The Heading Home Minnesota Funders Collaborative Steering Committee is pleased to announce Patrick Ness as our new Executive Director.

Patrick steps into this role with 20+ years experience working in coalition to advance racial and economic justice in Minnesota, with a particular focus on housing and homelessness.

Beginning his career in direct service, Patrick worked at a family homeless shelter before transitioning to public policy work rooted in community engagement and coalition-building. He worked as the Public Policy Manager at Catholic Charities’ Office for Social Justice, and Public Policy Director with the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless and the Wilder Foundation. Patrick also served in the Office of the Governor as the Senior Advisor to Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. His work includes the co-creation and leadership of numerous statewide issue advocacy coalitions, spanning a broad range of issues impacting low-income Minnesotans.

Patrick is a community faculty member at Metropolitan State University, teaching graduate courses in the Master of Advocacy and Political Leadership program. Patrick has a masters degree in public administration from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and a bachelor degree in psychology from St. Cloud State University.

“I am very excited that Patrick will be taking on leadership of the Collaborative” said Kyrra Rankine, Co-chair of the Steering Committee. “In this position, Patrick will be a welcome addition to the Collaborative and our work to create the conditions to end homelessness. His previous experience and relationships in this area will help move the Collaborative forward.”

“The mission, vision, and values of the Collaborative align with Patrick’s commitment and orientation to the work” added Stephanie Battle, Steering Committee Co-chair. “His past work and proven effectiveness make him an ideal leader for the organization and the work of maximizing philanthropy’s role in preventing and ending homelessness.”

"We must ensure that every Minnesotan has safe, dignified, permanent housing,” Patrick stated. “I’m excited to lead the next phase of the Heading Home Minnesota Funders Collaborative in such a critical moment. We will be guided by a deep resolve and shared belief in the power of everyday people organizing together to do big things. Together, we can end homelessness in Minnesota and ensure that every person, in every corner of the state, has a place to call home.”

Patrick assumes his new role as Executive Director today, Monday, January 11, 2021. He can be reached at patrick@headinghomemnfunders.org.