Duane Ninneman

Duane Ninneman

Executive Director

Envelope Linkedin

Duane Ninneman (he/him) joined CURE in 2005. Before his executive appointment in 2013, Duane led CURE’s climate and energy program. As Executive Director, he has taken the lead in deepening stakeholder engagement to achieve meaningful and lasting results across several sectors: watershed sustainability, climate solutions, rural renewable energy adoption, and grassroots rural democracy. He believes that real progress toward sustainability can only come from honest assessments and a genuine understanding of the complex dynamics affecting our rural communities and the environment.

Duane is a recognized rural environmental leader and organizer and enjoys sharing his understanding of rural history, culture, and the environment as a public speaker, educator, and network weaver. Duane graduated from St. Olaf College. His life away from work is tied to his farm and family in Big Stone County, MN, and a passion for rural and political organizing.

See All Staff Bios
Scroll to Top
Kelsey Olson

Kelsey Olson

Director of Environmental Stewardship

Envelope Linkedin

Kelsey Olson (she/her) joined CURE in 2025 as its Director of Environmental Stewardship. As a skilled environmental naturalist, Kelsey’s work focuses broadly on environmental education and advocacy with a keen focus on rural land use and how that use impacts our environment and climate. Working Lands, how land is used to support agriculture and forestry, is a key focus of her work. She brings 15 years’ experience in public communication, environmental education, and rural community engagement – strong communication strategies are core in her work. This includes two terms of service with AmeriCorps in the VISTA program in Oregon and Maryland and a nearly 10-year career as a naturalist followed. She recently worked on communications and marketing for rural economic development.

Kelsey lives in New London, MN, with her young children, husband, dog, and two cats. They enjoy spending time together outside and finding small treasures in nature. Visits to Minneapolis often include visits to one of their favorite historical museums, the Minnesota Swedish Institute. Kelsey enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, whether this is canning local produce, making kombucha, or other treats!

Rural voices are being left out of big decisions — Don't let yours be.

Share Your Story