Back of House: Alicia Pearson, small town mayor, statewide STR advocate

Updated on March 3, 2026

Feature Image: Alicia Pearson, Executive Director of Minnesota STRA (right) at the LMC awards

Alicia Pearson ran for mayor of Lanesboro, Minnesota, because she wants the town to prosper long after she’s done raising her two sons, 12 and 14.

“I love my town, and I don’t want to have to leave it when I get older due to a lack of resources for aging in place,” Alicia said. “And I want my sons to be able to come back after college, if they choose to go, so we need more starter housing and well-paying jobs. If I want to see those things happen, I have to be willing to get involved and do the work now.”

That philosophy – don’t complain, contribute – also defines her work as Executive Director of the Minnesota Short-Term Rental Association (MNSTRA).

She joined MNSTRA part-time in November 2025 as its first Executive Director. 

“MNSTRA was in need of someone to take the board’s vision of being the voice of the Minnesota STR industry and have the passion and energy to bring that to life,” said David Liedl, President of the MNSTRA Board. “Alicia has been that catalyst for us. As the Executive Director, she keeps our goals moving forward and brings so much energy and positivity to the entire organization.”

Policymaker and operator

Alicia brings an uncommon perspective to the role as an elected policymaker and former short-term rental owner and host.

As mayor of Lanesboro, population 712, she hears from residents concerned about the neighborhood impacts of short-term rentals. She also sees the tax revenue and economic lift short-term rentals bring to small towns.

“It really shapes my perspective because I get to hear both sides of the STR arguments,” she said. “I get to deeply understand what people are worried about, what pitfalls hosts can fall into, etc., while also seeing the positive impact STRs have on a local economy. Especially in a small town like mine.”

Lanesboro regulates short-term rentals through zoning, requires lodging tax collection, and allows variances at the City Council’s discretion.

Her service on Planning and Zoning and involvement with the Chamber of Commerce give her a granular understanding of how local rules are written and how quickly misunderstandings can escalate.

“What makes Alicia such a special leader is the perspective and heart she brings to everything she does,” said Abbi Booth, Rent Responsibly Director of Alliance Operations. “As a mayor, she has a firsthand understanding of how local government truly works, from the role of boards and public input to how regulations take shape and decisions get made.”

Before becoming mayor, Alicia was a host herself.

She bought and operated a historic bed-and-breakfast built in 1897 while living in San Antonio, using it to generate supplemental income for her family. She and her family also prefer short-term rentals when traveling.

“I love vacation rentals because they keep money local,” she said. “I prefer to spend my money with individuals and small businesses rather than large corporations with no real connection to the community. Vacation rentals can help families stay afloat and help towns thrive.”

STR advocate

Alicia discovered the MNSTRA role on a Minnesota nonprofit job board and immediately connected with the mission.

“I sought this position because I have become much more aware of how organizations like this can shape policy,” she said. “I want to help ensure that short-term rentals can exist responsibly in cities and towns across Minnesota. Families should have the right to use their property in ways that support their livelihoods while respecting their neighbors.”

Her day-to-day work includes responding to member emails, supporting board meetings, planning events, managing communications, tracking policy developments, and keeping the organization operational.

“The most exciting part [of the job] is seeing members feel supported and less alone,” she said. “When someone realizes they have resources, information, and a community behind them, it changes how they show up. I get to be a part of that change.”

One early milestone was MNSTRA’s kickoff webinar on Dec. 20, 2025.

“We were intentional about making it feel personal rather than scripted, and gave board members space to show up as themselves. We also saw strong membership sign-ups on day one,” Alicia said.

Nine people joined during the kickoff event in addition to the five-member board. The organization now has about 25 members and continues to grow.

“In her short time with the Minnesota Short-Term Rental Association, she has already made a meaningful impact,” Abbi said. “She has built strong connections with the board, launched webinars and events, and started bringing members together in thoughtful ways.”

Outside of her professional roles, Alicia remains deeply involved in community life.

In addition to serving as mayor, she writes poetry with the Driftless Poets Society and has even won a grand prize at a competition. She also enjoys walking her dog, Zeera, along the Root River Trail and reading on her porch.We

One of MNSTRA’s main goals for 2026 is to continue growing its membership, so it has “a stronger, more unified voice in shaping local and state regulations that impact our industry,” she said.

The association also plans to expand member resources, including webinars with experts and practical tools that help our members stay informed and operate responsibly.
“Minnesota is lucky to have [Alicia’s] leadership,” Abbi said, “and our team continues to learn from the insight and care she brings to this work every day.”

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