Emma Watts (she/her) is the Council’s first Executive Director. Before joining the Council, Emma served as a Principal at a public affairs firm where she managed government relations programs for clients in LGBTQIA2S+ advocacy, arts and humanities, capital investment, and economic development. Emma has also been a Political Director at two Minnesota non-profits, overseeing coalition-building and statewide political and campaign strategy. Emma has significant experience in LGBTQIA2S+ issue advocacy - she worked to defeat the constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage in Minnesota, lobbied for a ban on conversion therapy, and secured $2m in state funding for LGBTQIA2S+ business owners, non-profits, and to expand access to gender- affirming care.

 

Emma has her M.A. in Communication from Johns Hopkins University and holds a B.S. in Social Justice and Political Science from the University of Minnesota. She oversees all Council operations, develops strategic plans, and ensures the Council fulfills its legislative mandate.