Staff Team

Working together, we seek nothing short of deep transformation in how the individual leaders, organizations and systems responsible for shaping Minnesota's experience of aging work collaboratively to create change.

Executive Director

Adam Suomala

(he/him)


The Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging Board of Directors named Adam Suomala President and Executive Director in April 2020.


Adam came to the role with a deep respect for the Council's work, having served 20 years at LeadingAge Minnesota - most recently as Vice President of Membership and Strategic Affiliations - and as a past President of the Minnesota Gerontological Society.


From his aging policy work in the halls of the State Capitol and in communities across the state coordinating grassroots advocacy, to his thought leadership on workforce solutions or person-directed services, Suomala has been dedicated to the field of aging since 2000.


In his role, Adam leads the collaborative in its strategic priorities and is responsible for managing all critical business functions, staff, grants and contracts of the nonprofit. He also serves as Co-Convener of the Finish Strong Funders Network. 


Suomala holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities and a Masters of Public Affairs (MPA) from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs. 

Director of Equity 
and Engagement

Chao Yang

(she/her)


Chao joined the Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging team as Director of Equity in December 2022. A first-generation Hmong American Woman, Yang has a strong commitment to the aging sector and a passion for the engagement of all cultural communities. She has a proven track record of empowering people through collective efforts and leading change through research, policy and programming.


Chao also brings a rich history of experience to the role, serving previously as an Asian Health Liaison for policymakers, supervisor of the Asian COVID-19 Response Team, Assistant Director for the University of Minnesota's Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Senior Public Health Educator for Ramsey County Public Health, and Community Health Coordinator at the University of Minnesota. She also served in key roles at Nexus Community Partners, Minnesota Council of Foundations, and the YMCA.


In her role, Chao leads the development and implementation of several projects for the Leadership Council, with a focus on strong community engagement, development, and championing diverse, equitable, and inclusive communities.


Yang holds a BS in Human Resource Development/Business Marketing Education from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities as well as a Master's in Public Health (MPH) from their Executive Public Health Administration and Policy program.

Co-Convener, Finish Strong Funders Network for Aging

Kate Seng

(she/her)


Kate joined the staff team in April 2024 to serve as Co-Convener of the Finish Strong Funders Network. In this role, she provides support and technical assistance to Minnesota’s public and private funders and works to ensure vibrant communities in Minnesota support and recognize the assets and needs of Minnesotans as we age.


Kate is an experienced professional in the nonprofit sector, with deep skills in strategy, program development, facilitation, grant review, and governance. In addition to her own consulting practice, she has held several leadership positions in philanthropy, including at the GHR Foundation, Arbor Philanthropy, Opus Philanthropy Group, and United Way.


Seng has a BA in Political Science from St. Catherine University and a Masters of Public Affairs (MPA) from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota.

Accountant

Donna Felix

(she/her)


Donna joined the staff team in July 2025 to serve as our Accountant, working on assignment as part of the Studio501 team. In this contract, she brings us over two decades of expertise in all aspects of bookkeeping, monthly reconciliations, financial reporting and other nonprofit financial management.


Donna began her career in Human Resources but discovered that she loved working with numbers when the opportunity presented itself while at her first nonprofit, HousingLink.


Felix has a BA in Human Resources Management from Concordia University - St. Paul and a Mini MBA for Nonprofit Management from the University of St. Thomas.

Consultant

Vera Ndumbe

(she/her)


Vera joined the team in August 2021 to serve as Interim Director of Equity, where she played an integral part in developing statewide efforts to create diverse, equitable, and inclusive communities in which to age. In this role, she wrote grants, provided staff support to the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, provided education trainings, and supported our Minnesota Diverse Elders Coalition. 


Today, "Dr. V" continues to work alongside the Leadership Council and our members as an ally and contractor on special projects.


Ndumbe has a BA in Social Work from Winona State University, an MA in Gerontology from Minnesota State University - Mankato, and a Doctorate in Leadership and Education from St. Mary's University.