Serving the four southeast Minneapolis neighborhoods
KEEWAYDIN · MINNEHAHA · MORRIS PARK · WENONAH
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Executive Director
Sarah Friedman
Sarah brings over a decade of experience in nonprofit leadership, community engagement, and public policy to her role as Executive Director of the Nokomis East Neighborhood Association (NENA). Since joining NENA in 2022, Sarah has been dedicated to fostering inclusive, neighbor-led initiatives that build connection, resilience, and joy across the Nokomis East neighborhoods.
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With a background in program management, grassroots organizing, and cross-cultural communication—including service in the Peace Corps—Sarah is passionate about equity, collaboration, and making local government more accessible. She holds a Master’s in Public Policy with a focus on Nonprofit Management from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs.
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Outside of work, Sarah enjoys spending time with her family, volunteering, rock climbing, and exploring Minneapolis parks. She’s proud to call South Minneapolis home and is honored to lead the organization into its next chapter.
Outreach & Administrative Manager
Megan Stone
​Megan's role with NENA includes managing committees and programs, communications, and volunteer and community engagement. She has worked for over 20 years in the nonprofit sector, and has experience in program direction, and project and volunteer management. Megan is thrilled to support capacity building, community connections and communications to elevate NENA's presence and offerings to the Nokomis East neighborhoods.
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Having worked primarily in human service organizations and most recently as a Program Director for a food shelf prior to NENA, Megan advocates for equitable access to resources for all. Megan believes that clear and accurate messaging, relationship building, and organization are key to building a more equitable and engaged community.
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Megan spent her 20s in the Ericcson Neighborhood and now lives in New Brighton with her husband and their blended family of four kids. She is passionate about all things food and cooking, with hosting and preparing meals for friends and family as her favorite pastime.
Community Care Steward
Audrey
McCann
Audrey McCann is the Community Care Steward for NENA, a temporary role that runs through July 31, 2026. In this position, she offers spiritual and emotional support to neighbors, business owners, food shelf participants, and other members of the Nokomis East community. Her goal is simply to be a comforting, grounded presence—whether through one-on-one check-ins, group self-care activities, or helping people find a moment of calm.
Before moving into community care, Audrey earned a Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies from the University of Texas at Austin. Her earlier career in journalism, branding, and user experience design still shapes how she listens and connects with people. She's now finishing two Master's degrees at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities and training to become a Unitarian Universalist minister.
Originally from Texas, Audrey now lives in Keewaydin with her partner and their three senior pets. She's passionate about building community resilience—helping neighbors build self-care skills, strengthen connections with each other, and feel supported through life's hard moments and everyday stresses alike. In her off time, Audrey enjoys learning to garden, reading cozy fantasy novels, and playing games with friends.