Last month, Rosa Tock shared with our Board that she will be retiring from public service and leaving her position as the Executive Director of the Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs (MCLA) on October 31st, 2025.
Rosa is retiring after 32 years of public service both in Guatemala and in Minnesota. She has served the Council for 12 years, working first from 2007 to 2010, and then from 2016 to 2025. For the last six years (2019–2025), she guided the agency with intentionality and integrity, enhancing its position within the state's enterprise.
We are very proud of the work that Rosa has accomplished over the years to implement the legislative mandate that establishes MCLA, along with the support of very talented staff and committed board members that have guided her work.
During her six-year tenure, Rosa led the Council through many difficult challenges. Since the early days of her tenure as the Executive Director, she navigated unprecedented issues that greatly affected the community, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the civil unrest after the murder of George Floyd, and a recurring political climate that villainizes our communities, particularly immigrants. Through all of these challenges, she supported our staff and partnered with many to help Latino communities be heard and seen, by amplifying their voices in state government and at the legislature. Her work has set important foundations to strengthen and make the work of the Council more trusted, visible, and effective within government and in the community. Under Rosa’s leadership, MCLA grew its budget base by 33%, adding a new staff position and increasing salaries for three key positions. This was a critical achievement during both a period of state's financial stability and uncertainty.
Rosa expressed appreciation for her years of service at MCLA: "I feel very proud of the work that we have accomplished over the years. These accomplishments would have been impossible without our successful efforts to build relationships with stakeholders and leaders in the community, various state agencies and commissioners, state enterprise's partners, advisors at the Governor and Lt. Governor's office, and at the legislature. Our efforts fostered a better understanding of Latino Minnesotans, and provided safe spaces for dialogue and progress through multiple listening sessions."
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Rosa for the years of service and dedication that have shaped our organization in profound ways. Your leadership has been invaluable, and we appreciate the commitment, vision, and hard work.
As we look ahead, we are excited to begin the process of searching for our next leader. This marks the start of a new chapter, and we are eager to find someone who will build upon our strong foundation and guide us into the future.
The Council has a succession plan in place allowing for a smooth leadership transition before Rosa’s departure. The Executive Director’s job position has been posted, and the Legislative Coordinating Commission (LCC) will lead the process to hire the new leader of the agency in coordination with the Board's search committee. The search process will begin soon, with finalist interviews expected this fall.
Let's thank Rosa Tock for her dedicated work all these years!
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The Executive Director is a key leadership position in the Council to advance equity and equality for Latino communities in the state.
The Executive Director (Director) assists MCLA with its statutory duty to advise the legislature and the Governor on issues related to economic, social, legal, and political equality for the Latino community in the state. The Director serves as the primary administrator and executive of the Council. The Director implements Council decisions and advocates for public policies recommended by the Council. The Director carries out all duties described in Minnesota Statues 15.0145.
