Annual Meeting Recap — Board Update!

Written By Cuyler Dinegan
 

Thanks to the 80+ neighbors who attended our Apr. 14 Annual Meeting!

Special thanks to our speakers, including Mayor Jacob Frey, MN House of Representative’s Katie Jones, Hennepin Co. Commissioner Marion Greene, Ward 7 Council Member Elizabeth Shaffer, MPRB's Jason Garcia and Thomas Olsen, and MPD's Lt. Hedberg and Lt. Eck. Extra special thanks to Kowalski's Market, Lunds & Byerlys and Isles Bun & Coffee for their generous, delicious donations, and to Grace-Trinity Community Church for hosting us.

 

Welcome New & Returning Board Members!

  • Background
    East Isles homeowner, current EINA Board Treasurer

    What inspired you to run for the Board of Directors?
    I have the desire, experience, energy, and skills to continue working with neighbors to keep East Isles one of the best places in the city to live, work, and recreate. Now more than ever we must work together to advocate for the neighborhood and help find solutions to the challenges East Isles and our city is facing.

    What unique skills or experiences do you bring to the Board?
    I have served as treasurer of EINA for the last four years and have many years of experience in strategic planning and development in the private and non-profit sectors. I also have a long history in the neighborhood and experience interacting with local government.

  • Background
    East Isles homeowner, current EINA Board member

    What inspired you to run for the Board of Directors?
    Longtime resident and passionate about living in the City and doing my part to keep it safe and a great place to raise a family.

    What unique skills or experiences do you bring to the Board?
    I have been practicing real estate law for over 30 years so have good analytical and communication skills, as well as an expertise in development, community and housing.

  • Background
    East Isles homeowner, current EINA Board President

    What inspired you to run for the Board of Directors?
    I love our neighborhood and want to help our community stay active, inclusive, and strong.

    What unique skills or experiences do you bring to the Board?
    I'm currently the Chair of the East Isles board, and I enjoy organizing neighborhood events. I'm also a lawyer and retired nonprofit leader.

  • Background
    East Isles homeowner

    What inspired you to run for the Board of Directors?
    As an 18-years-long resident of the East Isles neighborhood, I am heavily invested in our community. I admire the work of the current East Isles Neighborhood board and staff and want to lend my time and focus in contributing to its efforts. I believe participation in local policy making and politics is how and where citizens can make the most meaningful difference in public affairs. The East Isles Neighborhood Association provides a vital channel between our neighborhood residents and City of Minneapolis staff and elected officials. In our current media and political landscape, social media often overemphasize national politics to the detriment of local issues, and outside influencers exploit the resulting lack of local participation to overwhelm truly local interests. I feel it is critical to support our neighborhood association in elevating the voices of EINA residents to inform City of Minneapolis politics.

    What unique skills or experiences do you bring to the Board?
    I have a background in business development, finance and operations with more than 25 years of experience in the private sector, most recently as a small business owner. I have held leadership roles at Fortune 100 companies and founded a consultancy and several small businesses focusing on developing and financing clean energy solutions in the power, utility and energy sectors. In doing so, I have worked successfully with local, state and federal stakeholders, agencies and elected officials across the United States to bring complex infrastructure projects to fruition. I have recently served as treasurer and development committee chair on two boards (Clean Grid Alliance, Saint Paul and City of Lakes Waldorf School, Minneapolis, respectively) and currently serve as the incoming philanthropy committee chair on the Twin Cities Chapter of the American Red Cross. I serve as our National Night Out block captain between 24th and 25th street on Girard Avenue South and recently participated in the 2025 Ward 7 and City of Minneapolis caucuses as a delegate. In summary, my private sector, NGO board, and neighborhood experience uniquely qualify me as a board candidate to support the mission and objectives of EINA.

  • Background
    East Isles renter

    What inspired you to run for the Board of Directors?
    I've lived in East Isles for over five years as a renter, and not knowing how long I'll live in a neighborhood makes investing in community hard! However, like many people, ICE activity in Minneapolis showed me the value of strong community leadership and motivated me to get locally involved in a more sustained way. I started attending the EINA board meetings in February and was genuinely impressed by the sincerity and intention the board brought to the small, rather unglamorous decisions that actually make a place better; I'd like to be a part of making those decisions.

    What unique skills or experiences do you bring to the Board?
    I have a math background and tend to think analytically, but I've spent my career in mission-driven, people-centered work at an education nonprofit. My background is largely in nonprofit program management: program design, annual planning, communication strategy, and the daily implementation details that make or break a plan. I'm used to holding budget and logistical realities alongside bigger ideals, a perspective I will bring to EINA. Outside work, I volunteer as a VITA tax preparer, which has further shaped my understanding of how small details have huge impact on real people. This blend of strategic thinking with conscientious detail work is what I enjoy, and what I see the EINA board doing every month for our community.

  • Background
    East Isles renter

    What inspired you to run for the Board of Directors?
    I love the neighborhood and would like to help it in any way I can.

    What unique skills or experiences do you bring to the Board?
    Realtor of 25+ years with a lot of knowledge about the city, commercial development, events, homes, and neighborhoods. I love the local music and food scenes and engaging with our local businesses in the neighborhood. Huge fan of Lake of the Isles!

2025 East Isles Volunteer Award

Mike Erlandson is a public affairs principal with Aurora Strategic Advisors and long-time EINA Board member and former president. Mike has guided EINA through years of new neighborhood events, programs, and updates with positivity and savvy. Mike also serves on the Hill & Lake Press and SteppingStone Theatre boards. Stop by Isles Bun & Coffee to see the East Isles Neighborhood Association Volunteer Award plaque (near the community corkboard).

Meeting Resources

Cuyler Dinegan cdinegan.com
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