Anthony Galloway is a partner at the Dendros Group and continues to serve in leadership and on the boards of several local non-profits. Anthony worked in education for over 20 years leading professional development and youth programming in various capacities including executive director of the ARTS-Us center for the African Diaspora and the board of Tru-Art Speaks Arts and Culture Organization. Anthony carries coaching certifications through several professional organizations and is a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. He specializes in racial consciousness development and ethnic studies with a focus on intercultural learning. Anthony has a bachelor's degree in ethnic studies and a masters of divinity from Luther Seminary. Anthony is also a founding member of the award winning “Counterstories” podcast which carries awards from the National Association of Black Journalists. Anthony also serves as the Pastor of St. Wayman AME Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota and is a board member at the Minnesota Council of Churches. Anthony’s approach to cultural competence and racial consciousness development is driven by his love of history, his work locally and internationally around reconciliation, and his love of human interaction.

Anthony has evening and weekend availability.

Alanna Galloway (she/her) is a seasoned community and labor activist with over 20 years of experience. She is a former member and Area Vice President of Communications Workers of America (Local 7250) who has been facilitating DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) and labor workshops since 2012. She currently works as a labor educator for the state of Minnesota. Alanna is a programming contributor and educator for the Underground Railroad Simulation Program with the Kamau Kambui Circle for Cultural Learning. She is a choir director, a storyteller, a coach and an educator. Alanna has extensive experience creating and facilitating training regarding organizing and understanding power, elements of a workplace and workplace culture and will be working across components one and two to facilitate cohesiveness to the experience of participants.

Alanna has evening and weekend availability.

Alex Jacques (he/him)  is an independent consultant bringing a decade of experience in education, advocacy, and team and project leadership to the Dendros team. Alex began his career teaching K-12 vocal music in the Columbia Heights Public School District where he also served as a member of the district equity team. During that time, he received a Graduate Certificate in Culturally Responsive Teaching. Interested in supporting leaders, he transitioned from the classroom and became an organizer at Educators for Excellence-MN, where he since served in several capacities, most recently as Deputy Director. During his time at E4E, Alex worked arm-in-arm with equity-minded educators, helping to advance student-centered policy solutions to discipline disparities, teacher diversity, teacher preparation, equitable school funding, and more. Alex was an inaugural fellow of the New Leaders Council-Twin Cities. After completing the fellowship, he served one term as a National Diversity Trainer and member of the local board. Alex is a Qualified Administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory, and is currently freelancing to support organizational leaders' work in team leadership, DEI, program and project management, strategic planning, public narrative, and fundraising.

Alex Jackson Nelson is a licensed Social Worker (LGSW) and certified American Sign Language Interpreter. He identifies as Transgender and has over twenty years of experience working in and for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, and Intersex (LGBTQI)+ community. He has worked primarily in the non-profit sector and has co-founded organizations focused on providing services to transgender, non-binary, and gender expansive youth. He has worked at the state capitol advocating for social service funding, with the State of MN developing child protection workers across the state of Minnesota, was a therapist for LGBTQ+ adolescents, and has provided consulting and training to thousands of service providers and ASL interpreters around the country. He currently works in the healthcare industry advocating for equitable access to gender affirming care. Alex holds an Associate degree in Law Enforcement from Minneapolis Community and Technical College, an Associate degree in American Sign Language Interpretation and Transliteration from Saint Paul College, a Bachelor's degree in Nonprofit Leadership and Advocacy from the University of Minnesota, and a Masters of Social Work from Gallaudet University in Washington DC.  Alex has been an Intercultural Development Inventory qualified administrator for seven years. Alex is passionate about social, disability, and racial justice and has served on various committees and boards. He spends time volunteering with local organizations and loves spending time outdoors camping, fishing, and he enjoys building and fixing things.

Alex can engage in ASL upon request.

Beni Matías has extensive experience as a nonprofit consultant and executive director. As an independent consultant, she has provided board development strategies, organizational development planning, fundraising tactics, and overall nonprofit action policies to groups predominantly working with communities of color. Beni served on the Comcast Joint Diversity Advisory Council, assessing and discussing Comcast and NBCUniversal's diversity and inclusion initiatives, and participated in candid dialogues on diversity and inclusion best practices. Beni is a pioneering Puerto Rican filmmaker with a long career as a producer/director of independent films. Her film El Corazón de Loisaida (The Heart of Loisaida) was recognized by the New York Public Library as part of their film preservation initiative, "Twentieth Century Mirrors: America Through the Eyes of Independent Filmmakers." She is a founding board member of In-Progress, a St. Paul, MN nonprofit media center, paving the way for new voices in digital art making. She has a Film Production degree from La Escuela Oficial de Cinematografía (Spain). Beni has availability to debrief in Spanish

Bridget Hermer is an engaging facilitator, licensed educator, and master communicator with over 25 years of experience in the classroom, the non-profit boardroom, and global engagement. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from St. Olaf College and a Master of Science in Experiential Education from the University of Minnesota, Mankato. Bridget’s people-centered approach fosters curiosity, deep reflection, open dialogue, and actionable strategies to create welcoming, inclusive, and culturally responsive environments. With expertise spanning education, international non-profits, leadership, interfaith dialogue, and board governance, she brings a unique blend of insight, empathy, and strategic vision to every interaction. As a Qualified Administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI®), Bridget guides individuals and groups through thoughtful, impactful conversations on intercultural competency. She is the founder of Equity Insight Group, LLC, which empowers communities through purposeful mission, vision, and values alignment, innovative strategic planning, and transformative intercultural training.

Calahena (Cal) Merrick is Associate Director for Operations for Child Care Aware of Minnesota.  She is a civil servant with a passion for social justice and systems change that allow individuals and communities to live a dignified, productive, and successful life.  She has experience in business management and operations, human resources, administration, and diversity, equity and inclusion. Prior to her current role, she served as the Health Care Administrative Manager at the Minnesota Department of Human Services, as the Recruitment Programs Supervisor for the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and has held positions with North Hennepin Community College, and various law firms. Calahena began her academic career at Xavier University of Louisiana but later graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Political Science with a concentration in law and politics. She has a Paralegal Studies Certificate from North Hennepin and an Advanced Certificate in Equity and Diversity from the University of Minnesota. In addition, she possesses a Business Continuity Certification and is a MBTI ® Certified Practitioner, is a Rule 14 Qualified Neutral Mediator, and facilitates sessions on racial justice and family education . She serves on the Parent Advisory Board for the Northside Achievement Zone and on the Jay and Rose Phillips Foundation’s Education Advisory Committee.

Chrisopher (Chris) grew up in the summit University area of St. Paul. He is the owner of Back to Black Sealcoating company along with several other businesses. He is a long time facilitator of the Underground Railroad program of the Kamau Kambui Circle for cultural learning and is an avid fisherman and outdoor enthusiast. Chris has years of experience helping entrepreneurs and community members find their way to positive mental health outcomes both in community and in corporate environments.

Chris has evening and weekend availability

Denise Pike is a Twin Cities-based public historian and community engagement specialist with an M.A. in Heritage Studies and Public History and a B.S. in Urban Studies from the University of Minnesota. Her work focuses on anti-colonial, racial justice, and disability justice initiatives through public humanities projects.

As a consultant and educator, she has developed and taught continuing education courses on racial housing discrimination for real estate professionals, helping to shape fair housing education nationwide. Denise’s portfolio also includes oral histories, educational programs, multimedia collaborations, and award-winning exhibits—all designed to amplify community voices and advance equity.

Rev. Dr. Jia Starr Brown is an African American queer pastor, educator, author, and activist with more than two decades of experience advocating for underrepresented communities. With a heart for community and access for all, she stands - and activates - as a truth-teller at the intersection of faith, education, and justice. 

Conversationally fluent in three languages, she has served as a diversity trainer and community educator, continuing to be a fierce advocate for underrepresented and marginalized communities. Pastor Jia's passion to increase accessibility of affordable academic and enrichment opportunities for youth and families (including her own) led her to design - and facilitate - more than 160 educational programs in the Twin Cities, receiving a Congressional Award for her community-centered leadership in 2015. 

Equipped with a Master of Divinity from Luther Seminary, an interfaith spiritual direction certification, and a Doctorate of Ministry from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities in the field of “Social Transformation”, Rev. Dr. Starr Brown is ordained in The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). She is the Founding Pastor of “The Stable” - an online learning space with an emphasis on decolonization. 

Dr. Jia has authored two social justice facilitator guides for youth and adult leaders in ministry, published by Sparkhouse. She is the designer of the ACTION Project, a three-year antiracism program that was selected to be a part of Minnesota Council of Churches’ Truth and Reparations initiative in 2023, which has now expanded to operate on its own nationwide.

For more information, please visit: https://jiastarrbrown.com/

To schedule for Staff

To schedule for Child Support Division

Liz is the Founder of Freya + Co, an organizational leadership consultancy providing non-profit strategy and fundraising, association management, and scalable services for organizations in transition. Liz also offers expertise in board governance, strategic planning, fundraising, grants management, digital communications, and event planning. She has represented the LGBTQI community on a review panel for the Minnesota Department of Health's COVID-19 outreach and engagement funding opportunity and served on the planning committee for a social service organization addressing youth homelessness.

Nicolette (Nikki) Graf is an experienced leader with a strong background in advocacy, leadership development, and diversity, equity, and inclusion, and anti-racism (DEI-AR) programming across various sectors, particularly in early childhood and family advocacy.
Nicolette has had the privilege of supporting national and state organizations responsible

for the care of young children and families towards their DEI vision, guiding executive leadership towards a more equitable mission, and leading the strategic implementation of anti-racism initiatives. Her direct mission derives from working within systems directly impacting children, being an early childhood professional, and being a parent of 5 young children, knowing that the gaps between those worlds must be bridged. Nicolette holds a Bachelor’s in Child Psychology, a Master's in Advocacy and Political Leadership, a Diversity and Equity Certificate from the University of Minnesota, and an Executive Leadership Coaching Certificate from Harvard University. She is a certified Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) Qualified Administrator, an Intercultural Conflict Style Inventory (ICSI) Qualified Administrator, a Strength Deployment Inventory (SDI) administrator, a YWCA Racial Justice Facilitator and has over seven years of experience facilitating workshops on racial consciousness and anti-racism practices with professionals whose work directly impacts children and families.

Rie Algeo Gilsdorf is the Founder of Embody Equity, where she provides consulting, coaching and facilitation that allow people and organizations to put their equity, diversity and inclusion ideas into action - to embody equity. As a coach, Rie guides clients toward greater confidence, fluency and grace in a diverse world. As a facilitator she provides the challenge that moves participants along on their journey, in an environment that does not trap them in guilt or denial. Whether she is breaking down the difficult truths of our common history so they are not overwhelming, bringing cultural attitudes and norms to light, or using systems thinking and sensing to help organizations turn possibilities into real change, Rie's work develops critical consciousness across race, gender, sexuality and ability.

Rie has been a teacher, administrator and designer of arts-integrated, student-centered K-12 schools and Reggio-inspired early childhood programs. With Master’s degrees in Biology and Modern Dance, Rie organically infuses the perspectives of the body - from the physiology of trauma to the subtlety of gesture - into all her work.

In her current role as Principal Consultant at WE Consulting, Tyneeta Canonge is instrumental in creating and supporting collaborative strategic efforts that recognize, appreciate and affirm the diverse perspectives that form inclusive, equitable communities. Tyneeta values deep community and believes that proximity, empathy and vulnerability are central to understanding our potential for causing identity-based harm and activating our potential for fostering identity-based healing. She supports organizations in sharpening their vision for inclusion, helping them to build systems that promote individual and community-wide equity and intercultural competency. Tyneeta hosts leadership conferences in her home town of New Orleans and rest retreats for leaders in major US cities. She is an Intercultural Development Inventory Qualified Administrator, podcast host and a nationally recognized workshop facilitator. She holds an undergraduate degree in Secondary English Education from the University of New Orleans and a graduate degree in School Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania.

Umo is a Certified Life Coach, facilitator and trainer on topics related to Self- Development/Transformation and Spirituality. She is passionate about helping people discover their brilliance and live to their full potential. She is of the Coaching school that believes that we are all naturally creative, resourceful, and whole and so thrives in unleashing the best from her clients. Umo designs and leads Transformational Retreats for women. She volunteers in the community in different capacities, and until recently, served as a facilitator for the Loss of Spouse Grief Group through Minnesota Valley Youth Grief Services ( now Brighter Days Family Grief Center) since its inception in 1999. She worked as a Chaplain for 25 years. She knits for fun and as a self-care practice. Umo earned her Master of Arts degree in Youth and Family Ministry from Luther Seminary St. Paul, MN and Master of Divinity Degree from United Theological Seminary, New Brighton, MN. She is an Ordained Minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA).

Valton Henderson currently serves as a contract HR and DEI practitioner on behalf of the Robert Half International consulting organization and Dendros. He is a seasoned professional who possesses over twenty (20) years of experience in the areas of employee relations, labor relations, diversity, equity & inclusion in the private, nonprofit and governmental sectors. He earned a B.A. degree from Fisk University (Nashville, TN) and M.A. (Public Administration) and J.D. degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Valton believes in community service and is actively engaged with numerous Minneapolis-St. Paul civic organizations, including  VocallEssence (board member) and the Minnesota Council of Churches(chair, HR Advisory Committee).