Interim leader of Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry now permanent

St. Paul, MN — Nicole Blissenbach is the new permanent commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, Gov. Tim Walz (D) and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan recently announced.

Blissenbach, who joined DLI in 2019, has served as the department’s temporary commissioner since August. She succeeds Roslyn Robertson, who retired after more than 34 years at DLI.

In her previous roles as DLI’s deputy commissioner and assistant commissioner for enforcement and compliance strategies and partnerships, Blissenbach worked to improve workplace safety statewide and oversaw the Frontline Worker Pay program. Before that, Blissenbach worked as an attorney for Education Minnesota for nearly 10 years. 

“As commissioner, she will continue that important work that she has already started to ensure safe and respectful workplaces for all workers,” Walz said in Dec. 21 press release. “I am grateful to Commissioner Blissenbach for stepping up to serve and improve the health and safety of Minnesota’s workers.”