Tom Gitaa is the editor‐in‐chief, founder, and publisher of the Minneapolis‐based and award‐winning Mshale Newspaper ‐ a source of news and information for African immigrants in the Midwest for the last 29 years. He is a longtime speaker in Foreign Policy Association’s Great Decisions program, America's largest discussion program on world affairs. He has served and continues to serve on numerous boards and trade associations in various capacities including Global Minnesota, United Nations Association, and the Ordway’s Vision Council. He was the first Black board president for Books for Africa, the largest shipper of donated school textbooks to Africa. He has served as chair of the Minnesota Multicultural Media Consortium (MMMC), a unique body that represents the business interests of owners of the state's ethnic owned media, such as Hmong Today, Asian American Press, Insight News, La Raza Radio, Latino American Today and of course Mshale. He is also an avid distance runner and a regular participant in the Twin Cities Marathon. Tom and his wife Resley are also active in a number of community service activities, including their church. Tom was born and raised in the coastal city of Mombasa in Kenya through high school before moving to Minnesota for college. He graduated with a BA in Business from Metropolitan State University and holds a Public Leadership Credential from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government
Dr. Mankpondehou Etienne Djevi, MD, is a distinguished Infectious Disease specialist based in the Twin Cities East Metro. Originally from Benin, West Africa, Dr. Djevi earned his Doctor of Medicine degree in 2004. He completed his Internal Medicine residency (2009-2012) and Infectious Disease Fellowship (2012-2014) at the University of Minnesota, where he is also board-certified in Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases.
Since 2014, Dr. Djevi has been practicing with Saint Paul Infectious Disease Associates, contributing to various hospitals in the region. He serves as the Director of the Antibiotic Stewardship Program at St. Francis Hospital in Shakopee, MN, and is a member of the St. Joseph’s Hospital Physician Leadership Committee.
In addition to his medical practice, Dr. Djevi is actively involved in community service. He has served as the Chair and a member of Roseville’s Human Rights, Inclusion, and Community Engagement Commission (2017-2022), and is currently a member of the Roseville Police Department’s Multicultural Advisory Committee. He is also the President of the Board at Advocates for Better Health (2024-Present) and a volunteer and Board Member at Do Good Roseville (2017-Present).
Dr. Djevi was recognized as a Rising Star Top Doctor by Minneapolis-St. Paul Magazine in 2016. He is guided by the belief that "things don’t change themselves; we make change happen."
Since 2014, Dr. Djevi has been practicing with Saint Paul Infectious Disease Associates, contributing to various hospitals in the region. He serves as the Director of the Antibiotic Stewardship Program at St. Francis Hospital in Shakopee, MN, and is a member of the St. Joseph’s Hospital Physician Leadership Committee.
In addition to his medical practice, Dr. Djevi is actively involved in community service. He has served as the Chair and a member of Roseville’s Human Rights, Inclusion, and Community Engagement Commission (2017-2022), and is currently a member of the Roseville Police Department’s Multicultural Advisory Committee. He is also the President of the Board at Advocates for Better Health (2024-Present) and a volunteer and Board Member at Do Good Roseville (2017-Present).
Dr. Djevi was recognized as a Rising Star Top Doctor by Minneapolis-St. Paul Magazine in 2016. He is guided by the belief that "things don’t change themselves; we make change happen."
Nini Mentan, PhD is the Toxic Free Kids program coordinator at the Minnesota Department of Health. Through her role she provides education and outreach focused on toxics in consumer products. She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, a masters degree from Drexel University and a PhD from Tulane University. She has worked in public health for close to 10 years and is very passionate about environmental justice, health and racial equity in public health.
Felix Okoth, PMP®, is a distinguished Engineering Leader and host of the "Leadership & Personal Branding Podcast," renowned for helping mid-level professionals unlock their potential and advance their careers. He has been honored as a LinkedIn Top Thought Leadership Voice for his insights on leadership, storytelling, and personal branding. Felix's impressive educational background includes a dual Bachelor of Applied Science degree and a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering. His career spans roles at Electrolux Major Appliances and Thermo King Americas, where his leadership earned accolades like the President’s Award for Innovation and Growth and the VP Engineering Excellence Award.
Fluent in English and Swahili, Felix has significantly contributed to global personal branding through keynote speeches and leadership workshops, including events like the Global Personal Branding for Everyone 2023. His journey from an orphanage in Kenya to becoming a global speaker exemplifies his dedication to self-mastery and community impact. Felix addresses the challenge of professional invisibility by empowering individuals to overcome being overlooked and underutilized, helping them stand out and achieve their unique potential through targeted coaching and workshops.
Fluent in English and Swahili, Felix has significantly contributed to global personal branding through keynote speeches and leadership workshops, including events like the Global Personal Branding for Everyone 2023. His journey from an orphanage in Kenya to becoming a global speaker exemplifies his dedication to self-mastery and community impact. Felix addresses the challenge of professional invisibility by empowering individuals to overcome being overlooked and underutilized, helping them stand out and achieve their unique potential through targeted coaching and workshops.
Ose Sesay, founder of Push Strategist LLC, is a dynamic leader dedicated to empowering immigrant and BIPOC professionals and businesses. A first-generation Nigerian-Liberian American, Ose leverages her extensive background in Retail Management, HR Recruitment, and Corporate Training to deliver impactful facilitation and development programs.
With a track record of success in corporate America, where she led a high-profit division for international placements, Ose now excels as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion expert through her consulting firm. She also serves as an instructor for CEO Now, helping small business CEOs refine their operations and leadership skills. Ose recently launched Push For Prosperity, a nonprofit aimed at promoting economic and social advancement in underserved communities. Through both Push Strategist LLC and Push For Prosperity, she is committed to closing economic gaps and fostering sustainable success for individuals and businesses alike.
With a track record of success in corporate America, where she led a high-profit division for international placements, Ose now excels as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion expert through her consulting firm. She also serves as an instructor for CEO Now, helping small business CEOs refine their operations and leadership skills. Ose recently launched Push For Prosperity, a nonprofit aimed at promoting economic and social advancement in underserved communities. Through both Push Strategist LLC and Push For Prosperity, she is committed to closing economic gaps and fostering sustainable success for individuals and businesses alike.
