Executive Board Info

I am Heather and work at HealthPartners, in Patient Accounting. I believe in the power of collective action and want to help lead Local 12 into a stronger, more united future. With my leadership skills, direct communication style, and commitment to transparency, I want to ensure every member feels heard, valued, and included. This isn’t just *the* union—it’s *our* union.

My goal is to foster solidarity, bring fresh ideas for both education and engagement, and create opportunities for us to grow stronger together. This is an all-hands-on-deck moment. Let’s stand up, stand together, and make Local 12 the best it’s ever been!

I am working for HealthPartners, Inc. as a Claims’ Customer Service Examiner. I have been a Local 12 member since 1/31/1985

I have been on the Executive Board for 19.5 years; as a Healthcare Sector Rep. for 2 year, Recording Secretary for 6 years, and President for 9 years. I am currently back in the Recording Secretary Position for the last 2.5 years. I also serve on the Personnel Committee, Grievance Committee and the Events Committee.

I have been a Union Steward since 1989 and the Chief Union Steward since 1996. I am passionate about helping coworkers handle employment issues and even more passionate about our contract negotiations; where over the last 40 years I was able to help produce one of the best contracts out there.

I’ve been with Park Nicollet/Health Partners for 9 years in August 2025.

I am a courier driver with Supply Chain Services working from the Eden Prairie warehouse. I have been a steward for 3 years.

I bring experience from several previous board positions and hope my time on the board will help us continue to build the momentum Local has built during our current contract negotiations.

Samantha Steele is the Union Sector Representative for OPEIU Local 12 as well as being a member who works at the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters. 

Kristin joined the OPEIU Local 12 Executive Board in June 2026, where she currently serves as a Miscellaneous Sector Representative. OPEIU is Kristin’s first formal involvement with a union, beginning in 2024 when she helped her nonprofit organization unionize for its first time and where she continues to serve as a Steward. Kristin is a firm believer in the utility of unions across fields – as a platform that provides individual laborers with the opportunity to harness their collective power and provide them with citable policies, procedures, and protections. The existence of these formal policies (produced through collective bargaining), in turn, Kristin believes, benefits management and thus strengthens and uplifts the work environment as a whole. Kristin enjoys that OPEIU represents workplaces across various industries and is excited to continue to promote cross-industry solidarity through her role on the Board.