Dr. Gene Gelgelu has more than 20 years of leadership, operational and entrepreneurship expertise. Originally from Ethiopia, Gene has deep connections to Minnesota’s African immigrant communities and a unique cultural competency to work with people from a variety of backgrounds and languages. He has a bachelor’s degree from Metropolitan State University and an MBA in Finance, and a Doctoral Candidate in Education Leadership from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Gene also served as a planning and human rights commissioner for the city of St. Paul, and board of director on multiple organizations and currently serve on MCCD, African National Action Network (ANAN), and MCN board. Gene is a Shannon Institute leadership fellow, The Roy Wilkins Community fellow, and the Bush foundation leadership fellow.