[SAINT PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today announced the following appointments to the Board of Water and Soil Resources, Child Fatality and Near Fatality Review, Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board, and the Young Women's Initiative. 

Kevin Wilson – Cokato, MN 
Board of Water and Soil Resources 
Elected City Official - Non-Metro 
Effective: September 3, 2025 
Term Expires: January 4, 2027 

About the Board of Water and Soil Resources: 
The Board of Water and Soil Resources works to improve and protect Minnesota’s water and soil resources by working in partnership with local organizations and private landowners. The agency is responsible for accomplishing various land and water protection, habitat restoration, and clean water programs and projects in collaboration with local governments statewide. 

Additional information on the Board of Water and Soil Resources can be found on the Secretary of State’s Website.

Mark Hudson – Saint Paul, MN 
Child Fatality and Near Fatality Review 
Physician who is a Child Abuse Specialist Pediatrician 
Effective: September 3, 2025 
Term Expires: January 1, 2029 

Lisa Tittle – Plymouth, MN 
Child Fatality and Near Fatality Review 
Current Child Protection Supervisor or Director for a Tribal Child Welfare Agency 
Effective: September 3, 2025 
Term Expires: January 1, 2029

About the Child Fatality and Near Fatality Review: 
The Child Fatality and Near Fatality Review helps identify systemic changes to improve child safety and well-being and recommends modifications in statute, rule, policy, and procedure. 

Additional information on the Child Fatality and Near Fatality Review can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Liana Lingofelt – Plymouth, MN 
Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board
Teacher (Seven-county metropolitan area) 
Effective: September 3, 2025 
Term Expires: January 1, 2029 

Nathan Wood – Barrett, MN 
Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board 
Principal (Alternates between Elementary/Secondary) 
Effective: September 3, 2025 
Term Expires: January 3, 2028 

About the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board: 
The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board is responsible for licensing teachers and related service providers in Minnesota, setting and maintaining teacher licensure standards, enforcing the Teacher Code of Ethics, approving teacher preparation programs, and administering various grants, including the Teacher Mentorship Grant and the CUGMEC Grant. 

Additional information on the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Samia Abdulle – New Brighton, MN 
Young Women's Initiative 
Member 
Effective: September 3, 2025 
Term Expires: July 31, 2026 

Nawal Abdurahman – Lakeville, MN 
Young Women's Initiative 
Member
Effective: September 3, 2025
Term Expires: July 31, 2026 

Heritage Aluko – Minneapolis, MN
Young Women's Initiative
Member
Effective: September 3, 2025 
Term Expires: July 31, 2026 

Marwah Asif – Saint Cloud, MN
Young Women's Initiative 
Member 
Effective: September 3, 2025 
Term Expires: July 31, 2026

Keira Azefor – Shakopee, MN 
Young Women's Initiative 
Member 
Effective: September 3, 2025 
Term Expires: July 31, 2026

Ja'Sirah Barber – Brooklyn City, MN 
Young Women's Initiative 
Member 
Effective: September 3, 2025 
Term Expires: July 31, 2026

Yolanda Cisneros – Granite Falls, MN
Young Women's Initiative
Member
Effective: September 3, 2025
Term Expires: July 31, 2026 

Celeste Conteh – Brooklyn Park, MN 
Young Women's Initiative 
Member 
Effective: September 3, 2025 
Term Expires: July 31, 2026 

Aisling Cox – Fergus Falls, MN 
Young Women's Initiative 
Member 
Effective: September 3, 2025 
Term Expires: July 31, 2026 

Ariah Crosby – Saint Paul, MN 
Young Women's Initiative 
Member 
Effective: September 3, 2025 
Term Expires: July 31, 2026 

Najma Darwish – White Bear Lake, MN 
Young Women's Initiative 
Member
Effective: September 3, 2025 
Term Expires: July 31, 2026 

Miranda Del Toro – Richfield, MN 
Young Women's Initiative 
Member
Effective: September 3, 2025
Term Expires: July 31, 2026 

Alaisha Garcia Lopez – Faribault, MN
Young Women's Initiative
Member
Effective: September 3, 2025
Term Expires: July 31, 2026 

Lucianna Gutierrez – Minneapolis, MN
Young Women's Initiative
Member
Effective: September 3, 2025 
Term Expires: July 31, 2026 

Pang Nhia Khang – Ramsey, MN
Young Women's Initiative
Member 
Effective: September 3, 2025
Term Expires: July 31, 2026 

Esther Lee – Edina, MN
Young Women's Initiative
Member
Effective: September 3, 2025
Term Expires: July 31, 2026 

Genesis Maravilla Fernandez – Bloomington, MN
Young Women's Initiative
Member
Effective: September 3, 2025
Term Expires: July 31, 2026 

Aria Naik – Minneapolis, MN
Young Women's Initiative
Member
Effective: September 3, 2025
Term Expires: July 31, 2026
Replacing: Josibeth Elena Aguilera 

Azah Nde – Saint Michael, MN
Young Women's Initiative
Member
Effective: September 3, 2025
Term Expires: July 31, 2026 

Sheridyn Runs After – Marshall, MN
Young Women's Initiative
Member
Effective: September 3, 2025
Term Expires: July 31, 2026 

Hana Sowelam – Plymouth, MN
Young Women's Initiative
Member
Effective: September 3, 2025
Term Expires: July 31, 2026 

Sreeja Thirukkovalur – Plymouth, MN
Young Women's Initiative
Member
Effective: September 3, 2025
Term Expires: July 31, 2026 

Gao Sheng Yang – Isanti, MN
Young Women's Initiative
Member
Effective: September 3, 2025
Term Expires: July 31, 2026 

About the Young Women's Initiative:
The Young Women’s Initiative of Minnesota Cabinet is a partnership between the Governor’s Office, the Women’s Foundation, and the YWCA Saint Paul. The Cabinet includes young women and gender-expansive youth aged 16-24 to promote equitable systems that benefit all, grounded in the belief that when young Black, Indigenous, women of color, and people with disabilities in Minnesota thrive, families and communities thrive. 

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.