CO-INTERIM CEO | VICE PRESIDENT OF ADMINISTRATION

SHANAYA DUNGEY

As Vice President of Administration, Shanaya oversees organizational health and effectiveness strategies in Finance, Operations, and HR. Her passion and experience empowering communities through operational excellence and strategic efficiency span across sectors including government, corporate, nonprofits, and the arts. In 2020, Shanaya led a youth programming unit, honored as Standout Diversity Program which was highlighted in Forbes. She holds professional certifications from University of St. Thomas, Executive Education.

CO-INTERIM CEO | VICE PRESIDENT OF AMPLIFICATION

MARC WATTS

As Vice President of Amplification, Marc leads internal communications and external narrative strategies. A former CNN National Correspondent who got his start at WCCO TV as a broadcast journalist, Marc has worked in senior management for various media companies and TV networks, bringing a wealth of knowledge to AALF. He has lectured on the art of communication at numerous colleges. This role marks a homecoming for Marc who holds a master’s degree from University of Minnesota and spent his youth in Minneapolis.

VICE PRESIDENT OF NETWORK ALIGNMENT

NIILA HEBERT

As Vice President of Network Alignment, Niila oversees the development of the AALF Network with the core strategies of network management, network insights and leadership development. She carries a passion for inclusion, access, and justice in the Black and LGBTQ+ communities. Niila has worked with nonprofit organizations more than 15 years. No stranger to volunteerism, she brings a wealth of collaborative skills to her new role and is a specialist in creating partnerships and connections through innovative practices. Niila is a graduate of Cal State Long Beach University.

VICE PRESIDENT OF ACCELERATION

LEONDRA MITCHELL

As Vice President of Network Acceleration, Leondra connects high-impact individuals, organizations, and businesses with the advocacy, investments, and collaboration needed to accelerate Black communities. She is passionate about equity, inclusion, and the intersectionality of race and class. She has previously worked at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and UK UNESCO. As a public historian, Leondra is most concerned about the erasure of the Black voice, inadequate wealth building, and the stigmatization of mental health. She holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Howard University.

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

PAULA NEELEY

Paula joins AALF with a distinguished 30-year administrative and writing background in the U.S., Europe and South America. She specializes in project coordination and process improvement. Paula also works as an independent journalist for the Minnesota Women’s Press Institute based in St. Paul and serves as Board Chair for The Uptake community news group in Minneapolis. An alumna of Indiana University-Bloomington, Paula enjoys reading, kayaking and archery. She volunteers for New City Church in South Minneapolis on the music and grant writing teams.
SENIOR DIRECTOR OF EVENTS

MARLA ETHERIDGE

As Senior Director of Events, Marla oversees the organization’s events and community convenings. She comes to AALF from the University of Minnesota, where she worked in a similar capacity with the College of Education and Human Development.  Passionate about creating collaborative and connective social experiences, Marla has worked for various corporations in project management for more than 10 years, and has served on nonprofit boards and community groups. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Metropolitan State University.
SENIOR DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

INGRID SABAH

As Senior Director of Operations, Ingrid oversee structures, systems and processes that ensure organizational effectiveness. Ingrid is a skilled connector, a natural curator of community, and passionate change agent who finds inspiration in people and possibilities. She brings a wealth of leadership experience to identifying new opportunities and strategizing successful partnerships. Ingrid has worked closely with organizations of all kinds, from high-growth digital startups, mission-driven nonprofits and Fortune 500 companies. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota.
SENIOR DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING

BRITTANY TRAVIS

As Senior Director of Communications and Marketing, Brittany oversees the strategic development and management of AALF’s communication, marketing, and public relations functions. Throughout her career, Brittany has worked alongside a variety of Fortune 500 companies, federal institutions, and start-ups in the coordinated production and launch of national multi-media campaigns. She has a passion for creating impactful connections and opportunities for learning with strong interest in education equity and entrepreneurship. Brittany holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota.
SENIOR DIRECTOR OF NETWORK INSIGHT

AMBER JONES

As Senior Director of Network Insights, Amber oversees network insights strategy that convenes contributors to connect, drive collective action, and advance an advocacy agenda. She has a wealth of experience in community organizing, political advocacy, and systems change. Amber is a former policy advisor to MN Governor Tim Walz and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan, where she managed policy and legislative relations on public safety and criminal justice reform. Amber is a 2015 Josie R. Johnson Leadership Academy Fellow and holds a bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, from the University of Minnesota. She’s currently studying for her master’s degree at Luther Seminary.

DIRECTOR OF LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

ADORA LAND TOLEFREE

With nearly a decade in the nonprofit sector, Adora directs the organization’s development strategies that create leadership pipelines to drive collective action. She manages the Josie R. Johnson Leadership Academy as well. Adora is passionate about developing strategies to increase community wealth and is a firm believer that collective work is the best way to generate opportunities for community. She holds a master’s degree in Public and Nonprofit Administration from Metropolitan State University.

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

KENNETH SCALES

As Director of Development, Kenneth manages AALF’s initiatives in generating new partnerships and business. Well-plugged into the Twin Cities community and a 13-year veteran of economic development in the nonprofit sector, Kenneth launched his career as an AmeriCorps volunteer with the PEACE Foundation, now known as the Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ). He is a former fellow of AALF’s Josie R. Johnson Leadership Academy, with extensive relationships and fundraising skills across the board.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Officers

Kevin Lindsey, Board Chair | Executive Director, Minnesota Humanities Center

Duchesne Drew, Board Treasurer | President, Minnesota Public Radio

Anisha Murphy, Board Secretary | Adjunct Professor, Hamline University

Members

Sylvia Bartley, BSc (Hons), Pharmacology; PhD, Neurophysiology Global Director, Medtronic Philanthropy

Lauren Boulware, Director, Morgan Stanley

Robbin Frazier, Associate Director of Equity and Community Engagement Center for Healthy Aging and Innovation, University of Minnesota

Dr. Nerita Hughes, Dean for the School of Business, Careers, Education & Workforce Innovation, North Hennepin Community College (Past AALF Board of Directors Co-Chair, 2021)

Carolyn Smallwood, Executive Director, Way To Grow

John Taylor, Director Strategic Sourcing, Medtronic (Past AALF Board of Directors Co-Chair, 2021)

Stella Whitney West, CEO, NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center