Experience

Minnesota Justice Research Center
• United States
• Non-profit Organization Management
• 1 - 100 Employee
• Associate Director

  • Jan 2023 - Present


The Fair Economy Project

• United States

• Director

  • Jan 2021 - Present

  The Fair Economy Project is a research and advocacy project that uses the American historical experience and policy research to help reveal and broaden public understanding of the racial roots of contemporary American economic inequality to help build an economy that works for everyone. The Fair Economy Project is a research and advocacy project that uses the American historical experience and policy research to help reveal and broaden public understanding of the racial roots of contemporary American economic inequality to help build an economy that works for everyone.



Mill City Consulting

• Public Policy Offices
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Principal

  • Dec 2010 - Present

  Founder and Principal at consulting firm focused on policy and program development and coordination, non-profit management and organizational development, government relations, organizing and campaign management, community relations and stakeholder engagement strategies, and community economic development projects Recent clients include: o Hennepin History Museum, Interim Executive Director (November 2018 - August 2019) o Racism, Rent and Real Estate: Fair Housing Reframed series partnership with Mill City Consulting, Minnesota Housing Partnership, and the Mapping Prejudice Project, Producer/Project Coordinator (October 2017-October 2018) o Marcy-Holmes Neighborhood Association/Dinkytown Business Alliance, Organizational Development and Business Recruitment and Retention Consultant (2014-2015) o St. Paul Women on Bikes, Strategic Planning Consultant (2014-2015) o Lake Street Council, Project Coordinator for Museum in the Streets: Lake Street historical tours, community engagement, fundraising and research (2011-2012) o Physicians for a National Health Program Day on the Hill Coordinator (2012, 2013)



Minneapolis Public Housing Authority

• United States
• Government Administration
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Member, Board of Commissioners

  • Jan 2011 - Present

  Mayoral appointee to MPHA Board of Commissioners, Board representative to Strategic Planning Committee (2011), Chair, MPHA Audit Committee (2012 to present), Member, Development Committee (2014 to present). Jan 2011 to present. Mayoral appointee to MPHA Board of Commissioners, Board representative to Strategic Planning Committee (2011), Chair, MPHA Audit Committee (2012 to present), Member, Development Committee (2014 to present). Jan 2011 to present.



Metropolitan Council of the Twin Cities

• United States
• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• Council Member, District 8

  • Mar 2015 - Mar 2019

  In addition to Mill City Consulting, Cara served on the Metropolitan Council, the regional planning organization for the Twin Cities metropolitan area from 2015-2019, where she represented part of Minneapolis and the Village of St. Anthony. The Metropolitan Council has a nearly $1 billion annual budget, and oversees the operation and development of the region’s transit and wastewater systems, coordination of comprehensive planning, affordable housing administration, and acquisition of public parks. On the Council, Cara was a member of the Transportation, Community Development, Environment, and Audit Committees.



Hennepin History Museum

• United States
• Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Member, Board of Directors

  • Jan 2013 - Nov 2018

  The Hennepin History Museum is the the Historical Society of Hennepin County, Elected Boardmember, January 2013, elected President, February 2014. Since then, rebuilt the Board of Directors to represent all of Hennepin County, facilitated a staff leadership change, designed a staff-board retreat to set general goals and work plan. Changes have led to largest growth in memberships, individual donations, and financial stability in recent memory. The Hennepin History Museum is the the Historical Society of Hennepin County, Elected Boardmember, January 2013, elected President, February 2014. Since then, rebuilt the Board of Directors to represent all of Hennepin County, facilitated a staff leadership change, designed a staff-board retreat to set general goals and work plan. Changes have led to largest growth in memberships, individual donations, and financial stability in recent memory.


City of Minneapolis Mayor's Office
• Policy Aide

  • Feb 2006 - Dec 2010


Minneapolis Neighborhood Associations

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations

• Executive Director

  • May 1998 - May 2005

  Served as the Executive Director of the Stevens Square Community Organization, the Lyndale Neighborhood Association (Interim), and the Lyndale Neighborhood Development Corporation Served as the Executive Director of the Stevens Square Community Organization, the Lyndale Neighborhood Association (Interim), and the Lyndale Neighborhood Development Corporation


City of Lakes Community Land Trust
• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee
• Founder and Project Coordinator

  • Sep 2001 - Sep 2002


Political and Community Organizer

• Political and Community Organizer

  • Aug 1993 - Dec 1997

  Worked for Wellstone Alliance, Ann Wynia for Senate, the Twin Cities New Party/Progressive Minnesota, and the Minneapolis Urban League Worked for Wellstone Alliance, Ann Wynia for Senate, the Twin Cities New Party/Progressive Minnesota, and the Minneapolis Urban League