Rhonda Otteson
Executive Director

320-220-2816

Rhonda Otteson joins the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless with the belief that housing is the foundation for success for everyone. Previously, Rhonda was the Executive Director of The Link of Northern Kandiyohi County and spent almost ten years working at Heartland Community Action Agency where she oversaw state and federal housing programs that served people experiencing homelessness. Rhonda has a bachelor’s degree in sociology from St. Cloud State University and a Master of Advocacy & Political Leadership from the University of Minnesota Duluth.  Rhonda lives in Willmar and recently sent both of her daughters to college: one is a Piper and one is a Gopher.

Matt Traynor
Director of Organizing

218-213-2054

Before joining the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless as our full-time director of organizing, Matt completed his degree in Youth and Family Ministry where he took a position as a Youth Director at a church in Red Wing. During his spare time, he was able to do some organizing around equity issues within the community and fell in love with organizing. From 2012 – 2017, Matt worked as the Community Organizer at CHUM in Duluth. After moving to Duluth Matt connected with others working to end homelessness and has been part of multiple successful organizing campaigns. In 2014 he received the Steve O’Neil Outstanding Organizer Award. Outside of organizing, Matt loves hanging with his family (especially his nephew), friends and spending time doing introverted things like reading, watching movies and going outside during the non-winter months.

Zara Wolfe
Director of Engagement

Zara serves as the Regional Experts Organizer with the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless. Before joining MCH, Zara was most recently the Scattered Site Program Manager with Emma Norton Services, and also worked in various direct service positions surrounding domestic violence, homelessness, family support, and disability services for many years. Throughout her time working within the systems, Zara grew a deep desire to change them and ensure that those who are directly impacted are central to the decision making process. After overcoming her own experience with homelessness as a youth, Zara earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work from St. Catherine University and became licensed as a Social Worker. Zara lives in the Twin Cities metro with her son and enjoys hiking on the weekends.

Kirsten Rokke
Communications and Conference Consultant

Kirsten serves as the Communications and Conference Consultant with the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless. From 2014-2021 Kirsten worked with MCH in various roles, the most recent one being the Director of Communications. Kirsten worked with Goff Public, a public relations firm in Saint Paul, until May of 2023, where she started working with her own clients in communication in a public relations capacity.

One of the most successful efforts in her career was assisting in the creation of a statewide narrative around housing stability and economic security that prioritized person-centered messaging and storytelling. Kirsten draws from a professional background at the intersection of strategic communications and public policy, and she has successfully helped organizations, companies, and nonprofits tell powerful stories that result in positive outcomes.

She is a purpose-driven leader eager to pair her passion for messaging and framing, content for digital campaigns, and communications to the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless communications needs.

Kirsten lives in Saint Paul and enjoys sparkling water, traveling, and Taylor Swift.