Affirmative Options is governed by a Steering Committee elected by the membership who provide leadership and oversight for coalition activities. The Steering Committee establishes the vision and mission of the organization and guides the work of the coalition.

Steering Committee members are elected by Affirmative Options Coalition members and must represent an organization that is a member of Affirmative Options.

Steering Committee

Arnie Anderson
Executive Director
Minnesota Community Action Partnership

Kris Jacobs
Executive Director
JOBS NOW Coalition

Jim Koppel
Executive Director
Children's Defense Fund Minnesota

Nan Madden
Director
Minnesota Budget Project at the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits

Maureen O'Connell
Executive Director
Legal Services Advocacy Project

Mark Peters
Director
Lutheran Coalition for Public Policy

Brian Rusche
Executive Director
Joint Religious Legislative Coalition

Patrick Ness
Public Policy Manager
Office for Social Justice, Catholic Charities

Greg Gary
Director
Initiative to End Poverty in Minnesota

Liz Kuoppala 
Executive Director
Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless