Announcement of Leadership Change
Eric Nesheim, executive director of Literacy Minnesota, announced that after 22 years of leading the organization, he is stepping down from his position. Eric moves into a new role as interim managing director of digital strategies, where he will assist with the leadership transition and focus on national partnerships and digital strategies such as Northstar Digital Literacy and digital navigation.
Eric remarked, “I’ve had the unique pleasure of holding the best job in the known universe for two decades, but now I am ready for a change. I believe new executive leadership at this pivotal moment will create and drive Literacy Minnesota’s strategic vision to advance equity and justice, and to ensure life-changing learning is within everyone’s reach.”
Legislative advocacy and partnership-building have been hallmarks of Eric’s leadership. In his time leading Literacy Minnesota, Eric has propelled the agency’s growth from less than $1 million at his start to $6 million today, with reach that is increasingly national and international. In the most recent year, 400,000 literacy learners were impacted globally.
Renae Oswald Anderson, Partner of Strategic Consulting & Coaching LLC, was selected by Literacy Minnesota’s board of directors to serve as interim executive director while the board undertakes a broad and deliberate national search for the next leader. In taking on the interim executive director role, Renae brings strong coaching and consulting expertise from more than 30 years of leadership and management in health and human service organizations. In addition, Renae has familiarity with adult education from her six years as vice president of programs at Neighborhood House. She is passionate about the power of education to change people’s lives and believes in working inclusively to share power and promote equity. Literacy Minnesota’s board of directors chair Jim Afdahl stated, “Based on Renae’s varied experiences as an interim executive director, her skills as an executive coach and her enthusiasm for our organization, its mission, and its values, we are extremely happy to have her join our team and have her expertise in guiding us in this critical time for Literacy Minnesota.”
In speaking of this transition, Eric commented, “We are far from farewell at this moment, but I thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to our learners during this time. I welcome Renae and look forward to seeing Literacy Minnesota remain the dynamic, exemplary agency for literacy education it has become over the past 50 years.”
Read on to learn more about Eric's and Renae's professional experience.