President’s Staff
Strategy
Jessica Durkin, Chief of 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
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.
Maggie Flaten, Assistant Chief of Staff
Maggie Flaten
Assistant Chief of Staff
As Assistant Chief of Staff, Maggie provides direct strategic support to the President. She serves, on behalf of the Office of the President, as a liaison with senior leaders and key partners in, among other units, the Research & Innovation Office, the Faculty Consultative Committee and University Senate, the Office of Information Technology, the Office of Internal Audit, and the health sciences schools. Additionally, she oversees the Board of Regents meeting material development and serves as the Office of the President liaison to the Board’s Audit & Compliance Committee.
Maggie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from the University of Minnesota Duluth.
612-625-0161
Brianna Menning, Assistant Chief of Staff
Brianna Menning
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, the Office of Undergraduate Education, the Graduate School, the Office of Equity and Diversity, Student Affairs, and Native American Affairs, as well as University Senate committees and graduate and professional student governance groups. She also connects the Office of the President to the Board of Regents Mission Fulfillment Committee and the Governance & Policy Committee.
Brianna holds a Master of Public Administration degree from Cornell University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy and political science from Bethel University.
612-626-1616
Operations
Angie Pesch, Office Manager
Angie Pesch
Office Manager
As office manager, Angie oversees the day-to-day operations of the Office of the President, including building management and security, communications, events, finance, project and administrative support to the strategy team, and supervision of the receptionist position.
Angie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology, summa cum laude, from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.
612-626-1616
Julia Thomalla, Administrative Associate
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.
612-626-1616
Emily Coil, Administrative Assistant
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.
612-626-1616