The MnTech team is delighted to have a Director in our Public Policy role again, especially a professional with such an impressive background and personal excitement for Minnesota programs. Katie McClelland has all that and more.

Check out her interview below and join us in welcoming Katie to our MnTech family!

Tell us about your professional background. What experiences are you drawing from as you step into this new role?
Katie: I am coming to MnTech from the U.S. House of Representatives, where I led the workforce policy portfolio for the Committee on Education and Labor. Through that role, as well as my role on the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension (HELP) Committee, I have attained a deep understanding of policies and practices to successfully build public-private partnerships to address workforce challenges, like the one the tech sector is facing in Minnesota. I’ve also worked for the Manufacturing Institute, the non-profit affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers, so will be drawing on my previous experience with an industry association, including attracting new talent pools to nontraditional sectors.

What drew you to MnTech? What element of our tech community are you most looking forward to interacting with?
Katie: Thanks to the role at MnTech, I’ll be moving back to Minnesota after 10 years in Washington, DC with my husband. While much of my past work has been focused on federal policy, I am excited to get back to working on state and local policies and programs, as I’ve learned that is where most of the excitement and action is. Tech is an ever-growing field, and I’m looking forward to advancing policies and programs that help Minnesota stand out as a national tech leader. I am also very excited about MnTech’s work leading the Tech Inclusion Alliance (TIA) and the policy and research work I’ll be doing to advance the goals of TIA.

What are some of your goals in this new position? What inspires you, professionally?
Katie: One of my first goals will be to establish or reestablish partnerships across the Minnesota tech ecosystem as well as with state and local policymakers and agencies to help advance our legislative and programmatic agenda. I’m also looking forward to contributing to the evidence- and data-based foundation of work that MnTech is undertaking to help grow and diversify the Minnesota tech talent pipeline.

Outside of work, what’s something that brings you joy? Any favorite hobbies or activities that you’re always looking forward to?
Katie: After living out of state for the last 10 years, I’m very excited to enjoy some of my favorite Minnesota things. For better or worse, I am a huge Vikings fan, so I’m excited to be back in Minnesota this fall to cheer them on with the new coach and general manager. I also LOVE the State Fair and am very excited to go as many times as possible this year. My other hobbies including cooking, gardening, traveling, and enjoying great meals with friends and family.

Is there anything else you’d like to share so we can know you better?
Katie: I got a very cute pandemic puppy named Benji.

If you’d like to connect with Katie, you can email her at katie@mntech.org