[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today announced the following appointments to the Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority, Governor’s Children’s Cabinet Advisory Council, State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care, and Minnesota Zoological Board.

Joe Fowler – Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority
Representative of a Labor Union with Experience in Working on Clean Energy Projects
Effective: October 3, 2023
Term Expires: January 6, 2025
New Seat

Shalini Gupta – Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority
Member with Expertise in Environmental Justice
Effective: October 3, 2023
Term Expires: January 5, 2026
New Seat

Tessa Haagenson – Ramsey, MN

Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority

Member Representing Either a Municipal Electric Utility or a Cooperative Electric Association

Effective: October 3, 2023

Term Expires: January 6, 2025

New Seat

Bali Kumar – Eden Prairie, MN

Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority

Member with Expertise in Investment Fund Management or Financing and Deploying Clean Energy Technologies

Effective: October 3, 2023

Term Expires: January 4, 2027

New Seat

Axaule Sultanova – Minneapolis, MN

Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority

Member with Expertise in Sustainable Development and Energy Conservation

Effective: October 3, 2023

Term Expires: January 5, 2026

New Seat

Jenna Warmuth – Hermantown, MN

Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority

Member with Expertise in the Impact of Climate Change on Minnesota communities, Particularly Low-Income Communities

Effective: October 3, 2023

Term Expires: January 6, 2025

New Seat

About the Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority:

The Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority helps accelerate the deployment of clean energy projects, greenhouse gas emissions reduction projects, and other qualified projects using public funds in the form of grants, loans, credit enhancements, and other financing mechanisms.

Additional information about the Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Markus Flynn – Saint Paul, MN

Governor's Children's Cabinet Advisory Council

Member

Effective: October 2, 2023

Term Expires: April 5, 2027

Replacing: Keenan Jones

About the Governor’s Children’s Cabinet Advisory Council:

The Governor’s Children’s Cabinet Advisory Council makes recommendations to and helps support the Children’s Cabinet.

Additional information about the Governor’s Children’s Cabinet Advisory Council can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Rachel Daley – Red Wing, MN

State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care

Member

Effective: October 2, 2023

Term Expires: January 4, 2027

Replacing: Jennifer Mueller

Maren Hulden – Minneapolis, MN

State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care

Member

Effective: October 2, 2023

Term Expires: January 4, 2027

Replacing: Rinal Ray

About the State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care:

The State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care makes recommendations to the Governor’s Children’s Cabinet Advisory Council and Children’s Cabinet and fulfills the duties required under the federal Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act.

Additional information about the State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Jose Acosta-Reyes – Minneapolis, MN

Minnesota Zoological Board

Member

Effective: October 2, 2023

Term Expires: January 6, 2025

Replacing: Richard Carlbom

Grace Chou – Minneapolis, MN

Minnesota Zoological Board

Member

Effective: October 2, 2023

Term Expires: January 4, 2027

Reappointment

Eric Galler – Woodbury, MN

Minnesota Zoological Board

Member

Effective: October 2, 2023

Term Expires: January 4, 2027

Reappointment

Kerry Hanifl – Northfield, MN

Minnesota Zoological Board

Member

Effective: October 2, 2023

Term Expires: January 4, 2027

Reappointment

Kent Peterson – Bloomington, MN

Minnesota Zoological Board

Member

Effective: October 2, 2023

Term Expires: January 4, 2027

Reappointment

Sarah Weeks – Saint Paul, MN

Minnesota Zoological Board

Member

Effective: October 2, 2023

Term Expires: January 4, 2027

Replacing: Quannah Parker-McGowan

About the Minnesota Zoological Board:

The Minnesota Zoological Board is responsible for the supervision and control of the Minnesota Zoological Garden.

Additional information about the Minnesota Zoological Board can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

The Governor and Lieutenant Governor are seeking qualified and diverse individuals who are passionate about using their knowledge, skills, and lived experiences to serve the state of Minnesota. A list of boards and commissions, including open positions, can be found on the  Minnesota Secretary of State’s website.