Todd Lippert
Northfield,MN
Summary
Innovative climate leader with a long track record of initiatives designed to build bridges across race and geography to create more equitable, vibrant, and resilient midwestern communities. A skilled coalition builder at the state and local levels with deep professional networks across state government and organizations working for climate, environmental, and racial justice.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Founder and Lead Organizer
Rural Organizing Project of ISAIAH Minnesota
03.2022 - Current
- Created Rural People's Agenda by organizing teams of leaders to gather stories and concerns of their neighbors. 1000 people were engaged across 16 rural Minnesota communities and agenda items include Protecting Democracy; Affordable, Energy Efficient Housing; Including Rural Communities in Clean Energy Transition; Clean Water; and Affordable Child Care.
- Co-led planning team for Small Town Summit in Bozeman, MT, a national event for rural advocacy organizations across the United States to identify challenges rural communities face accessing Inflation Reduction Act funds.
- Worked with 100% Campaign, Unidos MN, and ISAIAH MN leadership to develop Thermal Energy Networks legislation and broader building decarbonization plans.
State Representative
Minnesota House of Representatives
01.2019 - 12.2022
- Drafted and championed Green Bank legislation that led to creation of the Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority.
- Served on leadership team of House Climate Action Caucus with responsibility for leadership in Working Lands.
- Served on Climate and Energy, Environment, and Agriculture Committees. Became legislative leader on natural climate solutions with breakthroughs on funding for soil health practices, tree planting, and introduced legislation to protect and restore peatlands.
- Worked with Northfield city leaders to deliver funds for the Northfield Transit Hub and to address obstacles residents faced in adding more solar energy to the local grid.
- Served as Assistant House Majority Leader.
Senior Minister
First United Church of Christ
05.2012 - 02.2020
- Organized members of Northfield churches to help develop Northfield Climate Action Plan and pass it at city level.
- Led governing board and congregation through governance restructuring process, implementing model recognized as best-practice for non-profit boards.
- Through ISAIAH MN, organized with local Catholic priest and Latino parish members for Driver's Licenses for All.
- Supervised staff of eleven, managed annual budget, led multi-million dollar capital campaign, and oversaw day-to-day operations of active and vital congregation.
Pastor
Plymouth United Church of Christ
08.2003 - 04.2012
- Worked with community leaders and congregation members to start Community Connections Free Health Clinic to provide care for uninsured and underinsured local residents, predominately dairy farmers and Mexican and Uruguayan immigrant farm-workers.
- Worked with local church members to start English as a Second Language tutoring program for immigrants working on dairy farms.
Education
Master of Divinity - Rural Pastoral Ministry
United Theological Seminary of The Twin Cities
Saint Paul, MN08.2003
Bachelor of Music - Music Performance
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA12.1999
Skills
- Strategic Vision
- Stakeholder Management
- Team Leadership
- Coalition Building
- Interpersonal Communication
- Public Speaking
Timeline
Founder and Lead Organizer
Rural Organizing Project of ISAIAH Minnesota
03.2022 - Current
State Representative
Minnesota House of Representatives
01.2019 - 12.2022
Senior Minister
First United Church of Christ
05.2012 - 02.2020
Pastor
Plymouth United Church of Christ
08.2003 - 04.2012
Master of Divinity - Rural Pastoral Ministry
United Theological Seminary of The Twin Cities
Bachelor of Music - Music Performance
University of Iowa
Similar Profiles
Karina MenaKarina Mena
Volunteer at Southwest Organizing ProjectVolunteer at Southwest Organizing Project
Alicia PiperAlicia Piper
Canvasser at Texas Organizing ProjectCanvasser at Texas Organizing Project
Celeste SandovalCeleste Sandoval
Canvasser at Texas Organizing ProjectCanvasser at Texas Organizing Project