NDC Staff

12 different languages spoken. 8 countries of origin.
One goal – empower entrepreneurs.

Shahir Ahmed

Business Lab Director

Shahir has been a trainer for NDC for more than seven years at Hope Community. He owns POWER Insurance Agency Inc. and is a licensed MN insurance agent.

JEFF ALEXANDER

DIRECTOR OF REAL ESTATE

Jeff oversees all NDC properties and has helped dozens of entrepreneurs open their food service businesses. He was deeply involved with the design and layout of the Midtown Global Market. His favorite food is seafood.

DANIEL BIRRU

ACCOUNTANT

Daniel provides timely, efficient accounting services for all NDC programs. He loves being a part of an organization that helps people become self-sufficient. Outside of work, he is very involved with his church.

ISABEL CHANSLOR

CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER

Isabel works closely with hundreds of small businesses, helping them solve problems and find new opportunities. She is a talented singer and loves movies and going to museums. She is also fluent in Spanish.

SARAH EMMEL

LOAN FUND ADMINISTRATOR

Sarah works behind the scenes in the loan department. She processes payments, prepares materials for committee meetings, and makes sure all required paperwork is gathered and correct. She enjoys architectural photography and tennis.

GABRIELL BUTLER

OFFICE AND COMMUNICATIONS ADMINISTRATOR

Gabriell is the welcoming smile of NDC. She works across departments to ensure administrative tasks are tackled, as well as lending her writing skills to the communications department. Gabriell is a poet, native Kansas Citian, and BBQ guru.

BECKY GAZCA

CULTURAL EVENTS AND PROPERTY MANAGER

Becky ensures that the diverse cultures represented at the market are highlighted at events. She makes sure the market is always current with city ordinances and inspections. She used to own her own flower shop.

HARVEY HOFFMAN

BUILDING OPERATIONS MANAGER

Harvey manages all building needs for NDC and its properties including electrical, plumbing, HVAC, carpentry, remodeling and maintenance. Cool fact about Harvey is that he will eat almost anything including dried grasshoppers!

BEN JOHNSON

REAL ESTATE PROJECT DEVELOPER

Ben works with the real estate projects at NDC. He specializes in retail and restaurant business planning and works with many start-up and existing entrepreneurs to maximize profits. He loves to plays soccer.

KRIS KIEL

Creative Director

Kris uses an intuitive approach to help businesses reach their full potential and present their best face to their customers. She loves hiking, kayaking and traveling, and on a Sunday morning you'll find her with a mocha and the NYT crossword puzzle.

MARY KURIA

REAL ESTATE ACCOUNTING MANAGER

Mary is a business advisor, project manager, accountant and bookkeeper. She handles the financial side of NDC's business incubators. Mary is from Kenya and is fluent in Swahili.

JON REYNOLDS

MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

Jon furthers NDC's mission through storytelling, branding, and external communications. He enjoys wearing many hats including public artist and ice cream enthusiast.

We believe in the unlimited potential of entrepreneurs to transform their neighborhoods.

EARLSWORTH (BABA) LETANG

MARKET MANAGER

Baba monitors the businesses at Midtown Global Market and their sales. He also oversees rent payments, leasing, and showing available spaces. He often craves cassava leaf recipes from West Africa.

PERLA MAYO

LOAN OFFICER AND BUSINESS ADVISOR

Perla assists entrepreneurs to secure financing to start or grow their business. She provides one-on-one business advice to her loan clients. She is fluent in Spanish and loves gardening and photography.

KATHY MORIARTY

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

Kathy oversees operations at NDC’s main office – from human resources to computer issues, she’s the go-to person. She believes, “It’s not what you got, it’s what you give.”

ELISA PLUHAR

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS

Elisa oversees all NDC development and communications needs. She has worked in the development field since 2004 and has extensive expertise in donor development and event planning. She is also a professional actress.

PHILLIP PORTER

LOAN OFFICER AND BUSINESS ADVISOR

Phillip works with loan applicants, analyzing business plans and financial statements, and presenting loan requests to the Loan Committee. He determines viability of income and cash flow projections for his clients. He loves soul food.

Soon-Young Oh

Business Advisor & Marketing Assistant

Soon-Young works to create improved strategies for our clients marketing needs and is the intake coordinator for those seeking business lab assistance. She has roots in Seoul, Korea, enjoys living in Minneapolis, and is always on the look-out for great coffee or matcha beverages.

SAMIR SAIKALI

SENIOR GRANTS AND INFORMATION MANAGER

Samir is responsible for all annual grant requests and reporting to foundations and corporations. To that end, Samir also tracks all NDC program outcomes and neighborhood impacts. He is also fluent in French and Arabic.

BRIAN SINGER

DIRECTOR OF LENDING

Brian works with all of our loan officers as they help entrepreneurs get the money they need to start and grow their businesses. He regularly reviews business plans and financial statements. He travels to Tanzania often.

EMMA SPILLMAN

TRAINING ADMINISTRATOR

Emma assists in overseeing the Training Department. She is a liaison between entrepreneurs, trainers and neighborhood partners. She is involved in her church and loves spending time with her family.

MIHAILO (MIKE) TEMALI

FOUNDER AND CEO

Mihailo (Mike) is the Founder and CEO of NDC, and as such oversees operations, governance and long-range planning. He is the son of immigrants and was raised on the East Side of St. Paul.

BEE VANG

LOAN OFFICER AND BUSINESS ADVISOR

Bee helps entrepreneurs explore lending possibilities so they can start or expand their businesses. He analyzes reports and numbers to ensure their success. He can play the guitar and is fluent in Hmong.

TESHITE WAKO

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

As the CFO, Teshite is responsible for managing the financial health and performance of NDC, and overseeing financial planning, reporting and annual auditing. He is also a trainer for our Oromo-speaking entrepreneur business class.

Lisa Xiong

Director of Training

Lisa oversees the training department, and uses her passion for helping underprivileged communities to provide access to trainings that enhance their business. She was born in Thailand and grew up on the East Side of St. Paul. During her off time, you can find her playing volleyball, on a motorcycle, or swimming with her kids.

Elle Khang

Loan Officer & Business Advisor

Elle manages loan portfolios and supports entrepreneurs as they seek financing from NDC. She is a devoted DIY-er who loves decorating for the holidays and keeps her Christmas tree up for four months out of the year.

Donna Sanders

Loan Officer & Business Advisor

Donna assists entrepreneurs in acquiring NDC funding to start and grow businesses. You can catch Donna biking around the Twin Cities or grabbing an ice-cream cone from one of her favorite local shops.

Gene Johnson

Commercial Property Manager

Gene manages NDC’s commercial properties. He is the go-to guy for tenants that occupy our incubator spaces in St. Paul. He enjoys vacationing in exotic getaways such as Cozumel, Mexico and the Caribbean. When Gene is not diving off of the coast of Belize, he’s hanging out with his lively grandkids.

GET INVOLVED

CONTACT NDC

Every $1 returns $28 to the neighborhoods economies.

Give Today

Join our mailing list.

Join Today