Meet Devin Brown (she/her)! Starting as a program specialist in the summer of 2023, Devin's journey from being a transplant Minnesotan to her current role as Community Program Manager is nothing short of inspiring. Her love for the Mississippi River grew through her previous work and personal experiences, ultimately leading her to join Mississippi Park Connection in January. Learn about Devin's story, her deep connection to the river, and her mission to make it more accessible to all.

Written by: Devin Brown, Community Program Manager Mississippi Park Connection

A decade ago, I moved to Minneapolis from New Jersey with the fullest intent of learning more about the Mississippi River with the ultimate goal of completing a Source to Sea paddle. Throughout my time here there have been ups and downs, trials and tribulations but every single day I woke up and fought for the opportunity to learn from her, The River. Every move I have made in the last decade has brought me to the point where I could peacefully drift in the current and connect with her. Once I achieved that access, I was determined to make access less of a struggle for others. What an honor, as the new Community Program Manager, that I get to ensure anyone who wants to connect to the River does not have to fight as hard as I did.

I needed boats! I was determined to increase access and be my community’s gateway to healing & recreation on the Mississippi River. I learned about the Paddle Share stations from the river. Who else did not know they were available? But I figured that would be my best bet in having easy access to equipment; so, I sent an email! Little did I know that in shooting my shot, providing a healing experience to my community of North Minneapolis, I would be offered a position as a part-time seasonal program specialist with the Mississippi Park Connection, as a third job. That experience was so much fun, getting to share what I love to do with people that look like me was not an experience that I had before, but it was one that my heart absolutely needed.

I feel strongly about enabling people to build their “Wilderness Toolbox”, so I dusted off old summer camp trip-leader skills and hosted several Kayaking while BIPOC paddles in the summer of 2023. That started my relationship with Mississippi Park Connection. Previous to my role as Community Program Manager, I was an independent massage therapist, running my own profitable mobile massage practice as well as a part-time Massage Educator at Aveda Arts & Sciences. Life was on autopilot, and I was successful. While my body was losing its love for the career, I was financially comfortable. In my soul, I had always wanted to be one of those year-round camp staff members and this seemed to be the most logical way to fill that void! How could I pass up the opportunity for a full-time job with people who are equally nerdy about our river as I am?

As the Community Program Manager, I will be wearing several hats that speak to all aspects of my creativity!

I get to dream up the programmatic scheme that is in alignment with the National Parks Service’s mission, a park for all, for the future Mississippi River Learning Center, and that work starts before the ground is broken. I get the honor of designing and implementing the way people interact with the river when they come to learn at the Mississippi River Learning Center (MRLC).
Always be careful of what you ask for, now all those Paddle Share boats are my responsibility! Implementing some changes for 2024 and figuring out how to get more people to enjoy the river from on the river independently.
Partnering up with other organizations to create epic events on the river, Remember Illuminate the Lock?
The ultimate goal is to connect all the communities along the 72-mile Mississippi River National Park and Recreation Area, Dayton through Hastings.

So, if you want to collaborate on projects that pertain to getting people to the River, or want to get a group of folks to drift in her current please do not hesitate to connect (before 5/1- Memorial Day weekend I’ll be finally embarking on that journey to paddle 2,300 miles down the River from Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico- fingers crossed for rain!)

See you on the River!

In the press:

Devin was featured in this month’s MN Conservation Volunteer Magazine! Read more here.

Meet Devin Brown, our Community Program Manager