Meet Monica

Hi, I’m Monica.

I’m a lifelong Minnesotan and for the last decade, my partner and I have been planting our roots right here in Northeast Minneapolis.

I currently work as the Political Director at Gender Justice, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing gender equity through the law. I’ve had the privilege of being a part of some incredible victories for Minnesotans.

I earned my Master’s Degree in Public Policy from the Humphrey Institute at the University of Minnesota, and my undergraduate degree from Hamline University.

I learned to organize as a student, advocating for divestment against apartheid at my college campus. That’s when I knew that changemaking was my path in life.

I started my career at the Minnesota Public Interest Research Group, fighting for indigenous sovereignty and against corporate greed. It was there that I became committed to building the next generation of leaders.

I spent 20 years at OutFront Minnesota working to advance LGBTQIA+ rights, leading efforts to pass historic advances for our communities, including passing nation-leading anti-bullying legislation to protect young people.

As a key leader of the Minnesotans United for All Families campaign, I successfully fought to make Minnesota the first state in the country to defeat a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. I knew that defeating the amendment wasn’t enough, so I quickly got to work alongside a large coalition of community leaders and policymakers to pass marriage equality for all Minnesotans.

My work has earned me numerous honors and awards including the Humphrey Institute’s Public Leadership Award, the Minnesota Lynx’s Inspiring Women Award, the Human Rights Campaign’s Brian Coyle Award, the Minnesota Chapter of the National Organization for Women’s Charlotte Striebel Award, and the Minnesota School Social Work Association’s Friend of Social Work Award.

I hope you will join me in our efforts to build a more just Minnesota. I look forward to earning your support by Primary Election Day on January 14th.