Chief of Staff Imee Cambronero

Imee Cambronero is chief of staff at the Minnesota Department of Health, where she advances the Commissioner’s priorities and oversees cross-agency work in communications, legislative relations, IT, data, and analytics. She helps ensure that policy, public engagement, and data-driven decisions are aligned to protect and improve the health of all Minnesotans.

Professional background

Prior to joining MDH, Cambronero led 3M’s international giving efforts and chaired 3M’s Asian Employee Resource Network, advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in corporate philanthropy and employee engagement. As the senior director of Evaluation, Research, and Learning at the Minneapolis Foundation, she led initiatives to mobilize funds for racial justice and embed equity-driven strategies into organizational frameworks. She continued to share her expertise as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Minnesota and St. Catherine University, teaching public health program design, implementation, and evaluation. 

Cambronero brings a decade of global experience providing training and technical assistance to organizations such as the Government of Tanzania’s Ministry of Health, the World Food Program, Save the Children, and CARE. Her work has supported public health initiatives addressing HIV/AIDS, maternal health, and food security. She began her career in public service, working for Congresswoman Betty McCollum in both Washington, D.C., and Saint Paul. 

Driven by a commitment to social justice and community well-being, Cambronero volunteers her time in arts, education, and philanthropic leadership efforts. Her contributions have been recognized with the University of Minnesota Alumni Service Award. 

Educational background

Cambronero holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in public health from the University of Minnesota, where she was also a pre-doctoral candidate in adolescent health at the Healthy Youth Development Prevention Research Center. She is an alumna of the Harvard Young American Leaders Program.