Board of Directors
Sgt Kadra Mohamed; Metro Transit Police Department
Board Chair
Sgt Mohamed has worked with the Minneapolis Police Department since 2015, and recently was promoted as Sergeant of the Metro Transit Police Department. Sgt Mohamed has paved the way for Muslim American Women to join law enforcement as she was the first Somali woman law enforcement officer in the country, and now the first Somali female Sergeant!
Sgt Mohamed works with the Homeless Action Team (HAT) with MPD which helps the unsheltered with finding resources and housing. Sgt Mohamed deeply understands the unique needs of our service population as well as empathizes and acknowledges the barriers that people of color have in the Twin Cities when working with law enforcement. Sgt Mohamed is committed to building that bridge through her work with WOVAN’s Board of Directors.
Amy Walczak; Beauty and the Boutique
Vice Board Chair
Amy Walczak is the mentor/advocate of Beauty in the Boutique, a small business dedicated to changing lives through paying it forward. Amy grew up in Wisconsin, and from a young age has dreamed of equality throughout the world. Amy moved to Minnesota in 2009 and has 2 beautiful children. With a background in human services and being a survivor herself, Amy is passionate about women, children, and an advocate for ensuring services are available to communities and populations that are underserved due to culture, language barriers, mental health, and racism. Amy is grateful to serve on WOVAN’s Board of Directors!
Rahma Farah; Bridgemakers
Board Secretary
Rahma Farah is an 18 years old, trailblazing first-generation Somali-American student at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Rahma's experiences as a BIPOC student drives her passion to help marginalized youth like herself achieve their fullest potential. She works as an ambassador for Bridgemakers, a youth-led advocacy organization dedicated to ensuring that young people's voices are heard in any and all decisions that affect them. WOVAN embodies Rahma's commitment for helping underserved communities prosper, and she is honored to serve on WOVAN’s board of directors.
Zakir Baloch; Artist Zakoism.com
Director of Artistic & Technology Support
Zakir Baloch is an award winning cinematographer & editor from Karachi Pakistan. He is also an experienced graphic designer, photographer, dubbing artist, screenplay author and digital painter. Zakir has served WOVAN since it’s beginning as it’s technology and artistic support lead, and is grateful to now be serving on WOVAN’s Board of Directors.