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My name is Lisa Eng-Sarne and I am running for re-election to the West St. Paul City Council in 2024! If we haven’t met in person (we should fix that), let me tell you a little more about myself. My husband, Chad, and I purchased our home on Emerson Avenue West thirteen years ago and have loved every minute living here. We were looking for an affordable home in a safe and connected community, and we found that in West St. Paul. At that time, I worked at the state legislature where I gained insight on how to advocate for my city and how to respectfully debate. Additionally, I gained a better understanding of the public and private partnerships it takes to build a successful city and how to best serve my constituency.
In the private sector, I have over fifteen years of experience in communications, public relations, marketing, and project management. Distilling complicated information for the public to better understand has always been a part of my work. For 11 years, I was also a leader on and off the track for the Minnesota RollerGirls, now known as Minnesota Roller Derby. In addition to captaining teams and playing the sport of roller derby, I helped raise over $100,000 for charity partners. Every winter, I also participate in the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Minnesota, raising thousands of dollars for the organization. My younger sister, Molly, is a Special Olympics athlete and she is a huge motivator behind my support. I grew up just down the road from here, in Maplewood, and attended North St. Paul High School, where in one game I scored three goals in one game against South St. Paul’s hockey team (I feel like that’s a must-mention in West St. Paul). My mom is a lunch lady in the Maplewood-622 School District, and my dad is a union electrician. Following high school, I graduated from the College of St. Benedict/St. John’s University, with a degree in communication and a minor in peace studies and conflict resolution.
I’ve also volunteered for Ramsey County SOS as an advocate for survivors of sexual assault. This involved hospital outreach, as well as staffing a 24-hour crisis line. While this work was difficult, it gave me a better understanding of police and emergency services, public health, and access issues that many people face. Being a crisis advocate also has helped me be a better advocate for all citizens.
By the time the November election is here, I will have served as a council member for nearly six years and it feels like we are just getting started making traction in advancing our city. I’m very proud of how far we’ve come but know that the work is still just getting started. I plan to keep using my strong, positive, and forward-thinking voice to create transparency and trust within city government. I understand the importance of truly listening to constituents and l look forward to hearing all of your ideas and passions. I love this city and I would be honored to continue to serve you as a member of the West St. Paul City Council in Ward III.
Experience:
Public policy, project management, conflict resolution, advocacy, legislative process, community relations, leading teams (professional, roller derby, and volunteer), social media, marketing and communications, public utilities
Values:
Compassionate, accountable, hard-working, curious, enthusiastic, tough, supportive, always a team player
I am running this campaign on public policy experience, advocacy, transparency, and constituent empowerment!
On January 28, 2019, I became the first woman ever appointed to the West St. Paul City Council. Since that day, I have been working hard to prove to the citizens of West St. Paul that I am here to work for you. I saw the need for fresh, empathetic, experienced, and enthusiastic leadership, and have stepped up to fill that need. It has been an honor to serve on the city council and now I am asking for your vote in order to continue serving you in Ward III.
Through my years of experience listening to constituents during my time working at the Minnesota Senate, I learned that we create change and better policies when we all work together. That same insight has given me the tools to fight for West St. Paul at a local, county, and state level, pushing for changes to make West St. Paul better. In my first months in office, I testified on behalf of West St. Paul in three different legislative committees. Not afraid to jump right in, this included testimony in front of both Minnesota House and Senate committees around critical local infrastructure needs.
I have also prioritized heightening the city’s visibility. This includes representing and advocating for West St. Paul at county meetings, with the League of Minnesota Cities (as a member of the 2020 Improving Local Economies Committee, participating in the annual three-day conference in Duluth, as well as multiple leadership trainings, and the Minnesota Cities Day On the Hill), and the Metro Cities annual meetings. I collaborate with both the Dakota County Chamber as well as the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce. I am working hard to strengthen our relationships with partners to advance the city further.
I have the honor to serve as the council liaison to the West St. Paul Environmental Committee, helping to empower our own community members to create change that helps conserve our environment, resources, and tax dollars. The committee is making great progress toward Green Steps goals, has become a Bird City USA, passed a climate resolution sent to Congress, and is working to encourage native plantings throughout the city. I am so proud of the progress made and look forward to supporting the committee’s work further!
With your support, I plan to keep using my experience and passion to fight for West St. Paul!