Governor Walz & Lt. Governor Flanagan Announce Appointments to the Young Women’s Cabinet

Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today announced appointments to the Young Women’s Cabinet. During the past eight years, the Governor’s Office and the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota have partnered to achieve equity in opportunities and improve the lives of young Black and Indigenous women, women of color, and gender-expansive people. The cabinet is composed of 23 young leaders across the state who come from communities that experience some of the greatest disparities in opportunity and outcomes.

The Young Women’s Initiative of Minnesota (YWI MN) is a partnership between the Governor’s Office, the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota, and the YWCA. The YWI MN cabinet consists of young women and gender-expansive youth aged 16-24. 

YWI MN centers the leadership and solutions of young women of color, American Indian young women, young women from Greater Minnesota, LGBTQ+ youth, young women with disabilities, and gender-expansive youth. The YWI MN’s statewide partnership and direct investments in young women and gender-expansive people are being replicated across the nation through the National Philanthropic Collaborative of Young Women’s Initiatives. 

Since 2016, the Young Women’s Cabinet has developed a legislative agenda, testified at the Capitol, and directed more than $3 million in grants to our state’s communities. Two Cabinet members were reappointed, and 21 will begin their first term, effective September 1 through July 31, 2025.

Young Women’s Cabinet:

Rania Abdullahi – Edina, MN
Josibeth Elena Aguilera – Tenstrike, MN
Sita Baker – Minneapolis, MN*
Maya Betti – Shoreview, MN
Bridget Cisneros – West Saint Paul, MN
Sundus Dhayow – Saint Paul, MN
Mikayla Draughon – Minneapolis, MN
Ruthe Johnson – Minneapolis, MN
Natividad Renee Herrera Garcia – Apple Valley, MN
Sophie Hunter – Minneapolis, MN
Maya Larson – Minneapolis, MN
Mumtaaz Mahammud Hirsi – Apple Valley, MN
Lillian Masinde – Bloomington, MN
Saynab Mohamed – Minneapolis, MN
Kavya Nair – Shakopee, MN
Valahlena Rahyne Steeprock – Bemidji, MN
Amy Ruiz Plaza – Woodbury, MN*
Maria Shavers – Saint Cloud, MN
Himeeka Sunbeeb – Savage, MN
Brook Swanson – Duluth, MN
Nalani Vang – Cottage Grove, MN
Ely Zeimet – Minneapolis, MN
Alexa Mae Zuniga – Minneapolis, MN

*Indicates returning Cabinet member.