WSCO Board Meetings are typically held on the first Monday each month from 6:00 to 8:00pm, usually in person at our offices at 209 Page Street West, but sometimes virtually (check our calendar for the most up-to-date information). WSCO board meetings are open to the public. There is time for public comment at the beginning of each board meeting (two to five minutes per person depending on number participants). If you would like a longer time to speak to the board please contact [email protected] to get on the agenda.
Interested in running for our board? Elections for open seats are held at our annual meeting every fall. Sign up for WSCO updates to learn how you can apply!
2026 Board of Directors
WSCO is proud to take a “by us, for us” approach to electing our Board of Directors. After hearing from each candidate during our “West Sides Decides” Annual Meeting in November 2025, every West Sider in attendance had the opportunity to vote, leading to the approval of 10 new board members. Alongside three returning members, they will work with West Side residents to realize WSCO’s vision in 2025. Meet them here:
Jeannine Pohl is the owner of Block Portrait Studios and has been a proud West Side resident since 2015. As a portrait artist, she has had the privilege of connecting with countless West Siders, hearing their unique stories and witnessing their dreams. Jeannine and her family deeply cherish this vibrant community, filled with parks, businesses, festivals, and diverse neighbors. She is passionate about contributing to the West Side's growth and vibrancy by making small ripples that lead to big waves of positive change.
Committed to fostering a thriving, inclusive neighborhood, Jeannine believes in the power of community organizations to drive meaningful progress. Her strengths lie in envisioning innovative solutions, building connections, and helping others succeed. By serving on the WSCO board, she aims to deepen her understanding of local challenges and opportunities, advocate for positive change, and contribute to a shared vision for the West Side’s future.
Joy Sorensen Navarre holds over 30 years of experience living, working, and raising a family on the West Side – and is deeply connected to the community and proud of WSCO’s history. Previously serving as an Ex-Officio board member and WSCO’s interim Executive Director during the summer of 2023, she has been actively involved in WSCO’s Land Use Action Circle and fund development efforts. As a local business owner with decades of executive leadership experience in nonprofit and business sectors, Joy brings a wealth of knowledge, particularly in financial management, collaboration, and action-oriented leadership. Passionate about community organizing and racial equity, Joy is committed to fostering a strong and inclusive West Side. They are excited by initiatives like redress for Flats families, economic investment for local residents, and the Tenant Union. At this pivotal time for WSCO, Joy hopes to contribute to the organization’s healing and rebuilding while building relationships with fellow West Siders and mentoring new board members.
[email protected]
Lawrence A. Lucio has dedicated his life to serving the West Side with more than five decades of experience in community organizing. His extensive career includes roles such as youth organizer at Neighborhood House, the first director of El Rio Vista Playground and the West Side Youth Service Bureau, and a guidance counselor at Roosevelt Jr. High and Humboldt Jr. High for 16 years. He has also served as principal of Northeast Middle School, Humboldt High School, Edison High School, and Stadium View School, and co-founded the West Side Booster Club, where he coached for 35 years.Driven by a commitment to youth, families, and public education, Larry believes in making decisions that prioritize the best interests of the community. Through his work with WSCO, he hopes to continue supporting initiatives that strengthen the West Side while mentoring the next generation of leaders. His extensive experience and passion for advocacy make him a dedicated and invaluable contributor to his neighborhood.
Nancy Negrette is a dedicated member of the West Side community, working at WestSide HairCare Salon since 1999, and also a self-employed business owner. Born in Milwaukee, WI, and a St. Paul resident since 1978, Nancy has strong ties to the area, with a rich cultural heritage from both her father, who hails from the old West Side, and her mother, who is from Red Lake. She is currently pursuing her pathway to nursing school while working full-time at Planned Parenthood, with a professional background primarily in community service and healthcare. A passionate artist, Nancy finds joy in hairstyling, and is deeply connected to the land, particularly the Mississippi River, as part of her Lakota and Dakota heritage. Dedicated to advocating for her community, Nancy is committed to discussing and implementing positive changes for the West Side and West Side businesses. She values ethical decision-making, open-mindedness, and supporting her community through active engagement. Through serving on WSCO’s board, Nancy hopes to develop her communication and community organizational skills, with the aspiration to one day run for office and continue advocating for the West Side.
Santino Franco is a lifelong West Sider with over 26 years of experience as a coach, mentor, and advocate for his community. He is committed to ensuring that the West Side has a strong voice at the political table in St. Paul and continues to serve as a passionate advocate for local residents. Santino is eager to be more actively involved in the political aspects of community work, bringing his leadership skills and deep understanding of the neighborhood to the WSCO board. He believes that, when serving on a neighborhood board, it’s important to separate personal values and ideals to work for the betterment of the entire community. Through his involvement with WSCO, he hopes to gain a better understanding of local government and how to further support and strengthen the West Side.
Sebastian Gonzalez Navarro is a seasoned legislative staffer and political organizer with a strong connection to the West Side. Although raised in Southern Minnesota, he forged an early bond with the West Side through frequent childhood trips to El Burrito Mercado and vibrant Latine festivals. Now a proud West Side resident, Sebastian is deeply committed to giving back to the community that helped shaped his identity and values. With a background in state government, Sebastian has worked under Representative Pérez-Vega, Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy, and as a Campaign Director in Minnesota’s 4th Congressional District. His experience spans legislative processes, coalition building, and grassroots advocacy. Key achievements include securing vital funding for Neighborhood House, establishing Hair Technician Licenses to support local BIPOC cosmetologists, and championing equity-driven legislative initiatives that uplift underserved communities. Now, Sebastian is channeling his skills and passion into advocating for transformative state investments and infrastructure projects that address the community's evolving needs.
Raniya Abawari is proud to have spent her formative years living on the West Side. Still a 55107 resident, she currently serves on the Robert Street Accountability Taskforce. As a first-generation student, she is dedicated to breaking cultural barriers and building bridges that foster meaningful, lasting connections within and beyond her community. Raniya’s interests span global and local economies, law, digital media marketing, artificial intelligence, and systems efficiency. She is passionate about promoting equity and inclusion, and embracing diversity in personhood, presence, and thought. Her leadership reflects a belief in the power of youth and innovation to drive lasting community transformation.
Jazzalyn Baker is a proud mother of three boys, an alumna of Metropolitan State University, and West Side resident. Her passion for community involvement and advocacy shines through her work with the Southport Leadership Committee at WSCO, where she has served since July, helping lead initiatives that inspire growth, connection, and change for Southport residents. She also participates in local Land Use monthly meetings and recently completed a Raid Response Training co-hosted by WSCO and MIRAC, which strengthened her commitment to education, awareness, and community empowerment. Jazzalyn takes pride in using her voice and leadership to help create spaces where families feel supported, informed, and represented. Grounded, compassionate, and purpose-driven, she is dedicated to advocating for positive change and meaningful progress throughout her community.
Ana Perez has deep roots in Saint Paul’s West Side. She attended local schools from Riverview to Humboldt, was an active member of the Boys and Girls Club, and has continuously given back to the community that shaped her. Though she left in 2006 to pursue higher education, her commitment to the neighborhood has never wavered. She currently works in social services within a nursing facility where she continues to serve others with compassion and dedication. As Board Chair of Neighborhood STAR Board, she has played a vital role in providing funding and opportunities for small businesses and entrepreneurs in Saint Paul. She is a partner of Project Reach within the Saint Paul School District and serves as the Volunteer Coordinator for the Saint Paul West Side Fiestas, is a Cultural Steward and demonstrates that through preserving The Mexica Aztec Culture Through Danza and other Ceremonies offered to the Community for future generations to come. Ana brings her passion, energy, and advocacy for the West Side to the WSCO Board of Directors.
Soleil Ramirez was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela, where her love for food began in her family’s kitchen. After earning a degree in business administration and working in corporate finance, she followed her passion into the culinary world—quickly transforming a struggling restaurant into a thriving success and becoming a business partner at just 26 years old. When political corruption forced her to flee Venezuela, Soleil arrived in the U.S. with only $300 and a week’s worth of clothes, determined to rebuild her life through resilience and hard work. Since then, she has become a celebrated chef and entrepreneur, founding Arepa Bar and later Crasqui Restaurant on the West Side—one of the few Venezuelan fine-dining experiences in the country. Her restaurant has been widely recognized, earning mentions in the Star Tribune, Pioneer Press, Minnesota Monthly, and Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine as one of the 50 best restaurants in 2023. Soleil has been an active participant in the West Side Business Coalition, contributing her voice and experience to discussions about strengthening local businesses and creating opportunities for residents. As a WSCO board member, she plans to continue that work by supporting small business growth, economic empowerment, and community collaboration on the West Side.
Coral Gessner has been passionate about supporting her local community and the work of WSCO since moving to the West Side in 2022. She has served in many both formal and informal roles from serving on the WSCO Advisory Council to helping MC last year's annual meeting. Professionally, Coral has more than a decade of experience advancing equity, access, anti-racism, and belonging and is passionate about building opportunities for community co-creation and coalition building. She spent the beginning of her career at the Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) as a member of the team that created the first Department of Inclusion and Community Engagement in 2014, which is nationally recognized as the first department of its kind in the museum field. In May, 2023, Coral joined the leadership of Saint Paul Public Library as the Equity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism Coordinator where she now leads equity, inclusion, and anti-racism work across 12 locations and a Mobile Library. She also serves as a member of the City’s Equity Core Team advancing Mayor Kaohly Her's Racial Equity Plans for the City of St. Paul. Coral is honored to serve on the board and deepen her service to WSCO and the West Side community.
Laura Hermer is a professor of law at Mitchell Hamline School of Law. Her research focuses on reproductive rights, health coverage, and care in the United States, particularly for underserved populations. She was one of ten Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Faculty Fellows in the Future of Public Health Law Teaching (2014–2015) and founded Mitchell Hamline’s medical-legal partnership with United Family Medicine. Before joining Mitchell Hamline, Laura served as an assistant professor in the Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health and as a member of the Institute for the Medical Humanities at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. There, she developed and directed the School of Medicine’s curriculum in health economics and policy, led a multi-year research project on secondhand smoke ordinances, and directed a required graduate course in scientific integrity. Laura brings to the WSCO Board a wealth of experience in nonprofit leadership, grant writing, and community engagement. She is eager to contribute her skills and insight to strengthen the West Side community, especially during a time when financial resources may become more limited, requiring us to work harder, think creatively, and seek new funding to sustain ongoing projects and launch new initiatives that will benefit the community.
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