Minnesotans from diverse backgrounds, political parties, and ideologies gathered on April 16 for an evening to recognize Minnesota’s civic culture, innovative leadership, and a commitment working together across our differences to build trust and improve lives — and to celebrate the people and ideas that make our state unique, and to celebrate our 2026 honorees: Sue Abderholden and Paul Williams.

View photos and video from the event below!

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Our Honorees

Sue Abderholden

Paul Williams

Sue Abderholden

Sue Abderholden retired in 2025 after serving as the executive director of NAMI Minnesota for 24 years. She held leadership positions at Arc Minnesota, PACER Center, and the Minnesota office of Senator Paul D. Wellstone. Her career focused on improving the lives of people with disabilities and mental illnesses and their families by increasing public awareness, changing public policies, and organizing people to create change. Sue was on the White House lawn for the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. During her time at NAMI Minnesota, she served on multiple task forces and committees and conducted systems advocacy at the state legislature by identifying problems and solutions, drafting legislation, educating legislators, and testifying multiple times. Sue has always believed in the power of people’s personal stories, and her famous quote is that “the mental health system isn’t broken, it was never built.”

Sue is well-known for her ability to take complex issues and explain them in everyday terms. Her legislative efforts were wide-ranging, including children’s mental health, adult mental health, criminal justice, employment, housing, suicide prevention, health care, and more. Sue received a BA from Macalester College and an MPH from the University of Minnesota, and currently serves as a community faculty member at the University of Minnesota in the School of Social Work. 

Paul Williams

Paul Williams retired as President and CEO of Project for Pride in Living, Inc. (PPL) in 2024, after serving for over a decade as the leader of one of Minnesota’s premier housing and human service organizations. A son of St. Paul’s historic Rondo community, Paul previously served as Deputy Mayor of the City of St. Paul, overseeing all city operations and leading the city through complex community projects including the construction of the Green Line light rail project and the construction of the CHS Field ballpark. Paul also provided critical leadership in the creation of the City’s racial equity framework. Prior to his role at the City, Paul spent two decades leading local and national community development investments in our toughest neighborhoods, first as a Grantmaker at the Saint Paul/Minnesota and Minneapolis community foundations and then as an executive with the Local Initiatives Support Corp. (LISC), one of the nation’s largest community development financial institutions (CDFIs). Paul is known locally and nationally as a true champion of community voice and lower income neighborhoods.

An integral part of Paul’s work in community has always been serving in board and volunteer service positions. Paul currently serves as the Chair of the 9th District Federal Reserve Board as well as the Chair of HealthPartners Inc. He serves on the board of the Destination Medical Center and has served in leadership roles with the Itasca Project, St. Paul Port Authority, the Minnesota Ballpark Authority, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity and numerous governmental boards and commissions. Paul is a proud graduate of the Humphrey School of Public Affairs (MA) and St. John’s University (BA). 

Citizens League was proud to recognize our two honorees: Sue Abderholden, leader in mental health advocacy and former executive director of NAMI Minnesota, and Paul Williams, champion of community voices and former President and CEO of Project for Pride in Living, Inc. (PPL).

Click their photos to learn more about our honorees.

Honoree Videos

Our thanks to our partners at Mojo Solo for producing these short videos on our honorees!

Citizens League
400 Robert St N, Suite 1820
St. Paul, MN 55101
(651) 293-0575