Former Duluth Mayor Emily Larson, who led the city for eight years and broke new ground as its first woman to hold the office, is returning to her roots in social work — this time as chief executive officer of The Family Partnership, one of Minnesota’s oldest and most respected human services nonprofits.
Her appointment was first reported earlier today by Minneapolis Star Tribune journalist Jana Hollingsworth, in a sharp, well-sourced piece that left Duluth’s local media visibly behind. Kudos to Hollingsworth and the Star Tribune team for breaking this important story — one that speaks volumes not only about Larson’s next chapter but about her enduring commitment to service.
After a year away from public life following a narrow defeat in her 2023 re-election bid, Larson told the Star Tribune the time off served as a “radical rest.” She volunteered, reflected and recharged — a pause she clearly used with intention.
Her new position, beginning next week, places her at the helm of a nonprofit that dates back to 1878 and delivers trauma-informed support for children and families, including early childhood education, outpatient mental health care and anti-sex-trafficking services. She’ll lead a staff of 80 and manage an $8 million annual budget — a scope well-matched to the scale and complexity of challenges Larson has handled before.
“This is deeply aligned with the work I care about most,” she said in her interview with the Star Tribune, calling the CEO post her “dream job.”
A Legacy of Leadership, Built on Social Work
Before her time in elected office, Larson had a long, quiet history of helping families in crisis. A trained social worker with a master’s degree in the field, she worked in housing, family systems therapy, and nonprofit leadership for over a decade in Duluth. She also became a go-to expert in organizational development — skills that clearly translated well to city hall.
Larson’s political career launched in 2011 with a successful run for Duluth City Council. Four years later, voters elected her mayor. She was re-elected in 2019 with a commanding margin, defeating two challengers and securing a second term.
Her time as mayor was marked by both innovation and tenacity. She prioritized long-term planning, expanded the city’s climate resilience strategy, invested heavily in public infrastructure, and took a data-informed approach to policy. Her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic was calm and measured, and she regularly brought Duluth’s voice into larger state and national conversations about early childhood education, regional equity and broadband access.
She was a frequent speaker at U.S. Conferences of Mayors and served on several statewide task forces — bringing Duluth a presence and gravitas on stages that mattered.
Not Without Controversy
Of course, no two-term mayor escapes criticism — and Larson’s administration faced its share, particularly over fiscal decisions.
Between 2016 and 2024, the City of Duluth’s property tax levy rose from approximately $21.8 million to $42.6 million — an increase of more than 95 percent. Her critics pointed to this as a symbol of fiscal overreach, particularly during a time when homeowners were already feeling squeezed.
Supporters, however, defended the moves as necessary to address deferred maintenance and rising legacy costs. Infrastructure doesn’t repair itself. And Larson’s team argued that avoiding painful decisions would only make things worse down the line.
Whatever your take on the numbers, there’s no denying that Larson governed with a long-term lens, often making the tough — and sometimes unpopular — calls required to keep Duluth moving forward.
A Return to Purpose
Now, in her new role with The Family Partnership, Larson circles back to the deeply human work that first inspired her — one-on-one, family-by-family service to those most vulnerable.
Outgoing interim CEO Julie Bluhm told the Star Tribune that Larson’s blend of systems thinking and human empathy made her the ideal choice to lead the organization at a time when federal funding streams remain uncertain and community need continues to grow.
Larson will split her time between the Twin Cities and Duluth, where she still resides part-time with her husband, Doug Zaun. While she may be stepping away from elected office, she’s not stepping out of the arena. Her new post may lack the spotlight of a mayoral press conference, but the impact — measured in lives, not headlines — may run just as deep.
Parting Reflections
Emily Larson’s legacy in Duluth is complex, meaningful and still unfolding. She ushered in a new generation of public service — one rooted in values, equity and long-term vision.
“I’m happy for Emily,” former Duluth mayor Don Ness said today, replying to an email request for a statement. “The Family Partnership is an outstanding organization doing important and impactful work. Emily has outstanding leadership qualities and a commitment to improving communities. The Family Partnership will significantly benefit from her leadership.”
Gary Doty, who served 12 years as Duluth’s mayor before Ness, said that although he’s not familiar with The Family Partnership, based on the reporting of its mission, “Emily Larson appears to be an excellent choice for its CEO.”
“Emily has always been a social worker at heart and one who takes the needs of others seriously and acts on their behalf,” Doty continued in an email statement. “Emily will lead with compassion and care for those who need someone to stand up for their physical and mental health needs. Her leadership experience as mayor of Duluth will be helpful as she directs her staff and communicates the needs of the people who need representation. Emily’s vast knowledge of the political system and extensive connections with elected and non-elected government leaders will be a huge advantage for her and the constituency of The Family Partnership. It is a good fit, and Emily will do a great job as CEO.”
Now, Larson takes that same experienced, non-self-serving leadership spirit back to the front lines.
We wish her well in Minneapolis. We thank her for her years of service to our city. And we offer a stick salute to the Star Tribune’s Jana Hollingsworth for first putting the spotlight back on one of Duluth’s most consequential public servants.
— Howie Hanson is publisher of HowieHanson.com and a lifelong Duluthian who cares deeply about the stories that shape his community. He served on the Duluth City Council with Emily Larson for four years. Sign up for the Minnesota Star Tribune’s North Report, covering Duluth and northeastern Minnesota.
