Kari leads state & federal policy efforts at MCCD on behalf of MCCD’s members and often in partnership with community coalitions & organizations. She has led efforts to secure hundreds of millions in affordable housing & economic development investments at the Minnesota State Capitol. Kari also currently serves on the NACEDA Community Development Advisory Council and is a mentor for the ELCD program. Previously, Kari served as a Policy Co-Chair for the Homes for All Coalition, Minnesota Asset Building Coalition Advisory Member and a Mentor with Wilder’s Community Equity Program.

Prior to joining MCCD, Kari was based in Washington, DC working at the U.S. Treasury Department and for the United States Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee. Kari enjoys building relationships, problem solving, and is deeply passionate about using her skills to  find policy solutions to remedy the harms to BIPOC communities cause by racism and decades of disinvestment.