A life-long rural Minnesota resident, Renee has lived in Annandale, Minnesota for the last 30 years. She completed first a Bachelors and then a Masters Degree at St Cloud State University both of them focused on peace and social justice. The Social Responsibility Master’s Degree also focused on social structure and oppressive systems. She then taught at St Cloud State as an adjunct instructor and participated in the Community Anti-Racism Education (CARE) workshop, which helps educators incorporate anti-racism practices in their classrooms.

As a professional in the nonprofit world, at first the Girl Scouts and then a non-profit that gives scholarships to trade students, Renee has worked as a community organizer in both rural and metro communities and has noticed the vast difference in needs and understanding around racial justice between the two communities. She recently worked with a group in Wright County that was addressing Anti-Racism and will share experiences from this group, as well as invite other rural organizers to share their stories.