The Minnesota Nurses Association is a member-driven, democratically run union. The House of Delegates is the Minnesota Nurses Association’s governing body. It is composed of the MNA Board of Directors and delegates elected by the MNA membership. The House of Delegates sets policy at annual meetings.
The Board of Directors is composed of officers and directors elected by the membership. The Board fulfills the responsibility delegated to it by the House of Delegates as defined in the MNA bylaws. It is accountable to the membership through the House of Delegates. The Board is chaired by the MNA President, who is elected by the membership.
The Executive Director oversees day-to-day operations and planning, organizing, coordinating, and the directing of MNA staff, programs, and activities.
Chris Rubesch, RN
MNA President
Chris Rubesch, RN, works as a cardiac nurse at Essentia Twin Ports in Duluth. Rubesch became a steward from the start, eight years ago. He served as a member of the MNA negotiating team in 2019 and 2022 as nurses fought for fair contracts to put patients before profits. Rubesch became a member of the MNA Board of Directors in 2020 and most recently served as MNA’s First Vice President.
In addition to his roles with MNA, he serves on the Northeast Area Labor Council (AFL-CIO) and the Minnesota AFL-CIO State Executive Board and enjoys helping MNA nurses connect with and support fellow union members in other unions.
Before becoming a registered nurse, Rubesch worked in the non-profit sector on community organizing and grant writing. Rubesch lives in Duluth with his family. Outside of nursing and union organizing, Rubesch enjoys running, skiing, biking and beekeeping.
He began serving as Minnesota Nurses Association President in 2024.
Elaina Hane, RN
MNA Executive Director
Elaina Hane brings over five years of experience in the labor industry, previously serving as an MNA Labor Relations Specialist, MNA’s Manager of Governance and Policy, MNA’s Manager of Field Operations, and most recently the Executive Director position to which she was appointed in September of 2024.
Hane also brings to the position over 17 years of experience as a registered bedside nurse, during which she was an active member of the Minnesota Nurses Association, serving on her bargaining unit’s negotiating team, as an elected delegate to MNA’s House of Delegates, and as a member of MNA’s Board of Directors, among other roles.
MNA Board of Directors
The MNA Board of Directors is comprised of 17 members and is responsible for ensuring the implementation of the directives of the MNA House of Delegates. The Board further establishes administrative policies governing MNA, provides for the transaction of general business, and adopts and administers the Association’s budget. The Board typically meets on a monthly basis.
Executive Board Members
Chris Rubesch, President
Melisa Koll, 1st Vice President
Open Seat, 2nd Vice President
Becky Nelson, Secretary
Jill Lebrun, Treasurer
Directors
Tamra Andersen
Daniel Clute
Bernadine Engeldorf
Kevin Hawn
Brittany Livaccari
Meghan Matteson
Sydney Fuentes
Jeremy Olson-Ehlert
Kristy Ricks
Michelle Sorensen
Venessa Soldo-Jones
Jayme Wicklund
Contact the Board
Contact your Board of Directors with questions, suggestions, or concerns.
More from the Board
Visit MNA Board Statements to learn more about the Board’s recent public statements.
Read more about MNA Board Policies.