Meet the Health Equity Network coordinators and staff
Watch on YouTube:
Meet the Minnesota Health Equity Network Coordinators (1:58)
Contact Mary (she/her)
mary.mitchell@state.mn.us
218-556-3249
What do you love about living in Northwest Minnesota? I love the easy access to lakes, rivers and woods, and enjoy kayaking, hiking, fishing and mushroom hunting.
What excites you most about the networks? Minnesota has some of the biggest health disparities in the nation. I am excited about the opportunity to work in community with other advocates to find new and creative ways to help everyone in our state be healthier.
If you could have dinner with someone famous, who would you choose and why? The news anchor Walter Cronkite, because he was such a nightly presence in my home growing up, and would have so many interesting stories to share.
Contact Colleen (she/her)
colleen.mckinney@state.mn.us
What do you love about living in northeast Minnesota? My childhood memories come back to me every time I am near Lake Superior or anywhere in the northeast region. I also love spending time in the woods and learning more about wild plants that are used for food and medicine.
What excites you most about the networks? I look forward to meeting people from the entire northeast region, and helping to build upon existing equity efforts. I enjoy working toward creative solutions, and am happy to have the opportunity to help make health equity connections that benefit everyone in the northeast region and throughout Minnesota.
If you could have dinner with someone famous, who would you choose and why? I'd pick Dolly Parton, because she is a person who has come from rural roots and, despite her fame, remains genuine and works to make the world a better place.
Contact Fa (she/her)
fatuma.youb@state.mn.us
320-223-7327
What do you love about living in central Minnesota? I love the abundance of nature and diversity in central Minnesota. I am now discovering new trails with my bike during weekends at Lake Wobegon Trail, which crosses Stearns and Todd Counties and connects ten communities.
What excites you most about the networks? I am most excited to bring a network of leaders together to advance health and racial equity in the public health system, and consistently ensure that all communities in central Minnesota experience equitable benefits.
If you could have dinner with someone famous, who would you choose and why? I would choose David Attenborough, because who would not want to hear his voice?
Contact Lil (she/her)
lil.pinero@state.mn.us
651-201-4429
What do you love about living in Saint Paul? I love that I am not far from anything by living in St. Paul. I love that I get diverse experiences because of my location. I am a foodie, so the fact that I can be a few blocks from Thai food, Kurdish food, Irish food, Ethiopian food, El Salvadorian food (and the list goes on), is so amazing. I love the revitalization of the area, the pride people have that they are from Saint Paul, and the ability to learn so much from the access to events in the community.
What excites you most about the networks? I am very much a people person, so I am definitely excited about the building of relationships with and between people. To be a part of something that has the ability to make such a positive change, knock down barriers and build equity for people of our region is just so exciting.
If you could have dinner with someone famous, who would you choose and why? Harriet Tubman, because of so many reasons, but at the top is because I want to be in the presence of such an exceptionally brilliant woman and simply have discussions.
Contact Anna (she/her)
anna.snyder@state.mn.us
651-201-3794
What do you love about living in southwest Minnesota? Southwest Minnesota has been home most of my life. Throughout the years I've been able to see how our rural communities truly care about supporting one another.
What excites you most about the networks? I am most excited to bring people together that are passionate about changing the inequities faced in southwest Minnesota—to make strides towards putting words and ideas into action, to keep our communities healthy and thriving!
If you could have dinner with someone famous, who would you choose and why? Michael Scott, because there would not be a single dull moment.
Contact Lyndsey (she/her)
lyndsey.reece@state.mn.us
651-201-5318
What do you love about southeast Minnesota? Southeast Minnesota is a beautiful area where I spent many years throughout college and some of my career. Throughout the years I've developed a love for the growing, diverse communities in southeast Minnesota, and look forward to getting to know each community on a deeper level.
What excites you most about the networks? I am most excited to bring people together and develop lasting relationships as southeast Minnesota works to tackle the inequities seen throughout the communities.
If you could have dinner with someone famous, who would you choose and why? I would have dinner with Caroline Myss, an author. The dinner would be full of deep authentic discussion regarding whole wellness!
Contact Shor (they/them)
shor.salkas@state.mn.us
What do you love about health equity and community engagement? I love how much I learn everyday about the people and communities around me. This constant learning keeps me curious and humble, and it allows me to look for solutions in creative ways alongside people. I love that I am a small part of that bigger picture to create thriving communities and doing health equity and community engagement work.
What excites you most about the networks? I know that relationships are the core of communities creating long lasting change and to advancing health equity. This approach centers relationships and moves at the pace of trust, and sometimes that means we don't know what will emerge, but I know that some things that will emerge are belonging and brilliance.
If you could have dinner with someone famous, who would you choose and why? Yotam Ottolenghi, world renowned chef specializing in Middle Eastern cuisine, and we wouldn't just have dinner… we would cook dinner together via a hand-picked menu that highlights dishes that tell the story of his cultural cooking journey.
Contact TC (he/him)
tc.duong@state.mn.us
What do you love about health equity and community engagement? When it comes to health equity and community engagement, I love creating positive feedback loops where those most impacted by policies are the ones shaping it. What I mean by feedback loop is when communities have a voice in decision-making, the dynamic shifts beyond engagement to co-design. I love seeing institutions internalize an equity lens and cultural humility to the point that communities actively see those institutions as partners and resources.
What excites you most about the networks? The Minnesota Health Equity Networks is an insight and innovation lab for public health practitioners to have a safe space to share joys, challenges, and strategies. I love that my team is rooted in the WHY before the WHAT, and that gets expressed in our intakes, training, and evaluations!
If you could have dinner with someone famous, who would you choose and why? Julia Child, but for a very different reason than most people think. She wrote about how her father was an old money guy from Southern California who she clashed with on the regular. I would love to ask her about how she engaged with a family member so different from her and how she created such a life given her upbringing.
Contact Jeannette (she/her)
jeannette.raymond@state.mn.us
What do you love about health equity and community engagement? Working on health equity and authentic community engagement allows me to express my beliefs that everyone is valuable and that everyone brings wisdom that can inform practical and elegant solutions.
What excites you most about the networks? I'm most excited by the networks' potential to connect passionate people who want to create systems that serve all people no matter who they are and where they live.
If you could have dinner with someone famous, who would you choose and why? Lucretia Mott, an 18th century Quaker abolitionist and women's rights advocate. Besides the fact that Lucretia is my middle name and that I am from the same faith tradition, I would love to talk with her about what kept her going in the face of incredible challenges and how she engaged with people that were against the changes she sought. I'd also be interested in her reflection on current conditions—what would surprise her? What would be disappointing? What would she celebrate?