Clarinda Solberg has spent the past fourteen years working alongside communities across Central Minnesota to improve outcomes for the people who live within them. As Director of Data Integration at United Way of Central Minnesota, she builds the shared infrastructure — data systems, cross-sector partnerships, governance structures — that helps communities turn evidence into collective action across education, financial security, and community health. In a previous role, she managed $5.495 million in federal grants across a regional network of schools, community centers, and public agencies serving more than 25,000 young people.

She is passionate about both the technical and relational dimensions of that work: designing tools that make complex data accessible to diverse partners, and facilitating the kind of honest, cross-sector conversation that actually changes how decisions get made.

Her work has contributed to United Way of Central Minnesota's Systems Change designation within StriveTogether — the second-highest recognition in the national network, reflecting sustained, measurable progress toward community change. She has presented at StriveTogether and U.S. Department of Education national convenings and to leaders from the Gates Foundation, Urban Institute, and Ballmer Group among others. She was recently invited to participate in Harvard's EdRedesign Lab and contributes statewide through the MN P-20 Education Partnership and MN Education Partnership Coalition, the latter of which she helped secure historic base legislative funding in Minnesota — a first for any StriveTogether network nationally.

She recently launched Tended Roots Collaborative — applying her skills in evidence (data), strategy, and collective action to broader community change in practice and policy. Outside of her formal role, she tends compost, forages, ferments, and shares what she grows with neighbors.