Wendy Helgemo (she/her/hers) is Minnesota Management and Budget’s tribal liaison. Wendy is a lifelong advocate for American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians. She began her career more than 25 years ago in federal Indian law and policy, working with tribal nations and protecting tribal sovereignty. In Minnesota, she served as in-house counsel for the Prairie Island Indian Community and the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Indians. In Washington, DC, Wendy served as a senior advisor on Indian Affairs for United States Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid of Nevada. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from St. Olaf College and a juris doctor from the University of Colorado. Wendy is a recipient of the Distinguished Alumni award from St. Olaf College and voted Mentor of the Year from the Native American Bar Association – Washington DC. She is a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation.
