Susan Kent
Susan Kent is an experienced leader, dedicated advocate, former small business owner, and a concerned community member.
Susan has more than 20 years of professional experience in strategic marketing and media, ranging from major corporations and government to small businesses, local arts, and non-profit organizations. Much of her work was as a media director, planner, and buyer, working closely with local and national media (TV, radio, digital, magazines and newspapers) to plan and negotiate strategic media buys and promotions for her clients.
As a volunteer, Susan was a founder of the Twin Cities East Chapter of Mothers & More, a national non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of mothers through support, education and advocacy. She served several roles in school district-wide working groups and PTA and spent countless hours in district classrooms as an active parent and student advocate. Her volunteer work in child abuse prevention and prenatal counseling for high-risk women reflected her dedication to healthy families and children.
Susan spent ten years representing Woodbury in the Minnesota Senate, serving on committees for Education, Transportation and Public Safety, State Government, and Commerce. In 2020 she was elected Senate Minority Leader, becoming the first woman to lead the Senate DFL caucus.
Since retiring from the Senate in 2023, Susan has applied her public experience and perspective to strengthen our democracy and empower citizens. She has served on the board of Majority in the Middle, a nonprofit organization working to improve engagement and collaboration within political and civic life. She has also helped lead a community group of volunteers to launch Woodbury News Net, a nonprofit, nonpartisan and hyperlocal news outlet to inform and engage the people of Woodbury, the 8th largest city in Minnesota.
Susan resides in Woodbury with her husband Chris and their son Andrew, and she enjoys exploring area parks and trails in her spare time.