Staff
The Citizens League is hiring a Development and Membership Manager. Application deadline has been extended to July 21.
- Bob DeBoer, Director of Policy Development
- Victoria Ford, Policy Manager
- Jim Horan, Water Policy Study Committee Intern
- Sean Kershaw, Executive Director
- Ann Kirby McGill, Deputy Director
- Annie Levenson-Falk, Policy Coordinator
- Rebecca McDonald, Poverty Policy Intern
- Fiorella Ormeño Incio, Regional Policy Conference Intern
- Catherine Wood, Office Manager and External Relations Assistant
Bob DeBoer
bdeboer@citizensleague.org
651-293-0575 ext. 13
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 is the primary staff for the Citizens League Policy Advisory Committee, and is responsible for the three property tax studies that the Citizens League issues each year (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: The Sisters Grimm: The Fairy-Tale Detectives (with 11-year-old daughter) by Michael Buckley; P.J. O'Rourke on The Wealth of Nations by P.J. O'Rourke; A Green Journey by Jon Hassler
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, GST and Chooglin'.
Victoria Ford
vford@citizensleague.org
651-293-0575 ext. 17
Victoria Ford joined the Citizens League staff in September 2004. She leads the Citizens League's education initiatives, including the Immigration and Higher Education. In addition, she serves as managing editor of the Minnesota Journal, coordinates the Policy and a Pint event series with 89.3 The Current and manages both the Citizens League website and the Community Connections Calendar.
Before coming to the Citizens League, Victoria held a fellowship at the Center for Democracy and the Third Sector at Georgetown University. Her research was on the relationship between civic participation and democracy building in the former Yugoslavia; unfortunately, her results were inconclusive and as a result she is currently persona non grata in the Bosnian city of Mostar (no, not really). Previously, Victoria worked in research at the Urban Institute's Justice Policy Center and the University of Minnesota School of Public Health and has worked extensively with neighborhood organizations through the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs.
A Minneapolis native, Victoria holds a Master of Public Policy from Georgetown University and a Bachelor of Arts in Geography from the University of Minnesota. She serves on the Saint Paul Mayor's Education Roundtable Working Group and the board of the Twin Cities Young Nonprofit Leaders Network.
Currently reading: The Middle of Everywhere: The World's Refugees Come to Our Town, by Mary Pipher.
What I enjoy when I'm not working: reading on the porch, baking, architecture and real estate.
Most people don't know that: I go to the State Fair at least five times each year..
Jim Horan
jhoran@citizensleague.org
651-293-0575 ext. 11
Jim joined the Citizens League in June of 2008 as the Water Policy Intern. He is responsible for a variety of tasks, including research and support to the Water Policy Study Committee.
Jim is currently enrolled at William Mitchell College of Law and about to enter his last year. Prior to law school, Jim worked as a chef in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Ireland. In the past, he has volunteered with a number of regional conservancies, domestic violence awareness groups, battered women's shelters, and mentoring groups. Believing all politics are local, Jim hopes to find ways to improve the lives of all Minnesotans.
Jim enjoys his time off with his fiancee Kelly (July 19th is the big day) and their dog Snowshoe and kitty Olive in their home in South Minneapolis.
Currently reading: The Once and Future King by T.H. White
What I enjoy when I'm not working: Cooking and baking for Kelly (and family, friends, co-workers, and strangers), competing in triathlons (again, with Kelly), hiking, sailing on Lake Superior, and dreaming of the next trip.
Most people don't know that: I was ranked 8th in the nation in the mile swim in college (out of 10 swimmers listed).
Sean Kershaw
skershaw@citizensleague.org
651-293-0575 ext. 14
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 embarassed 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.
Ann Kirby McGill
akirbymcgill@citizensleague.org
651-293-0575 ext. 15
Ann was thrilled to join the Citizens League staff as Deputy Director in April 2006. In her new role, she will focus on expanding membership, enhancing engagement, developing new partnerships and assisting with the implementation of the Citizens League's work plan.
Most of Ann's professional life has been spent working in higher education. At the University of Minnesota she worked in the Office of State Relations and served as the director of Constituent Relations. In that role she worked on special initiatives such as the Summit on Minnesota's Economy; programs focused on leadership engagement and community outreach; and, co-directed the University of Minnesota Legislative Network, a program aimed at increasing grassroots advocacy for the University with state government.She then moved from the University to work as a senior consultant for The Reeher Group, a firm engaged by the advancement organizations of leading colleges and universities to improve performance in development, alumni relations and marketing.
A true product of the Midwest, Ann is a native of Minnesota, and has lived in Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin. Like her parents, three sisters and brother, Ann is an alumnae of the University of Minnesota. She lives in the Summit Hill neighborhood with her husband, son, dog and cat.
Currently Reading: In the Company of the Courtesan by Sarah Dunant; When the Rivers Run Dry by Fred Pearce; and various cookbooks.
What I enjoy when I'm not working: spending time with family and friends, cooking, knitting, and reading
Most people don't know that: I'm a car radio rock star - solo artist, audience of one.
Annie Levenson-Falk
alevensonfalk@citizensleague.org
651-293-0575 ext. 16
Annie joined the Citizens League staff in April 2006. As Policy Coordinator, she leads the Water Policy Study Committee and provides support for the Immigration and Higher Education Study Committee, as well as staffs the Action Groups. In addition, she manages the Citizens League website.
Before coming to the Citizens League, Annie interned with Dirigo Health Now, an alliance of individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations building support for Maine's Dirigo Health Reform. She was also a member of Youth Adelantando, a grassroots organization in Bangor, Maine, focused on building youth leadership in the community, in cooperation with Bangor's sister city in El Salvador.
Annie graduated from Haverford College in 2005 with a B.A. in Political Science and has studied in Northern Ireland and Guatemala. She lives in Minneapolis with her boyfriend, Mike, and his imaginary cat, Doug.
Currently reading: Harry Potter y el Caliz de Fuego by J.K. Rowling.
What I enjoy when I'm not working: Being outside, cooking and eating with friends, dancing and trying not to be the absolute worst player on my soccer team.
Most people don't know that: I can wrestle sheep.
Rebecca McDonald
rmcdonald@citizensleague.org
651-293-0575 ext. 15
Rebecca McDonald joined the Citizens League in June of 2008, as the Poverty Policy Intern. She is responsible for a range of tasks, from gathering and evaluating research on poverty to coordinating conversations in Minnesota to discuss reframing the way people look at poverty.
Before coming to the Citizens League, Rebecca was the Program Manager at the MN Women's Political Caucus-Education Council's Diversity Outreach Program, and co-authored a report about the state of women of color in Minnesota politics.
Rebecca is a Hip Hop feminist and documentarian, photographer, photojournalist, visual artist, social justice advocate and community activist. Her work with such organizations as Intermedia Arts (B-Girl Be Festival) and the Sexual Violence Center has centered around building community, shining a light on women's strength and voices, and being an advocate for positive social and political change. Recently, Rebecca was selected from a pool of hundreds of applicants in Roch the Vote's innovative program, Rock the Trail. During the upcoming election, she and four other young people from across the country will report on issues young voters are talking about in the 2008 presidential and local campaigns.
Her paper, "All the Ladies in the House, Say 'Ho--o!' A Global Hip Hop Feminist Response," wom the 2008 Best Paper in Women's Studies Award at the College of St. Catherine, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2007, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication, Women's Studies and Critical Studies of Race and Ethnicity. She currently lives in St. Paul, walks past the capitol every morning, and will be running for office in 5 to 10 years.
Currently reading: Can't Stop Won't Stop: A History of the Hip Hop Generation by Jeff Chang, for the second time.
What I enjoy when I'm not working: Photography, family, working on campaigns, blogging, reading movies, concerts and road trips.
Most people don't know that: Rebecca is actually very uncomfortable in front of cameras.
Fiorella Ormeño Incio
formeno-incio@citizensleague.org
651-293-0575 ext. 11
Fiorella Ormeño joined the Citizens League in May of 2008 as the Regional Policy Conference Intern. She is responsible for a variety of tasks for the Regional Policy Conference in September and is also working on developing the Citizens League Policy Library. She was awarded the Chuck Green Fellowship from the Political Science Department at Macalester College, which funds her work at the Citizens League.
Before coming to the Citizens League, Fiorella attended the United World College in Norway for two years and after graduation worked as communications coordinator with the Peruvian Association of the United World College. Fiorella also worked in Thailand at the Human Development Foundation. There, she designed an English program, taught karate and helped at the Foundation's AIDS hospice. Fiorella has received various grants to fund her documentary project on the political situation in Venezuela. Last summer, she was awarded the Kathryn Wasserman-Davis $10,000 grant for the development and implementation of her anti-discrimination project in Peru, her home country. Most recently, she was awarded the Dorothy Dodge scholarship from the Macalester Political Science Department and the Elmer Smith Fund from the History Department to conduct research for her honors project in Brazil.
Fiorella is a rising senior at Macalester College working towards a degree in History and Political Science with an Educational Studies minor.
Currently reading: The World Upside Down: Indian Voices from Early America Colin G. Calloway
What I enjoy when I'm not working: Reading history books, traveling and arguing about politics.
Most people don't know that: I am a second degree black belt in karate.
Catherine Wood
cwood@citizensleague.org
651-293-0575 ext. 10
Catherine joined the Citizens League staff in June of 2008. In the past, Catherine 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 brough 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 volunteering with Restorative Justice Community Action and looking for other opportunities to get involved with the community.
Catherine is 5 credits away from receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in Sociology from the University of Minnesota. She is passionate about breaking down barriers and uniting people around common causes.
Currently reading: The Brethren: Inside the Supreme Court by Bob Woodward & Scott Armstrong
What I enjoy when I'm not working: Traveling, traveling, playing volleyball, spending time with family and friends, anything adventurous, planning my wedding, and of course traveling.
Most people don't know that: Nothing...I tell anyone willing to listen my life story.