2009–2010 Board of Directors Biographies

Deena Anders (MPA ’04)

Deena Anders is the director of planning and evaluation for the Domestic Abuse Project ,where her responsibilities range from grant writing and program development to research and outcome evaluation. She also is the project coordinator for the Hennepin Domestic Fatality Review Team, a collaboration of private, public and non-profit organizations charged with developing recommendations for improvements to policy and practice that enhance identification, intervention, and prevention efforts. She provides volunteer fundraising and communications assistance to a number of local nonprofit organizations and is a grants peer reviewer for the federal Office of Violence Against Women and the Minnesota Office of Justice Programs.

Anders holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Minnesota and a master’s degree in public affairs with a concentration in human rights from the Humphrey School.

Eric Anderson (MA ’85)

Eric Anderson is a director of real estate development with Ryan Companies U.S., Inc., which is headquartered in Minneapolis. He works on a variety of types of development, including office, industrial, mixed-use, hospitality, senior housing, and student housing. His responsibilities include site selection, acquisition, entitlements, financing, lease/sale negotiation, and design/construction coordination. Anderson

Prior to joining Ryan Companies, Anderson worked for the City of Edina for 20 years, serving his last eight years as deputy city manager. During his time with the city, he was very involved in many of the city’s significant development projects, including Edinborough and Centennial Lakes, Grandview Square, and 50th & France.

Anderson holds a bachelor of arts in economics and political science from Hamline University, in addition to a master of arts in management and policy analysis from the Humphrey School. He’s a member of the Edina Morningside Rotary Club, the International City Manager’s Association, and NAIOP, a commercial real estate association.

Deborah Bednarz (MA ’87)

Deb Bednarz is the budget and statistics manager for the U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota, a position that she has held since 2002. Prior to that, Bednarz served as an executive budget officer for the Minnesota Department of Finance, where she worked with state agencies and the governor's office to prepare operating and capitol budgets. She has worked with youth programs at the Minnesota Department of Economic Security and was a senior project manager for a nonprofit agency where she developed affordable housing.

Bednarz spent two years in the Peace Corps as a credit union advisor in Lesotho, Africa. 

Her community work has included serving on the supervisory committee of Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union, the board of directors of Community Involvement Programs, and the board of directors of Women’s Community Housing. She is a volunteer reading tutor and a member of the Citizens League.

Bednarz earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree in public affairs from the Humphrey School. A transplant to Minnesota, Bednarz lives in St. Paul with her husband David.

Jasna Burza (MPP ’04)

Jasna Burza is a regional sales director for Social Solutions, creators of Efforts To Outcomes (ETO) software, a performance management tool that helps nonprofit leaders effectively measure and demonstrate outcomes, as well as the social impact an agency might have. In this unprecedented time of change for the world of nonprofits, Burza is happy to be part of the change that will help our communities even more through increased accountability. Prior to Social Solutions, Burza worked for Project for Pride in Living as a financial coach, empowering working families to take control of their financial and career lives.    

Burza received her bachelor’s degree in peace studies from College of Saint Benedict/Saint John’s University and a master’s degree in public policy from the Humphrey School. As a student, Burza was involved with the Humphrey School mentor program and knows the importance of connecting students with people in the field. Burza also is a yoga instructor and is incredibly happy to be living in Minneapolis with her husband – the best place to live on planet earth (and she’s been to many places).

Keith Butcher (MS ’98)

Keith R. Butcher is an energy services representative with the Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (SMMPA). Butcher is responsible for overseeing and implementing the energy efficiency efforts for six SMMPA members. In his role, Butcher is involved in various energy efficiency efforts, including audits, technology evaluations, rebate approval, program design, and marketing efforts. Butcher is well versed in various technologies, including lighting, motors, drives, air-conditioning, refrigeration, and other industrial applications.

Prior to joining SMMPA, Butcher was the manager of external affairs at the Center for Energy and Environment (CEE), a nonpartisan, technically focused nonprofit organization based in Minneapolis. While at CEE, he worked with a diverse group of organizations, including Minnesota's electric and natural gas utilities, government agencies, elected officials, private firms, and other nonprofits focused on energy and environmental issues. Butcher played a key role in such efforts as advocacy on energy policy legislation, biomass energy research, energy efficiency program design and development, regulatory oversight, lighting retrofits, recommissioning, multifamily projects, financing initiatives, and more.

Butcher is a graduate of the University of Minnesota, holding a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering with an emphasis in power and propulsion and a minor in political science. His graduate degree is a master's of science in science and technology policy focusing specifically on the energy industry. He is an ongoing mentor to graduate students interested in energy and environmental issues.

Gwendolyn Freed (MPA ’05) President-elect

Gwendolyn Freed has been vice president for college relations at Gustavus Adolphus College since 2006. Prior to that she enjoyed a journalism career that included four and a half years as a Star Tribune reporter, several as editor-in-chief of a national arts magazine, and the opportunity to contribute freelance articles to such outlets as the Wall Street Journal, New York Newsday, and MSNBC.com. Her nonprofit-related work has featured major gifts fundraising at the Minnesota Orchestra and grants management for the Best Buy Children's Foundation. Freed served on the Oberlin College Alumni Association for nine years, including three years on its executive board. She also is a longtime volunteer for the Minneapolis mental health agency Crisis Connection.

Freed holds master's degrees from the Humphrey School and the Juilliard School, as well as a bachelor's degree from Oberlin College. She is working toward a doctorate in education policy and administration at the University of Minnesota.

Todd Graham (MP ’94)

Todd Graham is principal forecaster at the Metropolitan Council, providing project leadership in forecasting, demography, and development monitoring work at the regional agency. His colleagues and he are in the early stages of implementing new modeling tools for the council’s 2040 socioeconomic and land use forecasts.

From 1997 to 2004, Graham was a regional analyst and regional analysis manager for Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. Graham and Jennifer Larson Graham (MP ’94) both earned master's degrees in planning at the Humphrey School. They have two daughters and live in Saint Paul.

Misty Heggeness (MPP ’00) President

Misty Heggeness currently is pursuing a Ph.D. in applied economics at the University of Minnesota, where her research focuses on gender, poverty, and economic development. Prior to returning to graduate school, she worked as a principal planning analyst in the Hennepin County Office of Planning and Development, where she managed projects and conducted research relating to community indicators and vulnerable populations. She has worked as a volunteer coordinator and children's advocate for a local Latina battered women's shelter; a family service worker for Migrant Headstart in southern Minnesota; and a youth worker for the Minneapolis YMCA. She has interned with the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and with the Venezuelan child welfare system.

Heggeness earned a bachelor of science in family social science and Spanish in 1999 and a Master of Public Policy and a Master of Social Work (MPP/MSW) from the University of Minnesota in 2002.

Jim Jernberg (MA ’57)

James E. Jernberg, professor emeritus of public affairs and planning, is interested in policy implementation and management, especially budgeting, intergovernmental relations, and legislative policymaking. He has served as a research associate with the Brookings Institution and the National Academy of Sciences. He also was part of a Humphrey School study team assessing the future of the state legislature. Before coming to the University of Minnesota, Jernberg taught at the University of North Carolina and the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He also served as a budget officer and assistant to the mayor of Madison.

Jernberg is the recipient of the 2008 University of Minnesota Alumni Service Award and a fixture at the annual Humphrey School commencement ceremony—a tradition he helped create—where he announces the Jernberg Award for outstanding contribution to student life.

Jernberg holds a master's degree in public affairs from the University of Minnesota and a doctorate in political science from the University of Wisconsin.

Sida Ly-Xiong (MS–STEP '01)

Sida Ly-Xiong is the associate director of evaluation and research at the Women's Foundation of Minnesota. She brings energy and experience in nonprofit capacity building to the foundation and its grantees. She has served on the Hmong American Partnership Board of Directors since 2004. Ly-Xiong is the current vice chair and also leads the development committee. Her career has included consulting with local and national nonprofits; creating leadership programs for refugee communities in Wisconsin; researching community development and environmental management initiatives in Botswana; and mediating dispute resolutions for the State of Minnesota at the Attorney General’s Office. 

She has a bachelor's degree from Macalester College and a master’s of science in science, technology, and environment policy from the Humphrey School.

Paula Mazzacano (MA ’80)

Paula Mazzacano graduated from Humphrey in 1982 with concentrations in environmental policy and public administration. She has worked in Minneapolis in the area of development finance for 25 years. Currently, Mazzacano administers grants awarded to the City of Minneapolis/ Community Planning and Economic Development by other governmental units, most of which deal with remediation of polluted property and innovation in development. In 2001, she took a break from city employment and had the opportunity to work for a nonprofit developer/owner of affordable and supportive housing. Paula worked on property tax policy related to affordable housing, commercial leasing, and developed spreadsheet tools to assess asset performance.

Mazzacano has been involved with her union and was part of a group of working mothers who successfully advocated for "family-friendly" workplace policies and benefits. She has been a member of the Humphrey School's alumni board and several committees and a commissioner in her community. The focus of her current volunteer work is fundraising and advocacy for international baccalaureate and performing arts programs in her school district—and, thanks to her kids, the local all-ages music scene.

Molly McCartney (MURP '01)

Molly McCartney worked for the City of Minneapolis Community Planning and Economic Development Department as a planner from 2004 to 2009. She specialized in historic preservation and development services, as well as long-range planning. Prior to joining the City of Minneapolis, McCartney worked for a nonprofit organization called 1000 Friends of Minnesota. In graduate school, she worked at the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA).

McCartney holds a master's degree in urban and regional planning from the Humphrey School, with concentrations in land use and transportation. She also received a certificate in transportation studies from the Center for Transportation Studies at the University of Minnesota. She is a certified member of AICP and the American Planning Association and is very interested in sustainable design and the LEED accreditation process. McCartney constantly seeks a better live/work balance and volunteers with her kids' schools.

Scott McMahon (MPP ’03) Past-president

Upon the completion of his graduate studies at the Institute, Scott McMahon served as special assistant to Dean Atwood, working on strategic planning, accreditation, and redesign of the organizational structure and the budgeting for the Institute. He then served for two years as the research director at the National Institute of Health Policy. He currently is director of government and community affairs for Minnesota Private College Council.

McMahon's involvement with the Humphrey School alumni board goes back to its reorganization upon Dean Atwood’s arrival at the Institute. When the alumni board was going through its redevelopment phase, he was president of the Public Affairs Students Association (PASA) and worked with the dean, Michelle Potter, and board members at the time to create greater opportunities for student representation on the board.

In addition to his public policy degree from the Humphrey School, Scott holds a master of science in administration from the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Saint John’s University.

Brad Moore (MA ’83)

Brad Moore is a senior advisor for public affairs at Barr Engineering. At Barr, Moore assists clients in the areas of government relations and public affairs, as well as helping them navigate regulatory and public consultation processes.He joined Barr Engineering after serving as commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). During his two and one-half years heading the agency, Moore led successful efforts to negotiate a clean up plan for industrial chemicals in the Twin Cities area, develop a permit system for Great Lakes ships carrying ballast water, and expand pollutant testing for state waters. He also served as assistant commissioner and field operations manager at the state’s Department of Natural Resources.

Moore has extensive experience representing state agencies at the Minnesota legislature on budget, policy, and natural resource operational issues. He also has served as a key spokesperson on key natural resource issues at public meetings and stakeholder forums and in the media.

Kiyoshi Nakasaka (MA ’89)

Kiyoshi Nakasaka is president & CEO of a business and public policy consulting firm, Washington CORE, L.L.C. Nakasaka advises top business, government, and trade association executives on strategic business and policy issues. He has played a key role in establishing numerous successful alliance and /collaborations across the Pacific.
He is a member of the Radio Club of America, a wireless communications professional society, and was selected as a member of the International Who's Who of Information Technology in 1998.

Prior to starting his consulting firm, Nakasaka worked as a public policy and government affairs analyst in the Washington, D.C., and also for CBS News in Tokyo, Japan. He holds a master's degree in public affairs from the Humphrey School and a B.A. from Sophia University in Tokyo, Japan.

Alexander Oftelie (MPP ’03)

Alexander Oftelie is a senior analyst in the DonorCast practice, people-driven analysts by Bentz Whaley Flessner. His areas of specialty include data mining, metrics for nonprofit fundraising, predictive modeling, and constituent relationship management. Prior to joining Bentz Whaley Flessner, Oftelie worked as an economist in the Health Economics Program for the State of Minnesota. He holds a bachelor of arts degree from St. Olaf College and a master of public policy degree from the Humphrey School.

Oftelie currently serves on a variety of nonprofit boards in the Twin Cities community, including Guild Incorporated and United Way Emerging Leaders.

Mary Orr (MA ’82)

Mary Orr is director of the Community Partnerships Division for the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS). She is responsible for a variety of anti-poverty and self-sufficiency programs serving low-income Minnesotans, including income supports for adults who are aged, blind, or have disabilities; social services, cash assistance, and employment services to refugee families; and services that promote children's development and learning by improving the quality of child care.

Orr has spent most of her career with DHS working on programs and policies that support low-income families. She also served as a fiscal analyst for the Minnesota Senate and as a management analyst for Blue Earth County Human Services.

In addition to her public affairs degree from the Humphrey School, Orr received a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Minnesota, Morris.

Anissa Rogness (MPP ’99)

Anissa Rogness is the vice president of Van Heuvelen Strategies, LLC in Washington, D.C. She advises clients on a wide variety of legislative and political issues being considered in Washington, D.C.—on Capitol Hill, as well as in Executive Branch offices. Previously, she was director of economic development for United States Senator Kent Conrad (D–ND,) where she worked on projects and legislation on a variety of issues ranging from energy and transportation to small business development and homeland security. Prior to working on Capitol Hill, much of Rogness's work was in the nonprofit sector. She served as a campaign director in fundraising and community development for the Greater Twin Cities United Way from 1996 to 2001. She also has corporate and private sector experience in management, sales, and marketing.

Rogness holds a master’s degree in public policy with a concentration in economic and community development from the Humphrey School. She earned her bachelor’s degree with a major in economics from St. Olaf College. She is excited to serve on the alumni board as a way to stay connected to Minnesota and the Humphrey School.

Mary Vidas (MPA ’03)

Mary Vidas is director for the Ramsey County Tamarack Nature Center. Previously, she was the public policy program manager for the University of Minnesota’s Landscape Arboretum, working closely with diverse stakeholders regarding issues of land-use and design, ecology, preservation of natural resources, low-impact development, and sustainability. Vidas also is a consultant to the University’s Business and Community Economic Development Center assisting locally owned businesses and public/private partnerships, as well as nonprofit organizations, looking to strengthen their capacity and outreach.

Vidas was the recipient of the 2005 Arthur Naftalin Award for her public service and community governance work. She received a 2004 television Emmy while working as a project partner with the U.S. Attorney General’s Office. She is a former human rights commissioner and recognized leader for her work in education, media, and public engagement. Vidas earned a B.A. in communications from Metropolitan University, is a trained mediator certified in community development, and completed an MPA with concentrations in public leadership, nonprofit management, and social policy from the Humphrey School. She is now enrolled in a doctoral program at Hamline University.