MSEA Leadership

MSEA is made possible by its members, who are classified school employees including secretaries, paraprofessionals, food service employees, technicians, custodians, interpreters, bus drivers, and more. 

MSEA is governed by a Board of Directors and managed by Office and Field Staff. Learn more about our leadership below. 

Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors is elected through member action at our annual Delegate Assembly. We meet at least once a quarter.

Rachel Nelson

Rachel Nelson

President

Paraeducator in the Clearbrook / Gonvick School District

Term Ends:  June 30, 2028
Email: rachel@msea-mn.com

Jodi Utne

Jodi Utne

Vice President, Region 1 Director

Paraeducator in the Howard Lake, Waverly, Winston School District

Term Ends:  June 30, 2027
Email: jodi@msea-mn.com

Tim Finnerty

Tim Finnerty

Region 2 Director

Paraeducator in the Centennial/Rice Lake School District

Term Ends:  June 30, 2028
Email: tim@msea-mn.com

Wendy Derhaag

Wendy Derhaag

Treasurer, Region 3 Director

Paraeducator in the SW Metro School District

Term Ends:  June 30, 2026
Email: wendy@msea-mn.com

Lori Sizenbach

Lori Sizenbach

Region 4 Director

District Tech in the Northland Community Schools
Term Ends: June 30, 2027
Email: lori@msea-mn.com

Molly Keogh

Molly Keogh

Region 5 Director

Paraeducator in the Minnetonka School District

Term Ends:  June 30, 2026
Email: molly@msea-mn.com

Jolene Katchmark

Region 6 Director

Paraeducator in the Alexandria School District

Term Ends:  June 30, 2026
Email: jolene@msea-mn.com

Board Commitees

Budget and Personnel Committee

  • Treasurer: Wendy Derhaag, Chair
  • Director: Lori Sizenbach
  • Director: Tim Finnerty
  • Ex Officio: Rachel Nelson

    Program Committee

    • Vice President: Jodi Utne, Chair
    • Director: Molly Keogh
    • Ex Officio: Rachel Nelson

      Judicial Panel

      • Maxine Lammers (Breckenridge), Chair
      • Pam Ehnert (Perham)
      • Anne Hubert (Battle Lake)
      • Donelle McQuiston (SW Metro)

      Management and Office Staff

      Our management and office staff are located in St. Paul, Minnesota.  

      Deanne Valdepeña

      Deanne Valdepeña

      Executive Director

      Office: 651-288-7413
      Cell: 651-261-1585
      Email: deanne@msea-mn.com

      Deb Wright

      Deb Wright

      Financial Manager, Consultant

      Office: 651-288-7411
      Email: deb@msea-mn.com

      Ashley Conrade

      Ashley Conrade

      Financial Data Specialist

      Office: 651-392-4953
      Email: ashley@msea-mn.com

      Juli Schneider

      Juli Schneider

      Administrative Assistant

      Office: 651-392-3489
      Email: juli@msea-mn.com

      Field Staff

      Field representatives serve members across the state of Minnesota.

      Hannah Frazer

      Hannah Frazer

      Field Representative

      Phone: 651-418-2910
      Email: hannah@msea-mn.com

      Greg Gardner

      Greg Gardner

      Field Representative

      Phone:  651-261-6533
      Email: greg@msea-mn.com

      Geoff Greenwood

      Geoff Greenwood

      Field Representative

      Phone: 651-260-3781
      Email: geoff@msea-mn.com 

      Joe McMahon

      Joe McMahon

      Field Representative

      Phone: 651-261-6535
      Email: joe@msea-mn.com

      Kelly Sale

      Kelly Sale

      Field Representative

      Phone: 651-502-0661
      Email: kelly@msea-mn.com

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