ST. PAUL, MN – Minnesota Department of Human Rights Commissioner Kevin Lindsey has appointed Nicholas Kor as Civic Engagement Director. In his new role, Kor will lead the implementation of the Civic Engagement Committee’s strategic plan. 

The plan is designed to facilitate meaningful dialog between the administrative agencies that comprise the Governor’s Cabinet and all members of the public – with an emphasis on communities of color, LGBTQ communities, American Indian communities and individuals with disabilities.

“The work of civic engagement and building bridges between government and the public is so critically important in today’s environment,” Commissioner Lindsey said. “I’m thankful for the strategic plan created by the civic engagement steering committee and the involvement of administrative agency leadership in the process.”

Governor Dayton’s Diversity and Inclusion Council was established in 2015 upon the signing of Executive Order 15-02. The goal of the Council is to ensure that all Minnesotans have equitable opportunities to work for their state government, do business with the state and participate fully in the development of state policy within our democracy.

“I’m excited to have Nick join the Department given his past experience in community organizing and because of his energy, enthusiasm and passion for ensuring all people have authentic opportunities in the political process,” Lindsey said. “Nick will be instrumental in connecting communities that have not felt like a part of the political process to state administrative agencies.” 

Kor has a background in community engagement and political organizing. He most recently worked with the Alliance for Metropolitan Stability, where he’d been the HIRE Minnesota Campaign Organizer since February of 2015. At the Alliance for Metropolitan Stability, Kor was tasked with holding government and contractors accountable to meeting workforce participation goals and ensuring Minnesota’s communities of color were prepared and qualified to seize job opportunities created by the state’s changing demographics. 

Additionally, Kor has extensive experience organizing in LGBTQ communities through his work with Minnesota United for All Families, OutFront Minnesota, and Shades of Yellow (SOY). He has also done electoral organizing for Councilmember Dai Thao in 2013 and Senator Al Franken in 2014.

In his new position, Kor will be able to continue working with state government and with Minnesota’s underrepresented communities.

“What attracted me to this position was the opportunity to connect state government with communities and to have community members assist in the creation process,” Kor said. “We should also be involving people in executive branch policy making,” he added. “I really believe in the power of communities to make decisions and create the communities that they want for themselves.”

Kor’s first day in his new position will be Sep. 26.

For more information about the Civic Engagement Committee and Governor's Diversity and Inclusion Council, visit MDHR’s website. 

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