President’s Staff

Jessica Durkin

Chief of Staff

As Chief of Staff to the University of Minnesota President, Jessica Durkin provides strategic guidance and support to the President. Jessica plays a lead role in managing presidential priorities and initiatives, and she is responsible for directing the operations of the Office of the President. She maintains a close working relationship with members of the President’s Leadership Team to ensure key issues impacting the U of M system are proactively addressed. Jessica also provides critical support to the President in establishing priorities, assisting with long-range planning, and coordinating the execution of strategies in support of the Office of the President.

Jessica previously served as Chief of Staff to the Vice President for Research and Innovation at the University of Michigan. She holds a Master of Science degree from Northern Michigan University.

Alex Piazza

Executive Director of Presidential Communications

As the Executive Director of Presidential Communications, Alex designs and implements executive communications strategies in support of the University of Minnesota President. Alex develops and manages a variety of communications tools and mediums on behalf of the President as part of a strategic effort to amplify the University’s achievements and priorities broadly. He also works with faculty, staff and students across the five system campuses to generate increased awareness around important presidential objectives and strategies.

Alex previously served as the Assistant Vice President for Research - Strategic Communications at the University of Michigan. He holds a Master of Science degree in general administration from Central Michigan University.

apiazza@umn.edu

Maggie Flaten

Assistant Chief of Staff

As Assistant Chief of Staff, Maggie provides direct strategic support to the President. She serves as a liaison with senior leaders and key partners in the Office of the Executive Vice President for Finance and Operations and its reporting units, the Office of Human Resources, the Office of Internal Audit, Institutional Compliance, University Relations, the Duluth campus, and the P&A and Civil Service Senates. 

Maggie also serves as the Office of the President’s liaison to the Board of Regents committees on Finance & Operations, Audit & Compliance, and University Workforce.  

Maggie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from the University of Minnesota Duluth.

mflaten@umn.edu 

612-625-0161

Brianna Menning 

Assistant Chief of Staff

In her role as Assistant Chief of Staff, Brianna works within the Office of the President and across the University of Minnesota system to liaise, connect, and support the work of the president. Her focus areas are the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost, Government Relations, the Office of Equity and Diversity, Native American Affairs, the University and Faculty Senate, and strategic planning. She also connects the Office of the President to the Board of Regents meetings and committees on Mission Fulfillment and Governance & Policy. 

Brianna holds a Master of Public Administration from Cornell University and a B.A. in philosophy and political science.

menning@umn.edu 

612-626-1616

Jamie Larson

Assistant Chief of Staff

Jamie supports strategic initiatives and operations for the President at the University of Minnesota. She serves as a liaison between the Office of the President, senior leaders, and partners, ensuring smooth communication and coordination across the university system. Key focus areas include the offices of Research and Innovation; Academic Clinical Affairs & Health Sciences; Health, Safety, and Risk Management; and Student Affairs. Jamie also serves as a liaison between the Office of the President and student governance groups, including Student Senate and Recognized Student Governance Associations (COGS, USG, PSG).

Jamie holds a master of education degree from the University of Minnesota's College of Education and Human Development and a bachelor's degree in business economics and psychology.

jamiel@umn.edu

612-624-8909

Sarah Stoesz

Director of Administrative Services

stoesz@umn.edu

Julia Thomalla

Administrative Associate

As Administrative Associate, Julia provides administrative assistance and calendar support to the Office of the President senior staff supporting key initiatives, programs, and activities, including composing, editing, proofreading, and preparing correspondence, memoranda, announcements, reports, and other written materials as needed. She also acts as the main point of contact for day-to-day facility-related items for the building and Office of the President and serves as the Departmental Facility Representative (DFR) and Key Coordinator for the Office of the President, providing back-up to the building Resource Responsibility Center Facility Lead (RRC-FL).

Julia holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Gender Studies, summa cum laude, from the University of Notre Dame.

thom8695@umn.edu

612-626-1616

Emily Coil

Administrative Assistant

As the President’s Office Administrative Assistant, Emily leads the daily operations of the front desk with a focus on customer service, organization, and efficiency, ensuring visitors are attended to professionally and promptly. She makes recommendations to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of office operations and liases with front line staff of other senior leaders to ensure open communication and provide information as needed. She also assists the Office Manager with project support, event planning, and Huntington Bank Stadium Suite preparation for home football games. 

ercoil@umn.edu

612-626-1616