Welcoming & Inclusive Communities

This action team is focused on encouraging a welcoming and inclusive environment in the region. Past activities have provided training sessions for businesses across southeast Minnesota to help them recruit and retain diverse workers.

The team also created a resource guide for employers called “Discovering Diverse Workforce Solutions” which provides information for every southeast county. More recently SE MN Together joined "Welcoming America" network and is exploring additional activities.

Action Team Members

  • Jennifer Hawkins, University of Minnesota Extension (Chair)

  • Amy Grover, Southeast Service Cooperative

  • Sheila Kiscaden, Olmsted County

  • Natalie Siderius, MN DEED

  • Fatima Said, Project FINE

  • Jinny Rietmann, Workforce Development, Inc.

  • Brenda Johnson, SE MN League of Municipalities

  • Sheila Craig, Regional Sustainable Development Partnership

  • Julie Kiehne, Winona State University

  • John Garry, Development Corporation of Austin

  • Andi Sutton, Regional Sustainable Development Partnership

Past activities have provided training sessions for businesses across Southeast Minnesota to help them recruit and retain diverse workers. The team also created a resource guide for employers called “Discovering Diverse Workforce Solutions” which provides information for every southeast county. More recently SE MN Together joined "Welcoming America" network and is exploring additional activities.



Check out the resources of Welcoming America to become a more welcoming community for immigrants and all residents.


SE MN Together is a member of Welcoming America. As a non-profit, non-partisan organization, Welcoming America is proud to support the many diverse communities and partners who are leading efforts to make their communities more vibrant places for all.