Minnesota Agencies

The Council will establish goals and work collaboratively to address diversity, inclusion, and equity in state government practices, including recruiting, retaining and promoting state employees, state government contracting, and civic engagement. The Council will develop a long-range plan to identify barriers to success, metrics for measuring progress, and recommendations to achieve the Council's goals. The Council will prepare a report to the Governor and the Legislature on an annual basis. The report will provide an update on the status of their assigned activities. 

Governor Tim Walz's first official action was to create the Diversity, Inclusion and Equity Council. 

On April 23, 2019, Governor Tim Walz named Chris Taylor the state's new "Chief Inclusion Officer", elevating the position to the level of assistant commissioner. Taylor is expected to guide state agencies in hiring, promotion and seeking out a more diverse array of contractors.

On March 18, 2021, Executive Order 21-13 amended the One Minnesota Council established in Executive Order 19-01 to be renamed the “Governor’s One Minnesota Council on Inclusion and Equity” (“One Minnesota Council”). Executive Order 19-01 otherwise remained in full force and effect.

In September 2023, Gov. Walz issued Executive Order 23-12, making some adjustments to the work and composition of the council and rescinding Executive Orders 19-01 and 21-13.

Originally, the Council was comprised of Commissioners from cabinet agencies as selected by the governor. The Council invited participation by members of the public to ensure that voices from the community were included. 

In 2023, Gov. Walz made some adjustments to council membership via executive order. The council now consists of:

• The Governor, or his designee, who will serve as the Chair of the One Minnesota Council.
• The Chief Equity Officer and the Chief Inclusion Officer, who will serve as Vice-Chairs of the One Minnesota Council.
• The Governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff for Public Engagement.
• Up to 11 additional members directly appointed by the Governor from state agencies: three commissioners; four deputy commissioners or assistant commissioners; and four equity practitioners.