Our Staff
Though we are small, we are mighty!
Interested in working with us?
826 MSP is hiring! We also offer part-time internships, which can be for college credit. Learn more here.
Dr. JAMAL ADAM, Executive Director
Dr. Jamal Adam grew up Somalia and lived in Kenya as a refugee for nine years before he moved to the United States. Jamal has over 20 years of serving multiple roles at multiple educational institutions. In his role, he served as an academic dean, counselor, and instructor at several community colleges in Minnesota. Jamal is passionate about academic success and personal wellbeing of diverse students. In his free time, Jamal volunteers with several non-profit organizations in the Twin Cities where he serves as a member of the Board of Directors and a mentor. He enjoys traveling, long distance running, and most importantly, spending quality time with family and friends.
Dr. Jamal Adam earned his Associate of Arts degree from Minneapolis Community and Technical College, followed by a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Science and Psychology from Metropolitan State University, a Master of Arts in Counseling and Psychological Services from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, and a Ph.D. in Educational Administration and Policy from University of Minnesota Twin Cities.
Favorite Book: The Kite Runner by Khalid Hosseini.
ELLEN FEE, associate program director
Ellen grew up in Wisconsin and graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2016, after completing an undergraduate thesis in children’s poetry and literacy development. Before joining 826 MSP, Ellen worked for the U’s College of Education and Human Development, the Minnesota Daily, and America Reads. Ellen is a proud St. Paul resident and was a winner of the 2019 St. Paul Public Art Sidewalk Poetry contest. Outside of 826, Ellen has taught in the Loft Literary Center’s summer youth program and is a representative on her neighborhood council.
Favorite Book: Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
CRISTETA BOARINI, Program Director
As a child, Cristeta Boarini wanted to be a marine biologist when she grew up. Now as program director for 826 MSP, she thinks that this is the next best thing. Cristeta is a journalist and storyteller based in South Minneapolis. Originally from the Chicagoland area, Cristeta graduated cum laude from the University of Minnesota in 2011. Her work has been featured in local media outlets such as the Twin Cities Daily Planet, Radio K, The Growler Magazine, MinnPost and KFAI. Cristeta currently serves on the boards of the Radio K Alumni Association and the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council. When she’s not searching for that next great story, Cristeta can be found walking her dog around Powderhorn or knitting.
Favorite Book: Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
ANNIE CHEN, WRITERS’ ROOM MANAGER
Annie began working at 826 MSP in September 2022 as the Writers’ Room Manager at South High School. Annie holds a BA in Asian Languages and Literatures from The University of Minnesota and an MA in Education from Augsburg University focusing on community and informal education. She has a decade of experience in youth work and is a fiber and resin artist who works to be in community with other BIPOC makers. She has been published in, “We Are the Story: A Visual Response to Racism” featuring her quilt Generational Talks and in “Trials by Whiteness” featuring her quilt Entralink.
Favorite book: American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang
Marian (AMINAH) HUSSEIN, Community engagement manager
Marian (Aminah) is an educator, a storyteller, and a future film director. After returning from working in the film industry in NYC, she spent the last 4 years working at charter schools in the Twin Cities in various roles as an educator and in administration. It is during that time that she discovered her passion and gift for youth development. She believes in amplifying youth voices and giving them access to resources to hone their creativity—which is why she is especially excited to have joined 826 MSP.
Favorite Film Director: Martin Scorsese
Board of Directors
Interested in becoming a board member for 826 MSP? Email boardchair@826msp.org for more information.
TINA PFAU GONZALES is a consultant with more than thirty years of cross-sector expertise in relationship management, donor cultivation and community outreach. Her specialties include strategic partnership development, board recruitment, and small business operations. She joined 826 MSP’s board in January 2022 and currently serves as board chair.
QORSHO HASSAN is an educator, writer and activist. She is also the artist behind the exhibit and book Urur Dhex-Dhexaad Ah: Community In-Between. Qorsho was named Minnesota Teacher of the Year for 2020! She joined the board in 2018, chairs the impact committee and currently serves as vice chair of the board.
JEFF SHI is a Scientific Computing Consultant with the Minnesota Supercomputing Institute at the University of Minnesota. He has been volunteering with the broader 826 network since 2013, and joined the board in May of 2019. He currently serves on the development committee and the impact committee.
DARA BEEVAS is the co-founder and Chief Strategic Officer of Wise Ink, as well as an entrepreneur, writer, and passionate publisher who speaks about the intersection of storytelling, entrepreneurialism and publishing on purpose. Dara is a member of the governance committee and joined the board in 2021.
SHELBY DALE DEWEESE is a writer and educator currently completing her M.Ed. in language arts education at the University of Minnesota. She was previously on the staff of 826 Valencia, has been volunteering with 826 MSP and the broader 826 network since 2013, and joined the board in 2022. Shelby serves on the impact committee.
FARHIYA ABDULKARIM is a Grantmaking Coordinator at the Bush Foundation. As Grantmaking Coordinator, Farhiya works to ensure that processes and practices are in place so the grantmaking team can make the biggest impact in the communities that the Foundation serves. Prior to joining the Foundation, she led and supported racial equity work at Concordia College - Moorhead and Macalester College. Farhiya joined the board in January 2023 and serves on the development committee.
DEEQO HASHI - Bio forthcoming. Welcome to our new board members!
CROWN SHEPHERD - Bio forthcoming. Welcome to our new board members!
AL ONKKA is a principal consultant at Aurora Consulting in Minneapolis, specializing in thoughtful evaluation, strategic planning, and organizational leadership development. Al joined the board in 2019 and currently serves as board treasurer.
EMILY VALENTINE-GRIMM is an attorney at Mason & Helmers in St. Paul, specializing in estate and trust litigation. Emily is the chair of the development committee and joined the board in 2019.
CARSON FAUST is a member of the Edisto Natchez-Kusso tribe of South Carolina. He supports evaluation and organizational learning at Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies, and served as a teaching artist for 826 MSP before joining the board in 2021. He currently serves on the impact committee and as board secretary.
KATHY SEIPP is a 4th grade teacher at Lakeview in the Robbinsdale District. As a teacher, she is an 826 Digital Educator Leader and equity and white privilege professional development facilitator. She has also been a human rights curriculum writer and editor. Kathy joined the board in January 2023 and serves on the development committee.
MARIAM ADAM is the Assistant Principal at Sullivan Middle School in Minneapolis and has been an educator for 18 years. She has led several community projects with the University of Minnesota Outreach Program, Islamic Civic Society of America, National Youth Leadership Committee, and other nonprofit groups focusing on Somali parent engagement, youth leadership and civic participation. Mariam joined 826 MSP’s board in April 2022 and serves on the finance committee.
ALANA KEISER - is the Development Associate at Graywolf Press. Before joining Graywolf, she worked in development at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and Minneapolis Institute of Art. Alana has a B.A. in English and Creative Writing from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, and writes poetry and creative nonfiction. A born and raised Minnesotan, Alana currently lives in Minneapolis. Alana joined 826 MSP’s board in June 2023.