Osman Ahmed is the founder of Talo Table, a civic initiative focused on strengthening leadership, civic participation, and cross-community relationships across Minnesota. After arriving in the United States as a refugee with no formal education, Osman built a career spanning community organizing, government, public policy, and nonprofit leadership. He previously served in the U.S. Senate and held leadership roles in Minnesota nonprofits, advancing housing, education, economic opportunity, and civic engagement. Through Talo Table and the Power & Participation Initiative, Osman is working to build civic infrastructure and leadership capacity among New Americans while fostering stronger relationships with rural communities and other Minnesotans. He joins Policy Fellows to strengthen cross-sector partnerships and help build a more connected and resilient Minnesota.

Alex Askew is director of development at Wallin Education Partners, where he helps build partnerships that make college and family-sustaining careers more accessible for students across Minnesota. He has spent more than a decade working at the intersection of philanthropy, education, and community leadership, beginning his career through AmeriCorps service after graduating from St. Olaf College. He is a certified fundraising executive and serves as chair of the board of RECLAIM, in addition to other nonprofit and civic leadership roles. Outside of work, he enjoys hiking, birding, amateur radio, and helping on his family's century farm in southwest Iowa.

Mary Athey is an economic development professional with a passion for supporting entrepreneurs and business owners, and helping rural communities thrive. Her work focuses on expanding access to capital, strengthening local economies, and building partnerships that support growth and long-term community vitality. She enjoys exploring innovative approaches to rural economic development and helping communities turn big ideas into action. Mary holds a bachelor's degree in urban and regional studies from Minnesota State University, Mankato and lives in southern Minnesota with her husband, daughter, and two doodles.

Guy Bowling is a planning specialist for the Child Support Services Division, Office of the Ramsey County Attorney, John J. Choi. As a former director of the FATHER Project, he has overseen substantial multiple grants funded by the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, and the Office of Family Assistance. Mr. Bowling brings more than 30 years of experience working with low-income, unmarried, non-custodial fathers and fragile families. In 2012, he received the Ronald F. Johnson Award at the National Center for Strategic Planning and Community Leadership’s 14th Annual International Fatherhood Conference and has been inducted into the Spirit of Fatherhood Hall of Fame. Mr. Bowling has delivered more than 450 fatherhood trainings, keynotes, consultations and workshops with public/private agencies in 30 states, and two countries over his 30+ year career. He has a master of public affairs (MPA) degree from the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs. He was selected as a 2020 Bush Fellow from the Bush Foundation.

Jeannine Burnette (Direct Descendent of White Earth Band of Ojibwe) is a Scandinavian-Ojibwe musician who grew up in the Leech Lake reservation. She has an A.A. in American Indian Studies, a B.A. in music (trumpet) and business management and a M.A. in arts and cultural management. Over the last 15 years, Jeannine has built a strong foundation in the nonprofit arts and cultural sector as a performer, educator, and business management professional. Her creative practice includes a wide array of musical gigs: through mentoring and performing folk songs with youth from around the world, to serving as the lead trumpet player with the women-led rock bands across Minnesota, to coaching music with Native girls on reservations throughout the Midwest. Jeannine is a versatile and widely sought after musician and business leader. She serves on the board of directors for Rock the Rez and Hopewell Music Cooperative North. She also serves as a grant review panelist for the Women's Foundation of Minnesota. In 2026, she founded Native Music Collective to provide learning and creative opportunities for Native Americans through music.

Kevin Dang is a data and policy analyst at Minnesota Management and Budget--Office of Inclusion. Throughout his career, he has conducted research and data analysis across local, state, and federal government to inform decisions and support systems change. His interests join social justice with data science, focusing on algorithmic bias and human-centered approaches. He seeks to address inequities within institutions and systems while shaping environments that reflect the communities they serve. Kevin holds a master’s degree in applied mathematics from the University of Colorado and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Minnesota.

Precious Fritz is an equity-centered systems leader with more than 20 years of experience improving outcomes for children, families, and communities. She holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from St. Catherine University and most recently led family achievement initiatives at Northside Achievement Zone, where she helped strengthen systems, partnerships, and organizational effectiveness. She is passionate about strengthening public systems and fostering cross-sector partnerships that improve outcomes for children, families, and communities. She serves on the Minnesota African American Child and Family Well-Being Advisory Council and its Bias Monitoring and Accountability Committee. Outside of work, Precious enjoys making memories with her husband and children, cooking, engaging in great conversations, and exploring Minnesota's parks, lakes, and incredible restaurants.

Matthew Gillespie is a government investigations and grants compliance attorney at Dorsey & Whitney LLP, where he represents healthcare providers, colleges, universities, and government contractors in disputes with the government. Before joining Dorsey, Matthew investigated nationwide healthcare and government contracts fraud schemes as an assistant United States attorney, enforced federal civil rights laws as a trial attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division’s Educational Opportunities Section, and represented the State of Iowa’s Medicaid program as its lead policy counsel. Matthew has a bachelor of arts from Creighton University and a juris doctor from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law.

Shaun Hainey’s career experience spans constituent-facing units of state and county government, real estate, and technology, which helps to inform his current work through Community and Economic Development Associates (CEDA) with local governments. Shaun is a values-driven advocate of a prosperous, inclusive, and resource-stable future. His theory of change is built around increasing access to capital and information. Shaun graduated from University of Minnesota, Morris with a BA in international relations and comparative politics and a minor in economics. He has participated in Gamaliel Foundation's community organizing training and the Leading Economic Transformation program through University of Minnesota Extension and is trained in the TOPs strategic planning method. Shaun currently sits on the board of directors for Discover the Range (a regional marketing organization for the Iron Range) and the Iron Range Economic Alliance (IREA). In his free time, Shaun enjoys rock climbing, skiing, playing board games, and hiking with his wife and four children.

Ifrah Hashi is a public servant with experience spanning public health and community engagement in county government and municipal leadership. She currently serves as a policy aide in the Office of Mayor Jacob Frey, supporting community engagement, constituent services, and partnerships between city government and residents. Previously, she served as a public health specialist with the City of Minneapolis, a senior community health worker with Hennepin County, and a community engagement specialist with the City of Brooklyn Park. She holds a bachelor's degree in exercise and health science from the University of Massachusetts, Boston. Outside of work, Ifrah is a big supporter of Arsenal FC, a henna artist, and enjoys meaningful conversations across many topics.

Alicia House is the co-chief executive officer of RS EDEN, one of Minnesota's leading nonprofits providing permanent supportive housing, recovery services, reentry programming, and mental health care for individuals experiencing homelessness, substance use disorders, mental illness, and justice system involvement. Throughout her career, she has built hundreds of cross-sector partnerships with healthcare systems, government agencies, legislators, and community organizations to improve access to care and advance systems change. Prior to joining RS EDEN, she served as executive director of the Steve Rummler HOPE Network, where she led statewide initiatives to address the opioid crisis and successfully advocated for policies that increased access to lifesaving harm reduction resources. She also held leadership roles in behavioral health treatment and has served on numerous state and local advisory councils focused on behavioral health and public health policy.

Kevin B. Jackson is a cross-sector leader from Detroit who now lives and invests in North Minneapolis. A JD/MBA and member of the Minnesota bar, he serves as director of product operations at Target, leading global sourcing and technical operations for children’s apparel. He also serves as tri-chair of one of Target’s belonging communities. Kevin is a partner in Shoe Doctor, a Black-founded sneaker laundry business expanding entrepreneurship through a community-centered model. His work bridges corporate, entrepreneurial, nonprofit, and public sectors by translating ideas into partnerships that create community impact. He recently completed his board service with People Serving People and continues serving as board chair of Embrace Sportz, advancing youth opportunity through non-traditional sports.

Dr. L'Aurelle Johnson is the associate dean for Community, Advocacy, Resilience, and Empowerment (C.A.R.E.) and an associate professor of experimental and clinical pharmacology at the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy. She earned a bachelor of science in biochemistry from Xavier University of Louisiana, a doctorate in pharmacology from the University of Michigan, and a master of science in clinical research from the University of Minnesota. Her work focuses on strengthening community partnerships, advancing health and educational equity, and preparing the next generation of healthcare leaders through collaborative leadership and community-engaged scholarship. Outside of work, Dr. Johnson enjoys traveling and cooking as opportunities to explore new cultures and cuisines while creating lasting memories and meaningful connections with family, friends, and people she meets along the way.

Oksana Kets is the lead employment counselor for the Employment & Career Supports Service Collaborative at the Minnesota Council of Churches, a statewide initiative funded by the Minnesota Department of Human Services Resettlement Programs Office. She leads statewide collaboration with 17 partner agencies across Minnesota to strengthen employment services and expand workforce opportunities for refugees, immigrants, and New Americans. Oksana holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in international relations and communications from Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, Ukraine. Drawing on both professional and lived experience, she is passionate about advancing equitable workforce systems through collaboration, public policy, and community partnerships. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, hiking, learning languages, and exploring natural landscapes, cultures, and new places.

Dr. Prasida Khanal serves as the state oral health director at the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). She received her dentistry degree from Nepal and completed a dental public health residency at the Eastman Institute for Oral Health, University of Rochester Medical Center, New York. Dr. Khanal earned her Master of Public Health with honors and has completed a mini residency in geriatrics and long-term care for the dental team, as well as a certificate in project management from the University of Minnesota. She is an affiliate assistant professor of dental public health at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. Dr. Khanal is passionate about advancing oral health through public policy, integrating oral health into broader public health systems, and developing evidence-based strategies that improve population health, strengthen health systems, and advance health equity.

Sara Lemke is a relationship-centered leader, storyteller, and strategist with more than 15 years of experience helping nonprofit organizations and community partners build stronger relationships, engage diverse audiences, and create meaningful change. Her work brings together communications, fundraising, advocacy, and community engagement to connect people around shared goals and support communities. She is especially passionate about ethical storytelling, believing that listening deeply to lived experiences creates the foundation for change. Inspired by her family's caregiving journey and a lifelong commitment to civic engagement, Sara is interested in the ways policy, community leadership, and storytelling intersect to improve people's lives. She is honored to join the 2026–2027 Policy Fellows program and looks forward to learning alongside leaders from across Minnesota while exploring collaborative approaches rooted in storytelling to solve community challenges.

Lynn Melling is an Emmy award-winning video storyteller and a strategic communication consultant with more than 20 years of experience across broadcast journalism, corporate communications, public relations, and video production. As co-founder of the film production company 515 Productions, she specializes in uncovering the human stories that sit beneath the surface of complex issues. She lives in Golden Valley with her husband and business partner, and their two teenagers. She enjoys time at the lake, camping in the BWCAW, being a soccer and football mom, and searching for the best charcuterie boards and tapas bars in town.

Tommy Miller is a full-time member of the Minnesota National Guard. Currently, he manages the State Partnership Program and the strategic partnerships between the Minnesota National Guard, Croatia, and Norway. Tommy has held multiple leadership and planning positions across all the levels of the National Guard. He has deployed three times, twice to Kuwait, and once to Kosovo. He holds a bachelor of science degree from Minnesota State University – Mankato, and a master’s degree from the University of Minnesota. He earned a second master’s degree from the School of Advanced Military Studies in military operational science.

Derek Nauman is a lifelong Minnesotan who graduated from the University of St. Thomas with a bachelors in political science. He currently works as a membership account executive with the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. Prior to joining the Chamber, he spent time interning and working for various political campaigns, as well as for the Minnesota Senate. In addition, he spent several years working in both sales and management positions for a number of local home services companies in the Twin Cities. He currently lives in Plymouth with his golden retriever, Nora, and enjoys movies, reading, and the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Kwesi Pasley is a public finance executive and chief financial officer for the Minnesota Department of Corrections, where he leads enterprise financial operations supporting a $1.7 billion biennial budget. His work spans financial management strategy, procurement, grants management, payroll, financial systems, audits, and internal controls. He previously served in budget roles at Minnesota Management and Budget and the Arizona Governor’s Office. Kwesi holds a master of public administration and bachelor of music from the University of Arizona. Outside of work, he enjoys serving as a Big with Big Brothers Big Sisters and supporting community music efforts, including work with local churches.

Lynne Penke Valdes serves as deputy administrator for Otter Tail County. A public servant and strategic leader with expertise advancing systems change at the intersection of education and child well-being, she served communities in the Twin Cities for 25 years before relocating to Greater Minnesota. Translating her metro experience to rural communities, she leads cross-sector initiatives that connect people, strengthen families, and invest in thriving, resilient communities. She’s passionate about improving public systems and expanding opportunities for children and families. A proud Head Start graduate, a lifelong beneficiary of public education, and a former ISD 282 school board member, Lynne is committed to ensuring every child has the same opportunities that helped shape her own path. When she’s not working or spending time with her fantastic family and friends, Lynne enjoys reading, traveling, and reading books about travelling.

Crystal Royer is executive director of Twelfth Step House, where she builds cross-sector partnerships that strengthen recovery, housing, and community well-being across rural northeastern Minnesota. She developed the HOPE Pathway, a person-centered model that transforms fragmented systems into coordinated pathways by bringing together housing, healthcare, workforce development, education, philanthropy, and the justice system. Drawing on her lived experience of homelessness and adversity, Crystal is passionate about advancing policies that foster belonging, expand opportunity, and help communities build more connected, responsive systems of care. A participant in the Minnesota Young American Leaders Program, Crystal is known for bringing people, organizations, and systems together to create lasting community change. She was also recognized as a 2025 20 Under 40 recipient for her collaborative leadership.

Joel Runnels is a native Minnesotan and former career USAID Foreign Service Officer whose work spanned Africa, the Caribbean, and Central Asia. After USAID was dismantled, he returned home and served with Minnesota's Council on Disability and the Minnesota Department of Human Services, helping translate lived experiences into public policy. He holds a PhD from the University of North Dakota and completed postdoctoral work at the University of Arizona on Dr. Andrew Foster, the “Father of Deaf Education in Africa,” culminating in a manuscript he recently submitted for publication. Outside of work, he finds and works on secondhand EVs and hybrid cars, earning the nickname “EV guy” among friends and colleagues.

Meghan Shea is director of government and community affairs for Comcast in Minnesota and Wisconsin, where she partners with local governments, community organizations, and business leaders to advance broadband expansion and community connectivity initiatives. Her background includes government relations, public policy, large-scale infrastructure projects, coalition building, and advocacy both inside and outside the state capitol. Throughout her career, she has focused on building partnerships, navigating regulatory and policy challenges, and advancing projects that create lasting community impact. Meghan earned a bachelor of arts degree from St. Olaf College with majors in political science and secondary social studies education. She lives in Apple Valley with her family.

Jared Siebert has lived on the Iron Range for most of his life, graduating from Virginia High School in 1998 and from Mesabi Range College in 2001. He is currently a broker sales representative for Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield, where he has worked in sales and marketing for more than 10 years and in customer service industries for more than 25 years. Jared is a member of the Bois Forte Band of Ojibwe and represented Native education interests as an officer in the local Parent Action Committee for 13 years. His growing interest in public service includes involvement in many local organizations. He is the president of Revive Virginia, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to improving the Virginia Downtown Business District, and is also involved with the local chamber of commerce, education parity groups, and other civic and fraternal organizations. In his free time, Jared enjoys spending time with his partner of 20 years, Neitya, and their 19-year-old son, cooking, visiting friends, playing video games, and attending as many community events as they can.

Laura Skubic is a nonprofit management professional with experience across a variety of sectors including hunger relief, housing, workforce development, education, and more. She is currently the fundraising and communications director for One Village Partners, an international NGO that does community-led development and women's economic empowerment programming in Sierra Leone. She has a BS from the University of Minnesota in family social science and an MBA certificate in nonprofit management from the University of St Thomas. Laura was born and raised in northeastern Minnesota but has called Saint Paul home for the last 20 years. In her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking, and hosting dinner parties and game nights with friends and family.

Lucino Sosa Montano (he/him/el) is a multidisciplinary artist, curator, community organizer and operations leader who uses storytelling, art, and community engagement to bridge culture and public policy. He’s a Maplewood resident whose work explores how lived experience can inspire more equitable institutions. As both an organizational leader and community advocate, he transforms language access, cultural belonging, and lived experience into catalysts for stronger leadership and more responsive public systems. He creates exhibitions, public programs, and community initiatives that elevate historically excluded voices and transforms lived experiences into civic engagement. He believes the strongest policies are co-created with the communities too often systematically excluded from decision-making.

Nathan Stock has more than 20 years of experience working to resolve conflicts and strengthen democracy around the world and in the United States. For more than five-years, at the Carter Center, he led an effort to establish anti-political violence civic networks across six U.S. states. Nathan is currently on contract with Common Ground USA to help them counter political violence in Minnesota. In addition to his U.S. work, Nathan has substantial experience in the Middle East, including nine years supporting the late President Jimmy Carter's peacemaking in the region. He has lived and worked in Gaza, Afghanistan, and China. Nathan has published on U.S. polarization and political violence and taught undergraduate courses on political dialogue. He is an affiliate of the Middle East Institute, where he has written extensively on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Nathan holds an MA in international peace and conflict resolution from American University and a BA in international relations from Colgate University.

Dawn Strief is a healthcare leader, nurse practitioner, and registered nurse. Dawn has held a variety of leadership roles within several metro healthcare systems and currently serves as the program leader of the TelePAVE program at the Minneapolis VA which aims to decrease amputation rates in the veteran population by providing preventative care and screening services. Dawn holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in nursing. She has a passion for healthcare, public health, quality improvement, and innovation. A lifelong Minnesotan, Dawn lives in Minneapolis with her family.

Carl Atiya Swanson is a strategic facilitator and a practical optimist with 20 years of experience in the nonprofit, arts and culture, and entrepreneurship sectors. Swanson is the founder of Cast Consulting, a firm focusing on strategy, communications, and creative work. His clients include foundations, coalitions, and organizations at the intersection of community, policy, and capital. Swanson has served as the executive director of the National Independent Venue Foundation, and as associate director at Springboard for the Arts. He is a published poet, essayist, and playwright, and holds a BA in studio art from the University of Southern California and an MBA from the University of St. Thomas Opus College of Business.

Lydia Tonoyan is the engagement program manager at the University of Minnesota's Humphrey School of Public Affairs, where she develops meaningful engagement opportunities for alumni, donors, and community partners in support of the school's mission. With more than 15 years of experience spanning higher education advancement, philanthropy, customer relations, and project management, Lydia has built a career around cultivating relationships, leading strategic initiatives, and creating programs that inspire connection and impact. She serves as a club leader and development director for the Minnesota Youth Ski Clubs, a board member of Nasha Shkola Russian-American Public Charter School and development director and Sunday school director at St. Sahag Armenian Church. Across each of these roles, she is passionate about fostering connection, investing in future generations, and building vibrant, mission-driven communities.

Ana Zavala is a responsible sourcing program manager at Target, where she leads the operationalization and execution of human rights and social sustainability programs across the company's global supply chain. Her work focuses on integrating responsible sourcing initiatives into business operations, strengthening stakeholder partnerships, and advancing worker well-being. Before joining Target, Ana held corporate responsibility leadership roles at Cargill and served as executive director and later a board member of Vital Voices Nicaragua, where she supported the development of women leaders and entrepreneurs. She also served on the board of the Nicaraguan Union for Corporate Social Responsibility and remains active in employee resource groups, including the Hispanic Latino Council at Target. Ana holds a bachelor of science degree in marketing with a concentration in business administration and completed studies in tourism marketing in Austria and sustainable tourism development in Japan. She is fluent in English and Spanish.