Tuesday, September 27th at 7:45 AM CT – virtual & free to attend (30-45 minutes)
Welcome to one of our Civic Mentorship Network Informational Meetings! This meeting’s speakers are Tarryl Clark, Stearns County Commissioner, and Sheila Kiscaden, Olmstead County Commissioner, in Minnesota who have made a difference through their leadership. You are invited to come and hear them share their experiences and discuss the offices they serve(d) in. Afterward, you will get the chance to engage with them in Q&A. As always, we invite you to come exactly as you are. Come learn with us!
Civic Mentorship Network: Tarryl Clark and Sheila Kiscaden
County Commissioner
Tarryl Clark
Tarryl Clark is a former Minnesota State Senator from District 15, serving from 2006 to 2011. Clark immediately found herself in a strong leadership position, her colleagues electing her as the Senate Assistant Majority Leader. As a Senator, Clark served on the Senate’s Education, Higher Education, and Rules and Administration committees. Additionally, she served on Finance subcommittees as well as on the Rules and Administration subcommittees.
Before her work in the Senate, Clark dedicated her time to various causes. In 1983, Clark developed the Young Adult Program at the Center for Youth Resources to help teenagers and young mothers develop needed skills to get jobs and raise families. Then, in 1990, she was a founding member of Central Minnesota’s Habitat for Humanity. Further, Clark helped in mentorship programs, Meals on Wheels, and the YWCA.
Originally from Virginia, Clark came to Minnesota to study law at the William Mitchel College of Law in St. Paul. She graduated in 1992, earning her license as an attorney. Clark continues to work for the benefit of the people, serving as a positive influence in the state of Minnesota through her leadership.
Sheila Kiscaden
Sheila Kiscaden is a former Minnesota State Senator from District 30, being first elected in 1992. During her time as a Senator, she had a lead role in health care and human services policy. Following the conclusion of her term in January 2007, Kiscaden returned to her consulting practice where she specialized in the organizational development needs of public and private health and human services organizations. In 2012, she returned to public office when she was elected to the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners. In view of her prior experience as a Senator, her policy interest and expertise have led to her serving on a variety of state commissions and task forces. For example, chairing a Health Equity Task Force in 2015 and the Governor’s Task Force on Affordable Housing in 2017.
As for education, Sheila is well versed in many areas. First, graduating from the University of Minnesota, Kiscaden earned a degree in Education. Kiscaden continued to pursue higher education and hold two master’s degrees, one in Public Administration and one in Participation, Development, and Social Change. In addition to her political work, she is the founder of numerous local initiatives such as SE MN Together and More Women on the Move.
Her long history of service on local boards and commissions continues. She currently serves as the Chair of the State Community Health Services Advisory Board and is a Governor’s appointee to the Juvenile Justice Advisory Council where she chairs the Subcommittee on Children of Incarcerated Parents.
About the Network
Our Civic Mentorship Network is a network comprised of rural civic leaders who serve as mentors for new women who are pursuing public service. This network provides a coordinated method for aspiring leaders to make the person-to-person connections that give access to resources that are valuable to enduring success. At 100 Rural Women, we find that success in recruiting more rural women to serve in public service leadership roles is essential to keeping our democracy strong.