Chris Coleman is the former mayor of St. Paul, Minn. He is also past president of the National League of Cities, and past chair of the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative. During his 12-year tenure as mayor, Coleman championed multiple placemaking initiatives that helped transform the city, and implemented strategies to increase and retain jobs across the city and region.
These accomplishments include the opening of the Green Line light rail system, and construction of several downtown projects including the CHS Field minor league baseball stadium, a luxury housing development, and Minnesota United’s Allianz Soccer Stadium. Coleman is largely credited for returning some vitality to downtown St. Paul, helping make it a more lively, diverse community.
Prior to becoming mayor, Coleman served on the St. Paul city council for four years, was an investment advisor, and public defender for Hennepin County. He earned a law degree from the University of Minnesota School of Law.