DRU TAO

I was raised in Saint Paul, Minnesota by parents who immigrated to the United States in 1979. My father began his career as a social worker, helping newly arrived immigrant families transition to life in the United States, and later opened a small grocery store in the Frogtown neighborhood. Growing up closely connected to the community he served, I developed a strong sense of responsibility to the people and systems around me. That connection shaped my commitment to public service and continues to influence how I approach my work today.

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Public service is deeply rooted in my upbringing.

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For 17 years, I served Ramsey County as a probation officer, working closely with individuals involved in the justice system. This experience shaped my understanding that effective public service requires both empathy and accountability. Clear expectations, cultural awareness, and consistency are essential to building trust and improving outcomes.

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As my experience grew, I took on responsibilities beyond direct casework, including supporting colleagues, improving workflows, and identifying system gaps that affected daily operations. This work led to my promotion to a Planning Specialist, where I support major technology initiatives within probation services. In this capacity, I collaborate with stakeholders across the department and serve as a bridge between staff and system developers, ensuring that technology solutions are practical, effective, and aligned with real world needs.

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These experiences have shaped how I approach my work today. I focus on connecting frontline insight with system level thinking, using collaboration, data, and continuous improvement to strengthen operations and better serve communities, especially the communities I have been connected to throughout my life. I am committed to growing as a professional and contributing to thoughtful, effective solutions that improve outcomes across public systems.