Watch My Remarks from My Second Swearing-In and Being Voted-In as Board Chair
On January 3, 2023, I took the Oath of Office for the second time and began a new term as Hennepin County Commissioner serving the residents of District 2 and Hennepin County. As I begin my second term in office, I am grateful for your partnership and am proud of all we have been able to achieve together. I also know how much more our communities need from governments, and I am dedicated to continue fighting to improve the lives of residents.
On January 3, 2023, during the first Board meeting of the year, my colleagues unanimously elected me to serve as Chair of the Hennepin County Board. At age 37 and a daughter to Filipino immigrants, I am proud to be the first person of color to ever serve as Chair of the Hennepin County Board.
Minnesota is made up of 87 counties, the largest of those is Hennepin County with a population of 1.3 million people. Counties are governed by a Board of Commissioners. Hennepin’s Board is made up of seven individuals who represent specific geographies and serve four-year terms. Each County Board elects a Chair to lead the Board. Chairs lead most formal board meetings and proceedings, are responsible for board assignments, and often set the tone or direction for the County.
I’m honored to have been re-elected to my second term and to have been elected Board Chair unanimously by my colleagues. See videos of my remarks below and the text of the speeches as prepared.
Remarks after My Second Swearing-In
Remarks after Being Voted-In as Board Chair
Swearing-In Remarks as Prepared
I am Commissioner Irene Fernando, but you can call me Commish. I use she/her pronouns, and I am full of gratitude and pride to get to be your Commish for another four years!
I am the youngest woman to serve on the Hennepin County Board, alongside my friend and colleague Angela Conley we are the first and only commissioners of color since Hennepin’s founding in 1852, and I am the first Filipino-American to be elected in the state of Minnesota.
I share these important milestones because they are not mine alone. I stand before you as a collection of countless told and untold stories from those who have come before me…
Ordinary people engaging in the extraordinary, movements of people who chose to pave path where there was none… and not for their individual gain, but for a chance to build communities that are more compassionate, more vibrant, more just…
These ideals are not only possible, they are within reach for Hennepin! It will take all of us to get there, and we can achieve this vision for residents today and for generations we have not yet met.
Out of the 1.3 million people who live in Hennepin County, only 7 people get to have this job, just 7 of us have the privilege of serving in this role. So today, I renew the promises I have made since day 1 of my first campaign in 2017:
I am here to advocate for those who are marginalized or structurally disenfranchised.
I am here to partner across all layers of government to advance our most complex issues.
And I am here to expand who sees themselves in the story of leadership and politics.
It is not enough for us to dream about the world we wish to create. We must also ask ourselves, “What are we willing to give up, in order to create that world? What are we willing to do, risk, challenge, invent?”
It is an absolute honor to be your Commish. A heartfelt thanks to each of you for your contributions to Hennepin’s mission and to our communities. Thank you for believing in what’s possible and in the vision we have created together.
I am here because of you. I am leading with you and for you. I am humbled by your support, and I promise to work very hard every single day to make sure our stories have a seat at this decision-making table.
While I proudly am the first of many things… I can assure you that I am not the last! So to all the young people out there who have been told you're not ready to lead, or to anyone who has been told to wait your turn, this term is for you. Thank you!
Board Chair Election Remarks as Prepared
Thank you, Commissioner Greene. And thank you, all. It’s an honor to be elected Chair of this Board.
I’d first like to thank my colleagues for your trust in me. Hennepin’s mission is important and I am certain we have a strong year ahead of us!
A heartfelt thanks goes out to the residents of District 2 and Hennepin County. Your voice and values allow each of us to serve. I reaffirm my leadership commitment to deliver change, promote innovation, and advance equity on your behalf.
I’m also grateful for Hennepin Staff and Administrative leaders. Over the last four years you have taught me a great deal. We’ve worked in partnership and have made important strides in advancing how we approach solutions and serve residents, together.
Finally, I want to thank Chair Greene. My tenure at Hennepin County has been under your leadership as Chair. From the beginning, you have led Hennepin admirably and have invested in my leadership. Your thoughtful, composed, collaborative approach has enabled the Hennepin County Board to be functional and innovative in an era marked by crisis and unprecedented challenges. I am grateful for your leadership and your friendship.
This is a historic day. At age 37 and a daughter to Filipino immigrants, I proudly sit before you as the first person of color to ever serve as Chair of the Hennepin County Board.
Four years ago, in my swearing in speech, I spoke about the importance of titles… the titles I’ve carried with me all my life, as well as those I’ve held onto more recently – from Ate, meaning older sister or cousin, to Commissioner, and now today, I am honored to lead with this new title of Chair of the Hennepin County Board.
Thank you all, once again. I look forward to the year ahead of us. We have a lot of work to do!
I will now proceed with the meeting. The next order of business is to nominate a vice-chair. I will now open nominations for vice chair.