WHO IS MnMN?
OUR MISSION
To convene and connect leaders, organizations, and individuals across religious, spiritual, and philosophical differences in Minnesota to cultivate understanding, advance justice, overcome fear, and build a more inclusive and compassionate community.
OUR VISION
We envision a thriving ecosystem of interconnected leaders, organizations, and individuals—rooted in shared values—working together across religious, spiritual, and philosophical differences to cultivate understanding, advance justice, and overcome fear. As a living network, MnMN fosters deep collaboration, shared leadership, and collective intelligence, strengthening the infrastructure of communication, resources, and inspiration. By serving as the connective tissue within this ecosystem, we nourish a resilient and inclusive community where relationships flourish, cooperation deepens, and transformation takes root, creating a more just and compassionate world.
OUR MEMBERS
MnMN IS its MEMBERS and PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS. As a network, MnMN has both decentralized, self-organizing leadership and traditional structures of board and staff. The Network Council bridges the broader network and the formal structure through regular open meetings and membership, advising the board and staff on particular issues important to the community and MnMN’s mission.
OUR LEADERSHIP
Board of Directors
Every member of our Board of Directors is an interfaith or faith leader who has made significant contributions to our society. Each one brings a unique set of skills and expertise to our network.

Staff, Consultants & Interns
Network Council
- Vishal Agarwal, Hindu Society of Minnesota
- Leslie Aktan, Wisdom Ways
- Gail Anderson, EmpathyWorks
- Rev. Bea Vue Benson, Saint Paul Area Synod-ELCA
- Rev. Chiemi Onikura Bly, Twin Cities Buddhist Association Sangha
- Elder Bill Brian, Community of Christ
- Lee Burdge, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Tom Charland, Twin Cities KTC Buddhist Meditation Center
- Sr. Zan Christ, Religious Equity Consultant/Speaker
- Dr. Danielle Clausnitzer, ELMAC & Wisdom Ways
- Rev. Richard H. Coleman, Wayman African Methodist Episcopal Church & Hope United Community Development Corporation
- Rev. Ben Connelly Minnesota Zen Meditation Center
- Rev. Joann Conroy, Oglala Sioux and Lyndale United Church of Christ
- Charlie Curry, Apple Valley Community of Christ
- Rev. Dr. Curtiss DeYoung, Minnesota Council of Churches
- Rev. Dr. Tom Duke, MnMN Network Volunteer
- Rabbi Shosh Dworsky, Carlton College & St. Olaf College
- John Emery, Islamic Resource Group
- Ram Gada, Jain Center of Minnesota
- Shayka Dr. Tamara Gray, Rabata
- Dr. Hans Gustafson,Jay Phillips Center for Interreligious Studies at University of St. Thomas
- Rev. Mark S Hanson, Augsburg Interfaith Institute
- Rev. Dr. Janet Johnson, Vine Ministries & Wayman AME
- Dr. Jen Kilps, Network Executive, MnMN
- Dr. Patrice Koelsch, Common Ground Meditation Center
- Elizabeth Kulus, Interfaith Action of Greater St. Paul
- Bill Konrardy, United Methodist Church
- Jessi LeClear-Vachta, Luther Theological Seminary
- Rev. John Matthews, Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church, Prior Lake; Police and Military Chaplains
- Shehla Mushtaq, Interfaith Circle of Eden Prairie
- Carl Nelson, Transform Minnesota
- Dr. Julia Nerbonne, Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light
- Khin Oo, MnMN Communications
- Leah Patton, Joint Religious Legislative Coalition
- Joy Persall, Northern Star Consulting
- Sarah Peterka, Union Gospel Mission
- Mary Pickard, Unity Church-Unitarian
- Prof. Anant Rambachan, Prof. Emeritus St. Olaf College, Religions for Peace & Hindu Society of Minnesota
- Rev. Phil Romine, Interfaith Action
- Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein, Temple of Aaron
- Fr. Erich Rutten, Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, St. Odilia Catholic Church
- Rev. Bradley Schmeling, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
- Imam Zafar Siddiqui, Islamic Resource Group
- Rev. Laura Smidzik, Michael Servetus Unitarian Society
- Rabbi Adam Stock Spilker, Mount Zion Temple
- Prof. Martha "Marty" Stortz, Prof. Emeritus Augsburg and Collegeville Institute
- Anne Supplee, Twin Cities Friends Meeting
- Prof. Najeeba Syeed, Augsburg Interfaith Institute
- Prabhat Tekriwal, Minnesota Hindu Milan Mandir
- Whitney Terrill, Sierra Club Northstar Chapter
- Dr. Deanna Thompson, St. Olaf College & Gloria Dei Lutheran
- Prof. Najeeba Syeed, Augsburg Interfaith Institute
- Rev. Chonfong Paul Yang, Compassion Chapel, Hmong Christian Missionary Alliance
- Brian Zakem, Temple Israel of Minneapolis, Align Minneapolis, and Alliance for Sustainability