Background:
Sør-Trondelag Nursing College (1984). Criminology intermediate course (1998).
State Secretary, Ministry of Children And Equality (2005-current).
Head of Department, Church City Mission (2002-2005).
Political adviser, Ministry of Children and Family Affairs (2000-2001).
Adviser, Project Manager, acting Chief Adviser, Norwegian Board of Health (1999-2000).
Reports Manager and Project Manager, Norwegian Board of Health (1995-1999).
Assistant Director, T5 Rehabilitation Centre (1992-1995).
Consultant, Department for Environmental Health Care, city of Oslo (1989-1992).
Consultant, Directorate for Health Affairs (1988-1989).
Nurse\department nurse, Radiumhospitalet/Comprehensive Cancer Centre (1984-1988).

Other appointments:
Second deputy member of the Storting, Oslo Social Democratic Party (2005-2009).
Member, executive committees of the Vestre Aker Social Democratic Party and the Oslo Social Democratic Party (2005-current).
Board member, REFORM, resource centre for men (2005-current).
Board member, advisory board on substance abuse (2003-2005)
Board chair, SAFIR centre for voluntary efforts to combat substance abuse (2003-current).
Board chair, Hudøy holiday camp (2003-current).
Member, Oslo City Council (1999-2003).
Member, Norwegian Nurses Association Executive Committee (1998-2000).
Board member, resource centre for gender equality (1997-2000).
Member, gay rights movement lobby group on registered partnerships (1988-1993).
Leader, Det Norske Forbundet av 1948, a gay rights association (1987-1991).