Staff
This is a list of the Citizens League's full- and part-time staff, interns and primary contractors.
- Lindsey Alexander, Project Coordinator
- Stacy Becker, Project Director
- Cat Beltmann, Membership and Engagement Manager
- Bob DeBoer, Director of Policy Development
- Kim Farris-Berg, Project Coordinator
- Dani Fisher, Director of Advancement
- Sean Kershaw, Executive Director
- Annie Levenson-Falk, Policy Manager
- Juventino Meza, Program Assistant
- Larry Schumacher, Communications Manager
Lindsey Alexander
lindsey [at] lindseyalexanderconsulting.com
651-329-1328
Lindsey Alexander began working with the Citizens League in 2006 as project coordinator for the Citizens League MAP 150 property tax group. She continues to work with the Citizens League in a variety of policy areas, including budgeting and education. Her independent consulting practice, Lindsey Alexander Consulting, advises government agencies, nonprofits and foundations on the creation and implementation of strategic programs and policies. She formerly worked as an analyst for the City of Minneapolis Finance Department and a project manager for Springsted Incorporated, a public sector consulting firm in St. Paul. She holds an M.P.P. from the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs.
Her latest work for the Citizens League includes a look at the Central Corridor development process, the Common Cents project and the higher ed reform initiative.
Currently reading: Bill Bryson's A Walk in the Woods. I love any time I can steal with the New Yorker and FastCompany.
Currently watching: The Ken Burns Baseball in America miniseries.
What I enjoy when I'm not working: Spending time with my family, being active, trying to find ways to nurture my creative side.
Most people don't know that: I've run two marathons. (I think my next one needs to be someplace exotic!)
Stacy Becker
stacybecker [at] comcast.net
651-646-5288
Stacy Becker served as the project director for the Citizens League Minnesota Anniversary Project (MAP 150). Her efforts with MAP 150 have been featured in the Stanford Social Innovation Review and with the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy. She continues to work with the Citizens League in a variety of policy areas, including long-term care, education and regionalism. Her independent consulting practice, Becker Consulting, advises government agencies, foundations, policy groups and nonprofits on strategic and financial matters. She formerly served as budget director for the City and County of San Francisco, budget director for the City of Saint Paul, and public works director for the City of Saint Paul. She holds an M.P.P. from the John F. Kennedy School of Government and a M.Sc. in City Design and Social Science from the London School of Economics, which she attended as a Bush Leadership Fellow.
Her latest work for the Citizens League includes a review of student and educator views of assessment and accountability in Minnesota, and an analysis of the relationship between public process and NIMBYism. You can also visit her blog "Cow Thoughts" at www.smbecker.blogspot.com.
Currently reading: Just finished The Road.
Currently watching: I'm a House addict.
What I enjoy when I'm not working: During the winter I dream a lot of warmer weather. (Come to think of it, that's a work time activity too.) I have my black belt in tae kwon do and teach a kids' class. I also play the harp.
Most people don't know that: I'm going to be a best selling author someday.
Catherine Beltmann
cbeltmann [at] citizensleague.org
651-289-1075
Cat joined the Citizens League staff in June of 2008. In the past, Cat has volunteered with the Citizens League as a co-chair for the Public Leadership Action Group. The group organized Connect for a Cause on February 11, 2008 -- a volunteer speed-matching event that brought together area nonprofits needing volunteers with young leaders looking to contribute civically. She has also served as a public achievement coach for a group of middle school students. Currently, she is serving on the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network Board of Directors where she faciliates monthly Emerging Leaders Network Lunches in conjunction with the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits.
Cat has a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Minnesota and is currently working towards a Masters in Nonprofit Management at Hamline University. She is actively engaged in the community and is passionate about finding opportunities for people to connect.
Currently reading: Nothing, but is always looking for a good read.
What I enjoy when I'm not working: Traveling, attending emerging leaders/young professional events, getting involved in the community, gardening, and spending time with my husband and friends.
Most people don't know that: Nothing...I tell anyone willing to listen my life story.
Bob DeBoer
bdeboer [at] citizensleague.org
651-289-1071
Bob joined the Citizens League staff in October 2003. He staffed the 2004 Transportation Study Committee and the 2005-06 Medical Facilities Study Committee. Bob provides oversight and coordinates all Citizens League policy work and is currently staffing the Citizens League Pathways to Prosperity Project and is also the primary staff for the Citizens League Policy Advisory Committee, managing editor of the Minnesota Journal, and is responsible for the three property tax studies that the Citizens League issues (residential homestead survey, tax increment financing and fiscal disparities).
Before coming to the Citizens League, Bob was director of communications at the Office of the State Auditor and committee administrator for the Minnesota House of Representatives Committee on Taxes and Committee on Local Government and Metropolitan Affairs. Bob also has experience as a journalist, market researcher, and health care manager and worker. During a short stint as a consultant, Bob produced a report on the efficiency of the state lottery in April 2003.
After years of "research" into the transient behavior of college undergraduates (including study in Birmingham, England and Tel Aviv, Israel), Bob received a Bachelor of Arts in Speech-Communication from the University of Minnesota in 1987. He has also completed coursework in state-local fiscal relations and economic development at the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs.
Currently reading: Just trying to keep up with the news
What I enjoy when I'm not working: Live local music, running and baseball
Most people don't know that: When looking for more creative forms of expression than property tax spreadsheets, Bob moonlights on the trumpet in two local bands, Chooglin' and GST, as well as sitting in occasionally with the Minneapolis Free Music Society.
Kim Farris-Berg
farrisberg [at] cox.net
Kim Farris-Berg directs the Citizens League Students Speak Out initiative, our social network (both online and offline) where students influence policy conversations by co-defining public problems and co-creating solutions. Most recently, students are examining "What is Student Achievement?"
In her independent consulting practice, Farris-Berg Consulting, Kim advances game-changing ideas and strategies, primarily in education policy. Among her roles is bringing the voices of students and teachers into the current discourse. She is a visionary strategist, project/process designer and manager, researcher and analyst, author, and creative. Kim is especially interested in analyzing where incentives can make a difference. She earned an M.P.P. from the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs.
Kim's work has been acknowledged in McGraw-Hill's Disrupting Class, the Stanford Social Innovation Review and in Customized Schooling edited by Bruno Manno and Frederick M. Hess. She received a Changemaker Award from the Minnesota Women's Press for promoting greater self-determination, equality, and justice for women and girls.
Currently reading: Just finished The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. Fast Company magazine and The New York Times are my other favorite go-tos.
Currently watching: Mad Men and all things HGTV.
What I enjoy when I'm not working: Spending time with my family, creative design in any area, food (eating it, cooking it, admiring it!), and fitness.
Most people don't know that: I am a singer.
Dani Fisher
dfisher [at] citizensleague.org 651-289-1077
Dani joined the Citizens League in April of 2009 as the Development Manager. She became Director of Advancement in January of 2011, responsible for designing and implementing both the annual campaign and a planned giving and endowment program; maximizing opportunities presented by the 60th anniversary of the Citizens League; and coordinating all external communications work.
Dani's background is in fundraising, political and community organizing, and lobbying at both the state and federal levels. Immediately prior to joining the Citizens League, Dani worked at several Centers housed at the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs. At the Center for Democracy and Citizenship, Dani contributed to the establishment of Center relationships with Minnesota-based public and non-profit organizations, community groups, elected officials, and individuals, and served on a fund-raising strategy team working to generate new sources of revenue for the Center. She also partnered with the Center on Women and Public Policy to explore professional development for women serving in local elected office.
Dani has an M.P.P., with a concentration in Nonprofit Management and Leadership, from the University of Minnesota, and a BA in Political Science and International Relations from the University of California at San Diego. She lives in Southwest Minneapolis with Alex, their children Aviva and Judah, and their first-born, a black lab mix named Hershel.
Currently reading: All the interesting fiction I can get my hands on.
What I enjoy when I'm not working: Spending time with family and friends, exploring Minnesota, dance and yoga, continued learning
Most people don't know (but they learn quickly) that: My name is pronounced "Donnie." Not "Danny."
Sean Kershaw
skershaw [at] citizensleague.org
651-289-1070
In 2003, Sean Kershaw became just the sixth Citizens League president in its 50-plus-year-history. Sean had been a member of the Citizens League Board of Directors since 1996, and co-chaired the Citizens League's 50th Anniversary report, Doing the Common Good Better.
Sean left his position as Deputy Director for the City of Saint Paul's Department of Planning and Economic Development (PED), where he had worked for 11 years. During his tenure, Sean chaired then-Mayor Norm Coleman's e-Government initiative and coordinated Coleman's information technology, charter school and education initiatives. Sean also worked as community outreach coordinator on the Mayor's Y2K initiative (where he learned many now-important aspects of community emergency preparedness!). Before coming to Minnesota, Sean was planning coordinator for the Public Housing Authority in his hometown of Omaha, Nebraska.
Sean describes his life work as building the institutions necessary to "make policy public." Sean is passionate about active citizenship, civic organization and good public policy. He is a founding member of the Active Citizens School for Young Adults, a young-adult civic leadership program, and is currently working on non-profit civic leadership efforts through the Minnesota Active Citizenship Initiative. He's not afraid to admit that he's been a policy wonk his whole life; he drew political cartoons even as a third grader.
Sean has a BA in Sociology from Haverford College. He lives in Saint Paul's West Seventh neighborhood with his partner Tim Hawkins and their son, Aidan, and daughter, Grace.
Currently reading: Atlantics and New Yorkers. Looking longingly at the pile of books I compulsively buy at Borders from their discount section.
Currently watching: Six Feet Under -- never saw this when it was going --and depraved reality shows that I'm too embarrassed to name.
What I enjoy when I'm not working: family time, my yard, and not working
Most people don't know that: I took a glass blowing class (and loved it); and I'm proud of being a Nebraskan.
Annie Levenson-Falk
alevensonfalk [at] citizensleague.org
651-289-1072
Annie joined the Citizens League staff in April 2006. As policy manager, she leads the Citizens League's work on electrical energy, water policy, and immigrant students' access to higher education, among other topics. In this work, she organizes Citizens League members and other stakeholders through all stages of policy development: identifying and framing policy problems, developing recommendations, and advancing the recommendations in institutions of all kinds. Annie also developed the Citizens League's social media presence.
Annie has a BA in Political Science from Haverford College in Pennsylvania and grew up in rural Maine. She is fluent in Spanish and is a Spanish-English translator.
Currently reading: The Late Homecoming by Kao Kalia Yang (thanks Dani)
What I enjoy when I'm not working: Salsa dancing, cooking and eating with friends, and frequently injuring myself in team sports.
Most people don't know that: I can wrestle sheep.
Juventino Meza
jmeza [at] citizensleague.org
651-289-1074
Juve Meza graduated from Augsburg College in 2011 in Justice and Peace Studies. As a student, Juve was involved in study groups that informed the Citizens League's Immigrant Students and Higher Education in MN report.
In 2009, through HECUA, Juve became an intern here to help advance recommendations from the report. Juve's work with the Citizens League involves supporting various projects, including the Citizens League Pathways to Prosperity Project, Health Reform project and Common Cents.
Juve spent a life-time working with NAVIGATE, a leadership development program for young immigrant students in Minnesota seeking a path to higher education. During his years at Augsburg, Juve was the student body president, conducted research through URGO, interned at the Citizens League, TakeAction MN, the MN State Legislature, and Waite House.
Currently, Juve serves on the Latino Advisory Board of the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota and is a member of the Latino Economic Development Center’s Latino Scholarship Fund Selection Committee.
Currently reading: The Summons by John Grisham (I'm obsessed with justice's characters)
What I enjoy when I'm not working: Reading, exercising, going to the (unfrozen) lakes, watching news, being at home.
Most people don't know that: I speak three languages: English, Spanish, and Spanglish.
Larry Schumacher
lschumacher [at] citizensleague.org
651-289-1074
Larry Schumacher is the Citizens League's communications manager, developing and implementing overall strategic communications and brand management. He works with staff, board members and membership to deliver the Citizens League's message to a broad audience, using new and traditional media, written materials and presentations. He joined the Citizens League staff in September of 2011.
In his own communications consulting and freelance writing business, Larry works with nonprofits and other organizations to provide a wide array of communications services. He writes for publications including Initiative Quarterly Magazine, Politics in Minnesota, Twin Cities Daily Planet and Business Central.
Larry brings 12+ years of experience in print journalism to the Citizens League, having won awards from the Minnesota Associated Press Association, Minnesota Newspaper Association and Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists for his work at Minnesota newspapers including the St. Cloud Times and Fergus Falls Daily Journal. He was a legislative reporter for five years, covering the state Capitol in St. Paul, and lead election reporter in 2006 and 2008.
He lives with his wife, two sons and two dogs in St. Cloud. He is a graduate of Carleton College, where he majored in political science, and originally hails from Tempe, AZ.
Currently reading: Bob the Builder, Thomas the Tank Engine, Dora the Explorer and whatever else my kids pick out from the library.
Currently watching: My laptop and phone. We turned off the television for everything except the occasional video a few years ago and now watch online almost exclusively.
What I enjoy when I'm not working: Family time, reading, walking our dogs, cooking out and day trips to visit family and friends.
Most people don't know that: I taught English in the former Soviet Union republic of Lithuania for almost three years.