 1:00-3:30 PM, and will be held virtually through the next biennium.
- Each director is expected to serve on a committee or lead a portfolio or specific plan of action.
- On average, each board member spends 6-12 hours a month supporting LWVMN.
Selection Process
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Interested candidates should complete the application by March 31, 2025.
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Any voting member of LWVMN may be elected or appointed to serve as an officer or director of LWVMN; except that no staff member is eligible to serve as an officer or director.
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Candidates will be interviewed by a member of the Nominations Committee.
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Slate of Nominations will be presented to the membership for election at Convention on June 7, 2025.
Description of Roles
The following roles are available for Board service. While we say "board nominations," we expect that people will fill out an application for themselves. If you'd like to nominate someone for the Board, please discuss it with them first and ask that they complete the application themselves.
Below are the roles that will be voted on by members at our State Convention on June 7, 2025.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE POSITIONS
- President – Provides direction, supervision and management over the Board.
- Secretary – One position - No experience necessary; we will train.
- Treasurer – Previous treasurer or accrual accounting experience preferred.
- First Vice President – Supports the President and serves on the Executive Committee, but also holds another Chair position as described below. If the president is unable to fulfill their duties the first vice president is called upon to perform all the duties of that office.
- Second Vice President – Supports the President and serves on the Executive Committee, but also holds another Chair position as described below.
BOARD CHAIR POSITIONS
- President - see above
- Secretary - see above
- Finance - One Chair – Previous Finance Committee or nonprofit finance experience preferred.
- Voter Service - Two Co-Chairs – Previous experience with local League Voter Service preferred.
- Advocacy and Program - Two Co-Chairs – Provide leadership for our Advocacy and Program for Action activities.
- Member Services - Two Co-Chairs – To help serve our members and local League leaders; oversee annual training and orientations.
- Membership - Two Co-Chairs– Strategize membership growth to ensure sustainability of LWVMN.
- Development - Two Co-Chairs– Develop and oversee fundraising efforts to ensure sustainability of LWVMN.
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion - Two Co-Chairs – Provide oversight of our DEI policy and related activities.
BOARD MEMBER AT-LARGE POSITIONS
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Member At-Large – We can also accept up to 5 "at-large" positions. These positions don't have a specific scope of work, but instead provide governance oversight and support one of the following areas: Human Resources, Media Resources, Marketing & Development.
OFF-BOARD POSITIONS
- Nominations Committee – Three members are needed to serve on the Board Nominations Committee for 2025-2027. These positions do NOT meet with the regular Board, rather they are off-board positions that lead the nominations process for a new board every 2 years.
- Board Committee – You may also choose to serve only on a Board Committee, if preferred. These positions are not voted on by the members, but are critical to the success of our Board work. Committees meet outside of the full Board meetings.
Governance
Bylaws
The current set of League bylaws, as adopted at the 2013 Convention and as amended at the 2025 Convention.
501(c)3 Status
LWVMN is a tax-exempt charitable organization. Archived here is our 501(c)3 letter from the IRS. Original.
Our Policies & Guidance
All of our policies and guidance (finance, staff/board, members, voting/elections), collected into a centralized, online library.
Finance
- Accounting for Funds with Donor Restrictions (Guidance) (May 2024)
- Expense Reimbursements (May 2024)
- Financial Controls (May 2024)
- Financial Controls Procedures (May 2024)
- Fixed Asset Capitalization (May 2024)
- Gift Acceptance (May 2024)
- Donor Privacy Policy (May 2024)
- Discontinuation of Contact Policy (May 2024)
- Investment Policy Statement (November 2024)
- Investment Operations Policy (December 2024)
- Operating Reserves (May 2024)
Staff & Board
- Board Ethics (February 2017)
- Employee Pay and Merit Increases (April 2019)
- Employee Performance Evaluations (April 2019)
- LWVMN Board Nonpartisan Policy (September 2023)
- Record Retention (Sept 2019)
Members & Local Leagues
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- What To Ask When Examining Your Work Through a DEI Lens (LWVUS)
- Sign-On (February 2020)
- Speak With One Voice (November 2019)
- Youth Protection (January 2023)
- Local League Board Nonpartisan Policy Guidance (January 2024)
- Local League Donation Policy (March 2024)
- LWV Member Rights and Responsibilities Policy (LWVUS, April 2023)
Advocacy, Action & Programs
- Best Practices for Staying Nonpartisan in Advocacy (Oct 2019)
- LWVMN Coalitions & Partnerships (November 2019)
- Guidance for Local Leagues on Coalitions & Partnerships (Apr 2021)
- Candidates Appearing in a Non-Candidate Capacity (Aug 2019)
Voting & Elections
- Best Practices for Staying Nonpartisan in Voter Service (Oct 2019)
- Candidate Forums During COVID-19 (Guidance) (August 2022)
- Candidate Participation (April 2023)
- Selection Criteria for Candidates in State Constitutional Officer or Congressional Races (Feb 2018)
- Voter Guide Best Practices (February 2020)
- Candidate Forum Recordings Guidance (July 2023)
- 💥In-Person Candidate forum Safety (Guidance) (August 2025)
- 💥Advocacy and Voter Service Tabling FAQ (Guidance) (August 2025)