Staff & Board of Directors
This page introduces the organization’s leadership and key team members dedicated to building bonds and bridging Fargo's diverse communities.
Barry Nelson
Board President
Barry values the insights gained from diverse colleagues and clients who have shared their journeys with him. Whether serving as a social worker, volunteer, or board member, he finds this continuous learning both humbling and vital. He is deeply committed to the Consortium’s mission of cultivating a leadership team that authentically reflects the local community while championing the core values of diversity and equity.
Carol Okigbo
Board of Director
Carol Okigbo is a professor specializing in math education at Minnesota State University Moorhead, where she has taught since 2001. Her dedication to supporting the New American community began in 1999 during her time as a community organizer with Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota. Joining the WE Center board in 2017, she was inspired by her past experiences and a deep commitment to the organization’s core mission and vision for community empowerment and collective wellness.
Barb Hanson
Board of Directors
Serving as an Employment Counselor at Rural MN CEP in Moorhead for more than 23 years, Barbara Hanson possesses a wealth of expertise. Her professional background includes a tenure as an Employment Specialist for Lutheran Social Services in Fargo, where she focused on refugee resettlement. Barbara is dedicated to helping individuals overcome employment obstacles, ensuring that both local residents and the wider community can prosper together.
Ibtissem Belmihoub
Americorps Member
An educator, author, and advocate, Ibtissem Belmihoub is deeply committed to community building through narrative and instruction. In 2021, she completed her Ph.D. in Rhetoric, Writing, and Culture at North Dakota State University. Her academic journey includes teaching at NDSU, NDSCS, and lecturing on reading comprehension in Algeria. As the former Executive Director for the New American Consortium, she spearheaded initiatives focused on empowerment, wellness, and educational access. Ibtissem is also a certified digital storytelling facilitator through the Story Center. A polyglot, she is fluent in Arabic, English, French, and her native Kabyle (Berber). She approaches every project with a dedicated growth mindset and a profound sense of curiosity.
Jean Hannig
Board of Director
Originally from Illinois, Jean Hannig has been a dedicated member of the Fargo–Moorhead community since 1974. She earned her B.S. in Education from Illinois State University and a Juris Doctorate from the University of North Dakota, leading to a legal career that spanned from 1985 to 2011. Following her time in law, Jean inspired students as an Assistant Professor at Minnesota State University Moorhead until 2021. Her commitment to local service is evident through her roles on numerous nonprofit boards, including Presentation Associates, Gooseberry Park Players, and Partners in Housing. Beyond her board work, Jean remains deeply involved with the Moorhead Rotary Club, where she champions youth development programs and international exchange.
Rashid Hussein
Board of Director
As a dedicated Community Health Specialist, Rashid Hussein supports the Fargo-Moorhead region and its neighbors. Since joining Essentia Health in 2022, he has leveraged his extensive background in county social services across MN and ND. Rashid is a multilingual asset to the team, fluent in Somali, English, and proficient in Arabic.
Crystal Goodman
Board of Director
Crystal Goodman runs Kristina’s Helping Hands, LLC, an agency providing essential home care for seniors and people with disabilities in North Dakota. As the Founder and Executive Director of the youth-focused nonprofit Ora Lee’s Heart, Inc., she is deeply devoted to mentorship and empowerment. Holding advanced degrees in Public Policy and Political Science, Crystal focuses on local impact and values her time spent traveling and reading.
Darci Asche
Treasurer
A devoted advocate for the Midwest, Darci Asche was born in North Dakota and presently makes her home in Minnesota. Following twelve years as a skilled court reporter, she felt a profound calling toward refugee advocacy in 1995, beginning her journey as Resource Development Coordinator for Lutheran Social Services of ND. For two decades, Darci held vital leadership positions, including serving as the State of North Dakota’s Assistant Director for Resettlement. After retiring in 2015, she transitioned her expertise into a vital volunteer role as Director of Development for the New American Consortium. Her distinguished board service includes work with United Hearts for Haiti, United Liberians of ND, the Spirit Room, and Sister Parish. Darci and her husband, Roger, lead a beautifully diverse and large family of three biological children, four foster children, and sixteen grandchildren. When not cherishing time with her family, she is a passionate traveler and reader who finds peace in nature and the art of cinema.
Veera Khalil
Board of Director
A Kurdish-born community leader and certified interpreter, Veera Khalil is a multilingual consultant fluent in seven languages. She empowers organizations to expand their impact through strategic branding, SEO, and compelling, inclusive storytelling.
Sibu Gomba
Board of Director
Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sibu Gomba is a dedicated advocate and multilingual advisor. His diverse career spans three decades in fashion design alongside deep roots in community development, including 13 years spent as a refugee in Kenya and service with the IRC. Today, as a WIOA Advisor at Job Service North Dakota, Sibu leverages his rich background to guide and empower individuals, building bridges toward professional success and strong community integration.