I joined Nexus to lead the Worker Owner Initiative (WOI), which is part of Nexus’ Community Wealth Building Strategy. I help companies assess employee ownership as a model for stronger businesses and create employee and community wealth. Our vision is to raise awareness of these models so that business ownership, quality jobs, and community self-determination are accessible to all of us.
I joined Nexus in 2021 and serve as the Development Manager. In development, I see my role as an opportunity to push philanthropy to do better, and to create change at the intersection of wealth and racial justice.
In my role as Director of the Open Road Fund—a $50 million initiative to redistribute wealth to Black communities across Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota—I work alongside a dynamic team to guide investments that prioritize economic justice, shared power, and community-rooted solutions. I believe in challenging outdated systems and creating new paths that honor how our communities live, work, and support one another.
In my role at Nexus, I serve as the Cooperative 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.
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.
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.
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.
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, or Nkuli, is a facilitator and cooperative enthusiast. She works at Nexus Community Partners as the Community Wealth Building Director, where she leads the North Star Black Cooperative Fellowship, a space dedicated to bringing together Black-led cooperators and collectives and grounding them in the history of Black cooperative economics. North Star empowers Black communities to reclaim the legacy of Black cooperative practices and build on efforts centered on liberation.
I have had several roles at Nexus Community Partners since 2013, and now serve as the director of Human Resources and Organizational Culture.
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.
I joined Nexus in April 2008 and currently serve as the Senior Director of Advancement and External Relations. It’s a great position that allows me to be involved in all of our amazing programs.