Meet Rena Moran

Ramsey County Commissioner, District 4

Rena Moran is the Ramsey County Commissioner for District 4, serving a large section of Saint Paul, including Union Park, Hamline-Midway, Frogtown, Summit-University, North End, Downtown, Summit Hill, Macalester-Groveland, and Highland Park.

Commissioner Moran continues to champion housing, public safety, workforce development, criminal justice reform, social services, and community engagement. Her work in Ramsey County also focuses on the child welfare system, family support services, economic development and small businesses, early childhood education, mental health, substance abuse, and environmental challenges.

A former member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, Rena was the first African American to represent Saint Paul. She served six terms before being elected Ramsey County Commissioner in 2022. In the Minnesota House, she served as Chair of the Ways and Means Committee and the Health and Human Services Policy Committee.

As a legislator, Rena worked tirelessly to protect children in the child welfare system, advance early childhood education funding, and reduce disparities—while also advocating for affordable housing, economic opportunity for all, and women’s rights. She continues this focus as Ramsey County Commissioner, remaining committed to engaging in county work through a race equity lens.

During her service at the State Legislature, Rena also served as House Deputy Minority Leader, Chair of the People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus, and Chair of the United Black Legislative Caucus. On the national level, she served as Executive Secretary of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators and as Midwest Region Coordinator for the National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women. She is currently the Parliamentarian for the National Foundation of Women Legislators.

Rena holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Southern Illinois University and is a graduate of the Bush Foundation Fellowship, Humphrey Policy Fellowship, and Henry Toll Fellowship. She is a former Director of Prevention Initiatives and Parent Leadership at Prevent Child Abuse Minnesota / Minnesota Communities Caring for Children.

Rena is married and the proud mother of seven children and grandmother to 15 grandchildren.

Committees & Commissions

Commissioner Rena Moran serves on over 20 committees, commissions, and boards at the county, state, and national levels. Her leadership reflects her deep commitment to uplifting Ramsey County residents and advancing equity, safety, and opportunity for all.

County Leadership Committees

  • Chair – Budget Committee of the Whole

  • Chair – County Court Joint Committee

  • Chair – Metro Mosquito Control District Committee

  • Chair – Heading Home Ramsey: Continuum of Care

  • Vice Chair – St. Paul Children’s Collaborative

  • Vice Chair – Legislative Committee of the Whole

  • Vice Chair – Safety and Justice Service Team Committee of the Whole

Other County Committees & Assignments

  • Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee

  • Joint Property Tax Advisory Committee

  • Rethinking I-94 Committee

  • St. Paul Promise Neighborhood

  • Youth Justice Transformation

  • Economic Growth and Community Investment (EGCI) Service Team Committee of the Whole

  • Health and Wellness Service Team Committee of the Whole

  • Information and Public Records (IPR) Service Team Committee of the Whole

  • Strategic Team Committee of the Whole

  • Housing and Redevelopment Authority

  • Regional Rail Authority

State Committees & Commissions

  • Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC) District 10

  • Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC) Health & Human Services Policy Committee

National Committees & Boards

  • National Association of Counties (NACo) Justice & Public Safety Committee

  • National Association of Counties (NACo) Large Urban County Caucus