Minnesota State Agency Tribal Liaisons
Cabinet agencies within Minnesota State government have Tribal liaison positions and/or designated points of contact when it comes to matters that impact the tribes. Simply put, their role is to address broad-scale opportunities or challenges, in order to promote and successfully implement government-to-government relations between the agency and tribal nations. For more information, refer to Minnesota Statute, section 10.65 and the respective agency's policy on government-to-government relations with Tribal Nations.
| Agency | Liaison | Phone number |
|---|---|---|
| Administration (ADM) | Curt Yoakum | 651-201-2771 |
| Agriculture (MDA) | Cyndi Bergloff | 651-627-7663 |
| Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) | Melissa King | 651-350-8845 |
| Cannabis Management (OCM) | Melanie Franks | 651-539-5827 |
| Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) | Angela Fairbanks | 952-583-6842 |
| Commerce (COMM) | Jackie Dionne | 651-392-0143 |
| Corrections (DOC) | Wendy Spry | 651-249-5913 |
| Direct Care Treatment (DCT) | Crystal Weckert | 651-539-7101 |
| Education (MDE) | Eli Dotts | N/A |
| Employment and Economic Development (DEED) | Kirk Crow Shoe | 651-219-2842 |
| Explore Minnesota (TOUR) | Dawn Blanchard | 651-757-1850 |
| Gambling Control Board (GCB) | Marisol Aguilar | 651-249-1832 |
| Health (MDH) | Ravyn Gibbs | 507-990-3116 |
| Higher Education (OHE) | Rafael Eubanks | 651-775-0925 |
| Housing & Finance (MHFA) | Corey Strong Sr. | 651-296-5701 |
| Human Rights (MDHR) | Vacant | N/A |
| Human Services (DHS) | Angie DeLille | 651-200-7669 |
| Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB) | Billie Isham-Gillen | 218-735-3017 |
| Labor and Industry (DLI) | Naheeda Hirji-Walji | 651-350-9488 |
| Management and Budget (MMB) | Wendy Helgemo | 651-259-3656 |
| Military Affairs (MNDMA) | David Bendickson | 651-268-8921 |
| MN IT Services (MnIT) | Michelle Klatt | 651-201-2619 |
| Mediation Services (BMS) | Tom Shoemaker | 651-295-0861 |
| Metropolitan Council (MET Council) | Allison Waukau | 651-602-1590 |
| Natural Resources (DNR) | Vacant | N/A |
| Pollution Control (MPCA) | Shannon Kesner | 218-830-9813 |
| Public Safety (DPS) | Juliet Rudie | 651-201-7172 |
| Public Utilities (PUC) | Angie McKinley | 651-539-1065 |
| Revenue (MDOR) | Michelle Larson | 612-388-1418 |
| Transportation (MnDOT) | Levi Brown | 651-236-7048 |
| Veterans Affairs (MDVA) | Ernest Steel | 651-238-0334 |
Updated 06/02/2026