Kristin Kirchoff-Franklin working fulltime for members as she joins MAPE as Field Director

After serving in multiple roles as a MAPE member, with the latest being Statewide Secretary, Kristin Kirchoff-Franklin is now working for members.

Kirchoff-Franklin began as MAPE's Field Director last month. Why the switch? "It gave me an amazing opportunity to do the work that I love: advocating for members, and working with our incredible staff," she said. "I have a deep knowledge of what we do through serving in many different capacities in MAPE and am well-rounded in the functions of MAPE."

Kirchoff-Franklin has also served as MAPE's Negotiations Committee Co-Chair, Restructure Team lead and Region 3 lead steward.

Kirchoff-Franklin had been in state service for nearly 18 years as a management analyst with the Pollution Control Agency. Her family members are no strangers to public service: her father worked at the Department of Agriculture, her mom worked at the Department of Employee Relations, the predecessor of Minnesota Management and Budget, and her grandmother was a city clerk.

"I've been around unions my whole life. Unions are important to me because they give workers a collective voice and more power in their workplace to fight for the things they deserve. The power unions give workers is unmatched," she said.

Kirchoff-Franklin and her husband, Rich, have a 20-year-old son, 19-year-old daughter, and 16-year-old son. Besides her family, she said her "dogs are my whole world. Charlie and Cora are both Shepherd mixes and rescue dogs."

Kirchoff-Franklin is a self-proclaimed huge Minnesota sports fan, "I love the Vikings - you can catch me every Sunday watching a Vikings game and checking in on my fantasy football teams." She also enjoys watching the Minnesota Twins, Timberwolves and Lynx teams play. In addition, she competes in a cornhole and bowling leagues.

She also enjoys cooking and baking, but not following recipes. "I like trying new things. I don't use recipes - I go by feel and taste. If someone tells me to use a recipe, I use what makes more sense to me. I do this with baking, too - I have a good sense of measurements."

In addition, Kirchoff-Franklin and her family enjoy traveling. "I love Boston, it's one of my favorite places. I have a fondness for history and like to visit places that have rich histories."