4 Seventh Edition Marquis Who’s Who INSIGHT ASAD KHALIF ALIWEYD, PHD Founder, Executive Director New American Development Center Eden Prairie, MN https://www.nadcmn.org/ What are two key behaviors/personality traits that allow you to be effective in your role? As a nonprofit organization founder, you have to know exactly what you’re doing and what kind of needs you will answer for. You have to know the issues, the challenges, the opportunities or the problems you are trying to solve. A nonprofit is basically a mediator between the government agencies and the community. To be a trusted leader, you have to be transparent, know what you are doing, and be credible and committed. What is the most important issue/challenge you are dealing with in your industry? The most important challenge a nonprofit faces is continuing work by getting funding to ensure that the services they provide to the community continue. The foundation advocates for policy change at a state level and the needs of philanthropic organizations. Our focus is a lot of Muslim communities in Minnesota, especially East Africans, who have an issue buying homes and accessing culturally appropriate small business micro-lending. I'm trying to create an alternative financial mechanism where people can buy homes without paying interest. We have to think outside the box to address the cultural and systemic financial needs of our communities in Minnesota and beyond. What innovations or technologies do you feel will shape the future of your industry? As we move into a digital world, I believe in innovative, high-end technology software, for example, software specific to nonprofit organizations’ fundraising. It can give you a column showing what grants are available. ANIKA APPLE Founder, Chief Executive Officer Remarkably Me Enterprises, LLC Atlanta, GA https://anikaapple.com/ How have you navigated disruptions in your industry to remain a top professional? I’ve been called to help lead organizational change; it’s part of my purpose. However, the biggest disruption has been personal change. It matters because we focus on what happens in business as if it's separate from people, but it's not. There’s a quote that says, “There are no business problems; there are only people problems.” Disruption is a way of life; we recognize that change always happens. The art of disruption is about acceptance; if I can accept that change is happening, I can embrace opportunities I never imagined. What innovations or technologies do you feel will shape the future of your industry? Healing should be a part of how we operate. Some people think of healing like reiki or meditation, but I’m talking about the art of being centered within yourself. When we heal, everything around us changes. That’s what changes the world – it’s not simply technology. It’s the boldness to do something different to allow ourselves to be seen. Often, when people aren’t showing up with their whole selves, we miss part of their brilliance. Healing helps you have the confidence to choose not to worry about people accepting who you are or what you say. We carry so much weight that we don't even realize we’re going through everything happening to us. If you recount to someone everything they’ve endured, they would be surprised. When they pause, they can recognize that they’re not meant to carry that weight. We want them to give themselves moments to return to their center and truth.
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