Eric Nesheim, Executive Director
Minnesota Literacy Council
As Executive Director of the Minnesota Literacy Council, Eric manages the day-to-day and overall operations of the $4 million nonprofit agency. He served in various program and management roles at the literacy council prior to being named as the executive director in 2000. Eric was recently awarded the Walter Mondale Public and Community Service Award by the Hennepin County Bar Association; this award celebrates those who have dedicated their working lives to public service and meeting community needs.
Eric is involved in several community leadership roles including the Governor’s Workforce Development Council, the Northstar Digital Literacy Standards advisory group and the Striving Readers state advisory council. He is a founding member and past president of the St. Paul Community Literacy Consortium and currently serves on its executive committee. Eric is a registered lobbyist and a board member and former president of Literacy Action Network, an advocacy group for adult literacy.
Eric served in the Peace Corps in Haiti and Paraguay, although perhaps it was his childhood adoration of Dr. Seuss that marked him for a career in literacy. He earned his B.A. from Concordia College and a Master’s of International Management from the University of St. Thomas, Minnesota.