Work with Our EDI Team

Director, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Angel leads the equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts as a senior leader of the Office of Human Resources at the University of Minnesota. She joined the team in July of 2022.

Before coming to the university, she has experience as a DEI leader in the healthcare industry as Director of DEI at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota and in financial services as Talent Acquisition and DEI Manager at Bremer Bank. Angel has over three decades of experience in leadership development, business strategy, project management, global manufacturing and operations, and conflict resolution.

She is a qualified administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory Assessment (IDI) and a certified Relationship Coach (ICF). Angel holds a Bachelor of Science in Business with a specialization in Management and Leadership from Capella University. She is a board Member and Chair of the DEI Committee with Neighborhood House, a member of the Greater Twin Cities United Way Leadership Council, a member of the Community Diversity Advisory Council for LifeSource, and an active advocate for organ donation. Angel also holds the role of member of the Greater MSP Enterprise Team.

Angel makes DEI a priority and stays abreast of DEI best practices as a member of the Twin Cities Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Roundtable (TCDEIR) and has been a member of the Minnesota Business Coalition for Racial Equity (MBCRE). Recently, Angel was asked to serve a three-year term on the Program Committee for the Forum for Workplace Inclusion Conference.

Program Coordinator, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Amani's journey into higher education began with an eager anticipation as an undergraduate student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, when the emergence of the pandemic swiftly altered the educational landscape, raising concerns among students about the shift to remote learning. Amani witnessed firsthand how this transition led to a multitude of challenges, particularly in terms of student services and the persistence of inequalities.

Throughout her studies, Amani developed a profound fascination for linguistics, delving into the intricate tapestry of languages, their trends, and patterns, and uncovering their deep connections to history and society. Amani's unwavering focus within the field of linguistics has been to explore the rich interplay between language and its broader cultural context, unraveling the threads that shape our understanding of communication and human interaction. Amani had the opportunity to serve in an AmeriCorps-affiliated program alongside 36 esteemed advisors at Boston University. In this role as a College Access Advisor within the Boston Public Schools, Amani played a pivotal role in guiding students toward their dreams of higher education.

However, Amani's contributions extended far beyond individual counseling sessions. As an active member of the diversity, equity, and inclusion committee, Amani led and participated in numerous conversation circles, spearheaded training initiatives, and collaborated on projects aimed at fostering a more inclusive environment. With unwavering dedication and a deep commitment to equity, Amani championed the cause of diversity, empowering others to embrace the transformative power that higher education institutions hold. 

Throughout her journey, Amani's unwavering optimism and resilience have shone brightly, reflecting her profound belief in the ability of higher education to break down barriers and create a more equitable society. With each endeavor, she has consistently demonstrated dedication to cultivating a culture of inclusivity.
 

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Specialist

Noha joined the EDI team for the Office of Human Resources at the University of Minnesota in May 2023. Before coming to the university, she served as a senior executive member and Director of DEI at Boston Collegiate Charter School and Director of the Multicultural Center in student affairs at Simmons University. Noha has a decade of experience in equitable retention practices, organizational and leadership equity, and intersectional community development.

Noha holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology & Women Studies from the University of New Hampshire and a Masters in Higher Education in Student Affairs from Salem State University. At the center of her work’s passion is an intersectional lens for creating community practices of education, accountability, and understanding. Noha knows that to transform the future we have to take a multi-faceted and consistent approach to the social and community issues we need to change.