Press Release: Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy earns another spot on National Best Workplace list

The 2023 list compiled by The NonProfit Times is exclusive to nonprofits

PRESS RELEASE: 4/06/21

CONTACT: Sarah Horner, MCEA, shorner@mncenter.org, 612-868-3024

For the third year running, the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy earned a spot on the NonProfit Times’ Best Nonprofits to Work For list. 

The recognition is given annually to 50 nonprofits across the country based on a months-long review of organizations’ practices, pay, and policies, as well as the results of an in-depth, two part employee survey on workplace satisfaction.

Hundreds of data points were analyzed to determine the best of the 2023 applicant pool, according to an article announcing the winners recently posted on The NonProfit Times website. 

This years’ honorees made a particular impression for their ability to help employees stay connected to their colleagues and organizational mission in the evolving era of remote and hybrid work. 

Several were also lauded for their efforts to promote employees’ well-being and encourage work/life balance. 

Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy’s Chief Executive Officer, Kathryn Hoffman, said MCEA is always considering ways to better support staff, both at and away from work. Employees currently enjoy half-day summer Fridays, for example, as well as hybrid work options, generous time off packages, and professional coaching services. 

MCEA also works to create a culture that encourages employees to bring forward their own ideas on how to improve the workplace. 

“MCEA cares deeply about our staff and recognizes that our organization’s success is directly tied to the people who work here and the way they show up to do this incredibly important and urgent work,” Hoffman said. “We earned another spot on this list largely because our staff believes we deserve it, and that means a great deal to me.” 

MCEA’s staff has grown significantly in the last 5 years, from 20 staff to now 34. The current team consists of a mix of staff attorneys, legal assistants, policy and science analysts and advocates, as well as development, workplace culture, administrative, and communications professionals.  

Here’s what some MCEA staff had to say about working at MCEA: 

Jay Eidsness, Staff Attorney 

"MCEA fosters an environment where people can grow and take risks in their careers while providing the space and flexibility for us to live full lives outside of the office,” said Jay Eidsness, MCEA Staff Attorney. “At MCEA, I get to work at the vanguard of environmental law, surrounded by legal and subject matter experts who help secure durable victories that will usher a more sustainable and equitable Minnesota for all.”

Eric Ini, Chief Equity and Partnership Officer

“I really appreciate MCEA’s visible investments in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion — hiring a chief DEI officer, creating a DEI committee to work to embed DEI values in policy and practices, and hiring a DEI consultant to help support this critical work are some of the reasons,” said Eric Ini, Chief Equity and Partnership Officer.

Leigh Currie, Director of Strategic Litigation

"I feel very supported and valued at MCEA. My supervisors understand that we need to take care of ourselves in order to give back our best work. So they encourage us to take care of ourselves and in return, we work hard and enjoy it,” said Leigh Currie, Director of Strategic Litigation.

Mair Allen, Communications and Online Giving Associate 

“I started working at MCEA this year and as a new hire I feel very invested in by my supervisors. That effort means a lot from an organizational perspective and it’s made possible by the genuine care and support each person brings,” said Mair Allen, Communications and Online Giving Associate

View the full list of the 2023 Best Nonprofits to Work For here. 

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