“Stay Calm & Communicate” - Jodi Boyne Leaving LeadingAge MN to Return to Public Service

Posted on July 22, 2020 by Jodi Boyne

After nearly eight outstanding years as our Vice President of Public Relations, Jodi Boyne is leaving LeadingAge Minnesota for an exciting new opportunity. She is returning to the public sector — where she worked for 16 years before joining us — to become the Director of Public Affairs for the Minnesota Judicial Branch effective Aug. 10. 

In her new role, Jodi will serve the Minnesota Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals and District Courts. The position intersects with the Executive and Legislative branches of government, where she has deep expertise, and serves as a strategic and trusted communications advisor, where her passion lies. It will provide her with a unique opportunity to help innovate and modernize communications, maintain and expand access to justice, lead and mentor a communications team, and - in a purpose parallel with our own - instill public trust and confidence. 

With Jodi’s unique combination of government affairs, public relations and communications expertise, her work over the years has help take us to a new level in public messaging, media relations and influence. She played a pivotal role in our launching of FaceAging MN and our first public information campaign, was instrumental in the development and launch of Safe Care for Seniors, led our name and rebranding campaign, and spearheaded our 50th anniversary celebration. Jodi elevated our overall communications with her deep expertise in crisis communications, never more essential than during the current COVID crisis. In addition to serving as editor for our weekly newsletter, these past five months she has been the lead staff for daily member messages on COVID-19 and for many of the toolkits to help members implement the state and federal guidances that have become so much a part of our members’ daily work. 

We always relied on Jodi to find the right message for the right time. Now feels like one of those times, so it is only fitting that we look to her words to reflect on her work at LeadingAge Minnesota:

Since joining LeadingAge Minnesota in 2013, I have had the distinct honor of being part of an organization and a team united in a shared mission. There are few opportunities that would draw me away from the purposeful and meaningful work we accomplish together. The experiences I have had in my nearly eight years here, the relationships I hold dear, and the trust, respect and confidence you placed in me are undefinable. It has been said before and it is so very true: I gained more than I gave. While I have made contributions during my time at LeadingAge Minnesota, none were as great as our collective whole.” 

I know you join me in thanking Jodi for the significant role that she has played in the growth and success of our Association and the huge difference she has made not only in our daily work, but in the field of older adult services. With grateful hearts, we wish her every success on her new path.