Bernadine Joselyn
Director of policy & Engagement

Bernadine directs Blandin Foundation’s Public Policy and Engagement program area, where she leads efforts to facilitate the building of knowledge and catalyze community action around issues and opportunities that align with the Foundation’s mission of strengthening rural Minnesota communities, especially the Grand Rapids area. A native of Minnesota, Bernadine spent the first 15 years of her professional life in Soviet (and then post-Soviet) Affairs. She served seven years as diplomat with the U.S. Department of State, where — after an initial tour in New Delhi, India — she was assigned to Moscow, Russia, and Washington, D.C., focused on the U.S.-Soviet/Russian relationship. After the collapse of the Soviet Union Bernadine left the diplomatic corps to work on international academic and cultural exchange programs with  the International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX) and subsequently the Eurasia Foundation, where she oversaw a $5 million annual grant program.

In 2000 Bernadine returned to Minnesota to complete a second masters degree in public affairs at the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey Institute. She also has an undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota and a master’s degree in international security policy and certificate in advanced studies from Columbia University.

Tina May
Cheif of Staff & Vice President

Tina May currently serves as the Chief of Staff and VP of Rural Services for Land O’Lakes, and leads the rural initiatives for the cooperative, including the American Connection Project. Prior to her time at Land O’ Lakes Tina worked in multiples roles in government on agriculture and food policy, as a Silicon Valley executive, and co-founder of the first ever Washington, D.C. based lobbying firm to incorporate as a Public Benefit Corporation.
While in government, Tina served as a political appointee for President Obama, first as the Legislative Director for USDA, then in the second term as Chief of Staff to U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden where she managed the departmental implementation of the 2014 Farm Bill. Tina served on the staff of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry during both 2008 and 2014 Farm Bills. Tina was the policy director during the 2014 Farm Bill where she shepherded the conservation, forestry, and international development work for the Committee. Tina started her career as an international grain trader and logistics coordinator with The Scoular Company in Minneapolis.
Tina hails from a family farm in Stacyville, Iowa and has degrees from the University of Minnesota and the University of London. Tina lives in St. Paul, Minnesota with her husband and three young boys and they get down to the family farm every chance they get.