New employees

Kelsey Larson joined the League of Minnesota Cities as learning designer on July 15. Larson has a master’s degree in education from Stanford University and taught in the North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale School District where she organized and designed multimedia courses. She has also designed workshops for secondary schools across Minnesota.

Owen Wirth joined the League of Minnesota Cities as an intergovernmental relations (IGR) representative on July 15. Prior to joining the League, Wirth worked as committee administrator for the Minnesota House of Representatives where he served as the chief adviser to the chair of the House Ways and Means Committee. He also gained legislative experience as a research coordinator for the Minnesota House DFL, and public affairs specialist with Ewald Consulting.

Beth Johnston joined the League of Minnesota Cities as an intergovernmental relations (IGR) representative on July 9. Prior to joining the League, Johnston worked as a committee administrator coordinator for the Minnesota Senate. She also has worked as a senior policy adviser for the Minnesota Department of Revenue, where she served as a key analyst for property and special tax policy.

Britny Cuate joined the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust on July 9 as a lost time claims examiner. Prior to joining LMCIT, she worked as a paralegal for a workers’ compensation law firm. Cuate has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Arizona State University. 

Elise Heifort joined the League of Minnesota Cities on June 17 as the HR member consultant. She received a J.D. from St. Thomas School of Law and most recently worked as a labor and employment law associate attorney for Pemberton Law, where she provided employment and nonlitigation consulting to many local government clients, primarily smaller cities, and school districts. As HR member consultant, Heifort will field member inquiries, update reference materials, and deliver presentations. She previously worked for the League as a law clerk in 2019-2020.

Lily Fredericks joined the League of Minnesota Cities on May 28 as a summer law clerk. She graduated from the College of St Benedict with bachelor’s degrees in political science and environmental studies. Fredericks begins her second year of law school at St. Thomas School of Law in the fall. Her most recent work experience is as a personal care assistant for Accra Care, a volunteer coordinator for Tim Walz for Governor, and as an intern for Aric Putnam for Minnesota Senate. Along with her clerkship, Fredericks will also have a judicial clerkship this summer.

Logan Yancy joined the League of Minnesota Cities on May 28 as a summer law clerk. Yancy graduated from Texas Woman’s College with a bachelor’s degree in political science. She begins her third year of law school at the University of Minnesota Law School in the fall. Yancy’s most recent work experience is as a corporate extern for Ucare, a law clerk for Wilson & Clas, and as an administrative assistant for the City of Denton, Texas.

Alex Bearden joined the League of Minnesota Cities on May 28 as a summer law clerk. Bearden received a bachelor’s degree from Bethel University in philosophy, a master’s and doctorate degree from Bowling Green State University in philosophy, and a master’s degree in theology from Princeton Theological Seminary. He begins his second year of law school at Mitchell Hamline School of Law in the fall. Bearden’s most recent work experiences is as an instructor of philosophy at Anoka-Ramsey Community College, as an adjunct instructor/graduate teaching assistant at Bowling Green University, and as an instructor of philosophy at Hennepin Technical College. In addition to his summer clerkship at the League, he will continue to teach philosophy at Anoka-Ramsey Community College.

Retirements

Lora Setter retired from her role as public safety program coordinator for the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust on June 7. LMCIT hired Setter in 2020 to help address members’ growing need for assistance in the areas of public safety mental health and wellness. During her time with LMCIT, she helped establish the Peer Support Advisory Board and the MN Public Safety Wellness Initiative,  advocated for state funding for mental health treatment and programs for public safety personnel, developed the League’s PTSD and Mental Health Toolkit, and provided training and guidance to numerous members.