SPEAKERS & PERFORMERS

Shaherzad Ahmadi, Ph.D.

Dr. Shaherzad Ahmadi is an Associate Professor of History at the University of St. Thomas. Her research explores the modern histories of Iran and Iraq, with a focus on transnational migration, warfare, popular medicine, and childhood. Her recent book, Bordering on War: A Social History of Khuzistan, 1925-95, was published by University of Texas Press (2024). She has published extensively in leading journals, including Iranian Studies, International Journal of Middle East Studies, and Journal of Middle East Women's Studies, on topics ranging from migration to medicine.

Rabbi Amy Ariel, J.D.

Rabbi Amy Josefa Ariel, J.D. she/her is the founding rabbi of Merchav, an international Jewish community without walls. "Merchav" means 'an expansive space', and her work brings her study of disability justice and embodied experience, sex and sexuality, consent, traditional Jewish texts, history, and queer feminist theory, to the lived experiences of Jewish people, families, and micro-communities. Lived Jewish experience is predominantly a multifaith endeavor. Rabbi Ariel deeply values really seeing things: ideas, people, and ways forward. After graduating from Grinnell College, she received her J.D. from Hamline University School of Law with a concentration in Children's Law. Her study focused on minority religions and the law, including a semester at Mount Scopus University in Jerusalem. She received ordination from Jewish Spiritual Leaders Institute in 2018. To learn more about her work or to contact her: www.amyjosefaariel.com

Dr. Geeta Balkissoon

Dr. Geeta Balkissoon was educated as an anesthesiologist in the U.K. before moving to Minnesota, where she trained in Family Medicine before working at Ramsey Clinic and Park Nicollet Clinic. Her practice has included working with patients from various minority groups and religious backgrounds. Since her retirement, she has volunteered with the Minnesota Multifaith network, and is active in the Hindu community both locally and internationally.

Ali Chamseddine, S.T.L.

Ali Chamseddine, born and raised in Lebanon, has a deep commitment to interreligious dialogue and encounter, shaped by his culturally rich upbringing and experiences as an immigrant. Multilingual in Arabic, French, Italian, and English, Ali has developed a profound appreciation for diversity and identity. For the past three years, he has served as a chaplain, providing compassionate spiritual care in various hospital units, including Neuro ICU, Cardiovascular, Oncology, and Mental Health. Ali is Advanced Practice Board Certified Chaplain (APBCC) through the Spiritual Care Association and has been with Allina Health for four years. He holds an STL in Ecumenical and Interreligious Dialogue from the University of St. Thomas Aquinas, Angelicum, Rome. Guided by his philosophy of building a shared community through active listening and support, he aims to create a brave space for dialogue and encounter for patients and healthcare providers, nurturing a peaceful, inclusive environment.

Sarah Chamseddine, M.A.

Sarah Chamseddine is a University of St. Thomas alumna, earning her undergraduate degree in political science and sociology and her master’s degree in theology from the Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity. Following graduation, Sarah moved to New York to intern with the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations. Upon receiving the Russel Berrie Fellowship in Interreligious Studies, Sarah left New York and moved to Rome, Italy, where she studied Interreligious Studies and Ecumenism at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas. Prior to joining Campus Ministry, Sarah was the Program Manager for the Muslim Christian Dialogue Center at St. Thomas. Within Campus Ministry, Sarah is a program manager that works directly with students to develop and run faith-based programs. She oversees Peer Ministry, Tommie Catholic, and Peace Meals. Additionally, Sarah coordinates Campus Ministry’s multifaith and interfaith initiatives and is the liaison to the affiliate Christian organizations on campus. Sarah has been in her current role since 2016. She is a certified professional campus minister through the Catholic Campus Ministry Association (CCMA); which is approved by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. In addition to her work at St. Thomas, she serves on the certification committee for CCMA.

Kristi Wenzel Egan, Ph.D.

Dr. Kristina Wenzel Egan is an Assistant Professor of Communication Studies at the University of St. Thomas, specializing in health communication, narrative analysis, and organizational communication. She co-directs Scene Setters, a theater and storytelling initiative, as well as a partnership with Narrative 4 that fosters connection, compassion, and resilience among college students. Her research examines how individuals, families, and healthcare providers communicate during difficult health experiences, with a particular focus on the transitions that occur before and after major health challenges. Using interpretive methods, she explores the dominant discourses shaping narratives of health, illness, death, and dying. Her work aims to enhance communication practices in healthcare settings and close relationships, promoting more supportive and compassionate interactions.

Dr. Tamara Gray

Dr. Tamara Gray is the founder of Rabata, an organization dedicated to promoting positive cultural change through creative educational experiences. As executive director, faculty, and chief spirituality officer, she focuses on uplifting Muslim women within community and without. She has a special interest in digital spaces in faith communities. Dr. Gray holds a doctorate in leadership from the University of St. Thomas, a master’s degree in Curriculum Theory and Instruction from Temple University and spent twenty years in traditional learning spaces studying Islamic sciences, Quran, and Arabic in Damascus, Syria. Dr. Gray is also an author and translator. Her publications range from several culturally appropriate English language curriculum programs to translations of sacred texts. She has authored two books: Joy Jots: Exercises for a happy heart & Project Lina: Bringing our whole selves to Islam and co-translated the Mukhtasir al-Jami’ fi al-Sīra al-Nabawiyya by Samīra Zayid [Compendium of the Collection of Sources on al-Sīra al-Nabawiyya]. Her third book – about theology and creed – is due out in 2025. In addition to her work at Rabata, Dr. Gray also serves as both faculty and an academic council member for The Islamic Seminary of America, is a Senior Fellow at the Yaqeen Institute and is a member of the Fiqh council of North America. She has recently taken on the position of Board Chair for the Minnesota Multifaith Network Council. She is a mother of three, grandmother of two, an avid reader and a lover of cultures, coffee, and road trips.

David Jordan Harris

A graduate of the University of Chicago, David is artistic director and co-founder of the Twin Cities-based performance ensemble Voices of Sepharad. Integrating his skills as a singer, actor, and dancer, he has appeared as guest artist with many ensembles, including Zorongo Flamenco, Katha Dance Theatre, Corning Dances and Company, Illusion Theater, North Star Opera, Rose Ensemble, Liz Lerman Dance Exchange, Lyra Baroque Orchestra, Ensemble Español, and In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre. Harris was the founding music director of Shir Tikvah Congregation where he led music for 21 years and was the founding executive director of Rimon: The Minnesota Jewish Arts Council. Harris has been interfaith arts special consultant for the Jay Phillips Center for Interreligious Studies at the University of St. Thomas and the Jay Phillips Center for Interfaith Learning at Saint John’s University since 2010. He brings a wealth of experience to the Center, drawing together cultural communities through theater, music, and dance, workshops for students and adults, innovative artistic collaborations, public forums, and artist salons.

Nawal Hirsi

Nawal Hirsi is the Manager of Community Programs and Initiatives at M Health Fairview, where she oversees health and wellness programs that are integrated into the community. These programs aim to enhance access to resources for communities facing significant health and social disparities. She holds a bachelor’s degree in nutritional science from the University of Minnesota and has extensive experience in managing partnerships and collaborations, as well as community health programs. With a decade of experience in community health, Nawal is dedicated to reducing health disparities among cultural, immigrant, refugee, racial, and marginalized populations.

Megan Hopkins, MTS

Megan Hopkins is a doctoral candidate in Comparative Theology at Boston College. Her current project, “Embodying the Word: A Contemplative Muslim-Christian Comparative Theology,” engages questions of ritual, revelation, and embodiment in Christian and Islamic theologies. Other research interests include disability theology, embodied epistemologies, and experiential education. She holds an M.T.S. from the Clough School of Theology and Ministry at Boston College, as well as a B.A. and B.A.H. from Villanova University. From 2016-2022, Megan served as the Director of Education at Mosaic: Interfaith Youth Action. There she developed primary curricula, facilitated interfaith dialogue, and equipped young people to work together across differences so that they may cultivate communities of justice, equity, and peace. This work animates her theological lens, rooting reflection in praxis and lived experience.Megan lives on campus at BC where she serves as a residential minister for an undergraduate residential community. She enjoys skiing, baking anything gluten free, and exploring the mountains, forests, and lakes throughout New England.

Matthew Maruggi, Ed.D.

Dr. Matthew Maruggi is an Associate Professor of Religion and Chair of the Religion Department at Augsburg University. Rooted in his Roman Catholic tradition, he embraces a pluralistic approach to spirituality and social justice while being enriched by interfaith encounters. His teaching and research focus on liberation theologies, ethics, interfaith studies, and community-engaged pedagogies. An advocate for experiential learning, Matthew integrates classroom dialogue with visits to local houses of worship and community engagement, both in the Twin Cities and internationally. His recent scholarship includes contributions to the Journal of Interreligious Studies and book chapters on interfaith pedagogy and service-learning.

Barbara A. McGraw, J.D., Ph.D.

Dr. Barbara A. McGraw is Professor of Social Ethics, Law, and Public Life in the School of Economics and Business Administration and Professor of Politics in the School of Liberal Arts at Saint Mary’s College of California. She also serves as founding director of the Center for Engaged Religious Pluralism and its Prison Religion Project. Renowned for coining the term America's Sacred Ground, Dr. McGraw’s work explores the moral foundations of the American political system, religious pluralism, and interfaith leadership in public life and the professions. She is an accomplished scholar, author, and commentator, with influential publications such as Rediscovering America’s Sacred Ground, Many Peoples, Many Faiths, and Taking Religious Pluralism Seriously. A member of the Bar of the U.S. Supreme Court, she frequently engages with national and international audiences, advocating for religious liberty and pluralism in civic life.

Mark McInroy, Th.D.

Dr. Mark McInroy is Professor of Theology and Associate Department Chair at the University of St. Thomas, specializing in modern Christian theology, theological aesthetics, and Christian theologies of deification. A constructive and historical theologian, he focuses on modern Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox thought, with particular interest in the theological legacy of Hans Urs von Balthasar and the retrieval of patristic, medieval, and Reformation theologies. He holds a ThD and MDiv from Harvard Divinity School and a BA from Southwestern University. Dr. McInroy’s research engages theological aesthetics, mystical theology, philosophies of perception, and East-West Christian relations. A recipient of the prestigious Manfred Lautenschlaeger Award for Theological Promise, he has authored and edited multiple works, including Balthasar on the Spiritual Senses and Image as Theology. His current project explores modern retrievals of deification, focusing on Martin Luther’s mature theology.

Christopher Wong Michaelson, Ph.D.

Dr. Christopher Wong Michaelson is the Barbara and David A. Koch ("coach") Endowed Chair in Business Ethics and a professor in the Ethics and Business Law Department at the University of St. Thomas. With a Ph.D. in ethics and aesthetics from the University of Minnesota, he combines 25 years of experience as a business advisor and academic. His research focuses on business ethics, meaningful work, and the intersection of humanities and business. He is the co-author of Is Your Work Worth It? (Hachette, 2024) and is past president of the Society for Business Ethics.

Marianne Moyaert, Ph.D.

Dr. Marianne Moyaert, scholar-in-residence with the Jay Phillips Center at St. Thomas April 6-11, is a professor in the Research Unit of Systematic Theology and the Study of Religions at KU Leuven, where she specializes in comparative theology, interreligious hermeneutics, and the ritual dimensions of interreligious encounters. Previously holding the Chair of Comparative Theology and Hermeneutics of Interreligious Dialogue at VU Amsterdam, she directed the Emoena interfaith leadership program and coordinated the "Decolonizing Interfaith Studies" research group. Currently, she leads the VIDI research project Unequal Partners?, examining Christian-Jewish and Christian-Islamic relationships. Marianne is editor-in-chief of the Currents of Encounter series and has published extensively on interreligious dialogue, Jewish-Christian relations, and the theology of religions. Her magisterial new book, Christian Imaginations of the Religious Other: A History of Religionization (Wiley, 2024), crafts a Western European mosaic of religionization's turbulent history by unveiling how religious identities are constructed, hierarchies function, and how they are relevant for engaging diverse societies today worldwide.

Amy Muse, Ph.D.

Dr. Amy Muse is a Professor of English at the University of St. Thomas, where she specializes in drama, theater, and performance studies. She is co-director of Scene Setters, a theater and storytelling initiative, and of a partnership with Narrative 4 aimed at increasing connection, compassion, and resilience among college students. Her research explores the intersection of literature, performance, and lived experience, with a current focus on innovations in contemporary American playwriting. She is the author of books on playwrights Sarah Ruhl and Annie Baker and has published in journals such as Comparative Drama, The Journal of Dramatic Theory and Criticism, and Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad. She earned her PhD in English from Auburn University. Dr. Muse is a former theater artist and incorporates experiential learning and storytelling into her teaching to engage students in the transformative power of the arts.

Fuad Naeem, Ph.D.

Dr. Fuad S. Naeem is an Assistant Professor of Comparative Theology and Director of the Encountering Islam Initiative at the University of St. Thomas. He specializes in Islamic intellectual traditions, interreligious dialogue, and Islam in South Asia. He has previously taught at Gustavus Adolphus College, Williams College, and Georgetown University, where he worked at the Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding. He earned his PhD in Theological and Religious Studies from Georgetown University and an M.A. in History of Religions from George Washington University. Dr. Naeem’s research focuses on Islamic philosophy, theology, and mysticism, Muslim encounters with religious others, and the Qur’an and its exegesis. He has published in the journals Muslim World, Islamic Studies, Religions, Journal of the American Academy of Religion (forthcoming) and contributed chapters and encyclopedia articles. Currently, he is working on a book manuscript exploring the reshaping of Islamic intellectual traditions in modern South Asia, focusing on the theologians Muhammad Qasim Nanautvi and Ashraf ‘Ali Thanvi.

Elinor J. Pierce, M.A.

Elinor (Ellie) Pierce is the Research Director at the Pluralism Project at Harvard University. From her first involvement as a student researcher in San Francisco, Ellie has been actively engaged in field research and multimedia content development for the Pluralism Project. She co-edited World Religions in Boston: A Guide to Communities and Resources, co-produced and co-directed the documentary film Fremont, U.S.A., together with Rachel Antell, and served as content advisor for Acting on Faith: Women’s New Religious Activism in America. Ellie leads the Case Initiative and is the author of the case collection Pluralism in Practice (Orbis 2023). She is the co-editor of two volumes, With the Best of Intentions: Interreligious Missteps and Mistakes and Pilgrimage, Place, and Pluralism. Currently, Ellie is in late production on a documentary film, Abraham's Bridge. She completed her B.A. in anthropology and international studies, with a core in religious studies, from Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota; she earned her Master of Theological Studies degree from the Harvard Divinity School. Ellie’s most recent project is the short documentary film, Abraham’s Bridge.

Laurel Marshall Potter, Ph.D.

Dr. Laurel Marshall Potter is an Assistant Professor of Theology at the University of St. Thomas, specializing in Latin American Catholicism, liberation theology, and decolonial studies. Her research focuses on the evolving expressions of liberation theologies, particularly through the liturgical practices of ecclesial base communities in El Salvador. Laurel is the co-author of Re-membering the Reign of God: The Decolonial Witness of El Salvador's Church of the Poor (2022) and engages in community-based research to explore intercultural and interreligious theological developments. She holds a Ph.D. from Boston College and has lived and worked extensively in Central America.

Anant Rambachan, Ph.D.

Anantanand Rambachan is Emeritus Professor of Religion at Saint Olaf College, Minnesota. He was also Visiting Professor at the Academy for the Study of World Religions at the University of Hamburg in Germany (2013-2017). His scholarly interests include: the Advaita (Non-dual) Vedanta tradition, Hindu ethics, liberation theology, and interreligous dialogue. The BBC transmitted a series of 25 of his lectures on Hinduism. His most recent book is Pathways to Hindu-Christian Dialogue (Fortress, 2022). Prof. Rambachan has been involved in interreligious relations and dialogue for over 40 years, as a Hindu contributor and analyst. He is active in the dialogue programs of the World Council of Churches, and the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue at the Vatican.

Rabbi Debra Rappaport, MBA

Rabbi Debra Rappaport is the Director of Hineni, where she curates and supports Jewish learning and mindfulness practices, fostering engaged learning communities across the Twin Cities. A native of Minneapolis’ western suburbs, she returned to the Twin Cities in 2014 after serving as Rabbi & Executive Director of B’nai Vail Congregation in Colorado. She was ordained at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in 2007, following a first career in sales, marketing, and change management, during which she earned an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Deeply engaged in Jewish spirituality, Rabbi Rappaport has been involved with the Institute for Jewish Spirituality since 2010 and co-chaired the Minnesota Rabbinical Association. Her offerings at Hineni include Mussar, Wise Aging, Jewish Voices for the Earth, and other programs that blend traditional texts with contemporary relevance. An avid outdoor enthusiast, she finds joy in hiking, biking, and skiing around Theodore Wirth Park.

Rocío Cortés Rodríguez, Ph.D.

Dr. Rocío Cortés Rodríguez is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Theology, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. She specializes in interreligious dialogue, with a focus on Judaism, Islam, and indigenous traditions. Her work applies Scriptural Reasoning to foster religious coexistence, particularly in the Chilean context, integrating it into schools, universities, and pastoral settings. She is also a member of the UC Center for the Study of Religion and the Red Ecclesia in America.

Ori Z. Soltes, Ph.D.

Dr. Ori Z. Soltes is a teaching professor in the Center for Jewish Civilization at Georgetown University, where he teaches across the disciplines of theology, art history, philosophy, and political history. Formerly the Director and Chief Curator of the B’nai B’rith Klutznick National Jewish Museum, he curated over 80 exhibitions and co-founded the Holocaust Art Restitution Project, which addresses issues of Nazi-plundered art. Dr. Soltes has delivered lectures at leading institutions such as the Smithsonian, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the National Gallery of Art, and has appeared on CNN, the History Channel, and the Discovery Channel. With nearly 300 articles, essays, books, and exhibit catalogues to his name, his publications include Between Thought and Action: An Intellectual Biography of Fethullah Gulen, Fixing the World: Jewish American Painters in the Twentieth Century, and Our Sacred Signs: How Christian, Jewish, and Muslim Art Draw from the Same Source.

Rabbi Adam Stock Spilker

Rabbi Adam Stock Spilker is a leader in multifaith collaboration, justice work, and innovative Jewish engagement. Serving as the longest-tenured rabbi of Mount Zion Temple in St. Paul since 1997, he has been instrumental in founding and guiding initiatives that foster interfaith dialogue, including the Minnesota Multifaith Network. With a passion for teaching and community-building, he brings a deep commitment to exploring the intersections of faith, justice, and civic life. A graduate of Duke University with an A.B. in Religious Studies and certificates in Jewish Studies and Women’s Studies, he was ordained at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion.

Anna Stamborski, M.Div.

Anna Stamborski, M.Div., is a national organizer and trainer with Crossroads Antiracism Organizing and Training, known for her expertise in creating interactive and growth-oriented spaces. She is also a qualitative researcher, JEDI consultant, and former bilingual public educator. Anna's approach is deeply influenced by her background in Restorative Justice, mediation, and her role as an Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) Qualified Administrator, emphasizing high accountability, joy, and growth.

J.D. Steele

J.D. Steele exploded onto the Minnesota music scene in the mid-1980s along with Prince, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, Soul Asylum and the Steeles, putting Minnesota on the national music map forever. Steele began his career singing and arranging jingles for local and national spots including Kodak, Target and other national brands. He developed his abilities as a vocal arranger as a young teen while directing a 100-voice choir at age 16. At Purdue University, where he majored in marketing, he organized and directed the African American Cultural Center ensemble and began writing and arranging his original compositions. Since arriving on the Minnesota music scene, Mr. Steele and his dynamic vocal siblings, The Steeles, have garnered every major music award and accolade the state has had to offer. Steele and the family began touring the international hit show “The Gospel at Colonus” with Morgan Freeman before finally landing on Broadway in 1988 for a successful nine-month run. After that, the Steeles signed their first record deal with Elektra Records and released “Heaven Help Us All” in 1993. Steele produced and co-wrote 12 of the 14 songs released on that record. Since then, he has produced, performed and recorded six additional Steeles albums and has gone on to write, produce, perform and record with Prince, Donald Fagen, George Clinton, Mavis Staples, Kim Carnes, Fine Young Cannibals, the Sounds of Blackness and many other artists. He has performed on stages all over America, in Spain, Italy, London, Moscow, South America and many other cities and countries.

Deanna A. Thompson, Ph.D.

Dr. Deanna A. Thompson is the Director of the Lutheran Center for Faith, Values, and Community and holds the Martin E. Marty Regents Chair in Religion and the Academy at St. Olaf College. Her work articulates a “Lutheran and interreligious” vision for fostering dialogue across religious and non-religious identities. An accomplished author and scholar, she has written five books, including Crossing the Divide: Luther, Feminism, and the Cross and Glimpsing Resurrection: Trauma, Cancer, and Ministry. Her recent research focuses on vocation, trauma, and the intersection of sadness and hope. Thompson is a sought-after speaker and leader, with extensive service in the American Academy of Religion and the Network of ELCA Colleges and Universities. Prior to joining St. Olaf, she taught at Hamline University for over 20 years, earning numerous accolades for her teaching and scholarship.

President Rob Vischer, J.D.

Rob Vischer, a distinguished scholar in law, religion, and public policy, served as Dean of the St. Thomas School of Law for nearly a decade before becoming the 16th President of the University of St. Thomas on January 1, 2023. During his deanship, he enhanced the law school’s scholarly reputation, maintaining a top-25 ranking for scholarly impact, improving employment outcomes for graduates, and establishing partnerships with law schools in more than a dozen countries. He made racial justice central to the school’s mission, earning the inaugural Minnesota Lawyer Diversity and Inclusion Award for his contributions to equity in the legal profession. A Harvard Law School graduate and former editor of the Harvard Law Review, Vischer’s scholarship examines the role of conscience in law and professional ethics. He emphasizes the importance of a "culture of encounter," inspired by Pope Francis, which involves noticing, listening, encouraging, and being present with each person to build meaningful relationships and advance the common good.

Roman Williams, Ph.D.

Roman Williams is the founder of Interfaith Photovoice, an organization that combines photography and sociology for intergroup and interfaith engagement. He holds a Ph.D. in the sociology of religion from Boston University and a Th.M. focused on global religions from Gordon-Conwell Seminary. Roman was a tenured associate professor of sociology at Calvin University (2012–2020) and served as the executive officer of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion (2016–2021). His academic publications combine his interests in lived religion and participatory visual methodologies, which come together in his edited volume, Seeing Religion (Routledge, 2015).

During his years in higher education, Roman experienced a shift in his personal and professional interests, one that led him into community-based participatory action research. The pandemic gave him the opportunity to step out of higher education and into his own consulting practice focused on belief, belonging, and human flourishing. Today, he fancies the idea that he is helping to make the world a better and more inclusive place one photo at a time. Roman’s book, Sacred Snaps: Photovoice for Interfaith Engagement (co-authored with Cathy Holtmann and Bill Sachs), invites others into this work.

Anastasia Young, DNP, AGNP-C

Anastasia Young, DNP, AGNP-C, is a medical oncology nurse practitioner and interfaith leader who has spent over a decade merging her twin vocations within healthcare and interfaith work. She developed the Interfaith in Nursing continuing education course at Augsburg University, the co-founder of the Interfaith Healthcare Cohort for Interfaith America’s Emerging Leaders Network. She is a strong advocate for the inclusion of interfaith cooperation in both the workplace and patient care. Her work has been extraordinarily valuable for healthcare workers across the country who seek to develop health-related interfaith skills, address moral injury, and positively influence change. Anastasia identifies as a Christian and is driven by her faith and values to be a bridge-builder and changemaker, working towards a healthier future for all.

Olivia Young

Olivia Young is the Community Director for the Center for Working Families. After graduating Loras College in 2012, Olivia volunteered with the Center for two years and then – after a year hiatus – returned to work with the Center families during the 2016-2017 academic year. Coming to the Center was a kismet connection facilitated by Olivia’s grade school friend and former yearlong volunteer, Colleen Caragher. By sharing the mission, vision and love of the families, Colleen invited Olivia to join her in a year of service. Much like everyone who is a witness to the Center’s work, Olivia fell in love and was forever changed. In the two years after volunteering at the Center, Olivia worked with a nonprofit organization supporting their Alumni Network. Throughout that time, she strengthened her relationship and community-building skill-set and, with her charisma, re-energized the alumni Network leadership team. In May 2018, Olivia assumed the full time role of C4WF Development Director. From speaking with parish communities about the Center’s mission, hosting fundraising and social events, and raising funds to cover the Center’s operating budget, Olivia promoted the Center’s work with pride and adoration. She held this fundraising and outreach position for a year before moving back to Quito in August 2019 to take over as Community Director. She is ecstatic to utilize her strengths in community building, mentoring year-long volunteers, introducing visiting groups to the Center’s mission, and, most importantly, to continue supporting the Center’s beloved “Family of Families!” She is a native of Milwaukee, WI, and currently resides onsite in Quito, Ecuador.

Ahmed Ismail Yusuf, MPA

Raised in a nomadic upbringing, Ahmed Ismail Yusuf is the author of three books: Gorgorkii Yimi, a collection of short stories in Somali, The Lion’s Binding Oath, a collection of short stories in English, and Somalis in Minnesota. His short stories appeared in Bildhaan: An International Journal of Somali Studies, Mizna: An Arab-American literary magazine. His play A Crack in the Sky was produced at the History Theater in Saint Paul and others were performed at Pangea (TALES OF TIME), New Arab American Theater CONSCIENCE CAFÉ as well as Mixed Blood Theater DANCE WITH ME. Other work of his appeared Home: An Anthology; Under Purple Skies: Minneapolis Anthology. His mental health publications appeared in Journal of Muslim Mental Health, Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, International Society for Traumatic-stress Studies, and Psychiatry Times. He has a BS in creative writing and psychology from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut; and an MPA (Master of Public Affairs) from the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs of the University of Minnesota.

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