Affirmative Options is a Minnesota statewide coalition of more than 50 organizations who believe that poverty is not inevitable.
Together we advocate for a Minnesota economy that creates opportunities for women, men and children to move out of poverty.

Affirmative Options is governed by a Steering Committee elected by the membership who provide leadership and oversight for coalition activities. The Steering Committee establishes the vision and mission of the organization and guides the work of the coalition.

Steering Committee members are elected by Affirmative Options Coalition members and must represent an organization that is a member of Affirmative Options.

Steering Committee

Arnie Anderson
Executive Director
Minnesota Community Action Partnership

Kris Jacobs
Executive Director
JOBS NOW Coalition

Nan Madden
Director
Minnesota Budget Project at the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits

Mark Peters
Director
Lutheran Coalition for Public Policy

Brian Rusche
Executive Director
Joint Religious Legislative Coalition

Colleen Moriarty
Executive Director
Hunger Solutions Minnesota

Liz Kuoppala 
Executive Director
Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless

Marcie Jefferys
Director of Policy Development
Children's Defense Fund Minnesota

Ron Elwood
Executive Director
Legal Services Advocacy Project

Marie Reigstad
Public Policy Manager
Office for Social Justice, Catholic Charities

Mary Nienow
Executive Director
Child Care WORKS



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