SPNN Welcomes Bonnie Schumacher as Executive Director

St. Paul, MN — The St. Paul Neighborhood Network (SPNN) is pleased to announce the appointment of Bonnie Schumacher as its new Executive Director, effective April 1, 2025. Bonnie has served as a dedicated and passionate leader within SPNN for many years and has spent the last year as Interim Executive Director, where she brought clarity, compassion, and vision to the role.

Throughout her tenure, Bonnie has skillfully navigated challenges, advocated for the organization’s mission, and provided strong, steady leadership. Her deep commitment to SPNN’s core values and to the communities we serve—particularly those whose voices have historically been left out of mainstream media—makes her a powerful advocate for inclusive storytelling and access to communication tools.

“As we look ahead to SPNN’s future and growth opportunities, we are confident that Bonnie will not only provide stability and protect the heart of our organization but also lead us with a renewed vision,” said Rachelle Strasburg, Board President of SPNN. “She is eager to continue advancing SPNN’s mission of empowering communities through media and storytelling, alongside all of you, whose ideas and dedication drive our impact in a huge way. She is passionate, not only about our organization, but about supporting growth opportunities for all of our SPNN staff as well.”

Bonnie brings to the role not just a wealth of experience, but a deep belief in the transformative power of storytelling. “Storytelling is at the heart of connecting with our community,” said Bonnie. “It informs how we understand our neighbors, our city, and ourselves. I'm excited to amplify more of our community’s stories by deepening our relationships in the media and arts community, broadening our connections with immigrant and refugee communities, and strengthening relationships with elected officials and community organizers.”

As SPNN enters its next chapter, the organization remains committed to amplifying authentic voices and ensuring access to media tools and training—especially for communities that have traditionally faced barriers to representation. Since 1984, SPNN has empowered youth and adults to create media that reflects the real stories of the Twin Cities through training, cohort-based documentary programs, AmeriCorps CTEP digital literacy initiatives, and dynamic community partnerships.

You're Invited: Meet Bonnie and Celebrate SPNN!
Community members are warmly invited to meet Bonnie Schumacher and the SPNN team at our Annual Meeting and Celebration Open House, part of St. Paul’s Art Crawl, on Saturday, May 10, from 12 PM to 4 PM.
Location: 550 Vandalia St, Suite 170, St. Paul, MN 55114