Leadership that is accountable, visionary, and invested in people.
Current governing priorities
Six areas where our office is working right now, and what each one has delivered.
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Defending Democracy
Naming the crisis honestly, and refusing to normalize the erosion of our rights.
$170M in federal funding protected by court orderRead the record -
Protecting Residents and Immigrants
Public systems should protect people from harm, keep families together, and ensure no one is stripped of their fundamental rights.
County property closed to civil immigration stagingRead the record -
Housing and Homelessness
Housing is a fundamental human right, and policies and resources should align with that belief.
352 families housed in 2025, with $37M invested in shelter operationsRead the record -
Transit & Infrastructure
Long-term public investment that expands access and opportunity while protecting communities from displacement.
$2M administered through the first anti-displacement program of its kind in the nationRead the record -
Healthcare & Public Health
Protecting essential safety-net institutions and addressing systemic disparities so care reaches everyone.
HCMC kept open and returned to financial stabilityRead the record -
Domestic Violence & Reproductive Justice
Safety from harm and full bodily autonomy are inherent human rights, and public systems must be worthy of people's trust.
Board resolution authored to direct Hennepin's domestic violence strategyRead the record
Our Commissioner
Irene was elected to the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners in November of 2018, and became Chair of the Board in 2023. She serves Hennepin County with a focus on accountable governance, long-term systems change, and public decision-making that centers residents. Her leadership emphasizes transparency, equity, and building county systems that work for all people.