Lavasha Smith

I serve as a program manager within the Open Road Fund. I am excited about the idea of wealth building within the Black and Brown community. I am specifically passionate about communities of color owning their labor, building generational wealth, and highlighting the uniqueness and beauty in the ways they cooperate. I am committed to

Christina Nicholson

In my role at Nexus, I serve as the Cooperative Finance Developer for the Worker Owner Initiative (WOI), which is part of Nexus’ Community Wealth Building Strategy. I help both start-ups and existing businesses understand the role worker ownership can play in successful owner retirement strategies as well as improved workplace cultures for teams. With solid technical assistance and organizational support, worker-owner cooperatives can grow and perpetuate community wealth by expanding opportunities for local business ownership.

Susanna Morales

I joined Nexus in September 2020 as a Community Engagement Coordinator through Public Allies. I now work as a Program Manager for ROOT (Reclaiming Our Own Time). Growing from the wisdom and work of Rest as a pathway toward liberation and justice movement, the work of ROOT envisions ecosystems of wellness, rest, and rejuvenation for BIPOC changemakers. This work supports BIPOC leaders toward dreaming, reconnecting with self, visioning, and resting as a means to value our gifts and restorative cycles. We also aspire to strengthen and build the capacity of organizations and movements to hold that healing space.

Benjamin Tsai

As Director of the Shared Ownership Center at Nexus, I help develop and implement strategies of community wealth building. Taking an ecosystem-wide approach, I work with an array of partner organizations to create a more inclusive and sustainable economy. I specialize in providing technical assistance to real estate investment cooperatives, nonprofits and worker co-ops. Our goal is to create democratically governed enterprises that are vehicles for community self-determination and shared economic benefits.

Elly Fireside-Ostergaard

I joined Nexus in the spring of 2018. In my time at Nexus, I’ve worked across programs and in development. Currently, I serve as the Communications Director. I care about creating powerful written, oral, and visual narratives that tell a story of an irresistible, attainable future.

Chalonne Wilson

As the Vice President of Operations and Culture, I provide strategic planning, alignment, and oversight of the organization’s administrative functions and staff, including communications, facilities, fundraising, and IT. At the core of my work is ensuring these areas making up the organization’s internal infrastructure align with our vision, mission, and programs. I do this by designing and maintaining systems in such a way that the systems reflect Nexus values and center the people most impacted by them.

Nonkululeko Shongwe

I joined Nexus Community Partners in July 2017 as the Community Wealth Building Coordinator through the AmeriCorps VISTA program sponsored by The Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation of Minnesota. In August 2019, I was hired on full-time, and in 2020, I became a Program Manager. I support different Community Wealth Building initiatives at Nexus including the North Star Black Cooperative Fellowship, the Nexus Cooperative Development Fellowship, and regranting.

Angie Brown

I have had several roles at Nexus Community Partners since 2013, and now serve as the director of Human Resources and Organizational Culture.

Lynette Condra

My journey with Nexus started back in December of 2010 and I have worn many hats throughout my tenure. I am currently the Senior Executive Assistant to the Founder and CEO, Repa Mekha. I am also the Nexus board liaison and support all aspects of board meetings and sub-committee meetings along with acting as primary contact to our wonderful board members. I still continue to wear several hats and work on special projects, contracts, file management, event planning and other duties as necessary.

Theresa Gardella

I joined Nexus in April 2008 and currently serve as the vice president of programs and operations. It’s a great position that allows me to be involved in all of our amazing programs.

Chai Lee

I joined the organization in October 2015 and am now the program manager for the Boards and Commissions Leadership Institute (BCLI), Nexus initiative to train, place and support people of color and other underrepresented community members on publicly appointed boards and commissions in the Twin Cities region.

Danielle Mkali

At Nexus: I am a Senior Director of Community Wealth Building at Nexus Community Partners. I lead Nexus’ Community Trust Fund, which is designed to redistribute $50 million to the Black community in Minnesota, North and South Dakota. Previously at Nexus, I developed and led the North Star Black Cooperative Fellowship, a seven-month program that