Lewiston, Maine

Abdikhadar and his family escaped the Somali civil war when he was just six months old, seeking refuge in the Dadaab Refugee Camps in Kenya. Growing up in the camp, he received an education thanks to the support of aid organizations. In 2010, after not only completing his studies but also topping his class at Dagahaley Refugee Camp school, Abdikhadar earned a scholarship to the University of Ottawa in Canada. There, he completed his Bachelor's degree in Economics and Social Services in 2017.

Subsequently, he relocated to Lewiston, Maine, where he attended the University of Maine in Augusta and earned a second Bachelor's degree, this time in Public Administration. Abdikhadar is now pursuing his Master's degree in Business Administration at the University of Maine Orono.

Apart from his academic achievements, Abdikhadar has been a beacon of change in the community. He founded AK Health and Social Services as well as the AK Collaborative. His significant contributions have been acknowledged with recognitions from both the City and the Maine Governor's office. In 2022, Mainebiz highlighted his efforts, including him in their '40 under 40' list for his work at AK Health. Additionally, he is the proud founder of the 'Give it Back Refugee Aid' initiative."

Lewiston, Maine

Amina Hassan founded Her Safety Net in 2021, as a nonprofit organization that provides advocacy and well-being services to women of all ages, with a special focus on immigrants facing gender-based violence, domestic violence and sexual assault.

MaineBiz named Hassan a 2023 Maine Business Leader of the Year in its annual awards. Executives from across the state’s business community were nominated in nine different leadership categories and final selections were made by a special committee at MaineBiz. Amina was honored in the New Mainer category for her work with immigrant communities.

In 2022, AK Health and Social Services, a nonprofit in Lewiston, Maine, honored Amina for her work founding HSN with its annual “Outspoken Allies of the Immigrant and BIPOC Communities in LA” award.

In addition to leading HSN, Amina recently joined AK Health and Social Services, and now serves as its vice chair. She also is chair of the AK Collaborative, a coalition of immigrant-led, community-based organizations, of which HSN and AKHSS are members. Members of AKC work together to assist immigrants, refugees and BIPOC individuals and their families in Maine.

In 2022, Amina was appointed to serve a two-year term on the Maine CDC’s Office of Population Health Equity council. OPHE council members are tasked with assisting the state in the design and implementation of initiatives that advance health equity across Maine.

Amina’s professional background includes more than a decade of work in the Lewiston-Auburn community as a case manager, an interpreter and as an advocate for women and children.

She was born in war-torn Somalia and grew up in a refugee camp in Kenya. As a teenager, she and her family were able to emigrate to the United States and eventually relocated to Maine in 2010. She graduated from Lewiston High School in 2014 and earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Maine in Social and Behavioral Sciences, with a concentration in counseling. Currently, Amina is pursuing a master’s degree in social work.

Iowa, USA

Mohamed grew up in the Dadaab Refugee Camps, where he completed both his primary and secondary education. After graduating from high school, Mohamed was awarded a scholarship by the World University Services of Canada (WUSC) to study in Canada. He enrolled at the University of Toronto and earned his Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. Later, he pursued his Master's in Economics at York University in Toronto.

After receiving his master's degree, Mohamed joined the Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority, focusing on Economic Forecasting and Analysis. He subsequently became a senior Economic Analyst at the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. In 2019, Mohamed began his doctorate at Iowa State University, pursuing a Ph.D. in Economics. His research interests lie in the broader area of Macroeconomic Development, with a focus on agriculture, sectoral productivity, land tenure systems, structural transformation, trade, and demographics. His primary region of interest is Sub-Saharan Africa. Having grown up in rural Africa, Mohamed offers a unique perspective on the challenges of poverty and development, informed both by academic research and his Lived experiences.

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hamdi Mohamed's early years were spent in the Dadaab Refugee camps, but she later relocated to Minneapolis, Minnesota. Her educational journey began at Superior Lake College in Duluth, Minnesota, where she earned her Bachelor's in Nursing. Furthering her expertise, Hamdi attended Augsburg University in Minneapolis, solidifying her credentials and becoming a Registered Nurse. With five years of experience under her belt, working as a Registered Nurse in various hospitals across Minnesota, Hamdi has now teamed up with GIBRA, offering her specialized knowledge in the medical and health sectors.

Abshiro's life story is one of determination and dedication, marked by her journey from a refugee camp in Kenya to becoming a key figure in the AK Health family. At a young age, Abshiro and her family resettled in Maine, where she embraced every opportunity for growth and education.

After graduating from Lewiston High School, Abshiro's passion for helping others led her to pursue a career in occupational therapy. She enrolled at the University of Southern Maine to obtain her Master's degree in this field, driven by a deep desire to make a positive impact on the lives of individuals facing physical and mental challenges.

In 2021, Abshiro found herself as a vital member of the AK Health family, joining as a social service community health worker. Her empathetic nature and dedication to improving the well-being of her community quickly earned her recognition, and she was promoted to the position of Deputy Director within the organization.

Abshiro's continuous growth and outstanding leadership qualities didn't go unnoticed, and she currently holds the esteemed position of Interim Executive Director of AK Health. In this role, she carries the responsibility of overseeing the organization's operations and implementing strategies to enhance its impact on the community's health and welfare.

Executive Director

Lewiston, Maine

Anab spent her early years in the Dadaab Refugee Camp before resettling in Maine during her youth. She pursued her education at Edward Little High School, followed by Central Maine Community College. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with numerous nonprofit organizations. Notably, she took on the role of Executive Director at AK Health and Social Services and also served as the Deputy Director for Her Safety Net

St Paul, Minnesota

Omar Noor Osman spent his early years in the Dagahaley Refugee Camp in Dadaab, Kenya, where he completed both his elementary and secondary education. Later, he moved to the United States and settled in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Omar pursued his studies at St. Paul College in St. Paul, Minnesota, specializing as a Laboratory Technician. He then served as a laboratory technician for several private corporations in Minneapolis. In addition to his professional career, Omar is an entrepreneur, owning a small business in the transportation sector in Minnesota.

Iowa, USA

Abdi spent his childhood years in Dadaab Refugee Camp in Kenya, where he pursued both his elementary and secondary education. Given his lived experiences and the challenges he faced growing up, Abdi possesses a deep-rooted understanding of displacement and its complexities. In his final year of high school, a new chapter began for him and his family as they resettled in Des Moines, Iowa. Continuing his educational journey, Abdi enrolled at Iowa State University and earned his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. Today, Abdi contributes his expertise as a process engineer at Renewable Energy Group Inc. Drawing from his personal journey and his desire to make a difference, Abdi has also joined GIBRA to further its mission and support those in similar circumstances.