VOTE FOR YOUR NEW BOARD MEMBERS
The MAMFT Board is responsible for protecting, advocating, and expanding the profession of Marriage and Family Therapy in the state of Minnesota! We are busy advocating for our field - at the legislature, regulatory board, in the community, and more - and building connection and community amongst MFTs throughout the state.
Click Here to Vote!
MEET THE CANDIDATES |
President-ElectThe President-Elect functions as a way to support leadership growth and information gathering before succeeding to the office of the President. They provide leadership through actively participating in all decisions and utilizing the organization's resources wisely. In an event where the President is absent or unable to fulfill their role, the President-Elect presides at meetings and acts for the President. |
| Kalene Haugen, MS, LMFT, she/her I'm a white, queer, cisgender woman who was born and raised in Greater MN. I now live in the Twin Cities metro area. The majority of my work has focused on children, youth, and families at a variety of service level intensities. Currently, I oversee community-based mental health programs for children and families, such as in-home early childhood therapy, CTSS, and BHH. Outside of work time, I'm reading, video gaming, and spending time with my wife and our two dogs. We are big Minnesota Lynx fans and try to make as many home games as we can during the WNBA season! I'm passionate about championing the power of relationships in our efforts toward healing and meaning making. I'm eager to team up with like-minded folks who are serious about advocating for improved reimbursement for relational care and recognition of the unique skills of MFTs. |
Elections
An Elections Committee Member serves a three-year term and is expected to advocate for MAMFT and uphold its mission. The Elections Committee is responsible for recruiting and vetting a diverse roster of nominees for each position, for determining the eligibility of each nominee, and participates in overseeing the election process.
| Dahir Guled, MA, Pre-licensed MFT Practitioner, he/him I’m a Somali American refugee, father of five, and Minnesota resident since 1998. My lived experience shapes my commitment to serving diverse, immigrant, refugee, and underserved communities. I’ve worked in mental health since 2011 after earning a BA in Psychology from Metro State University and a Master's Degree from Adler Graduate School (2019). I serve refugees, older adults, and underserved communities facing trauma, mental illness, and chronic health conditions. I enjoy exercising, going to the gym, meeting friends at cafés, reading, exploring new ideas, and am a kickboxing enthusiast. I value lifelong learning and staying active in my community. I’m passionate about improving access for underserved communities. My nonprofit management background and clinical experience allow me to contribute while learning board elections, building partnerships, and strengthening the MFT profession through service. |
At Large
An At-Large Board Member serves a three-year term and is expected to advocate for MAMFT and uphold its mission. This is a voting position on the Board and will require active participation in all Board decisions. Each Board member is responsible for joining a minimum of one committee during their term and may change committee commitment annually during the retreat.
| Margaret Light, MA, LMFT, CST, she/her I’ve been married for 13 years & am childfree by choice. I love a good adventure & frequently seek out new experiences. I feel deeply, have a passion for learning, & am always up for a challenge! I opened my private practice in 2024, which focuses on addressing sexual & relational concerns, including sexual desire discrepancies, OCSB, & kink. I’ve discovered I love owning a business & also have a passion for supervision! I hope to expand my practice in the coming years. I enjoy hiking & traveling with my husband, playing with our dogs, & expanding my gardens. I also spend a lot of time handcrafting leather bags, a hobby I picked up after taking classes with my mom. I care deeply about this field & the work we do. I’ve gained so much, both personally & professionally, from the MFT community & feel called to give back. By serving on the board, I want to engage in work that contributes to the longevity, resilience, & ethical practice of current & future MFT's. |
| Ben Tudor, MA, LMFT, he/him I'm a white, heterosexual, able-bodied male. With those variables, and others, I find myself in socially "dominant" positions within nearly all of my dimensions of identity. "It's not a profession, it's a calling". I feel so lucky to get to be a therapist. I am proudly a generalist practitioner. I am also an AAMFT Approved Supervisor, Clinic and Practicum Director within my practice, and a Clinical Lecturer for Northwestern University's Online Program. I have 2 and 5 year old daughters, so that is all-consuming. I read everyday, exercise and yoga regularly, love watching movies, and going to music shows with my wife Everything funnels to the populations we serve- that is what I am most passionate about and supporting the systems, the therapists, and the field to better that pursuit is my main "why". I also want to learn more (I am 7.5 years into practice) from, and hang out with, cool, like-minded people. |
| Miriam Cornell, MA, LMFT, they/them I am a bisexual, trans non-binary, AuDHD person, and religious cult survivor. I have been in the field for a little over 10 years and work primarily with clients who are neurodivergent, trans, queer, and/or religious trauma survivors. I began my career doing in-home therapy and currently work in private practice. I am also a supervisor, trainer, and consultant. When I am not working, you will likely find me outside or wishing I was outside. I love hiking, camping, reading, listening to fantastic music, and watching all the soccer all the time. As someone who got to be part of the conference planning committee this past year, I got a little peek into all the ways that MAMFT is working to make an impact on our profession. I want to be a diverse voice advocating for more changes and great educational and networking opportunities. |
| Katherine Sciandra, MA, LAMFT, she/her I came to the profession late in life and have no regrets. I am a parent, a Buddhist, and a bit of a bon vivant. I am currently in practice at Interna Mental Health in Minneapolis. I am the author of an internationally published book on mindfulness and come from a background in the arts, ran an integrative healthcare practice, started a product line, and have an extensive background in adult education. I like to make and consume art, read, be outdoorsy, and mess with minor home improvement. I have been very proud to serve on the board for the last three years and to support and lift up the profession. This is an amazing group of people, and I am looking forward to working alongside them in the future. |
| Muhammad Samim, MS, Pre-licensed MFT Practitioner, he/him Kashmiri, immigrant, multilingual, and culturally responsive. I see the world through a cultural lens, with a deep commitment to serving underrepresented communities in Minnesota and beyond. I’m a pre-licensed Marriage and Family Therapist serving individuals, couples, and families. I’m trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy, trauma recovery, and sex therapy, and I’m committed to expanding culturally responsive, accessible mental health care. I spend time with family, cooking, reading, enjoying nature, and exploring different cultures and communities, always curious about the stories and traditions that connect us. As a pre-licensed MFT, I’ve lived the roadblocks of entering this field. I want to reduce those barriers, advocate for MFT pay parity, and bring more people from marginalized, diverse, and rural communities into MFT so everyone can start their career and access care. |
| Minnesota Association for Marriage and Family Therapy2136 Ford Parkway #8068 Email: info@mamft.net |
