Meet Sophie Wallerstedt, Public Affairs Manager

Hello hunger-relief advocates!

I'm Sophie Wallerstedt, and I’m the public affairs manager at Second Harvest Heartland. In this role, I lead policy development, advocate for our policy priorities at the Minnesota State Capitol, and work to build relationships and coalitions with lawmakers and staff, advocates, and other partners in hunger relief.

I grew up in Kansas, but I’ve called Minnesota home since 2009, when I moved here to study history at the University of Minnesota. I did my graduate work at the U as well, focusing on public health and public policy. Before joining Second Harvest Heartland in 2023, I did grassroots advocacy and health policy work for nonprofits like the National Marrow Donor Program, and I have over twelve years of experience advocating at the Minnesota State Capitol.

Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, gardening, and spending time with my husband Casey and our big dog and small cat at our house in Saint Paul.

A highlight of my job is working with our top-notch public affairs team! We’ve been able to make some big things happen at the legislature through grassroots and food shelf advocacy. Most recently, we worked to pass an “eggcellent” bill that will provide neighbors visiting food shelves with more access to eggs.

I’m looking forward to advocating with you for hunger-relief policies at both the state and federal levels, and I’ll be sharing more updates on our policy priorities as we get closer to the 2027 legislative session.

Thank you for using your voice to support our efforts to end hunger in Minnesota!

Sincerely,  

Sophie Wallerstedt
Public Affairs Manager, Second Harvest Heartland