About Us
| Board of Directors |
 |
 |
 |
|
Learn more about RHI: Who We Are || RHI History || Board of Directors || Staff
Kate Lehmann, MA, LADC – President and Board Chair “I believe that health care access and the health disparities faced by LGBTQ people are emerging as a critical civil rights issue. Our very health depends on being able to live free from fear and discrimination.” BOARD INTEREST AREAS: Governance, Organizational Development OCCUPATION & EMPLOYER: Alcohol and Drug Counselor; Lehmann Consulting, Inc. and Hazelden – St. Paul. Also works in Finance and Administration for a family owned enterprise. EDUCATION: BA in Religion from Smith College; MA in Organizational Leadership from St. Catherine University; MA in Addiction Counseling from the Hazelden Graduate School of Addiction Studies. OTHER RELEVANT EXPERIENCE: Past President and Board Member of PFund and board service at non-profit arts organizations. 30+ years of leadership and management experience in small businesses and non-profit organizations.
Dr. Eric Meininger, MD, MPH – Vice Chair “The LGBTIQ community is disproportionately impacted by health disparities which impact many communities. RHI is a grass roots opportunity to make a significant improvement for our interconnected communities.” BOARD INTEREST AREAS: Governance, Organizational Development OCCUPATION & EMPLOYER: Adolescent Medicine Physician, Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare, St. Paul; Interim Medical Director, Annex Teen Clinic, Robbinsdale. EDUCATION: BS/MD – University of Michigan Medical School; Internal Medicine / Pediatrics Residency – University of Minnesota Medical School; MPH – University of Minnesota School of Public Health OTHER RELEVANT EXPERIENCE: Past Director of Outreach for the Community-University Health Care Center; Founding staff physician of the Phillips Neighborhood Clinic; Past Medical Director: YouthLink Health & Wellness Clinic, Twin Cities to Chicago AIDS ride. Mentoring: District 202, Hennepin County Home School, Point Foundation, MN Future Doctor’s program, MN GLBT Host-Home Program. Awards: Fairview Cares Award (2000), National Health Care for the Homeless Clinician’s Network Local Hero (2001), Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Champions of Health Award (2003), Great Lakes Chapter of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine award for outstanding contributions (2011). Community: Past chair, Needs Assessment & Evaluation Committee of the Minnesota HIV Services Planning Council; Past chair, Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine Advocacy committee; MN Department of Human Services AIDS Drug Assistance Program Formulary committee.
“Disparities in health care available to and services for LGBTQ individuals of all ages is an area of pressing concern that needs to be addressed. Advocacy, research, and education are important ways to affect issues whose impact on our communities is acute and will only increase as more individuals in LGBTQ communities age.” BOARD INTEREST AREAS: Finance, Organizational Development, Legal Matters OCCUPATION & EMPLOYER: Lele ’Iwa – Principal and Owner. Providing legal and financial services for individuals and nonprofit organizations. EDUCATION: BA in Art History from Carleton College; MBA from Columbia University; JD from Wm. S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaii. OTHER RELEVANT EXPERIENCE: Co-founder of RHI; Planned Giving Officer, Carleton College; Past President of East Isles Resident’s Assoc., President, Arts Council of Hawaii, MN Planned Giving Council. Volunteer at Quatrefoil Library and with Carleton College alumnae organizations.
“The GLBT community suffers from many health disparities. Issues facing the gay men’s community in particular include, among others: (1) lack of dental care for young persons without health benefits as well as lack of Medicare coverage for dental care, (2) the lack of immunization for the HPV virus for gay men, (3) lack of community-based support for gay seniors with chronic health problems, (4) lack of effective outreach for prevention of HIV infections for gay men, (5) lack of effective outreach to gay (and MSM) racial and ethnic minorities.” BOARD INTEREST AREAS: Finance; Public Policy/Advocacy OCCUPATION & EMPLOYER: Hamline University Professor (adjunct) and Walden University Contributing Faculty Member, Masters in Public Administration programs. EDUCATION: Doctor of Public Administration and Master of Public Administration from Nova Southeastern University; Master of Arts in Public Administration from the Humphrey Institute, University of Minnesota OTHER RELEVANT EXPERIENCE: Served on a number of non-profit Boards as a member and/or officer including the First Unitarian Society, District 202, Center for Homicide Research, Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association, PrimeTimers MSP as well as President of the First Unitarian Society Foundation; also served on the Minneapolis Board of Estimate and Taxation as President and Vice President.
“I want to be involved in RHI’s mission to advance the health of our community!” INTEREST AREAS: Marketing and Communications OCCUPATION & EMPLOYER: Development and Communications Consultant working primarily with communities of faith. EDUCATION: MA in Theology from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary; Doctorate from the Episcopal Divinity School. OTHER RELEVANT EXPERIENCE: Worked for many years in the area of public health social marketing – combining behavioral change theory with marketing strategy. Former co-pastor of All God’s Children MCC.
“Members of the LGBTQ community face unique barriers to healthy living that will require hard work and creative thinking to fight. I want to be a part of the effort to support the health of our community.” INTEREST AREAS: Marketing and Communications; Public Policy/Advocacy OCCUPATION & EMPLOYER: Planning Analyst, Hennepin County EDUCATION: BA in Math, Linguistics from St. Olaf College; Masters in Health Administration from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health OTHER RELEVANT EXPERIENCE: Legislative advocacy and community organizing. Worked as a field organizer for the DFL House Caucus and as Administrative Resident at Allina Hospitals and Clinics.
“I believe in the mission of RHI because I believe everyone deserves equal access to health care. “ INTEREST AREAS: Fundraising and Donor Relations OCCUPATION & EMPLOYER: Director of Development and Communications, West Suburban Teen Clinic. EDUCATION: BA in Journalism and Political Science from the University of Minnesota. Currently completing an MA in Nonprofit Management program at Hamline University. OTHER RELEVANT EXPERIENCE: Community board service at a variety of organizations including MNFashion, MN Council of Non-profits, United Way Emerging Leaders and Women in Music MN. Professional experience in fundraising and development at several non-profit organizations including Goodwill/Easter Seals and MN Autism Center.
“My life objective lies in helping to meaningfully improve the lives of people in tangible ways. I’m a committed health advocate for advancing the mental and physical health and wellness of all diverse populations, including LGBTQ communities. I support RHI’s commitment to innovative research, education, and advocacy for advancing health and wellness to ensure greater access to targeted health resources and knowledge.” INTEREST AREAS: Finance, Risk Management OCCUPATION & EMPLOYER: Technology Auditor, Target Corporation EDUCATION: BA in Urban Studies from the University of Connecticut; MBA from Case Western Reserve University; Certified Information Security Auditor (CISA) OTHER RELEVANT EXPERIENCE: Previous work with Deloitte & Touche and St. Paul Travelers Companies as well as experience in affordable housing project financing and compliance.
“RHI’s mission of advancing the health and wellness of the LGBTQ communities is simple to say – but difficult to accomplish. I believe it’s worth the time and effort to do it!” INTEREST AREAS: Marketing and Communications OCCUPATION & EMPLOYER: Community Relations – Strategic Priorities, Target Corporation EDUCATION: BS in Marketing from St. Cloud State University; Mini MBA in Non Profit Management from St. Thomas University; MBA in Marketing from Capella University OTHER RELEVANT EXPERIENCE: Extensive program development and event planning experience including volunteer work with Outfront MN, Open Arms, Share Our Strength, and NAAGA and TCGSL softball activities.
INTEREST AREAS: Governance, Diversity OCCUPATION & EMPLOYER: Diversity Programs Manager, College of Medicine Office for Diversity, Mayo Clinic EDUCATION: BS in Family Consumer and Nutritional Sciences, St. Catherine University; MS in Organizational Leadership and Management, Cappella University. OTHER RELEVANT EXPERIENCE: RACE Exhibit – College of Medicine Talking Circles Lead; Volunteer with United Way Rochester, Good Deeds Society and Team Ortho. Former Manager of Counseling and Programs for the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of MN
|
Ruth Baires Raihle – Director