Mental health and well-being

• Identify and promote culturally responsive, strength-based innovative pathways for training and retaining mental health professionals.
• Develop partnerships with educational institutions and community organizations to grow a diverse, culturally responsive mental health workforce.
• Foster supportive, values-aligned work environments where providers feel seen, supported and connected. 

• Highlight and scale innovative, community-rooted programs such as the Bloomington Community Brain Health Services program, which successfully reduces 911 crisis calls and emergency room visits through upstream, relational support.
• Develop partnerships and cost sharing allowing space for innovative programs.
• Address systemic barriers to access by encouraging cross-sector collaboration grounded in trust, equity and shared leadership. 
   

• Promote joy-centered, trauma informed mental health and well-being initiatives as protective, upstream strategies to prevent substance use disorders.
• Explore evidence-based, community-led models that strengthen resilience, reduce stigma, and provide early intervention through connection and compassion. 

• Encourage the development and implementation of scalable mental health initiatives that are community-informed and outcome-driven.
• Create shared actionable plans for continued collaboration among cities, non-profits, health care providers, and residents.

• Examine existing systems and policies that may hinder access, equity, or innovation in mental health care.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging experimentation, embracing data-driven solutions, and centering community voices.
• Support efforts that reimagine care with a focus on equity, innovation and lasting change.

Mayor Tim Busse

Tim Busse is a proven municipal leader who brings strategic vision, fiscal accountability, and a deep commitment to public service in his role as Mayor of Bloomington, Minnesota—the state’s fourth-largest city. Since taking office, Tim has worked collaboratively with the City Council, executive leadership, local businesses, and community stakeholders to activate a long-term vision to cultivate an enduring and remarkable community where people want to be. His leadership has driven the advancement of key legislative initiatives, major capital projects, transportation investments, and economic development opportunities, all while maintaining Bloomington’s elite Triple-A bond ratings from Moody’s, Fitch, and Standard & Poor’s. With a proven ability to build consensus, manage complex projects, and engage diverse stakeholders, Tim is driven by a commitment to meaningful work and delivering results. He holds a master’s degree from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs and a bachelor’s degree from St. Cloud State University.

Mayor James Hovland 

Mayor Hovland served on the Edina City Council from 1997 to 2004 and has been Mayor of Edina since 2005. He is involved in many regional, state and national organizations, such as the Regional Council of Mayors (co-chair 2005-2022), Transportation Advisory Commission to the Metropolitan Council (chair), SW LRT Corridor Management Committee, SW LRT Community Works Steering Committee (vice chair), Municipal Legislative Coalition (chair), Greater MSP Partner Advisory Council and Standing Committee on Transportation for the U.S. Conference of Mayors (chair). Mayor Hovland is also a board member of the Edina Community Foundation and a member of the Edina Morningside Rotary Club. He is married to LaRae Ellingson Hovland, a retired high school French teacher, and he has two daughters and six grandchildren.

Mayor Mary Supple 

Richfield Mayor Mary Supple has deep roots in the community. She taught for 33 years in the Richfield Public Schools and was a leader in the local teachers' union including a term on the National Education Association Board of Directors. More recently, Mayor Supple has been involved in community groups like the Richfield Optimist Club and the Richfield League of Women Voters.

Sen. Alice Mann

Dr. Alice Mann is a former State Representative and current State Senator for Senate District 50, representing Edina and west Bloomington. She serves as the vice chair of the Health and Human Services committee. She did her residency at Mayo Clinic and received her MPH from Johns Hopkins University. Along with serving as a state Senator, Dr. Mann is a practicing ER physician and previously served as the primary care medical services director for Wayside Recovery Center.

Panel 1: Crisis Response to Community Resilience

Facilitator: Kathy Hedin, Interim City Manager, City of Bloomington

Kathy brings over 20 years of local government experience, specializing in administration, human services, and public health. Prior to joining Bloomington, Hedin held several key positions in Ramsey County, including public health director, social services director, and deputy county manager. 

Hedin earned a Master of Science in Social and Community Work from Capella University and a Bachelor of Science in Community/Public Health from Minnesota State University, Mankato. She also completed the Public Service Leadership Executive Course at Harvard Kennedy School.

Throughout her career, Hedin has been committed to advancing belonging and justice, collaborating with leaders, elected officials, partners, and stakeholders to deliver high-quality, responsive services that positively impact people's lives.

Chandler Holdman, CPSS, CPRS
Community Engagement Lead at FastTrackerMN.org

Chandler Holman is a certified peer support specialist, certified peer recovery specialist, and community engagement lead for FastTrackerMN.org, a statewide platform connecting people, providers, and resources to improve access to mental health and substance use disorder support in Minnesota.
With a background in the arts and experience in hospice care and disability support, Chandler brings creativity, empathy, and a deep respect for lived experience to her work, guided by a continued commitment to compassion and inclusion.

She is dedicated to removing barriers and building communities where everyone has the support they need.

Aric Jensen, Ph.D., LP

Vice President, Fraser Outpatient and Community Based Behavioral Health Services 

Dr. Jensen is the vice president of Fraser’s Outpatient and Community Based Behavioral Health Services. He has worked in community mental health for over 25 years in California and Minnesota. Over that period of time, Dr. Jensen has worked in a broad continuum of mental health levels of care from inpatient mental health to providing mental health prevention services with schools and other social service agencies. In these roles, he has grown to understand that transformative collaboration is the key to addressing the growing mental health crisis in our communities and to foster healing and growth.

Over the past 15 years, Dr. Jensen has served in a variety of leadership positions with a strong focus on improving access to care, fostering engagement in services and cultivating collaboration with key stakeholders who are crucial to the mental health and well-being of members of the community.
 

Chief Andrew Slama 
Fire Chief, Edina Fire Department

Andrew Slama grew up in a farming community in Southern Minnesota.  He joined the Fire Service in 2004 and has worked in multiple fire departments with varying service delivery models including Mankato, Savage, Mdewakanton, and Edina.  In 2021, he was hired as the fire chief for Edina Fire Department. Edina Fire is the only fire-based-ambulance service in Hennepin County.  He is the vice-chair of the legislative committee for the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association and co-chairs the Minnesota EMS Delivery and Sustainability Task Force.

Tyler Winkelman, MD, MSc 
Division Director, General Internal Medicine, Hennepin Healthcare
Co-Director, Health, Homelessness, and Criminal Justice Lab, Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute

Tyler Winkelman, MD, MSc, is co-director of the Health, Homelessness, and Criminal Justice Lab and the division director of General Internal Medicine, a practice across eight clinics including the Hennepin County Jail and Healthcare for the Homeless sites. Dr. Winkelman is a practicing general internist at Hennepin Healthcare. Dr. Winkelman studies issues at the intersection of criminal justice and health, with particular interest in Medicaid, substance use disorders, and mental health. Dr. Winkelman uses large data sets to understand health needs, cross-sector service use, and effects of Medicaid expansion for people impacted by the criminal justice system. Dr. Winkelman was also co-founder and inaugural president of the Minnesota Electronic Health Record Consortium and currently leads several Consortium projects. He completed his medical school and internal medicine/pediatrics residency training at the University of Minnesota Medical School. He obtained a master’s degree in health and health care research at the University of Michigan through the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholars Program.
 

Janet Yeats, MA, LMFT
Supervisor, Bloomington Community Brain Health Services program

Janet Yeats, MA, LMFT, is the co-director and clinical supervisor of the Bloomington Community Brain Health Services program. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist and a graduate of Bethel University, with a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, and the University of Minnesota, with a master’s degree in Family Social Science. Janet has provided therapy and supervisory support for the past 18 years, specializing in issues of trauma, grief and loss. She has been employed by the Bloomington Police Department for the past two and a half years.

Panel 2: Policy for Access and Equity

Facilitator: Laura LaCroix-Dalluhn

Principal, LaCroix-Dalluhn Consulting; Coordinator, Hennepin County Children's Mental Health Collaborative

Laura LaCroix-Dalluhn is CEO and principal at LaCroix-Dalluhn Consulting. Laura has extensive experience advocating for families, children and communities, specializing in maternal and child health equity, children’s mental health, youth development and community services. Laura enjoys working collaboratively with community partners and leaders to identify shared goals and solutions to complex community challenges. LaCroix-Dalluhn Consulting provides coordination support for the Children’s Mental Health Collaborative in Hennepin County

Sue Abderholden 
Executive Director, NAMI Minnesota

Sue Abderholden has devoted her career to changing laws and attitudes that affect people with disabilities and their families. Since the fall of 2001, she has served as the executive director for NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Minnesota where she has grown the organization to be the largest provider of family education and peer support in the state and the state’s strongest advocacy organization. 

She has held leadership positions with Arc of Minnesota, U.S. Senator Paul D. Wellstone and PACER Center. Sue has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Macalester College and a master’s degree in public health administration from the University of Minnesota. 

Ms. Abderholden has received numerous awards for her advocacy including the 2020 Esther Wattenberg Policy Award, being named one of the 100 most influential health care leaders by MN Physician, the 2018 Rona and Ken Purdy Award to End Discrimination from National NAMI, Excellence in Mental Health Advocacy and Policy Award from the International African Mental Health Providers, 2013 Gaylord Anderson Leadership Award from the U of M School of Public Health and the National Council for Behavioral Health 2013 Advocacy Leadership Award.

Leah Kaiser
Director of Behavioral Health for Hennepin County

Leah Kaiser has over two decades leading system change efforts and overseeing programs that serve youth and adults with mental illness and substance use disorders.  She is currently the director of behavioral health for Hennepin County, Minnesota. Leah has led large cross-functional teams in complex state and county government, as well as private non-profit organizations. She is a published author and has an extensive background in program operations, strategic planning, and grant management. Leah has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Minnesota and a master’s degree in forensic psychology from City University of New York. Leah completed Columbia University’s post baccalaureate program in non-profit business administration and is certified in Human Centered Design.

Dr. Hamdi Farah 
Psychiatry Resident (4th year)

Dr. Farah is a psychiatrist in her final year of residency at Hennepin Healthcare. She earned her medical degree from Michigan State University and her undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities. Her clinical interests center on adult psychiatry, with a focus on caring for individuals with severe and persistent mental illness, psychotic disorders, and mood disorders. She is also passionate about the intersections of psychiatry and law and is committed to advocacy and advancing equitable healthcare.

Teresa Steinmetz 
Assistant Commissioner of the Behavioral Health Administration at the Department of Human Services

In her role as assistant commissioner, Steinmetz oversees programs and policies that serve people who have mental health or substance use disorder diagnoses. Her administration works to integrate substance use disorder and mental health with physical health care, to promote successful treatments, and to serve people close to their communities, families and other supports.

Steinmetz joined the Minnesota Department of Human Services in September 2024. She previously served as director of the Bureau of Prevention, Treatment and Recovery in the Wisconsin Department of Health Services where she oversaw the direction of the state’s mental health and substance use system along the entire continuum of care – including prevention, harm reduction, crisis intervention, treatment and peer and recovery support services.

Steinmetz has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin LaCrosse, and a master’s degree in community mental health from Southern New Hampshire University.

Sen. Alice Mann, MD

Dr. Alice Mann is a former State Representative and current State Senator for Senate District 50, representing Edina and west Bloomington. She serves as the vice chair of the Health and Human Services committee. She did her residency at Mayo Clinic and received her MPH from Johns Hopkins University. Along with serving as a state Senator, Dr. Mann is a practicing ER physician and previously served as the primary care medical services director for Wayside Recovery Center.

Commissioner Brooke Cunningham

Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Health

Dr. Brooke Cunningham was appointed commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) in January 2023, leading the state’s public health agency of 1,400 employees across Minnesota. She previously served as MDH’s assistant commissioner for the Health Equity Bureau, where she oversaw the Center for Health Equity, the Office of American Indian Health, the COVID-19 Health Equity Team, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives. A general internist, sociologist, and assistant professor at the University of Minnesota, Dr. Cunningham has dedicated her career to reducing racial health disparities and addressing the impacts of racism on health. She also provides primary care at the Community-University Health Care Clinic in Minneapolis. She earned her M.D. and Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Pennsylvania, completed residency at Duke University, and pursued fellowships at Johns Hopkins University and the Medica Research Institute. She holds a bachelor’s degree in history and African American studies from the University of Virginia.

• Survey staff to address burn out and address that based on feedback provided. Look at reports or assessments on trauma in the first responder workforce.
• Survey to understand gaps in services to meet those needs with partners.
• Develop a wellness plan for first responders/workplace and have it be part of the culture. Have leadership share stories about navigating mental health.

• With every goal, think about one step.
• Parent stress, need to engage parents in youth mental health prevention.
• State reimbursement – who is considered a provider? How we expand that definition for who provides and can bill for services. This is important for equity, access and affordability.

• Continue to advocate for primary prevention by implementing prevention and youth programs.
• Strengthen communication and evidence-based efforts.
• Promote culturally appropriate/community solutions.

• Mental health and behavioral health affect us ALL. Talk about it as a universal experience. Establish communicators who can drive mental health as a collective in community spaces.
• Build a coalition of stakeholders, share Community Health Assessments, seek out ways to work together and operate across similar goals.
• Address cultural stigma.

• Determining how to work together when funding is often split between our organizations and does not meet the needs of the community.
• Collectively signing on to a letter to legislators with specific outcomes and focused asks on mental health (such as 25% increase in access).
• Commit to saying “yes, and” for next 6-12 months.