LeadingAge MN Welcomes Shelli Bakken to the Team!

Posted on February 27, 2025 by LeadingAge Minnesota

LeadingAge Minnesota is thrilled to welcome Shelli Bakken to our staff. Shelli joins the association as Director of Housing Policy & Expert Support.

Growing Our Housing Capacity & Expertise

In this new role, Shelli will be supporting a growing portfolio of senior housing providers, including publicly-subsidized programs like HUD or MHFA, co-op arrangements and market rate communities. As housing policy becomes increasingly complicated between local, state and federal regulations, Shelli will be joining the talented team of policy and regulatory experts in advocating on behalf of our members.

Shelli joins the team with over 30 years’ experience in the senior living community, having worked at member organization Vivie for the past nine years as their director of resident relations and advocacy. She maintains professional credentials as a social worker, licensed assisted living director and licensed realtor. During the interview process, it was abundantly clear that Shelli possesses the lived experience and technical acumen to support LeadingAge MN and its housing members in this complex and emerging policy area.

Outside of work, Shelli lives in Golden Valley with her partner, where she enjoys biking, swimming, pickleball and coffee with close friends. She also recently became a certified end-of-life doula to support individuals and families navigating death.

Please join us in welcoming Shelli! She can be reached at sbakken@leadingagemn.org or by phone at (651) 659-1430.