Jamie O’Conner – Assistant Executive Director
Jamie O’Conner serves as the Assistant Executive Director at Family Voices of Minnesota, where she brings more than a decade of lived experience as a parent navigating healthcare, education, and community systems.
Jamie is the parent of two children, including her 14-year-old daughter, who was born with Williams Syndrome, a rare genetic condition. She has a deep connection to music, a strong curiosity about foreign languages and food, and an innate wonder for the world around her. Jamie is also the proud parent of a 12-year-old son, who loves soccer, video games, and has a deep sense of empathy and kindness. His natural ability to support his sister and his peers with inclusivity and compassion adds a unique dimension to their family experience. Jamie’s journey as a caregiver has shaped her commitment to supporting other families and advocating for strengths-based, person-centered approaches that honor the preferences, abilities, and full humanity of individuals with disabilities.
Jamie believes that peer support can transform family experiences. “It has been my connection with other parents that has had the biggest impact on my family’s well-being,” she shares. “I know my daughter is on a different trajectory because of the things I’ve learned and the support we’ve received.”
Jamie is a graduate of Partners in Policymaking (Class 34) and has completed numerous family leadership trainings over the past 10 years. She is certified in Charting the LifeCourse© as an Ambassador, Presenter, and Good Life Group Facilitator, and is a 2021–2022 graduate of AMCHP’s Leadership Lab. In 2023, she served as Co-Lead of the National Caregiver Coalition with Health Leads USA, a collaborative focused on the financial sustainability of caregiving.
Originally from the Carolinas, Jamie now lives in the Twin Cities. She enjoys road trips, biking, hiking, yoga, cooking, gardening, and spending time with her family.
Direct Line: 612-217-4291
