Growing Local: Emerging Leaders graduated its second cohort in November, celebrating 13 community leaders who will help southwest Minnesota thrive. Leaders shape our organizations by setting the tone for the culture and making decisions that have a lasting impact on people and communities. Growing Local: Emerging Leaders is designed to help up-and-coming leaders discover and build on their unique strengths so they can make a difference through local boards, commissions and elected positions.
Vibrant Communities
For Brad Hall, moving back home meant pursuing his dreams
Nearly 20 years after leaving Granite Falls, Bradley (Brad) Hall decided to return to his hometown to pursue his dreams of becoming a full-time artist. Brad is this year’s featured artist for the foundation’s holiday card. Brad’s inspiration for much his art, including “Snowy Trail,” comes from right outside his home.
Welcoming Week in Litchfield with Chukuma
Chukuma Ijioma works for Meeker County Health and Human Services as a Public Health Educator, which involves assessing, analyzing and creating health programs in Meeker County to prevent diseases and improving the health of those who live and work in Meeker County. Chukuma wanted to start Meeker County’s Welcoming Week and be a part of the planning because he saw a need for it in the community.
Welcoming Week in Willmar with Abdifatah
Abdifatah Mohamed is the executive director of the Willmar nonprofit Community Connector Services (CCS) where he actively involved in leading initiatives such as the monthly Youthwell Collective series, the Comprehensive Plan Open House, Somali Independence Day and the Mindful Willmar Champions League. Beyond CCS, Abdifatah engages with broader community events like Welcoming Week in Willmar and the International Heritage Festival. His work focuses on creating spaces where everyone feels included and supported.
Welcoming Week in Worthington with Suree
Suree Sompamitwong was born in Thailand and moved to the U.S. when she was 7 years old. She’s the executive director of Creative Healing Space — a nonprofit that promotes mental health, healing and all things creative — as well as a youth employment specialist at the Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council. Suree wants to strengthen and empower the people in her community to be more healed and vibrant. She’s a past Growing Local: Emerging Leaders participant and a current Initiators Fellow. Suree has helped plan Welcoming Week in Worthington for three years.
Welcoming Week in Glencoe with Kerry
Kerry Ward and her family are lifelong residents of Glencoe. Kerry is a Community Health Educator for McLeod County Health and Human Services and Meeker-McLeod-Sibley Community Health Services, working with the community to improve the health and safety of residents. She chairs the grassroots community group Together we are Glencoe that plans local Welcoming Week events and other opportunities to advocate for welcoming and belonging in her community.
