Dolkar will lead the state’s efforts to enhance rail safety across Minnesota
ST. PAUL, MN – Governor Mark Dayton today announced that he has named Tenzin Dolkar to serve as Minnesota’s new State Rail Director. Dolkar will replace Alene Tchourumoff in the role, after Tchourumoff was appointed Chair of the Metropolitan Council by Governor Dayton in June of this year. As State Rail Director, Dolkar will lead the Dayton-Smith Administration’s efforts to enhance railway safety, pursue needed infrastructure improvements, continue training and support for first responders, closely monitor rail movements, and coordinate with communities and railroad companies to ensure the safe and efficient operation of rail systems across Minnesota.
“Tenzin Dolkar has done tremendous work as my Chief Policy Advisor on Transportation and Agriculture during the past two years,” said Governor Dayton. “Her experience working with Minnesota's rail companies and with farmers, who need to get their commodities to market, has prepared her very well to serve as the State of Minnesota's Rail Director.”
Dolkar currently serves as a Senior Policy Advisor to Governor Dayton and Lt. Governor Tina Smith, where her work has focused on transportation, agriculture, elections, and military affairs and veterans’ affairs. In this role, Dolkar collaborated with former Rail Director Tchourumoff on Governor Dayton’s rail priorities.
“I thank Governor Dayton for the opportunity to serve Minnesotans as State Rail Director,” said Tenzin Dolkar. “Minnesota communities face challenges and opportunities as we work to ensure that our state rail systems are safe, efficient, and effective for our businesses, citizens, local governments, and railroad companies. I am honored by Governor Dayton’s appointment and look forward to leading the Governor’s Freight Rail Council”
Prior to joining the Governor’s Office, Dolkar served as the legislative liaison and public affairs specialist for the Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans. In this role, she represented the Asian Minnesotan community at the Legislature and advanced the first comprehensive study of gender-based violence in the Asian Pacific Islander (API) community on a state level. Previously, Dolkar worked at Asian Women United of Minnesota as a domestic violence advocate, as a research assistant for the Minnesota Center Against Violence and Abuse (MINCAVA), and has conducted program evaluation for the Comunidades Latinas Unidas en Servicio (CLUES).
“Tenzin Dolkar has been an invaluable advisor to Governor Dayton and me on transportation and agriculture issues,” said Lt. Governor Smith. “I am excited to see her take on the role of State Rail Director, and know Minnesotans will be well-served by her leadership and policy expertise.”
Dolkar was born in Orissa Phuntsokling, a Tibetan Refugee Settlement in Eastern India, and moved to the United States when she was 17 years old. She has a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Minnesota and a Bachelor’s Degree in International Studies/Social Work from the University of Saint Thomas. Dolkar is fluent in Tibetan and Hindi, and conversational in Oriya.
