Rachel Boeke
(she/her)
Executive Director
612-722-4529
Rachel’s background is in direct-action organizing with a passion for driving progressive social change through program advocacy, volunteer engagement, event planning and public policy development. She joined the LCC team from Stevens Square Community Organization. As their Executive Director, she focused on diversification of the Board of Directors, expanding programming to support low-income residents, and reimagining Red Hot Art programming.
Prior to that, Rachel served as the Executive Director for the Minnesota Public Interest Research Group – managing social and environmental justice campaigns.
She currently volunteers as a State Legislative Lead for Moms Demand Action – engaging citizens and legislators to end the public health crisis of gun violence. Rachel graduated from the University of MN – Twin Cities with a degree in Management, Communications and Public Relations.
Andrea Tritschler
(she/her)
Communications Manager
612-722-4529
Andrea joined LCC in 2022 after working as an events and marketing manager for an independent bookstore in Greater Longfellow. Originally from Milwaukee, she’s been a reporter and editor for several newspapers and magazines in Milwaukee, Denver and beyond. Andrea graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Journalism and has a graduate certificate in Publishing from the University of Denver.
Ben Howery
(he/him)
Community Organizer
612-722-4529
Ben joins the LCC after recently completing his undergraduate in Urban Studies with a concentration in community engagement and placemaking. He joins the team from the Southeast Como Improvement Association where he gained experience in community development, event coordination, and equitable engagement.
Ben has a developed passion for understanding the complexities of urban space and the individual histories that make up the communities that surround him. He believes that the collaboration between residents and their community organizations is imperative in creating a long-lasting and successful impact.
As a community organizer, Ben hopes to assist in furthering the Longfellow Community Council’s mission and contribute to the Greater Longfellow community.
Darby Comiskey
(she/her)
Communications Intern
612-722-4529
Darby is one of the newest members of the staff and joined LCC in November/December 2023. She’s a freshmen majoring in communications with a minor in data visualization at Hamline University.
Prior to this role she’s worked as a communications intern for the Center for Gender + Sexualities at Hamline University and worked to create social media posts, posters, and helped to plan events. Before this she was a part of Students Against Destructive Decisions for 3 years as the social media coordinator, co-communications, chair, mental health chair, and on the fundraising committee. She ran the social media, brought awareness to many issues such as substance abuse, safe sex, mental health, and more, and helped to plan events for the club to educate students about making smart choices. Darby was also part of Amnesty International for four years, where she was a co-communications chair and co-president, assisting in planning events, creating social media posts, instigating student participation in events for good causes, and more.
Eleanor Wirtz
(she/her)
Racial Justice Intern
612-722-4529
Eleanor started with the LLC in December of 2023 as a racial justice intern and is currently working on propelling the council’s involvement with the “Free the Deeds” campaign. She’s currently a student at the University of Minnesota pursuing a dual major in Non-Profit Management and Entrepreneurship, with a minor in Spanish.
Although she values the community she’s found on the U of M campus, Eleanor has already become deeply invested in the Longfellow area, and the people that live there.
Her dedication to fostering positive change in the greater Minneapolis area has led her to take on a challenging role in a rapidly changing landscape. This internship marks the initial stride in her journey toward building a more equitable and sustainable society. With an unwavering dedication to defining social responsibility and a keen eye for entrepreneurial endeavors, she’s committed to making a meaningful difference in Longfellow, and in the greater world of non-profit and community-driven initiatives.