Presidents' Council
Sarah Stoesz served as president and CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States (PPNCS) from 2001-2022. Under Sarah’s leadership, the organization grew from a two-state region to one of the largest Planned Parenthood affiliates in the country.
During her tenure at Planned Parenthood, Stoesz co-founded and continues to play a key role with two companies: Afaxys: a manufacturer of affordable contraceptives and group purchasing organization and BRIDGE Healthcare Partners: a Managed Service Organization (MSO) / Managed Services Provider (MSP) that provides for the management and delivery of business and technical services to healthcare entities.
Prior to her time with Planned Parenthood, Stoesz spent six years as Vice President for Public Affairs at Twin Cities-based Allina Health System. Stoesz also served for four years each as a staff advisor for US Senator Paul Wellstone, and Assistant to the Commissioner for Research and Public Affairs at the Minnesota Department of Jobs and Training during the administration of Governor Rudy Perpich. She has served as a public affairs and political analyst for Twin Cities Public Television’s Almanac show and for Minnesota Public Radio, and as a member of the adjunct faculty of Metropolitan State University.
She holds a BA in Latin American History and a Master of Arts in Public Affairs from the Humphrey Institute at the University of Minnesota.