Every odd numbered year, the general membership of the Minnesota PTA elects officers at convention. These officers are President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Elected officers serve for a term of two years and may be elected for two terms. The Nominating Committee vets and selects (with the approval of the board of directors) a slate of candidates they feel would best represent Minnesota PTA in those roles.
Introducing the slate of candidates for the 2021-2023 term:
President: Amy Nelson, Rochester
Amy Nelson (she/her) has been actively involved with PTA for 10 years. In that time, she has served on local unit boards of 3 schools and on the Rochester Area Council Board. Amy joined the Minnesota PTA State Board in 2018 as Education Commissioner, an opportunity that allowed her to be trained at National PTA’s Center for Family Engagement. She was then elected Vice-President of Minnesota PTA in 2019 and has enjoyed working and growing with the other members of the Board. With a background in elementary and middle school education, as well as raising two kids, Claire and Trygve, with her husband, Garth, Amy is looking forward to continuing to serve all of the children of Minnesota and represent Minnesota PTA.
Secretary: Carla V. Ries, Bloomington
Carla, the current MNPTA Secretary, is a member of the Oak Grove Elementary School PTA where she is the current representative to the District PTSA Council. She has served in a number of positions at various parent/school organizations including as secretary, vice-president, and co-president. She lives in Bloomington with her husband, two children (ages 10 and 11), and her parents. She loves running the book fair and looks forward to being able to safely get back into school buildings for in-person volunteering opportunities.
Treasurer: Rachel Coleman, Maplewood
Rachel Coleman first joined the Minnesota PTA Board of Directors as the Scholarship Chair in May 2019 and took over as the Treasurer in November 2020. She is also in her fifth year as President of the Edgerton Elementary School PTA in Maplewood, Minnesota (a Title I school). Rachel holds a BA in International Development from The George Washington University, and MA in Public Policy with a Focus on Public & Non-Profit Leadership & Management from the Humphrey School at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. She is a Supervisory Account Executive at the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development. Rachel lives in Maplewood with her husband and two elementary age children, one of whom has special needs. She has enjoyed serving with Minnesota PTA, and finds her current position as Treasurer both challenging and rewarding and would enjoy the opportunity to serve another two years.