About the Program
This culminating session celebrates our 2025 journey while introducing our 2026 “Rooted and Rising” theme, Quarterly Leadership Development Sessions, Virtual Ubuntu Circles, and Ubuntu Leadership Summit. We’ll also honor leaders and organizations through our inaugural Ubuntu Leadership Award. We’re celebrating them for their meaningful contribution to our community of practice and their work advancing equity, belonging, diversity and inclusion.
Pre-session Reflection Questions:
- What moments from our 2025 journey stand out as most meaningful to you?
- How have you grown as a leader through this community of practice?
- What aspects of our shared experience do you want to carry forward into 2026?
- What possibilities for our community excite you most?
Program Flow
Who's Invited
This Community of Practice welcomes members of the MCF community who identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and/or LGBTQ+.
Please note: this session is capped at 80 participants. Early registration is encouraged.
About the Speakers
Neeraj Mehta, Vice President of Programs, McKnight Foundation
Neeraj develops and implements effective changemaking strategies at the McKnight Foundation, working at the intersection of organizing, community development, the arts, and philanthropy to build more equitable communities in Minnesota. He previously served as director of community programs at the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs and taught at the University of Minnesota. Neeraj earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering and a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Minnesota, and was a Bush Foundation Leadership Fellow.
Terri Thao, Program Director, Local Initiatives and Opportunities, Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies
Terri oversees funding across Minnesota that addresses racial and rural equity, bringing passion as a second-generation Hmong American committed to building power with community. Her career has focused on community economic development, community building, leadership development, and philanthropy, and she has taught leadership and advocacy at Metropolitan State University and currently serves on the boards of Minnesota Housing and the Marbrook Foundation. Terri earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Minnesota and is a dedicated reader in her spare time.
Patrick J. Troska, Executive Director, Rooted Philanthropic
Patrick serves as Executive Director of Rooted Philanthropic with nearly 25 years in philanthropy, having most recently served as Executive Director and President of The Jay & Rose Phillips Family Foundation of Minnesota from 2011-2021, where he led the Foundation's refocus on North Minneapolis and community-led grantmaking. Previously, he held positions with United Way of Saint Paul Area, Catholic Archdiocese, and Minnesota Children’s Museum, and currently sits on the Capital Campaign Committee for NEON. Patrick earned a Master of Arts in Leadership from Augsburg University.
Fayise Abrahim, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Youthprise
Fayise advances key organizational initiatives at Youthprise including the Youth Entrepreneurship Grant and Youth Cooperative Homeownership Cohort, while also serving as a capacity builder for leaders and organizations in Greater Minnesota where she has deep personal and professional roots. Over the past decade, her work has focused on community-based research, program development, and evaluation, and she serves on the boards of MNSeeds, Minnesota Council on Foundations, African Career Education & Resources (ACER) Inc., and DanSan Creatives. A published writer and poet, Fayise’s work appears in The BreakBeat Poets: Volume II Black Girl Magic and is printed on Minneapolis sidewalks.
About the Convenor and Facilitator
Awale (Wally) Osman, Director of Organizational Learning and Leadership Development for Equity and Belonging, Minnesota Council on Foundations
Wally leads the Minnesota Council on Foundations’ strategies for advancing internal equity, belonging, diversity, and inclusion (EBDI), as well as efforts to support the philanthropic sector in putting these values into practice through the Equity, Belonging, Diversity and Inclusion Institute (EBDI Institute). The EBDI Institute offerings include the Experiential Leadership Lab, Center for Organizational Learning and Practice, Rural Urban Bridging for Impact, People of Color and LGBTQ+ Community of Practice, learning and evaluation.
About the Community of Practice
The People of Color and LGBTQ+ Community of Practice is a curious and courageous collective cultivating the leadership of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color and/or LGBTQ+ professionals in philanthropy. We are guided by the African philosophy of Ubuntu—meaning “I am because we are”. This principle honors our multiple ways of knowing and reminds us that our growth as leaders is fundamentally connected to our relationships and community. Through quarterly leadership development sessions, virtual Ubuntu Circles, and an annual Ubuntu Leadership Summit, we co-create the conditions to be connected, inspired, and supported.
Questions or Accessibility Needs?
Please contact Awale (Wally) Osman at [email protected] with any questions about the program or registration process.
Please update your online MCF profile with any dietary restrictions or notify Khin Oo at [email protected]. We will attempt to accommodate all requests made at least one week prior to the event. The exact location of this will be emailed to those who register.
Need help registering for an event? MCF's Registration FAQ page provides answers to all questions related to event registration.
MCF connects members through peer and issue networks. Learn more by visiting the peer and issue networks area of our website.
Whether you are a current member or a prospective member, Cary Walski, MCF's Member Engagement Manager, is looking forward to connecting with you.