Our Team
The Greater Minnesota Partnership contracts with the professionals at Flaherty & Hood, P.A. to provide comprehensive legislative services, in addition to marketing, communications, and operations support. Our team is always available to answer questions about the GMNP, our mission, and the issues we work on.
darielle@gmnp.org
651-259-1908
Darielle Dannen
Executive Director
Darielle joined the Greater Minnesota Partnership in 2024 after more than seven years leading the government relations team at the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). She brings more than 20 years of experience working with state and local governments, nonprofits, and businesses to develop and implement legislative solutions to complex problems.
During her time at DEED, Darielle’s work focused on developing and advocating for innovative economic development tools to support business development and expansion across Minnesota. She played a key role in the creation of the Minnesota Forward Fund, the Office of Child Care and Community Partnerships, the Office of New Americans, and two new employment and training programs: the Targeted Population Workforce grants and Drive for Five initiative. Darielle was also instrumental in securing additional and ongoing resources for tried-and-true programs, including Business Development Public Infrastructure (BDPI), the Main Street Redevelopment grant program, Border-to-Border Broadband grants, the Minnesota Investment Fund, the Job Creation Fund, Redevelopment Grants, and the PROMISE Act.
Before joining DEED, Darielle worked as the Public Policy Director at the Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers, where she advocated for small business and housing issues, tax policies and capital investment.
Darielle grew up in Central Wisconsin and now lives in Minneapolis with her husband, two dogs, and four chickens. In her free time, Darielle is a volunteer Hennepin County Master Gardener, where she specializes in community gardens and native pollinator-friendly gardening.
emma@gmnp.org
651-259-1936
Emma Nelson
Operations Manager
Emma works behind the scenes to keep the Greater Minnesota Partnership running smoothly. Her duties range from member outreach to technical support and everything in between.
Emma graduated summa cum laude from Gustavus Adolphus College in 2022 with degrees in political science and Spanish. At Gustavus, Emma worked in the Admission and Advancement offices and was hired as a freelance writer for the Office of Marketing and Communications. She has also published academic research related to exercise science, public health, public policy, and interest group studies.
Emma grew up in Saint Paul and moved back to the city after college. When she’s not entertaining her dog Rosie, Emma enjoys baking, exercising, spending time outdoors, and caring for too many house plants.
alex@gmnp.org
651-259-1917
Alex Wildfang
Communications Manager
Alex leads the development and implementation of media and communications strategies for the Greater Minnesota Partnership, including media outreach and content creation. She researches, writes, and edits materials such as press releases, social media posts, newsletters, and legislative policy briefs. Whether maintaining relationships with media outlets or building new ones with elected officials, Alex relishes every opportunity to connect with others. In her position, Alex seeks to promote strategies and conversations that both inform and advocate.
Prior to joining Flaherty & Hood and the GMNP, Alex interned at the law firm of Robins Kaplan LLP before studying Political Science and International Relations at Florida International University, where she graduated summa cum laude. Alex grew up in Eden Prairie and returned to Minnesota after living outside the state for almost eight years. When she’s not busy coordinating press conferences or drafting media statements, she spends her time watching movies, traveling, and playing trivia games with her husband, Christian. She also enjoys cooking, classic films, and crossword puzzles.