Micaela Schuneman, Esq. serves as Chief Executive Officer of Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS), a leading nonprofit provider of civil legal aid. Appointed in October 2025, she brings more than a decade of leadership in legal advocacy and public service, along with a deep commitment to ensuring equal access to justice for all.

Prior to joining SMRLS, Schuneman held key leadership roles including Deputy Director at Mid Minnesota Legal Aid (MMLA) and Senior Director of Immigration and Refugee Services at the International Institute of Minnesota. In these positions, she spearheaded initiatives that expanded access to legal resources, strengthened community partnerships, and improved outcomes for clients navigating complex legal challenges.

Raised in rural communities and shaped by her grandparents’ immigrant journey, Schuneman is passionate about empowering underserved populations and advancing social justice. Her vision for SMRLS includes expanding services across Southern Minnesota, fostering innovation in the delivery of legal aid, and building strong collaborations with community partners.

She succeeds Jessie R. Nicholson, Esq., who retired after 40 years of dedicated service, and is honored to lead SMRLS’s team of lawyers, social workers, and staff in continuing the organization’s mission to walk alongside community members as they face life’s challenges.