Lyna Nyamwaya, a longtime resident of New Hope, has announced her candidacy for the Minnesota State House of Representatives, District 43A, which serves the communities of New Hope and Crystal. A registered nurse, adjunct professor at St. Catherine University, and entrepreneur, Nyamwaya says she is running on the belief that “when leaders listen and work for the people, communities thrive.”
“The community has given me so much. It is my opportunity to give back,” she said.
Nearly three decades ago, Nyamwaya immigrated to the United States from Kenya in pursuit of educational opportunities. She initially settled in Rockford, Illinois, before relocating to New Hope in 2002. She and her husband are homeowners and are raising their two school-aged children in the district.
Nyamwaya says her lived experience, education, and professional background have shaped her leadership and her commitment to public service.
“Coming to a new country teaches you humility and resilience. I came from Kenya with one brand-new suitcase that my mom bought for me to boost my confidence, and just $68,” she said. “You face a new culture, accent, food, weather, and education system, and you learn to adapt, and quickly realize that you cannot achieve success alone.”
After two decades of community involvement, Nyamwaya says she’s ready to take her voice to the Capitol. She brings over 20 years of experience in health care, education and entrepreneurship. She has earned degrees from North Hennepin Community College, Metropolitan State University, Concordia University, and holds a doctorate in leadership from Spalding University.
She is also the founder of Bold Impact Group, LLC, a leadership consulting firm that empowers individuals, entrepreneurs and organizations to take bold steps toward income growth and social impact.
Throughout her professional and community work, Nyamwaya has organized conferences, spoken at local chambers of commerce, Rotary Clubs, health care forums, and academic events. She has mentored students and small business owners.
Nyamwaya says all her roles are connected by a single thread: service. “Whether it was the education that I got as a student, or being an educator as a professor, it’s about exchanging and sharing knowledge. As a bedside nurse or nurse leader, it’s about serving patients and supporting staff and families.”
She sees her campaign as a continuation of this service, with policymaking as the next logical step. “It’s not just about talking advocacy, it’s about applying it. Being involved in policymaking, helping where you see a need so people thrive.”
If elected, Nyamwaya says her priorities will include expanding access to affordable health care, improving public education, fostering safe and equitable communities, supporting livable wages, environmental protection, and strengthening local businesses and labor unions.
Her experience as a Minnesota public health nurse, she says, gives her a firsthand understanding of how public policy and social determinants of health affect the well-being of communities.
“Healthy communities start with healthy systems. We need to make sure that the people caring for others have the resources and support they need,” she said.
Reflecting on her decision to run, Nyamwaya describes leadership as a way to give back to the communities that supported her journey.
“I came with nothing. Out of the kindness of many, and through my own curiosity, digging, and learning… I am here. This is an opportunity to use my experiences and expertise to serve those in our communities.”
She hopes her campaign will inspire others, especially young people and girls, to see leadership as accessible and attainable.
“I am a beneficiary of so many people’s kindness, like my illiterate grandmother, who instilled in me the value of education. My hope is that by running, I inspire my nieces and daughters to know they can aspire to and become anything they dream.”
Nyamwaya emphasizes that her story represents more than personal achievement. It’s about faith, perseverance and community. “If we want to go far, we must go together,” she said. “The American Dream is not about where you start, but how you climb the ladder of opportunities in service.”
Looking ahead, Nyamwaya says she plans to stay actively engaged with residents in New Hope and Crystal, listening to their concerns, and sharing her vision for District 43A. “It takes a village to raise someone. Now that we’re grown, it’s our turn to take care of the village,” she said.
Lizzy Nyoike is a student at the Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication and a contributing writer for MSR. She is interested in investigative and multimedia journalism.