Melisa López Franzen is a lifelong advocate for opportunity and public service. A former Minnesota State Senator, Democratic Leader in the Senate, and most recently the Executive Director of Government and Community Relations for the University of Minnesota System, Melisa has dedicated her career to improving the lives of Minnesotans in every corner of the state.
As Executive Director of Government and Community Relations for the University of Minnesota System, Melisa oversaw advocacy efforts for all five campuses, championing the next generation of Minnesota students. Her work focused on advancing access to education, investing in research and innovation, and promoting the university’s role as an engine of economic opportunity and upward mobility. Under her leadership, the University strengthened partnerships with local communities and state leaders to meet the evolving needs of Minnesotans—from rural towns to urban centers.
Prior to her work at the University, Melisa López Franzen served in the Minnesota Senate from 2013 to 2023, representing Senate District 49, which includes Bloomington, Edina, Eden Prairie, and Minnetonka. She was elected as the Senate DFL Leader in 2021, becoming the first person of color to lead a legislative caucus in Minnesota history. During her time in the Senate, she was a key architect of landmark legislation to expand Medicaid, protect reproductive freedom, reform prior authorization in healthcare, and invest in Minnesota’s infrastructure and small businesses.
Melisa López Franzen holds a Master of Public Policy from the Humphrey School at the University of Minnesota and a J.D. from Hamline University School of Law, where she served on the Journal of Public Law & Policy and co-founded a scholarship endowment for Latino law students. Her academic journey was fueled by a research assistantship at the Roy Wilkins Center for Human Relations and Social Justice, where she deepened her commitment to addressing racial and economic disparities.
Beyond her professional and legislative experience, Melisa López Franzen has remained a tireless community leader. She is a former President of the Minnesota Hispanic Bar Association and a Regional Vice President for the Hispanic National Bar Association. She has served on numerous boards, including the Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys and Comunidades Latinas Unidas en
Servicio (CLUES). She was named a Top Lawyer Under 40 by the HNBA and selected for the prestigious Aspen-Rodel Fellowship in Public Leadership and the HOPE Binational Fellowship Program for Latina professionals.
