Meet Leslie Rosedahl
Leslie Rosedahl started Rosedahl Public Affairs (RPA) in 2018 and leads complex and high-profile issue campaigns (as well as nuanced, smaller efforts). She has 18 years of experience for a wide variety of clients, including Fortune 500 companies, high-profile trade associations, and prominent non-profit organizations. Her efforts and accomplishments have won multiple national awards and – most importantly – helped clients win decision-maker support and legislative success.
Before starting Rosedahl Public Affairs, Leslie served as Director of Communications and Grassroots Advocacy at Minnesota’s largest government relations consulting firm for five years. She also worked for six years at one of the Midwest’s largest public affairs firms. Leslie has tackled some of the state’s highest profile and controversial issues and earned a reputation as one of Minnesota’s leading public affairs professionals.
Rosedahl Public Affairs clients appreciate Leslie’s straightforward, hardworking, and can-do approach, accompanied by strategic insight and political acumen. She has developed a unique understanding of Minnesota’s political landscape, benefiting clients on both sides of the aisle. These attributes stem from her substantial experience in public affairs as well as her knowledge and involvement at the Minnesota State Legislature. During that tenure, Leslie served as a senior leader and chief counselor to the Senate Republican Leader where she managed caucus and legislator’s media and communications, talking points, and research efforts for the caucus.
Generating positive media placement for clients and helping to influence policy-makers is a very important part of our work. Clients have appeared in opinion pages of the Minneapolis Star Tribune and St. Paul Pioneer Press as well as stories leading the nightly news. She has crisscrossed the state meeting with editorial boards, and has composed and placed hundreds of letters to the editor. She works closely with members of the Capitol press corps and reporters throughout the state to assist client media coverage.
Advocates weighing in on issues – in a variety of grassroots tactics – can make or break issue campaigns. Leslie has generated the largest number of emails to legislators at the State Capitol, organized many “Day at the Capitol” events, and has generated and executed support rallies with hundreds of people.
Leslie is also:
Chair of Women LEAD MN, a large networking organization and state political action committee,
Immediate past Chair of the St. Paul Area Chamber Political Action Committee
President of her Gustavus Adolphus College alumni class,
Board Member of the Minnesota YMCA Center for Youth Voice, a new unified umbrella of Youth in Government and Minnesota Civic Youth,
Member of the Minnesota PRSA and Public Relations Society of America (PRSA),
Member of the Highland Business Association in St. Paul and the St. Paul Area Chamber, and
A frequent speaker on public relations and public affairs to various colleges and non-profit organizations.
Kristen Anderson - Project Manager
Kristen has worked with Leslie for five years, and is a positive, capable, self-starter. Her attention to detail - and to the needs of the client - ensure that projects are successful. Kristen has an eye for efficiency and quality.
Kristen coordinates scheduling of legislative meetings during Days at the Capitol, among many other details, to make these events successful. She tracks bills, writes and submits letters to the editor, monitors media clips, leads social media accounts, and much, much more.
Beyond her Political Science degree, Kristen maintains a real-world understanding of the legislative process and the Capitol complex. She knows the importance of grassroots civic participation.
Kristen is a volunteer and past staff member of Minnesota YMCA Youth in Government. While at the University of Minnesota, she served on the student government legislative advocacy team and completed her junior year abroad in Germany. Kristen is active in the local food system and has experience with community-supported agriculture, natural food co-ops, and environmental advocacy.