Biography

Edward Jensen is the Director of Information Technology at MEDA, the Metropolitan Economic Development Association, in Minneapolis. At MEDA, he leads the IT team, focusing on institutional resilience, strategic planning, knowledge enterprise leadership, and systems integrations. In this role, he has rebuilt MEDA’s technology infrastructure and knowledge enterprise, built a high-performing team, and positioned IT as a mission multiplier supporting the organization’s expanding impact across Minnesota and beyond.

Mr. Jensen came to Minnesota from Phoenix, Arizona, where he ran his own firm, Edward Jensen urban productions, helping individuals and nonprofit organizations advance their causes through information technology and communication strategy. His Phoenix work included The Downtown Phoenix Podcast, a critically acclaimed civic conversation program, and the lecture A Brief History of Midtown Phoenix, original historical scholarship on the development of the neighborhood he called home for many years. He was deeply engaged in Phoenix civic life, serving as a Commission Member on the City of Phoenix Arts & Culture Commission, President of the Board of Directors of the Midtown Neighborhood Association, and other leadership roles.

That pattern of civic engagement has continued in Minnesota. Mr. Jensen is the Chair of the Board of Directors for Public Art Saint Paul and provides advisory support to the Minnesota CDFI Coalition. He believes that choosing a place means participating in its civic fabric and showing up—and that sometimes an outside perspective can usefully supplement how things have always been done.

Mr. Jensen lives in Saint Paul. He spends summer evenings at CHS Field rooting for the St. Paul Saints, and updates his blog year-round (including through those long Minnesota winters) at edwardjensen.net.