Keith Butcher (MS ’98)

Keith Butcher manages external affairs for the Center for Energy and Environment (CEE), a nonpartisan, technically focused nonprofit organization based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He works with a diverse group of organizations, including Minnesota’s electric and natural gas utilities, government agencies, elected officials, private firms, and other nonprofits primarily focused on energy and environmental issues. As part of his duties, Keith is involved in such projects as energy policy development, biomass research, energy efficiency program design and development, lighting retrofits, recommissioning, multifamily projects, financing initiatives, and more.

Prior to joining CEE, Keith spent three years helping start-up Infrared Solutions, Inc (ISI), a private technology firm headquartered in Plymouth, Minnesota. At ISI he oversaw production schedules for all ISI products; supervised assemblers, student engineers, and technicians; engineered ISI products from prototype to production; and designed all ISI quality assurance measures.

Keith holds a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering with a minor in political science from the University of Minnesota in addition to an M.S. in science and technology policy. Keith is a member of the Citizens League and past member of the Rotary Club and has been involved in the Institute’s mentor program for the last five years.

Tom Daniel (MURP ’98)

Tom Daniel is the Manager of the Economic Development Section of the City of Minneapolis' Department of Community Planning and Economic Development.  Tom began his employment with the City of Minneapolis in 2000 as a Project Coordinator for the MCDA.  He has worked on a variety of economic development projects with a focus on downtown, as well as department-level initiatives, organizational development, and cultural change.  Prior to joining the City, Tom was an active volunteer in his neighborhood association and served in several leadership roles.

Tom has a Master's degree in Urban and Regional Planning with a concentration on community and economic development from the Humphrey School.  He is certified by the National Development Council as a Housing Development and Economic Development Professional.  In 2003, Tom completed the City of Minneapolis' Leadership Development Program.  He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners, the American Planning Association, and the Economic Development Association of Minnesota.  Tom was a member of the 1998 entering class.

Jennifer Godinez (MA ’97)

Jennifer Godinez is executive director of the Minnesota College Access Network, in conjunction with the Minnesota Minority Education Partnership, Inc. Her professional experience includes nonprofit management, fund development, and speaking both locally and nationally on topics related to education and emerging demographics in the U.S.

Jennifer was awarded as a "Top 25 Under 40" by the Hispanic Business Chamber in 2005, and named "Leader of the Year" by La Prensa newspaper for her work advocating on immigrant access issues in education. She earned a BA in sociology at Drake University, and completed an MA in public affairs with a concentration in nonprofit management and education policy from the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs.

Miriam Goldfein (MA ’88)

Miriam Goldfein is director of Best Buy's Market Analysis group at its Richfield headquarters.  Her Market Analysis team works closely with Best Buy's real estate staff and is instrumental in identifying emerging markets, helping locate individual stores and providing specialized regional and market-related evaluations for the company's property development. Prior to joining Best Buy in 1997, Miriam worked in the locational analysis area for Target Corporation as well as Lane Bryant.

 A Humphrey School graduate, her studies there emphasized land-use planning. While at the university as a graduate student, she co-authored the economic study "Trade Centers of the Upper Midwest."  Miriam has her undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania where she was a regional science major. She is an active volunteer for the Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery.

Misty Heggeness (MPP/MSW ’99)

Misty Heggeness currently is pursuing a Ph.D. in applied economics from 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.

Misty earned a master of public policy and a master of social work (MPP/MSW) from the University of Minnesota in 2002 and a bachelor of science in family social science and Spanish in 1999.

Charles E. Johnson (MA ’83)

Mr. Johnson serves as the assistant commissioner for Children and Family Services for the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS). He is responsible for programs and policies that promote economic stability, child safety and permanency, opportunities for children to develop to their potential and successful transitions for immigrant families. 

In his previous position as director of Transitions to Economic Stability, Mr. Johnson led DHS’ welfare reform efforts. He has been involved in the development of Minnesota’s primary welfare reform effort, the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP), since its inception. Mr. Johnson has been with DHS for 16 years, and has spent all of his 21 years in state government working on policies and programs that support low-income families and children.

Bernadine Joselyn (MPA ’00)

Bernadine Joselyn is a graduate of the Humphrey School's MPA program, a 30 credit program for mid-career professionals. She was president of the Humphrey School's Alumni Board for 2005-2006. A Minnesota native, Bernadine also has a master's degree in international affairs and a certificate in advanced Soviet studies from Columbia University. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota.

Bernadine currently is the Director of Public Policy & Engagement at the Blandin Foundation, in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. As director, Bernadine is responsible for promoting rural perspectives in the realm of public policy in Minnesota.  Under her leadership, the Foundation currently is implementing two public policy initiatives: Vital Forests/Vital Communities, and the Blandin Broadband Initiative: Keeping Rural Communities Competitive. Bernadine served for seven years as a diplomat with the United States Department of State, including assignments in New Delhi, India and Moscow, Russia. She spent the better part of a decade living and working in Russia, including as Director of the Moscow office of the Eurasia Foundation, and Director of the Moscow office of the International Research and Exchanges Board.

Sabrina Lau (MA ’95)

Sabrina Lau is a new business analyst with the CriMNet Program in the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, where she will facilitate data integration projects for the benefit of criminal justice agencies statewide. With CriMNet, she will be aiding in liaison work, assistance to local agencies, small jurisdiction integration planning, and project-specific business analysis. Previously, Sabrina has worked with Dakota County as an analyst, and with nonprofit organizations in the areas of economic development and sustainability, including two years with the Polish Ecological Club in Warsaw. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of California at Davis. 

Scott McMahon (MPP ’03)

Upon the completion of 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, and just began a new job as director of government and community affairs for Minnesota Private College Council.

Scott’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, Scott was president of the Public Affairs Students Association (PASA) and worked with the dean, Michelle Potter, and board 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.

Jim Mulder (MA ’82)

Jim Mulder is the Executive Director of the Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC).  He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota, Morris, with a Bachelor of Science degree.

Mr. Mulder has been the Executive Director for AMC for fifteen years.  Prior to holding this position, Mr. Mulder served as the county coordinator for McLeod County. He worked for the Minnesota House of Representatives as a researcher, and as a committee administrator for the House Tax Committee. 

The AMC is a voluntary association of all of Minnesota’s eighty-seven counties. The Association provides a broad range of services that include lobbying the Minnesota Legislature, working with state departments and agencies and providing training and information to Minnesota County officials.

Kiyoshi Nakasaka (MA ’89)

Kiyoshi Nakasaka is President & CEO of a business and public policy consulting firm, Washington CORE, L.L.C. Kiyoshi advises top business/government/trade association executives on strategic business & policy issues. He has played a key role in establishing numerous successful alliances/collaborations across the Pacific.
He is a member of the Radio Club of America, a wireless communications professional society, and is selected as a member of the International Who's Who of Information Technology in 1998.
Prior to starting his consulting firm, Kiyoshi worked as a public policy and government affairs analyst in the Washington, D.C., and also worked for CBS News in Tokyo, Japan.
Kiyoshi earned an MA in public affairs from the University of Minnesota's Humphrey School of Public Affairs, and a B.A. from Sophia University in Tokyo, Japan.

Anissa Rogness (MPP ’99)

Anissa Rogness is the director of economic development for United States Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND) in Washington, D.C. She works on projects and legislation on a variety of issues ranging from energy to transportation, small business development, and homeland security. Prior to working on Capitol Hill, much of Anissa’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.

Anissa 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 in Northfield, Minnesota. Anissa 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 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. Mary is also a consultant to the University of Minnesota’s Business and Community Economic Development Center assisting locally owned businesses and public/private partnerships, as well as, non-profit organizations looking to strengthen their capacity and outreach.

Recently, Mary 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. Mary earned a B.A. in communications from Metropolitan University, is a trained mediator certified in community development, and completed a MPA with concentrations in public leadership, nonprofit management, and social policy from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs.

Susan Von Mosch (MA ’79)

Susan works for the Minnesota Senate Counsel, Research, and Fiscal Analysis Office as a fiscal analyst with the Tax Committee. Prior to starting this position in March of 2006, Susan worked as manager of research and planning for the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources, a position she held for four years.  Susan also has worked as a program evaluator for the Office of the Legislative Auditor, a planner with the Metropolitan Council, and a policy analyst with Ramsey County.Susan earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota, Morris, majoring in history and political science.