Planned Parenthood Welcomes Val Jensen as Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

St. Paul, MN— Planned Parenthood North Central States (PPNCS) welcomes Val Jensen as the organization’s first Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). In her role, Val will support PPNCS commitment to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts as a key element of the organization across the five-state region.

“We are thrilled to welcome Val Jensen to our Planned Parenthood team.  She brings an incredible passion for improving the lives of communities of color across our region and a proven record of advancing equity in complex organizations,” said Sarah Stoesz, President & CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States.  “This new leadership position is an important milestone for Planned Parenthood, and we are fortunate to have such an experienced professional who is so deeply dedicated to our mission of expert sexual and reproductive health care and education for all.  Val’s expertise in cultural change and talent development will help us operationalize and deepen our commitment to equity, which will allow us to grow our positive impact across the region.”

Val Jensen has extensive experience leading cultural change and talent development, most recently serving as Director of Human Rights and Equal Economic Opportunity for the City of St. Paul.  She was previously Executive Director of Twin Cities Diversity in Practice, an association of 53 legal employers, where she led a Board of Directors that included corporate General Counsels of Fortune 500 companies, managing partners, diversity professionals and community leaders. 

She served as a County Prosecutor, staff attorney to the Honorable Justice Alan Page, and in law school administration as an Associate Dean of Multicultural Affairs.  She continues to teach an upper-level course on “Race and the Law” at Mitchell Hamline and has served on numerous community and non-profit boards, primarily focused on access and opportunities for communities of color.

“I am very excited to join Planned Parenthood and contribute my expertise at this critical time for our country and this important organization,” said Val Jensen, Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. “The mission of Planned Parenthood is inextricable from my personal mission to create a more fair, just future for all; I firmly believe that when we work together and commit ourselves every single day, we can create healthier, more equitable communities.  I’m excited to collaborate with my new colleagues and our community partners to advance reproductive and sexual health equity in this important region of our country.”

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Planned Parenthood North Central States and its subsidiary organizations provide, promote, and protect reproductive and sexual health through high quality care, education and advocacy. A member of America’s most trusted reproductive health care provider, our affiliate is proud to support and operate 30 health centers across our five-state region (Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota).  Each year, we provide health care to nearly 115,000 people and health education to more than 55,000 people in our region.