Our Staff
Though we are small, we are mighty!
Interested in working with us?
826 MSP offers part-time internships, which can be for college credit. Learn more here.
Dr. JAMAL ADAM, Executive Director
Dr. Jamal Adam grew up Somalia and lived in Kenya as a refugee for nine years before he moved to the United States. Jamal has over 20 years of serving multiple roles at multiple educational institutions. In his role, he served as an academic dean, counselor, and instructor at several community colleges in Minnesota. Jamal is passionate about academic success and personal wellbeing of diverse students. In his free time, Jamal volunteers with several non-profit organizations in the Twin Cities where he serves as a member of the Board of Directors and a mentor. He enjoys traveling, long distance running, and most importantly, spending quality time with family and friends.
Dr. Jamal Adam earned his Associate of Arts degree from Minneapolis Community and Technical College, followed by a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Science and Psychology from Metropolitan State University, a Master of Arts in Counseling and Psychological Services from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, and a Ph.D. in Educational Administration and Policy from University of Minnesota Twin Cities.
Favorite Book: The Kite Runner by Khalid Hosseini.
DEREK DAVIDSON, Program Director
Derek Davidson hails from Houston and has spent the last two decades as an educator in Texas, on the East Coast, and now in Minnesota. He has founded a few schools and a makerspace and aims to continue fostering eclectic excellence as 826 MSP's Program Director. He's one of those folk who has to write to make sense of his thoughts, so you can imagine Derek is all on fire for the mission at 826. He's convinced there is no better way to bring clarity and catharsis to youth than good teaching and a safe space to get everything down on the page.
Every five years or so he tackles a new proficiency in his personal life. These days he's focused on improving as a father and husband, developing a three point jumper, and his writing. He lives with two tiny wolves, a cat, and a house hippo, as well as his obstreperous daughter and lovely wife in South Minneapolis.
Favorite Book Including Zombies: The Reapers are the Angels by Alden Bell
Favorite Book, Non-Zombie Division: The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff
Dan mullen-davis, Program manager
Dan Mullen-Davis was born and raised in New Jersey. He studied English literature and education at Rowan University. While teaching, he pursued an MFA in Creative Writing focusing on writing for children and young adults from Sierra Nevada University. He also has an MFA in Creative Writing focusing on creative nonfiction writing from University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe. He’s been a teacher, school secretary, program coordinator for his alma mater MFA program, and is excited and honored to be the Program Manager for 826 MSP. Dan has been writing since he was young and now uses creative writing to enrich the lives of students that come to 826 MSP. When Dan is not writing, he can be found rooting on his beloved Philadelphia Union, taking his friendly dog for a walk, or traveling with his wife and kids across the states to see family.
Favorite Book: The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora by Pablo Cartaya
Board of Directors
Interested in becoming a board member for 826 MSP? Email boardchair@826msp.org for more information.
TINA PFAU GONZALES is a consultant with more than thirty years of cross-sector expertise in relationship management, donor cultivation and community outreach. Her specialties include strategic partnership development, board recruitment, and small business operations. She joined 826 MSP’s board in January 2022 and currently serves as board chair.
DARA BEEVAS is the co-founder and Chief Strategic Officer of Wise Ink, as well as an entrepreneur, writer, and passionate publisher who speaks about the intersection of storytelling, entrepreneurialism and publishing on purpose. Dara is a member of the governance committee and joined the board in 2021.
CROWN SHEPHERD is a Marketing Specialist at Wise Ink Creative Publishing as well as a published author, reading advocate, and copyeditor. Crown has dedicated her life to closing the illiteracy rate within the Black community. Crown joined 826 MSP’s board in June 2023.
DEEQO HASHI is a Social Worker for Hennepin County. Deeqo is a mom to 4 youth who participate in 826 MSP’s programming. Deeqo served as a board member for Success Academy Charter School from 2018 - 2022. She joined the board in June 2023.
DANIELLA DE FRANCO has more than 15 years experience as a corporate strategist. She currently works as a Venture Growth Manager at Rippleworks. She volunteers as a consultant and team lead at Compass Pro Bono, which is where she initially began working with 826 MSP. She joined the board in September 2024.
RICARDO NAKANO has 25 years of experience in Information Technology and corporate consulting. He currently works as a Project Director at Elevance Health. Ricardo joined the board in September 2024.
ALANA KEISER - is the Development Associate at Graywolf Press. Before joining Graywolf, she worked in development at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and Minneapolis Institute of Art. Alana has a B.A. in English and Creative Writing from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, and writes poetry and creative nonfiction. A born and raised Minnesotan, Alana currently lives in Minneapolis. Alana joined 826 MSP’s board in June 2023 and currently serves as board treasurer.
FARHIYA ABDULKARIM is a Grantmaking Coordinator at the Bush Foundation. As Grantmaking Coordinator, Farhiya works to ensure that processes and practices are in place so the grantmaking team can make the biggest impact in the communities that the Foundation serves. Prior to joining the Foundation, she led and supported racial equity work at Concordia College - Moorhead and Macalester College. Farhiya joined the board in January 2023 and serves on the development committee.
SHELBY DALE DEWEESE is a writer and educator currently completing her M.Ed. in language arts education at the University of Minnesota. She was previously on the staff of 826 Valencia, has been volunteering with 826 MSP and the broader 826 network since 2013, and joined the board in 2022. Shelby serves on the impact committee.
NATHALIE DHANI is a Business Technology Consultant at Wells Fargo. Nathalie emigrated to the US from Guyana at 10 years old. She writes poetry and is pleased to be part of an organization that helps young people develop as writers. She joined the board in September 2024.
JULIA TANG serves as the Research Operations Director at the University of Minnesota, where she plays a pivotal role in managing and enhancing research infrastructure. With a keen focus on optimizing operational processes, Julia ensures that the university's research initiatives are both efficient and effective. Julia joined the board in January 2025.