Katona Barnes

My work in organizational development has spanned since 2006, though I've approached it through different lenses - leadership, new business creation with corporations, and education. I started in human resources, working in employee relations, then moved into call center management with different contract agencies working with contingent workers in the private sector. About 10 years ago, I transitioned to state government, which is where I really dove into human resources, affirmative action, and equity work that I've been doing for about 25 years. I helped create the EDI Center for the Department of Education under the direction of Dr. Makari Trina, which was one of the highlights of my professional career. This division was the first of its kind, supporting school climate and culture with programs never before seen in education, including our school safety program focused on intervention, prevention, and response, as well as restorative practices, non-exclusionary discipline, SEL, and LGBTQ support. Through this work, I got the chance to affect the entire Minnesota education system and its 800,000 students, making sure they have equitable programs that improve school culture and create inclusive environments. I've been doing leadership development for about 20 years, with one of my degrees in organizational leadership. I focus on developing leaders, and I've done mentoring across the state with new equity leaders, helping people understand how to coach through conflict and change. Now, as the Deputy Director of Public Health and Operations for the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management, a role I've held for about 3 months, I oversee all operations including finance, facilities, HR, data analytics, IT, and the public health medical cannabis program. My day-to-day involves making sure the internal operations work well so the office can run this new regulatory cannabis program for Minnesota, which means ensuring equitable and inclusive hiring practices, handling employee relations, making sure policies align with Minnesota Management Budget, and leading the medical registry program while uplifting youth substance abuse initiatives and patient advocacy.