Staff and Board

Board of Directors

Dr. Abdulfatah Mohamed, Chair
            Public Health Professional, Minnesota Department of Health
Lisa Friedlander, Secretary
Project Specialist, Minnesota Historical Society
Bashir Sheikh, Accountant
            Manager, Baz Accounting
Busad Ali Kheyr, Board Member
            Social Worker, Somali Senior Center, Minneapolis
Asha Hibad, Board Member
            Director, Somali Senior Center, Minneapolis
Mohamed Ahmed Salad, Board Member
Former Chair, Confederation of Somali Community
Abdullahi Samater, Board Member
School Security Officer, Ubah Medical Academy
Kate Roberts (Ph D, Art History) , Board Member
Senior Exhibit Developer, Minnesota Historical Society

Somali Museum Board members visit the Minnesota Historical Society. Pictured: Busad Kheyre, Osman Ali, Daniel Spock (not a board member), Asha Hibad

Advisors

Said Salah Ahmed, Teaching Specialist, University of MN Twin Cities – African Studies, Internationally-acclaimed poet, performer, and cultural historian
David Grabitske Manager of Outreach Services, Minnesota Historical Society
Mihailo Temali Founder and CEO, Neighborhood Development Center
Nasra Noor Community Organizer, Common Bond Communities
Mai Vang Founder, The Hmong Museum
Mulki Hussein Community Development Specialist
Abdiwahab Mohamed Yusuf, Owner of Kalkaal Home Care

Staff

Osman Mohamed Ali
Founder and Executive Director

A recognized cultural expert and Somali community leader, Osman has carried out research in Somali cultural history in Somalia, Yemen, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and United States for over 30 years. Osman manages the Somali Museum's independent financial activities, oversees gallery operations, runs staff meetings, directs program initiatives, and builds strategic partnerships worldwide. Osman is an experienced businessman and manager, having started and operated three successful businesses since moving to the Twin Cities 22 years ago. Osman is recognized worldwide for his role preserving and advancing Somali traditional culture, with appearances at Somali Week London, the Mogadishu Book Fair, Somali Week / Bristol UK, Somali Students Association National Conference, International Somali Awards, and more. Osman has worked in collaboration with governments and national museums in 4 countries.

Mohamoud Osman Mohamed
Program Director - Youth & Performance

Mohamoud Osman Mohamed plans and directs special events including the Somali Museum anniversary celebrations, storytelling events, and developed the Somali Museum Dance Troupe program and the talk show Manta Iyo Mohamoud. Mohamoud is also a licensed school counselor at Roosevelt High School supporting students by addressing their academic, career and social/emotional developmental needs. Mohamoud holds a Master of Science in Education in School Counseling degree from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Prior to joining the Somali Museum team, he was a philanthropist coordinating and promoting fundraising events for drought victims of Somalia, and children with degenerative diseases. Mohamoud is dedicated to community service and has a history of coordinating events, including the Somali Independence Day festival in Minnesota and more.

Khadijah Muse
Development Director

Khadijah (Zahra) Muse is a contemporary artist and organizer based in Minneapolis, MN. Khadijah holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from University of Minnesota, and has an extensive background in community and economic development, working previously as an organizer with West Bank Business Association and as an advocate on many community arts advisory boards. Khadijah is also a founding member of the arts collective Soomaal House of Art. Khadijah previously coordinated the Somali Museum's exhibition Somalis + Minnesota in partnership with Minnesota History Center. Khadijah is a visual artist who works in several media, including photography, woodworking, sculpture, and installation; understanding the power of art, Khadijah creates opportunities for other Somali artists. As Development Director, Zahra is leading the Somali Museum in expanding partnership, building a network of supporters, and cultivating a sustainable base for the Museum to live long into the future.

Abdirahman Hassan
Gallery Guide & Accessibility Coordinator

Abdirahman Hassan is a graduate of the University of Minnesota with a Master's in Nursing and a B.A. in Biology, Society and Environment / History of Medicine. He moved to Minnesota in 2004 after leaving his hometown of Mombasa, Kenya. In Kenya, Abdirahman lived between languages, and never had the chance to learn the Somali language. He learned Arabic to read the Quran, and he learned Swahili to do well in school. In the U.S, he had to learn English. After taking Somali at the University of Minnesota, he gained appreciation for his language and culture. Abdirahman says, "I enjoy working at the museum because I learn about my ancestors, their crafts, their history and the culture of my people. It is pleasing to know one's self and this is what the museum allows me to do".

Ginger Johnson
Collections Manager, Volunteer Coordinator, Program Assistant and Gallery Guide

As an art historian and enthusiast, Ginger stepped into the Collections Management role in April 2019 with a B. A. in Art History and a minor in Museum Studies from Lawrence University in Appleton, WI. In her free time, she performs as a Human Statue, knits and volunteers at the Weisman Museum as a gallery guide. In addition to being in charge of the Somali Museum Collection of art and artifacts, she coordinates volunteers and interns for events and is the contact for programs at the museum including: Travelling Exhibit, Somali 101, Weaving Workshops & Tours.

Amal Mohamed
Marketing and Communications Director
& Gallery Guide

Amal Mohamed is a a recent graduate from the University of Minnesota, with a degree in communications and sociology. Born and raised in Minnesota, shes an experienced Director Of Marketing and Communications with a demonstrated history of working in the museums and institutions industry. Skilled in Nonprofit Organizations, Program Development, Exhibit Curation, Event Planning, Directing Talent, and Public Speaking.

"It is important I take into account the different audiences that may come through these institutions and provide them with an experience that is inclusionary. I approach my work environment with an enthusiastic and welcoming demeanor. I make it a priority to first listen, evaluate, and then act on the information, stories, trends, and reports I receive during new projects. The Somali Museum allows me to hone in on my various skill sets whilst demonstrating a love for my culture and community."

Gabriel Drummond
Former Gallery Guide & Office and Collections Manager (emeritus)

Gabriel (Gabby) Drummond is a sophomore at the University of Minnesota, majoring in Animal Science with a Pre-Vet Emphasis. Originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Gabby's background is in conservation education and youth education. Before coming to Minnesota she worked at the Philadelphia Zoo for 5 years in the education department and was assistant head counselor at a community summer camp. At the Somali Museum she gives tours to guests, manages the collection catalogue, and is studying artifact care. When not giving tours she has taken a special liking to inventorying the museums hundreds of artifacts.

Adan Dirie
Former Program Director - Public Programs (emeritus)

Adan Dirie has lived in Saint Paul, MN since 2006. He has a Bachelor's degree in Biology from Metropolitan State University, and is active in the Twin Cities' Somali language and literary community. An organizer of the annual Afka Hooyo/Mother Tongue Day event at the University of Minnesota, Adan is committed to culture and language preservation in the diaspora. Adan also writes and performs Somali poetry. At the Somali Museum, Adan oversees program scheduling, partner relationships, and public programs.

Sarah Larsson
Former Outreach and Development Director (emeritus)

An anthropologist and community advocate, Sarah has studied and served in community development in East Africa, Eastern Europe, and the United States. Sarah earned a B.A. and M.A. in Anthropology from Yale University, where she conducted research in the cultural anthropology of Africa. Sarah oversees publicity activities and fundraising, manages the Somali Museum’s social media presence, designs press materials, initiates strategic partnerships for the Somali Museum, and conducts outreach to non-Somali Minnesotans.