I am very proud to be selected as the new executive director of the Minnesota Senior Federation. As a previous executive director of four area health agencies, I have enjoyed working with boards, staff, members and volunteers to help build organizations for the betterment of our community. I am enthused by the MnSF board, members, volunteers and staff that I have had the opportunity to meet. All are committed to an efficient, effective and service-oriented agency. Together, I’m sure we will be able to build capacity, organization and vitality to serve seniors throughout Minnesota. 

With 1.5 million baby boomers in Minnesota, our goal must not only be to continue working on important current challenges, but also to quickly build capacity and help the Minnesota Senior Federation see into the future, acknowledging the new challenges and opportunities on the horizon.

We can all partake in this process by becoming involved and educating ourselves about current and future challenges and possibilities and by working with our constituents throughout the state. It is a clichŽ, but only together can we make a real difference. We are already a powerful force for change and I know you will join me in helping the Senior Federation become an even more dynamic force in the near future.

I am heartened by the good work and vision of the new Board of Directors, the statewide leadership and Interim Executive Director Reid Zimmerman. Combining staff, records, operations, restructuring and eliminating redundancies will continue to serve our organization well into the future. Of course, much work still needs to be done to help make these changes viable and I ask for your help in working together toward a most bright future. 

As a volunteer agency, I know we will continue to listen to the needs, hopes and aspirations of seniors statewide and respond through service and educating the public, the legislature, corporations, organizations and all decision makers. Our challenge is to be out front leading Minnesota toward the future defined by active seniors - seniors who will soon be a quarter of our total population. All Minnesotans through the Minnesota Senior Federation can help build a community that works together for the betterment of our state. As a believer in volunteer leadership, I pledge to partner with our state board, statewide leadership, staff and volunteers to help lead our state agency toward that goal, cultivating advantageous associations with organizations, corporations and individuals throughout the area.

Thanks in advance as we begin our work together.