Our Annual Meeting is an opportunity to gather together as neighbors and select leaders for the coming year. First-time attendees encouraged! Hear from your elected officials, get neighborhood updates from the past year, and run for our Board of Directors!
East Isles 2025 Annual Meeting
Tuesday, Apr. 15 • 6:30 PM social, 7 PM meeting
Grace-Trinity Community Church (1430 W 28th St)
Meeting Agenda (PDF) / Confirmed Speakers:
Jacob Frey, Mayor of Minneapolis
Katie Cashman, Ward 7 City Council Member
Elizabeth Shaffer, District 4 Comm., Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board
Meg Forney, Comm. At Large, Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board
Katie Jones, Representative, MN House District 61A
Voting will take place in person this year—no online registration needed!
Board Nominees
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Background
East Isles homeowner, Board member since Apr. 2023What has inspired you to run for the Board of Directors?
To help East Isles continue to be a great place to live.What unique skills or experiences will you bring to the Board?
10 year homeowner in East Isles.Which Committees would you be interested in serving on? Farmers Market
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Background
East Isles homeowner, Board member since Apr. 2022What has inspired you to run for the Board of Directors?
I initially volunteered to run in 2022 because I believed that Minneapolis was in desperate need of need of positive energy and I felt that volunteering my time for my immediate neighborhood was one way I could contribute. Since joining, I am proud to be a part of this group of volunteers who have provided new opportunities for our neighbors to connect and who have advocated for our neighbors, parks, and local businesses. I look forward to continuing to volunteer my time to support the vitality of East Isles and Minneapolis.What unique skills or experiences will you bring to the Board?
I have served as secretary for EINA since 2022. In addition to volunteering for this position, I have co-sponsored the annual Summer Social in Triangle Park. I also co-sponsored the Winter Party on Lake of the Isles with Lowry Hill and Kenwood for the 2024 season and I again co-sponsored the event this year as we expanded the event to include Cedar-Isles-Dean, West Maka Ska, and East Bde Maka Ska neighborhoods. Prior to my current employment, I spent 12 years serving diverse communities in urban school districts as a bilingual teacher and principal in Philadelphia, Houston, and Dallas.Which Committees would you be interested in serving on?
Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) -
Background
East Isles homeowner, Board member since Apr. 2021What has inspired you to run for the Board of Directors?
Julia has lived in the same 119-year-old four-square for 23% of the house’s life. She and her husband Harry have raised two boys, Zander, 26, and Jonah, 24, two dogs, two cats, three finches and one rabbit. Over the years, they’ve (all) slid down the slides at Triangle Park, represented the neighborhood in the now defunct Palio Parade, played ice hockey on the north arm, T-ball in Kenwood Park, biked, sailed, kayaked, and cleaned up the lakes, often from the bow or gunwales of their aptly named canoe, Mission Impossible.What unique skills or experiences will you bring to the Board?
Julia’s early careers were in advertising and journalism; she was the previous publisher and editor of The Phoenix Spirit newspaper and wrote parenting columns for various publications. A midlife career switch has Julia enjoying private practice as a Marriage and Family Therapist.Which Committees would you be interested in serving on?
Community Safety Chair since 2023. -
Background
East Isles homeowner, Board member since Jan. 2023. Originally from the Twin Cities, moved back here in 2022 after living all over the US, Vancouver, and London.What has inspired you to run for the Board of Directors?
I'm interested in helping improve our community and getting to know our neighbors. Through this opportunity I've met some wonderful people on the board as well as many neighbors who have volunteered for our events.What unique skills or experiences will you bring to the Board?
I enjoy Lake of the Isles and walks in the neighborhood with our dog. I've always tried to 'leave it better than you found it' and after moving here quickly realized our beautiful lake had a trash pollution problem. My professional work involved leading and inspiring teams of artists and I've been proud of the great environmental work our Green Team has done in our neighborhood. With the help of grants from MWMO and Hennepin county we've made a huge difference in the water quality of our lake and neighborhood streets.Which Committees would you be interested in serving on?
Green Team, come join us! -
Background
East Isles renterWhat has inspired you to run for the Board of Directors?
I am passionate about our brilliant, resilient neighborhood, and I want to use my experience and skills to help ensure the East Isles remains a lively, thriving part of the city for generations to come. I have lived in East Isles and the neighboring communities for over a decade. While I've seen many changes take place during this tumultuous period, I know that the future is bright and full of opportunity.What unique skills or experiences will you bring to the Board?
With over 15 years of success in journalism, civic leadership and corporate communications, I have engaged and expanded diverse audiences through compelling storytelling and strategic messaging. I have also built a reputation for navigating ambiguity and high-pressure situations with insightful leadership and efficient decision-making.
I currently serve as Press Secretary for Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. This gives me unparalleled experience navigating City of Minneapolis systems, insight into City priorities, and a direct pipeline to City initiatives. Before working for Mayor Frey, I was the media relations coordinator for the Minneapolis Police Department, working with press partners to highlight public safety initiatives, and answering questions about criminal incidents happening across the City. My strong background in public safety will help me effectively navigate one of the most important issues for our neighbors: crime.Which Committees would you be interested in serving on?
Community Safety, Farmers Market, Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) -
Background
East Isles homeowner, Board member since Sept. 2024What has inspired you to run for the Board of Directors?
N/AWhat unique skills or experiences will you bring to the Board?
N/AWhich Committees would you be interested in serving on?
N/A -
Background
East Isles renterWhat has inspired you to run for the Board of Directors?
Every day I find a new reason to love East Isles. The balance of commercial vibrancy, lush green space, and old-world residential charm is unique amongst urban neighborhoods and demands attentive stewardship. As a renter in the densest part of the neighborhood, I’ve also observed challenges with public safety, vacant buildings, and tensions between homeowners and renters. I believe in hyper-local governance and want to give voice to young people and renters who are so often underrepresented. I want to preserve all that is good about East Isles while pushing to make it more vibrant, safe, and inclusive.What unique skills or experiences will you bring to the Board?
I am a lifelong resident of Minneapolis and a current Master’s student in Urban Planning at the University of Minnesota. I have experience working in city governance, local nonprofits, and researching cities. My work for the City of Minneapolis focused on reforms to city ordinances and administration related to vacant buildings – an experience which I hope to employ towards reactivating nearby vacant apartments on The Mall. In addition to time spent working with comprehensive plans and the zoning codes, I have relationships in city government and know which levers to pull.Which Committees would you be interested in serving on?
Built Environment & Transportation (BET), Community Safety, Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP)
Run for the Board
Nominations are now open for the Board of Directors! EINA’s Board has 2-year, staggered terms. There are 11 seats total, and 5 seats are open in this election. Board eligibility is limited to:
East Isles residents 18+, business owners/lessees, and neighborhood nonprofit, education, or government representatives.
1 member per household or family may serve on the Board at any given time.
The maximum number of Board seats that may be filled by business owners/lessees or designated representatives of a nonprofit, educational organization, or governmental organization in the neighborhood is 3.
East Isles neighborhood boundaries are 22nd St, Hennepin Ave, Lake St, and Knox Ave/E Lake of the Isles Pkwy. If you are interested in running for the Board, please complete a Board Nomination:
Elections & Voting
Voting eligibility is limited to:
East Isles residents 16+.
Business owners/lessees of real property in the neighborhood.
Designated representatives of nonprofits, educational organizations, or governmental organizations in the neighborhood.
East Isles is bound by 22nd St, Hennepin Ave, Lake St, and Knox Ave/E Lake of the Isles Pkwy. Voting takes place via an online ballot that is emailed after the Annual Meeting ends, and remains available for 24 hours. Each attendee who is eligible to vote will receive an email with instructions on how to access the ballot once the ballot becomes available.
Voting will take place in person this year—no online registration needed!