Our Equity Commitment

Updated October 25, 2023
For many, our state offers a high quality of life and opportunities as we grow up and grow old. However, this is not true for Minnesota's Black, Indigenous, People of Color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, undocumented, and other marginalized communities, who continue to experience numerous disparities in comparison to their more privileged peers. As a state, we are rapidly aging and becoming more diverse. By 2030 it is estimated that one in five Minnesotans will be 65 years or older. We are not done with our work to eliminate disparities and together we can make Minnesota a great place to live and age well for all of us. 

We recognize the intersections of age, place, culture, ability and disability, neurodiversity, ethnic origin, gender identity and expression, marital status, nationality, race, religion, sexual orientation, legal status, and socioeconomic status influence our experiences and our work. We acknowledge that historically marginalized voices have neither been equally visible nor fully respected, which has resulted in disparities for generations. The scale of inequity affecting our communities is a function of interconnected socioeconomic systems built on foundations of racial prejudice, stereotypes, and bias.

We acknowledge our responsibility as an organization to filter our work through the lens of this reality. Our commitment is to revisit and reexamine our policies and strategies to create a more equitable and age-friendly Minnesota. 

Adam Suomala
Executive Director
MN Leadership Council on Aging

Cathy McLeer
State Director
AARP Minnesota

Robert Freeman
Vice President, Public Policy
Alzheimer’s Association Minnesota-North Dakota

Kimelyn Knight
Director of Aging Services
Amherst H. Wilder Foundation

Patti Cullen
President and CEO
Care Providers of Minnesota

Patricia McArdle
Director of Aging and Disability Services
Catholic Charities Twin Cities

Mirdalys Herrera Tweeton
Executive Director
Centro Tyrone Guzman

Ann Bailey
President and CEO
DARTS

Katey Zanotelli-Wade
Senior Director of Aging and Economic Security
East Side Neighborhood Services

Beth Wiggins
Director of Caregiving and Aging Services
FamilyMeans

James Falvey
Executive Director
Friends & Co.

Jonathan Palmer
Executive Director
Hallie Q. Brown Community Center, Inc.

Ruth Hampton Olkon
Chief Executive Officer
Jewish Family Service of St. Paul

Phil Duran
Director of Advocacy and Research
Rainbow Health

Adero Cobb
President and CEO
Keystone Community Services

Kari Thurlow
President and CEO
LeadingAge Minnesota


Kristin Rigg
Executive Director
Living at Home Network

Tory Merhar
Associate Vice President of Older Adult Services
Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota

Patrick Rowan
Executive Director
Metro Meals on Wheels

Jarrod Peterson
Public Policy Committee Chair
Minneapolis Area Senior Workers Association

Dawn Simonson
President and CEO, Trellis
Minnesota Association of Area Agencies on Aging

Heidi Holste
Executive Director
Minnesota Association of Geriatrics Inspired Clinicians

Paula Woischke
Director, Whitney Senior Center
Minnesota Association of Senior Services

Amanda Vickstrom
Executive Director
Minnesota Elder Justice Center

Heidi Holste
Executive Director
Minnesota Gerontological Society

Kathy Messerli
Executive Director
Minnesota Home Care Association

David Blomquist
Interim Executive Director
Minnesota Network of Hospice & Palliative Care

Phil Duran
Senior Advocate, Aging and Gender Care Access
Rainbow Health

Jarrod Peterson
Vice President and Public Policy Committee Chair
St. Paul Senior Workers Association 

Deb Taylor
Chief Executive Officer
Senior Community Services

Jane Pederson
Chief Medical Quality Officer
Stratis Health

Rajean Moone
LTC Administration Faculty Director and Associate Director for Policy
University of Minnesota Center on Aging

Vickie Snyder
Board Chair
Vital Aging Network

Julie Manworren
President and CEO
Volunteers of America – Minnesota and Wisconsin 

Diversity I Equity I Inclusion
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