Aside from me (our managing editor, who is paid for a quarter-time position), Streets.mn is run entirely by volunteers. Our writers, podcast contributors, photographers, committee members and — not least of all — our board members do all of this work for no money. Because they believe in it.
If you’ve ever served on a nonprofit board, then you know that board members also have a fiduciary responsibility — which in everyday language means it is their job to make sure the organization can support itself through fundraising, advertising and grants. This 18-person team also operates the website, works on anti-racism initiatives, plans outings like our annual summer picnic and winter social, oversees the various editorial functions and more.
Streets.mn would be far less robust without them.
Executive Committee
Glen Johnson, co-chair
- Name and pronouns: Glen Johnson (he/him)
- Residence: Minneapolis
- Board service: Joined in 2020
- Committees: Executive (co-chair), Fundraising and Personnel Development (chair) committees; Minnesota Historical Society Grant Task Force
- Why urbanism matters: “Urbanism is about creating places where we can connect with other people. Whether that’s bumping into a neighbor on a walk, seeing friends when running errands or meeting new people at your local hangout, it’s building an environment where we can interact. We too often live in sequestered worlds apart from others, which makes it hard to make connections; urbanism is about changing that.”
Erik Noonan, co-chair
- Name and pronouns: Erik Noonan (he/them)
- Residence: Minneapolis
- Board service: Since 2024
- Committees: Executive (co-chair), Fundraising and Social Media committees
- Why urbanism matters: “I care deeply about the ways that the built environment can incline us towards positive inclusive relationships and community resilience. These are needed now more than ever.”
Jesse Cook, secretary
- Name and pronouns: Jesse Cook (he/him)
- Residence: Prospect Park neighborhood, Minneapolis
- Board service: Since 2024
- Committees: Executive Committee (secretary); plus the Climate, Outside the Twin Cities and Anti-Racism committees
- Why urbanism matters: “I have lived in very distinct settings: rural, suburban and now urban. As I look back on my past experiences, I realize that an ‘urbanist’ perspective is not necessarily confined to a large city. Streets.mn’s core beliefs are that the best places are people-centered, future-oriented, justice-driven and delight-cultivating — and I believe this is how we should shape our communities, no matter where we live or how many neighbors we have.”
Jeb Rach, treasurer
- Name and pronouns: Jeb Rach (he/him)
- Residence: St. Paul
- Board service: Three years as a board member (since 2022), nearly 10 years as a volunteer.
- Committees: Executive Committee (treasurer); plus the Events, Fundraising and Technology committees and the Grant Task Force
- Why urbanism matters: “I love places that are open to everyone and are meant to be walked, biked or transited to instead of just driven to. That also allows serendipity and exploration, two things that I love to experience and which get me out of the normal day-to-day grind.”
Editors-in-Chief
Micah Davison
- Name and pronouns: Micah Davison (he/him)
- Residence: Downtown St. Paul
- Board service: Joined in 2024
- Committees: Outgoing editor-in-chief, serving on the Editorial (chair) and Anti-Racism committees and Advertising Task Force
- Why urbanism matters: “I’ve been fascinated with cities and towns for as long as I can remember — how they’re planned and designed, how they’re struggled over by entities large and small, local and remote. Being involved with Streets.mn is how I get to live a little bit more inside that fascination and help foster it in others.”
Joe Harrington
- Name and pronouns: Joe Harrington (he/him)
- Residence: Uptown Minneapolis
- Board service: Joined the board In January 2024
- Committees: Incoming editor-in-chief, serving on the Editorial and Fundraising committees
- Why I’m an urbanist: “I live in a city — which can be loosely defined as a place people meet and interact with the people and places there. I don’t like exclusive definitions of what an urbanist is, so I also consider myself a policy wonk, freeway fighter, climate and transit advocate, and someone who loves to cook, fish, swim, travel and find good restaurants.”
New Board Members
Seth Bose
- Names and pronouns: Seth Bose (he/him)
- Residence: Minneapolis (Loring Park)
- Board service: New member this January!
- Committees: So far only Editorial, but I will likely join more in the summer.
- Why urbanism matters: “The way we construct, manage and live within our cities has a tremendous impact on our society in general. Cities are the centers of culture, they drive economies and innovation, and they are where the majority of people live. Making them work better — economically, healthwise, transportationwise and more — helps all of us to live better and happier lives.”
Bryan Formhals
- Name and pronouns: Bryan Formhals (he/him)
- Residence: Downtown Minneapolis
- Board service: Joined in January 2025
- Committees: Social Media and Editorial committees
- Why urbanism matters: “I believe cities of all sizes are the most effective, innovative and fulfilling way for humans to live. Cities bring together transit, business, housing and public spaces in ways that shape culture and opportunity, and I’m passionate about how we can organize them to create more equitable, vibrant and connected communities. While our largest cities often set the agenda, I believe innovation happens everywhere, from small towns to major metros. Right now, systemic challenges — climate change, housing crises and economic inequality — demand that we rethink how cities function to better serve people. As someone who has lived car-free since 2007, I’ve come to understand the deep benefits of walkable, connected cities — through daily life as a pedestrian. That’s why I care about sharing ideas and fostering conversations that push us toward cities that are more sustainable, inclusive and dynamic for everyone.”
Ian Gaida
- Name and pronouns: Ian Gaida (he/him)
- Residence: Minneapolis
- Board service: Brand new, joined this year
- Committees: Climate and Social Media committees, plus task forces on Volunteering and Greater Minnesota
- Why urbanism matters: “I’m an urbanist because I love living in a place where everything and everyone I like is in close proximity.”
Jane Jackson
- Name and pronouns: Jane Jackson (she/they)
- Residence: St. Paul (Imnížaska Othúŋwe)
- Board service: New member!
- Committees: Anti-Racism Committee and Advertising Task Force
- Why I consider myself an urbanist: “It probably started with NUMTOTs [New Urbanist Memes for Transit-Oriented Teens]. While urbanism might be too limited of a word, I can say I’m a transit enthusiast who appreciates accessible, engaging and informed public transit. I just moved from D.C. (go WMATA!) and hope to inspire the same transit robustness in Minnesota. I joined Streets.mn to meet others passionate about transportation and the urban environment and its policies. I hope to be part of meaningful discussions and discover opportunities so that I can better help my community.”
Ian McKenna
- Name and pronouns: Ian McKenna (he/him)
- Residence: Downtown Minneapolis
- Board service: Began in 2025
- Committees: Climate and Fundraising committees; Advertising Task Force
- Why urbanism matters: “I live in downtown Minneapolis and recently moved to Minnesota from Austin, Texas, to live a less car-dependent life. I joined the Streets.mn board to support transit and biking infrastructure advocacy because I believe that policies surrounding these issues can have a positive community impact. I’m enthusiastic about well-planned and well-executed public transit, protected bike lanes and understanding the climate impact of cities.”
angela olson
- Name and pronouns: angela olson (she/her)
- Residence: Minneapolis (grew up in North Branch, Minnesota)
- Board service: Joined in January 2025
- Committees: “Still trying some out, but I’m especially excited to help with Streets.mn grants and all things equity.”
- Why I joined the board: “We all deserve to get to where we are going safely, with ease and with joy — no matter how we are traveling. I’m excited to connect with and learn from other folks across our state who are helping to make Minnesota a great place to walk, bike, roll and take transit. Also, I am nosy and like hearing about what people are doing, thinking, dreaming and scheming about.”
Parker Seaman
- Name and pronouns: Parker Owen Hogue Seaman (he/him/any/all)
- Residence: Minneapolis (Uptown)
- Board service: Joined in January 2025
- Committees: Anti-Racism, Climate, Events and Podcast and Technology committees
- Why urbanism matters: “I found myself and my community after I moved to an urban environment. I see being an urbanist as standing up for and advocating for an even more inclusive and connected community through better transportation infrastructure. However, I believe the same advantages of improved transportation should extend outside of our urban spaces and that trains and trails to rural areas are just as important to creating a strong and expansive community.”
Ben Zvan
- Name and pronouns: Ben Zvan (he/him)
- Residence: Minneapolis
- Board service: Joined in 2025
- Committees: Anti-Racism Committee and Advertising Task Force
- Why urbanism matters: “I believe in safe, equitable access to resources in a city. People should be able to commute, travel and enjoy nature by whatever means is appropriate for them. That requires designing cities for more than just cars and reducing dangerous interactions between modes of travel.”
Returning Board Members
Regina Burstein
- Names and pronouns: Regina Burstein (she/her)
- Residence: Minneapolis (Whittier)
- Board service: This is my second year on the board.
- Committees: Events and Social Media committees, Grant Development Task Force
- Why urbanism matters: “I think everyone should have the ability to get around safely by walking, rolling, biking and taking transit without being forced to own a personal vehicle. I also want there to be enough family-sized homes in the places where people want to live so that everyone can afford to live where they want. I want more people to be able to experience the joy of biking for transportation and the joy of living in a walkable neighborhood.”
Brian Mitchell
- Name and pronouns: Brian Mitchell (he/him)
- Residence: Minneapolis
- Board service: January 2022 to present, “starting my fourth year on the board.”
- Committees: Technology (chair), Fundraising and Personnel Development committees; Advertising Task Force
- Why urbanism matters: “Getting around by foot, transit or bike allows me to feel more connected to my neighborhood, city and communities in a way I never could by driving a car. It is empowering to be self-sufficient with largely self-powered or communal transportation. I also support higher density land use to grow our communities in an environmental way and to allow people to have what they need to live — businesses, grocery stores, schools, work — nearby.”
Jeremy Winter
- Name and pronouns: Jeremy Winter (he/him)
- Residence: Minneapolis
- Board service: Joined in 2024
- Committees: Podcast Committee
- Why urbanism matters: “Society would be better off if we embraced and invested in dense, walkable neighborhoods. As someone who grew up in the suburbs, I experienced isolation and atomization; I found community in urban life. I want future Minneapolitans to be able to live lives where they can get around without the undue financial, social and societal burdens of car ownership.”
Kelsey Zimmerman
- Name and pronouns: Kelsey Zimmerman (she/her)
- Residence: Northeast Minneapolis
- Board service: Joined in January 2024
- Committees: Editorial, Events and Tech committees
- Why I joined the board: “Everyone deserves access to basic services in their own neighborhood, but that often isn’t the case. I joined the Streets.mn board because I believe journalism can help make a difference in making that a reality for more people.”