President’s Staff
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 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.
Maggie Flaten, Deputy Chief of Staff
Maggie Flaten
Deputy Chief of Staff
As Deputy Chief of Staff, Maggie provides direct strategic support to the President. She serves as a liaison with senior leaders and key partners including the Office of the Executive Vice President for Finance and Operations and its reporting units, the Office of Human Resources, Government and Community Relations, 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.
Jamie Larson, Deputy Chief of Staff
Jamie Larson
Deputy Chief of Staff
Jamie supports strategic initiatives and operations for the President. She serves as a liaison between the Office of the President, senior leaders, and partners, ensuring smooth communication and coordination across the University of Minnesota. Key focus areas include the Medical School, academic health enterprise, and health sciences colleges, the Office of Student Affairs, and the Research & Innovation Office. She is the point of contact for the Student Senate, Registered Student Government Organizations, and the Rochester, Crookston, and Morris campuses. Jamie is also the president’s office contact for the BOR Academic Health Committee
Jamie holds a master of education degree from the University of Minnesota's College of Education and Human Development and a bachelor of science degree in business economics and psychology.
Brianna Menning, Deputy Chief of Staff
Brianna Menning
Deputy Chief of Staff
Brianna Menning has worked in the Office of the President since 2021. She works on long-term strategy including the University strategic roadmap, Elevate Extraordinary 2030. She also focuses her attention on governance- working with the University Senate, including the Faculty Senate, P&A Senate, and Civil Service Senate. Menning works closely with the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost, Native American Affairs, and the Office for Equity and Diversity.
Brianna is the President’s Office liaison to the Board of Regents committees on Mission Fulfillment and Governance & Policy, as well as the University Policy Advisory Committee. In addition, she works with the University of Minnesota Alumni Association.
She has a Master of Public Administration from Cornell University and a B.A. in philosophy and political science.
Sarah Stoesz, Director of Administrative Services
Sarah Stoesz
Director of Administrative Services
As the Director of Administrative Services, Sarah provides essential administrative guidance and support within the President’s office. She plays a lead role in managing the President’s calendar, aligning daily operations with strategic priorities, and overseeing the logistical planning of various initiatives. In her role, Sarah optimizes administrative workflows and collaborates with key stakeholders to improve efficiency. She also manages the administrative team in the Office of the President.
Prior to her return to Minnesota and the University, Sarah served as the Executive Assistant to the Chief Enterprise Operations & Technology Officer at Regions Bank in Birmingham, Alabama. Previously, she held the position of Executive Assistant to the Dean of International Programs in the Global Programs and Strategy Alliance at the University of Minnesota.
Sarah holds a Master of Agriculture in Horticulture and a Bachelor of Arts in History, both earned from the University of Minnesota.
Emily Coil, Administrative Associate
Emily Coil
Administrative Associate
As an Administrative Associate, Emily provides administrative support to the Deputy Chiefs of Staff in the Office of the President. Her main duties include calendar support for the Deputy Chiefs of Staff team, managing meeting materials for the President, event planning, football suite logistics and acting as a liaison between the Office of the President and Board of Regents Office to prepare for board meetings. In her role, she works collaboratively with the administrative team to ensure smooth day-to-day operations and contributes to process improvements and efficiency.
Ellen Reed, Administrative Associate
Ellen Reed
Administrative Associate
As an Administrative Associate, Ellen provides administrative support to the Office of the President’s senior staff. Her main duties include scheduling for the chief of staff team, event and meeting coordination, and ensuring smooth day to day operations. In her role, she works with the administrative team to support key goals and initiatives and foster strong relationships with the President’s leadership team and partner’s.
Ellen holds a Bachelor of Science in Horticulture and Global Resource Systems from Iowa State University.
Jen Fuhrman, Administrative Associate
Jen Fuhrman
Administrative Associate
As an Administrative Associate, Jen provides administrative support for the President’s daily calendar including scheduling, appearance requests, security coordination, travel arrangements and related expenses.
Prior to her role, Jen served in various roles at Minnesota Carlson as Director of Enrollment for the Undergraduate Program, Senior Associate Director of Admissions & Recruiting for the MBA Programs, and as an adjunct instructor for Career Skills and Problem Solving courses for undergraduate students.
As a first generation college student, Jen is driven by the impact a college education can have on a person’s life and uses this inspiration as a guiding value in her work. Jen holds a Master of Science in College Counseling & Student Development from St. Cloud State University, and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from University of Wisconsin - Stout.
Nina Knuti, Executive Receptionist and Office Manager
Nina Knuti
Executive Receptionist and Office Manager
As the Executive Receptionist & Office Manager, Nina manages the daily operations of the front desk and office space. She is dedicated to managing and upholding an organized, accessible, and efficient space, ensuring that visitors and employees are informed and well-supported.
Nina is driven by community, curiosity, and creativity, bringing heart and drive into her professional life.
Prior to her move to the Twin Cities, Nina worked for the Chicago Blackhawks as the Receptionist & Office Coordinator. She has worked in various administrative positions throughout her career, bringing a diverse background and knowledge across industries.
Nina holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication & Media studies from DePaul University.