Sarah Stoesz is president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, one of the largest Planned Parenthood affiliates in the United States. Over her eight year tenure, Stoesz has focused on expanding access to reproductive health care and education, and built a strong grassroots-based advocacy effort that has led to numerous victories. Most notably, she led the twice-won electoral victory in South Dakota over two attempts to ban abortion. In so doing, she has forcefully advocated for a shift in the divisive national debate over abortion, from extremist positioning toward a more mutually acceptable and problem-solving middle ground. Before joining Planned Parenthood, Stoesz held numerous positions in politics and public policy development, including four years with US Senator Paul Wellstone, as well as spending six years as an executive with Allina Health System.  She has also served on numerous community boards, and holds a Master of Arts in Public Affairs from the Humphrey Institute at the University of Minnesota.