Michelle Kelm-Helgen will be program speaker at Aug. 21 Rotary Club of Edina meeting

The program for the Thursday, Aug. 21, Rotary Club of Edina meeting will feature Michele Kelm-Helgen, chair of the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority. She will speak about "New Minnesota Multi-Purpose Stadium: Tranforming Downtown East." Kelm-Helgen will provide an overview of the new stadium, including its interior and exterior features. She will also discuss the new stadium's role in spurring economic development and attracting major events.

Kelm-Helgen was appointed chair of the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority in June 2012. She leads the authority in its role of planning and designing the new stadium. Prior to this, she served as deputy chief of staff for Legislative Affairs, in the office of Gov. Mark Dayton, from 2010 to 2012. She was chief of staff for the Minnesota State Senate from 2006 to 2010. Kelm-Helgen also worked as director of Control Data Corporation’s (now Ceridian) City Venture division and later became a partner with North State Advisers, a governmental affairs/public relations consulting firm.

For over 10 years, she served as chair of the Eastern Carver County School Board, and of the school district’s personnel and legislative action committees. Kelm-Helgen was an active member of the Chaska Rotary Club and currently is a member of Club 9 Rotary in Minneapolis. She also is a member of Dunkers and serves on the board of Meet Minneapolis.

Michele received her B.A. from the College of St. Catherine, and her M.B.A. with honors from the University of St. Thomas. 

Scott Tankenoff will also give his classification talk at the meeting.

Rotary Club of Edina meetings are held at the Edina Country Club starting at 12:15 p.m. Everyone is welcome. Cost for lunch and the program is $18.