Melisa Lopez Franzen

Melisa Lopez Franzen serves as the Executive Director of Government & Community Relations at the University of Minnesota since August 2023, leading the University’s outreach at various governmental levels and fostering relationships to advocate for its strategic goals. Previously, Melisa held significant roles as the Senate DFL Caucus Minority Leader and Senator for District 49 in Minnesota from January 2013 to September 2023, and as a board member for the NALEO Educational Fund since June 2021. As the President and Co-Founder of NewPublica, established in July 2014, Melisa addressed the need for cross-cultural expertise in public relations. Melisa's career also includes various roles at Target from 2006 to 2014, with a focus on community relations and government affairs. Melisa holds a Master of Public Policy from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, a Juris Doctor from Mitchell Hamline School of Law, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Inter American University of Puerto Rico. Additionally, Melisa is involved in the Young American Leaders Program at Harvard Business School and the Aspen Rodel Leadership Institute.