Humphrey Policy Fellows

Abdulrahmane Abdul-Aziz is the Itasca project coordinator with the GREATER MSP Partnership where he coordinates cross-sector regional strategy in conjunction with their executive leadership council, and their working team consisting of executive leadership from business, philanthropy, public sector, and private sector CEOs. He drives execution on strategic internal and external bodies of work including leading selection for the National and Minnesota Young American Leaders Program (YALP/MYALP), advancing dialogue on getting CEOs civically engaged, and supporting inclusive economic indicators such as talent recruiting and retention, early childhood development, affordable housing, and workforce development. He earned his master’s degree in sociology and dual bachelor’s degrees in political science and sociology from Minnesota State University, Mankato. Outside of work, he serves as the alumni engagement chair for the New Leaders Council-Twin Cities chapter, and he was a graduate of the NCL-TC class of 2022. You can find him visiting new restaurants, writing, or powerlifting in his free time.

Tabatha Barrett serves as the senior director of social services and innovation for DARTS. She earned her master’s degree in social work from the University of Minnesota and is a licensed independent social worker. Tabatha has 15 years of experience working in aging services. She enjoys program development and influencing policy. Tabatha resides in St. Paul with her husband, Matt, three daughters, two cats, and a golden retriever. Outside of work, you’ll find her watching one of her daughters’ volleyball games or archery tournaments, hiking with her dog, or curled up with her cat and a good book.

Tom Bird is the refugee and immigrant program case coordinator at the Advocates for Human Rights, where he has worked since 2020. He connects immigrants new to Minnesota and the Dakotas with free legal services for asylum and labor trafficking cases. Increasingly, his work serves unaccompanied child immigrants, building on a previous career in education. Tom holds a bachelor’s degree in global studies and Spanish and Portuguese studies from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities and a master’s degree in global public policy from Central European University and the Institut Barcelona d’Estudis Internacionals. Tom was born and raised in Minneapolis, where he currently lives and enjoys biking year-round.

Eric Broker is a marketing, communications, and social venture development consultant. Previously, he served as the marketing and communications director at Minnesota Opera. He is an arts and culture journalist, having written for Twin Cities Pride Magazine and craft lifestyle publication The Growler Magazine, and a singer, having been praised by the Star Tribune for his “smooth, articulate baritone.” He was a Fellow with the New Leaders Council and the OPERA America Leadership Intensive and has served as a guest lecturer at The Juilliard School. Eric graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of music in vocal performance from St. Olaf College.

Marcus Caruso is a government affairs state lobbyist at Prime Therapeutics where he advocates for policies that will help people get the medicine they need to feel better and live well. Marcus also serves in the US Army Reserve as a Master Sergeant out of Fort Snelling. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire. He also earned a master of business administration as well as a master of project management from Keller Graduate School of Management in Edina, MN. Marcus is married with four children. In his spare time, Marcus enjoys exercise and golf.

Abdi Daisane is a childcare executive with more than seven years of experience. Currently consulting for Initiative Foundation, he provides expert training and technical assistance to start-ups and small businesses. Before venturing into entrepreneurship, Abdi worked in diverse nonprofit organizations serving youth and families in Minnesota. Additionally, he supports local governmental and non-profit initiatives, amplifying their community impact and mission. Abdi holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations and a master’s in public administration from St. Cloud State University. His leadership has earned recognition, including 5-Under-40 Award and Minnesota’s Young American Leaders. He is a father to a 5-year-old son.

Sonji Davis is the workforce policy coordinator for the Governor's Workforce Development Board working within the Department of Employment and Economic Development. The congressional and federal intent of the board is to be a centralized coordinating body for workforce strategies. She is the state’s contact for regional and local WIOA plans providing guidance for workforce development areas. Previously, she worked for Workforce Development, Inc. a private nonprofit service provider of southeast Greater Minnesota as the adult and dislocated worker coordinator. She attended Spelman College and graduated from the University of Illinois, Chicago with her bachelor’s in psychology. She is the mother of two boys and enjoys reading, walking and Pilates.

Cindy Devonish is of multicultural descent. Cindy's father was born and raised in Barbados, and Cindy's mother is of European descent. Cindy overcame various adversities and earned her bachelor’s in human services and master's in science management. Cindy provides executive management oversight and leadership on equity issues by creating proclamations and resolutions and implementing various policies and processes concerning equity for the community. She educates community members on human rights and civil rights. Cindy provides intellectual leadership in various capacities, cultivating and building partnerships with stakeholders, including the Minneapolis Commission on Civil Rights, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People as Co-Chair for the Child Protection Committee, the Minnesota Civilian Public Safety, the National Forum of Black Public Administrators, the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice, Minnesota Department of Human Services African American Child Well-Being Advisory Council, and Child Protection Social Worker with a deep passion for reducing racial disparities and injustices.

Joselynne Fynboh leads the enterprise integration of global impact at General Mills, serving as a strategic advisor to global brands and customer teams driving positive environmental, social, and bottom-line benefits at a time when sustainable products are outpacing overall CPG growth. She has spent the last 18 years in the food industry with experiences spanning brand management, communications, and agency support. A native to MN, Joselynne earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of St. Thomas and a MBA from the University of Minnesota Carlson School. Joselynne is an active board member serving Appetite for Change and Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School. She currently resides in Eden Prairie with her husband, daughter, and their family Schnauzer.

Kate Getsie serves as a results coordinator at Minnesota Management and Budget where she implements portions of the state’s strategic plan. Specifically, she works on improving economic and food security, public safety, youth justice, equity in health care, and implementation of government systems. Building research and evidence into decision making has been a hallmark of her career. Prior to working for the state, she was the strategy and operations director for MetroLab, a collaborative of cities and universities building research into city operations. She enjoys hiking and kayaking in the summer and hiding inside with home remodeling projects in the winter. Kate lives in Minneapolis with her dog, her garden, and her partner. She has a bachelors in neuroscience and linguistics from the University of Pittsburgh and a master of public policy and management from Carnegie Mellon University.

Sommer Green leads the housing stability work as a program officer with the Pohlad Family Foundation. In her role, Sommer leads the foundation’s grantmaking on housing stability with a focus on direct impact and organizational capacity building. She works closely with nonprofit partners, people with lived experience, and community to understand what is working to improve housing stability and ensure the foundation’s work is effective. Sommer has more than 17 years of experience in the nonprofit and philanthropic sector supporting housing and education. She is committed to actionable systemic change, creating opportunity, building relationships, and keeping the communities she serves at the forefront of her work. Sommer holds a bachelor’s degree in human services, a master’s in public administration and is currently pursuing her doctorate in education with Hamline University.

Jay Haapala is associate state director – community engagement with AARP Minnesota, serving older Minnesotans and those who will be someday. He leads volunteers, education programs and community development initiatives, and works with his team on legislative advocacy campaigns. All of these efforts are designed as partnerships with individuals and organizations to achieve a more equitable and greater good. He has served on a number of nonprofit boards in aging services, volunteer program administration, and now environmental conservation, which was an early interest when he earned his bachelor’s degree in recreation, parks and leisure services from Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Karl Hedlund (he/him) is an outreach specialist for Move Minneapolis, downtown’s transportation management organization. He is dedicated towards eliminating barriers to sustainable transportation, with a vision of communities where a safe commute to the grocery store can be the best part of your day. Starting in bicycle advocacy, Karl’s career has evolved from empowering individuals to change their own commutes to fighting for systematic mobility justice. Across local nonprofits, Karl has taught hundreds of adults to bike for the first time, coordinated Bikeable Community Workshops across the state and improved employers’ commuter benefits programs. He also serves on the Minneapolis Bicycle Advisory Committee and the board of Our Streets Minneapolis.

Mary Hogan is a senior policy analyst with the Community Development and Engagement Division at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, where she focuses on labor market institutions and policies. Before joining the Minneapolis Fed in 2022, Mary worked for the Minnesota Department of Human Services, the Minnesota Senate, and the United States Senate. Outside of work, Mary loves running by the Mississippi River, reading novels, and spending time with family and friends. Mary holds a bachelor’s degree in Asian studies from the University of Puget Sound, and a master’s degree in social work from the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis. She lives in St. Paul with her husband and young son.

Peter Ingraham currently leads public relations for the statewide Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and administers various functions throughout the communications department for the Chamber. In addition, he is serving an appointment on the Zoning Board of Adjustment for the City of Minneapolis. Ingraham recently graduated with a master's degree in economics from Purdue University's Daniels School of Business and holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Biola University's Crowell School of Business. With a career that started in athletic communications, Ingraham continues to work as a freelance statistician for the NBA, WNBA, and NCAA schools, including the University of Minnesota.

Jason Jackson currently serves as the Director of Equity, Inclusion and Belonging for Minnesota's Management and Budget state agency. Previously Jason held the role of the Diversity & Inclusion consultant at HealthPartners and served as the director of the Lealtad-Suzuki (Multicultural) Center in the Department of Multicultural Life at Macalester College where he led programmatic efforts centered on social justice that promoted the growth and development of students. Jason has also taught college courses and served as assistant director of the Gender and Sexuality Center (GSC) for Queer and Trans Life at the University of Minnesota. His work at the University of Minnesota centered on educational efforts for staff, faculty, and students and outreach across the University community. Jason received his undergraduate degree in communications studies and masters in organizational leadership and policy development at the University of Minnesota. Originally from Dallas, TX, Jason has resided in Minneapolis since 2008 and lives by the James Baldwin quote “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”

Kirsten Johnson, an Ojibwe woman and the eldest sister of three, was raised in Bloomington. After a semester in Germany, she served 10 years as an Army Medic while she earned a bachelor's from Metro State and her master's in public health. She has since worked for the Minnesota National Guard in substance abuse, suicide, family emergency, and domestic violence prevention. She's also a published author, a realtor focused on Native landback efforts, and runs an LLC serving small businesses. In her free time, she is an animal foster, avid reader, enthusiastic motorcyclist, and the proud mom of two teenagers.

Maryellen Kwasie is passionate about driving financial and economic mobility for all, and she has a personal mission to make Minnesota the most prosperous and most fair state in the country. She currently leads the global Organizational Health Index (OHI) for Nonprofits program at McKinsey.org, a philanthropic initiative of McKinsey & Co. that helps nonprofits unlock their full potential through providing them with capability-building programs at no charge. Previously, Maryellen led several social impact initiatives with McKinsey & Co.’s Global Social Responsibility team, including global corporate giving and philanthropy efforts. She holds a bachelor’s degree in ethics, politics, and economics and international studies from Yale College, and a master’s degree in business administration from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She lives with her husband in Minneapolis and enjoys music, writing, and trying new restaurants in the Twin Cities.

Alicia Lane is the government relations director for the Minnesota Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind & Hard of Hearing. She works closely with legislators, state agencies, and advocates to affect system change and is a member of multiple government-related professional associations. Previously a business owner, Alicia has decades of communications and advocacy experience across government, business, and academic sectors. Deaf since 18 months old, Alicia served multiple terms on the National Association of the Deaf board and is a past president of the Minnesota Association of Deaf Citizens. Residing in St. Paul with her teenage kid and cat, Alicia holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Lenoir-Rhyne University.

Jamie is married with three school-aged children and has lived in Bloomington most of his life. He is active in his community helping coach youth teams, fund-raising, and volunteering through organizations such as the Lions Club and Optimist’s Club. He proudly serves in the National Guard and his full-time position is the Director of Government Relations for the MN National Guard. In this capacity, he works closely with the offices of the U.S. Senators and Representatives to advise and promote legislative priorities and official communications. In his spare time, Jamie enjoys biking, hiking, golfing, and most outdoor activities. In the winter, he puts up a large hockey rink with full boards and lights on his backyard pond for all the neighborhood. Stop by Nesbitt Pond in the winter for a skate, a bonfire, and hot cocoa!

Michelle Meyer is a sourcing manager at Pricewaterhouse Cooper (PwC) where she is able to bring diverse talent to her surprisingly progressive company. She enjoys making connections as she sources qualified candidates for the tech roles she primarily fills. Outside of the office is where she focuses on her passion in the DEI space. She has served on the campaign team for a winning school board member in Lakeville, MN and has also helped to create a DEI task force through the Lakeville city council that is now up and running. She is very involved in local politics and the local school district bringing light to issues and pushing for policies to be updated as things are changing in her community. Michelle lives with her husband, two children, and two dogs in the city of Lakeville, MN.

Bishara Mohamed is the civic engagement manager at Reviving the Islamic Sisterhood for Empowerment, focused on amplifying the voice and power of Muslim women in Minnesota. Prior to that Bishara worked with Peace Direct, a charity that supports grassroots peacebuilders across the globe. She also previously worked at the Green String Network, a nonprofit organization that brings together professionals and experts in peacebuilding, trauma healing, and sustainable economic development. Bishara holds a master's degree from the University of Notre Dame in global affairs specializing in international peacebuilding. Bishara also holds another master’s degree in clinical psychology from the United States International University-Africa.

Ibrahim Mohamed is an elected official for Shakopee’s school board, and the executive director of the Community Resource Center. The CRC, a non-profit, has a mission statement to promote positive change in childrens’ and families’ lives by engaging with and connecting families to resources that will aid in success both at schools and within the community. Ibrahim has worked for public schools for two decades as a teacher, equity specialist, cultural liaison, and most recently, a counselor. Throughout his career in education, Ibrahim became a voice for immigrant students and students of color by recognizing unique barriers they face and working to reduce them so that students can succeed. In addition to his long spanning career in education, Ibrahim taught business workshops at the Neighborhood Development Center, a non-profit organization that guides entrepreneurial success for small local businesses, resulting in numerous Somali immigrants starting their own businesses. Ibrahim has a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls in psychology and counseling, and a bachelor's degree in business administration and finance from Saint Mary’s University.

Dominique Murray was born in Chicago, Ill. and spent her early childhood years on the city's west side. During adolescence her family relocated to Minnesota, and east St. Paul became their new home. Currently, Dominique is a state program administrator at Minnesota Management & Budget, overseeing the state’s local government pay equity program for over 1,500 government entities, and thousands of employees. Dominique works with local government officials, administrators, and governing bodies to correct compensation inequities for female employees. Dominique also helps carry out the important work of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in her workplace. Outside of work Dominique wears many hats, she is a woman of faith, a mother, a relative to many, a friend, and a helping hand. During her free time, she enjoys performing arts events, exploring nature, and trying new food.

Jillian Nelson is a Queer autistic adult from Saint Paul, MN and is the full time community resource and policy advocate for the Autism Society of MN (AuSM). Jillian is passionate about disability justice and teaching others to advocate for themselves, as well as reforming existing systems through legislation and advocacy to create a more equitable and accessible society for people with all types of disabilities. She is passionate about diversity and intersectionality and how that unfolds in the mosaic experience of people with disabilities. She also enjoys exploring new places, theater, and the Minnesota Lynx, as well as spending time with her partners.

Katy Nordhagen is a global incentives consultant at Cargill where she connects public policy to business innovation and investment. She also leads the global LGBTQ+ resource group to support LGBTQ+ inclusion in the workplace and broader community. Prior to Cargill, she held various positions in the nonprofit sector focused on organizational development and fundraising. Katy has her bachelor of science from the University of Minnesota in urban food systems and social justice. She lives in Minneapolis where she enjoys long walks with her dog around the lakes and singing in a LGBTQ+ chorus.

Jessica Nyaribo (She/Her) is a public affairs professional with over 20 years of leadership experience directing complex community development programs, championing successful awareness campaigns and communication strategies, and managing public affairs initiatives. Jessica worked for local and international non-profit organizations in Kenya before joining the Department of Environment & Energy, Hennepin County. Jessica enjoys fostering relationships with key stakeholders, including government officials and community leaders to make positive change. Jessica helped lead the Zero Waste Plan that will support Hennepin County to work collaboratively with communities towards a zero-waste future. Jessica holds a bachelor’s in economics(honors) from the Panjab University (India), and a master’s in economics with emphasis in environment economics and urban and regional planning from the University of Mysore (India), and a master’s degree in public affairs from the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota. Jessica enjoys being out in nature and traveling with family and friends.

Florence Ojanduru Orionzi, born and raised in Uganda, is the executive director for the central Minnesota-based organization African Women’s Alliance. As a former refugee, immigrant, and Black mother to four children, Florence is an experienced advocate in supporting the development of local refugee and immigrant communities through the intersections of race, migration, and culture in a setting such as Minnesota and the greater United States. Passionate about education, Florence has also been teaching for 20+ years with a current focus on early childhood development. She holds a bachelor of science from National University of Lesotho, master of science in early childhood family education from St. Cloud State University, and is a Minnesota parent and life science educator. She is fluent in Lugbara and English.

Leslie Pendergast is a lead program manager that provides network wide project & program management support for Target supply chain initiatives. Prior to Target, Leslie was a business manager for UPS. Leslie holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations and master’s degree in business administration. She is passionate about community volunteering and is a long-time supporter of the American Cancer Society. Through opportunities at Target, Leslie leads get out the vote efforts for the Citizen’s @Target network and supports the engagement pillar for the Military Business Council. She lives in Isanti with her husband and two dogs, has three adult children, and loves to paint and travel.

Latonya Reeves is a career probation officer in the Adult Probation Supervision Services Division of the Department of Community Corrections and Rehabilitation in Hennepin County and the President of the American Federal of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 5 Local 552 Probation and Parole Bargaining Unit. She was elected to serve on the MN Council 5--AFSCME Executive Board as Vice President. She also serves as Secretary on the Executive Board of the Minnesota Corrections Association, and is a member of the Minnesota Association of Community Corrections Act Counties and the Minnesota Association of County Probation Officers. She is the co-founder of the Elite Dollz of Faith based in Atlanta, GA, a non-profit 501c3 organization rooted in giving a hand up in communities across the US. Latonya was the recipient of the Rick Scott Political Activism Award in 2019 from the MN AFL-CIO/AFSMCE Council 5, and serves as chairman of the Minnesota Civilian Public Safety Commission. She is passionate about legislative work to implement change in her community. She enjoys learning in her chosen field to build on the practices of racial disparity reduction and best practices in criminal justice. She is the mother of three grown sons, and one grandbaby who is one year old. She also has one dog, Diamond, who is like one of her children.

Lauren Servick is the director of public policy strategy and sustainability for the Minnesota Pork Producers Association representing Minnesota’s more than 3,000 family pig farmers. She works with farmers to foster relationships with government agencies and elected officials developing their understanding of pig farming and farmers’ commitment to their pigs, their communities, and our shared environment and natural resources. Prior to joining Minnesota Pork, Lauren worked for the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council. A love for agriculture and rural communities led her to obtain her bachelor’s degree in agricultural education at the University of Minnesota. She enjoys volunteering, walks with her dog, trivia, time at the cabin with family and friends, and Gopher football tailgating.

Sarah Silva is a civic engagement and public policy community organizer primarily serving immigrants and refugees. Over the years, she has worked tirelessly on various public policy initiatives, collaborating with diverse stakeholders to address critical issues affecting communities. Her dedication to grassroots organizing and public policy has been instrumental in accomplishing the Minnesota legislation known as “Driver's License for All.” A bill that helps break down barriers to getting a job or housing and makes roads safer for all. While she’s not working in coalition meetings, she spends her time off going on nature walks with her dog and exploring new restaurants with different ideas and concepts.

Quincy Smith is a business process manager at Medica and serves as a planning commissioner in Edina. He holds an undergraduate degree in mathematics and computer science from St. John’s University and an MBA from the University of St. Thomas. With over two decades of progressive corporate management experience in finance and healthcare, he excels in team development, business analytics, and leading employee resource groups. Quincy actively engages in his neighborhood association and community organizations. He aspires to cultivate leadership at the intersection of public programs and private enterprise. In his leisure time, he enjoys an active lifestyle with his wife, 8-and 5-year-old children, and their poodle.

Joe Tolle works for Target on a team responsible for the strategy and execution of non-retail assets. He is a leader on Target’s Military Business Council, where he works to support the military community. Joe earned his bachelor’s degree in sports management from the University of Minnesota, his master’s in business administration from St. Cloud State University and holds certification in project management from the Project Management Institute. Joe has coached boys’ basketball for over a decade and is currently the assistant varsity coach at St. Francis High School. Joe resides in St. Francis with his most excellent wife, two spirited children and two spunky Australian shepherds. For fun, he loves traveling with his family, immersing in cinema, exploring music, and hanging out in the woods with a chainsaw and a splitting maul.