On Oct. 2, 2025, our Boards & Commissions Leadership Institute (BCLI) graduated its 12th cohort at Open Book in Minneapolis. We’re proud to welcome the 11 graduating fellows to our growing alumni network—now 168 strong!
BCLI Program Director Chai Lee opened by highlighting the program year, and Nexus Founder & CEO Repa Mekha grounded us in the need to be in community: how moving in coalitions and partnerships is more important now than ever. Repa talked about the importance of leveraging new and old connections in the BCLI network, as fellows, alumni, and trainers work to bring about more just and equitable policies in all tables where BCLI leaders may sit.
Each year, we ask a pair of graduating fellows to share their journey through the program. After welcoming remarks, BCLI Program Assistant Christine Lian introduced our 2025 speakers: Melanie Johnson and Victor Obisakin.
Melanie spoke to the power of being in community with likeminded equity champions who seek to make an impact in decision-making. She reflected on the importance of preparation and skills training provided by BCLI staff and curriculum. Victor shared that he was blown away by BCLI. When he first heard about the program, he looked up alumni and was impressed by the powerful folks who have come through in past cohorts. In his remarks, Victor noted:
“The BCLI program created a safe space where we could share our thoughts without fear of being told to shut up, be quiet, or ‘no, you can’t say that.’ In a time like today, BCLI is needed. If you truly care about your community, if you understand that racism exists in current governing structures, and if you care about advancing equity for BIPOC and other communities who’ve been told, ‘NO, you can’t,’ then BCLI is for you. If you have not joined BCLI, quit wasting your time and join.
I’ll end by quoting one of our guest speakers, Dr. Antonia Apolinario-Wilcoxson: ‘No one is coming to save you.’ So I urge you all, get ready, because you are on deck. I believe BCLI has shaped my leadership journey by equipping me with the tools to build a safer community and perhaps my state. I am more confident now than ever. I am going to run for office.”
The evening wrapped up with our keynote speaker, Robert Lilligren. Robert is the first Tribal member on the Met Council and CEO of the Native American Community Development Institute (NACDI). He is deeply committed to equity-centered regional growth. His previous work as CEO of Little Earth United Tribes and his background as a housing developer and contractor further solidify his community-development expertise. On the Met Council, Robert chairs the Community Development Committee.
Robert reflected on his long and wonderful journey in public service. He has previously served 12 years on the Minneapolis City Council. He talked about the importance of boards and committees in shaping his early life even before he realized it. As a child, he was often around Indigenous leaders who sought advice, help, and leadership from his parents. His elders were also involved in governing boards for nonprofits and in community work, so he saw firsthand how meetings were run effectively using Robert’s Rules and through the observation of his elders’ leadership.
As an adult, Robert became more engaged with his neighborhood on issues of public safety, and eventually felt a natural calling to run meetings, gather people, organize, and run for public office himself. The arc of his incredible journey was a great reminder of how early experiences on boards and commissions can build a lasting legacy of service and leadership.
We are so excited to see what comes next for our newest crop of alumni as they go out into the world and continue to move the needle on equity!
