10 Minnesota Community Leaders Everyone Should Know About

Community leaders play a vital role in shaping and enriching the great state of Minnesota. Their dedication and selflessness are paramount as they tirelessly work to give back and drive positive change on a local level and beyond.

Here in Minnesota, we're lucky to have some remarkable folks whose contributions have left an indelible impact on the lives of those around them. Here are 10 community leaders making a difference in Minnesota.

1. Austin: Oballa Oballa

Oballa Oballa received the 2020 Young Leader Award from the Resettlement Programs Office of the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Born in Ethiopia, Oballa has been actively involved in various leadership roles since moving to the area, serving on Austin’s Human Rights Commission and as president of the student senate at Riverland College. He has also dedicated himself to addressing food insecurity, founding a food pantry at his school as well as garnering support for the passage of the Hunger Free Campus Act. In November 2020, Oballa became the first person of color elected to Austin’s City Council, later running for the At Large seat in 2022. (Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota)

2. Brainerd: Bev and Jim Hoffman

In July 2023, Bev and Jim Hoffman earned the Crow Wing County Outstanding Senior Citizen awards for their ongoing dedication to volunteering at The Center. The married couple began volunteering at The Center five years ago at a bingo game and have since devoted themselves to serving the Crow Wing County community. The Hoffmans now drive down to Brainerd from their home in Crosby three days a week, helping out with bingo, bean bag tosses and doughnut sale setup. Said Bev of receiving the award, “It’s a big surprise. We do this stuff because we like it.” (Brainerd Dispatch)

3. Buffalo: Merton Auger

Former City Administrator Merton Auger made a significant impact on Buffalo during his 43-year career, netting him the James F. Miller Leadership Award in 2021. He began as the city’s planning and development specialist, eventually taking on the role of city administrator amid Buffalo’s rapid growth. Some of his biggest contributions in that time include spearheading economic projects, including a commercial/industrial park and a new fiber-optic internet system, as well as developing an innovative wastewater treatment plant that generated heat from sludge. During his tenure, Auger prioritized gender diversity in management positions and played a crucial role in saving Trailblazer Transit, a county-funded public transportation system. (League of Minnesota Cities)

4. Duluth: Classie Dudley

Classie Dudley, president of the Duluth NAACP and executive director of Community Action Duluth, was recognized at the 2022 Facing Race Awards for her advocacy in eliminating systemic racism and gender disparities in the community. Dudley’s leadership resulted in the city of Duluth dedicating $600,000 annually to bolster a crisis response team independent of the police department. She successfully removed privatized healthcare from four local jails and actively engaged in the “Stop the Stops” campaign, which aimed to combat pretextual traffic stops often correlated with racial bias in policing. Dudley also organized the first NAACP-hosted Minnesota Afro-Academic Cultural Technology Scientific Olympics, benefiting BIPOC students in the area. (Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation)

5. Eagan: Thomas A. Egan

Thomas A. Egan, the Dakota County Commissioner for District 3, took home the title Elected Official of Note in the Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce’s 2020 Leaders in Local Government Awards. The award was given by the chamber, among other partnering organizations, to recognize Egan’s dedication to public service and supporting the citizens of Dakota County. Over the course of his career, he made significant contributions to transportation, housing and environmental improvements. Before his retirement, Egan served as county commissioner for 16 years and spent over 20 years in various local government roles, including serving as a mayor and a city council member. (Hometown Source)

6. Minneapolis: Melissa Ratliff

Melissa Ratliff has been honored with the 2023 Volunteer Service Award for her unwavering support and dedication to YWCA Minneapolis as a racial justice facilitator. Throughout the years, she has lent her services to various events and dialogues, fostering difficult but necessary conversations on racial justice within the community. Ratliff is currently exploring additional volunteer opportunities with the YWCA, including partnering with various fundraising and charity organizations as well as recruiting volunteers at local colleges. Outside of her volunteering, Ratliff has worked in affordable housing and served as an election judge for Minneapolis. (YWCA Minneapolis)

7. Rochester: Jim Sonju

Principal Jim Sonju of Rochester Public Schools' Lincoln K-8 District-wide School was recognized with the 2022 Terrel H. Bell Award for Outstanding School Leadership. The award, part of the National Blue Ribbon Schools program, honors school leaders who have shown an unwavering commitment to education. Principal Sonju was nominated by members of the Lincoln K-8 community for his exemplary leadership, his years of service to the district and his evident care and pride for the school’s staff and families. Sonju expressed gratitude for being part of the team, community and district. (KTTC)

8. Shakopee: Jeff Tate

Shakopee Police Chief Jeff Tate received the 2022 Distinguished Public Leadership Award for his significant contributions to public safety. The award was established by Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths (TZD) to acknowledge public leaders who have positively influenced traffic safety policies. Chief Tate and his department have been recognized with multiple awards for creating and adopting various innovative traffic safety programs, including the "Lights On!" initiative and the Free Sober Ride Home program. Chief Tate's commitment to building trust and engagement with the community is exemplified by other accolades the Shakopee Police Department has received, including the International Association of Chiefs of Police Excellence in Community Policing Award. (Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths)

9. St. Cloud: Debrah Leigh

Debra Leigh was named the recipient of the 2021 ATHENA Award, a lifetime achievement award, by the Central Minnesota Community Foundation (CMCF). Leigh's expansive career has included work in the performing and visual arts, anti-racism training, leadership development for women, international education and advocating for underrepresented students. She has empowered students as the Interim Vice President of Cultural Fluency, Equity and Inclusion at St. Cloud Technical and Community College, as well as the Director of Dance at St. Cloud State University. Outside of her career, Leigh has actively contributed to various boards and organizations within the community, including a six-year tenure as the Chair of the CMCF's Board. (St. Cloud Times)

10. St. Paul: Elissa Raffa

Elissa Raffa, Executive Director of Minnesota Online High School (MNOHS) has been honored with the 2023 Charter School Leadership Award. Co-founding MNOHS in 2005, her vision was to establish an exemplary online community school and a supportive learning environment for students, families and staff in Minnesota. She prioritizes a “student-centered and equity-focused” approach to her school, with a focus on transparent reporting and equitable outcomes for students. According to her staff, Raffa actively encourages innovation, piloting new ideas and implementing best practices schoolwide. Her commitment to racial equity training and involvement in educational communities showcases her dedication to creating positive changes in governance and practices at MNOHS and beyond. (MN Association of Charter Schools)

Thank you to Minnesota’s incredible community leaders for all you do!

This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.