Sponsor: Workforce Solutions
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Appointment to the Workforce Innovation Board of Ramsey County
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Recommendation
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Appoint the following individual to serve on the Workforce Innovation Board of Ramsey County for a term beginning December 2, 2025, and ending July 31, 2027:
• Sharon Blomgren Education
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Background and Rationale
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Local workforce development boards are required entities under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to provide oversight for the public workforce system. The Workforce Innovation Board (WIB) serves as the local workforce development board for Ramsey County. The 33 WIB members represent business, community-based organizations (CBO), one-stop center partners, organized labor, economic development, education and elected officials. Eighteen of the members are appointed by the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners and 15 are appointed by the Mayor of Saint Paul for two-year terms.
Currently, there are one Education and one CBO openings on the WIB. An application has been received from Sharon Blomgren of Saint Paul College to serve the remainder of the term of the Education seat, beginning December 2, 2025, and ending July 31, 2027.
At its November 18, 2025 meeting, the WIB’s Executive Committee voted to recommend approval of this appointment. On November 19, the application and recommendation were forwarded to the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners for review.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☒ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☒ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
The WIB is committed to advancing racial equity; a commitment that starts from within by intentionality recruiting a diverse board reflective of the racial and ethnic makeup of the community. The WIB Executive Committee routinely assesses vacancies and analyzes a dashboard that tracks members’ race/ethnicity and other demographics to identify gaps and inform the WIB’s recruitment strategies. Currently, 63% of WIB members identify as White, 23% as African American, 7% as Native American, and 7% as Asian.
The WIB prioritizes having members that reflect the community and acknowledges the need for further diversity among its members. Several strategies have been implemented to advance this priority. The WIB created a Membership Committee to focus on strategic recruitment and outreach efforts. Connections have been made with several local ethnic chambers to cultivate relationships and increase awareness of the WIB’s work. The WIB Partnership and Outreach Committee developed a culturally inclusive partnership matrix which is being used to broaden the WIB’s identity and reach when promoting membership opportunities.
Community Participation Level and Impact
The WIB harnesses the knowledge and expertise of its members, representing a wide variety of roles within the community, to collectively develop strategic solutions that address employer and job seeker needs. Broadening the pool of prospective members by leveraging community relationships is a key component of the WIB’s recruitment strategy. Membership opportunities are promoted online through the WIB, county and city of Saint Paul websites and by WIB members through their networks. Although its membership criteria are legislatively mandated, the WIB seeks to bring additional community engagement to its work through participation on its committees and workgroups. The WIB Executive Committee reviews membership applications and makes recommendations to the county board. The WIB Chair appoints committee members.
The WIB is responsible for setting strategic direction and providing oversight for the public workforce system in Ramsey County. As a policy-making board, the WIB helps shape priorities for programs and services that support both job seekers and employers in our community. The WIB Policy and Oversight Committee advocates for legislation and policies that benefit our community and addresses local business and workforce needs. Additionally, the WIB engages with Ramsey County’s Economic Competitiveness & Inclusion Vision Plan as the Workforce Development Working Group with the goal of ensuring an aligned workforce system that meets local industry needs. The WIB’s strategic priorities and Ramsey County’s goals of well-being, prosperity, opportunity and accountability are aligned. For more information on the WIB, please visit
RamseyCountyMN.gov/wib <https://www.ramseycountymn.gov/your-government/volunteer/advisory-boards-committees/workforce-innovation-board-ramsey-county/guiding-documents>.
☒ Inform ☐ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
Representatives on the WIB do not receive county compensation. They contribute their time and expertise to the county to provide guidance and oversight to county workforce policies and programs. Members may request reimbursement for mileage and parking expenses.
Last Previous Action
On July 22, 2025, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioner approved the appointments of Ismail Ali, Becky Degendorfer, Sara Garbe, Lisa Guetzkow, Donald Mullin, Koami Pedado, Aalayha Traub and Tracy Wilson for a term beginning August 1, 2025, and ending on July 31, 2027 (Resolution B2025-143).
Attachments
1. County Appointment Checklist
2. WIB Membership Roster