Meet Our Board of Directors
Our board provides governance, strategic guidance, professional expertise, and a shared commitment to expanding entrepreneurial opportunity for young people.
Autumn Stafford
Autumn Stafford is the Founder and CEO of RadiMae Cosmetics and the Founder of Urban Formulation Lab in Washington, D.C. A STEM educator and cosmetic science entrepreneur, she brings more than ten years of experience in charter school operations, chemistry education, strategic planning, and youth entrepreneurship. Autumn joined the Sown Emancipation Board of Directors in 2024 to support the next generation of innovators, leaders, and entrepreneurs. She is a pre-med graduate and holds a certificate in Entrepreneurship from Cornell University.
Alivia Boddie
Alivia Boddie is a nonprofit leader, real estate professional, and systems-level strategist committed to closing wealth gaps through entrepreneurship, property ownership, and equitable economic development. She leads initiatives as a Program Manager at the Metropolitan Economic Development Association and is Founder and CEO of Prosperity Link. With experience in real estate, nonprofit leadership, curriculum development, grant writing, and program design, Alivia brings a dual perspective that combines market expertise with mission-driven impact.
Ben Ihde
Ben Ihde is a business strategist and entrepreneurial ecosystem leader with experience in organizational strategy, operations, business development, and small-business support. His work has focused on strengthening the systems, partnerships, and resources that help entrepreneurs move from ideas to sustainable growth. Ben brings strategic thinking, ecosystem knowledge, and a community-centered approach to the Sown Emancipation Board of Directors.
Brittany Pinales
Brittany Pinales is the Director of Big Futures at Big Brothers Big Sisters Twin Cities and a former Minnesota school leader. Her career has centered on helping young people access meaningful mentorship, educational opportunities, and pathways to long-term success. A skilled community collaborator and youth advocate, Brittany brings deep experience in education, leadership development, and cross-sector partnership building.
Dearest Ativie
Dearest Ativie is a nonprofit finance, accounting, and governance professional with extensive experience supporting mission-driven organizations. She currently works with Master Properties and brings specialized expertise in nonprofit accounting, organizational compliance, and financial stewardship, along with deep experience in the hunger-relief sector. A graduate of Howard University, Dearest brings disciplined financial insight and executive-level perspective.
De’Vonna Pittman
De’Vonna Pittman is a nationally recognized entrepreneur, author, and community leader. She is the founder and CEO of Nature’s Syrup Beauty and was named the 2024 SBA Minnesota Women in Business Champion of the Year. De’Vonna is also a three-time published author and founder of the Minnesota Black Authors Expo. She brings entrepreneurial leadership, brand-building expertise, and a commitment to creating platforms where others can transform ideas into opportunity.
Kathryn “Katie” Obayuwana
Kathryn “Katie” Obayuwana is a strategic corporate social responsibility and community engagement leader who builds purpose-driven partnerships connecting organizational priorities with meaningful community impact. Her experience spans corporate partnerships, employee and volunteer engagement, community initiatives, and social-impact strategy. Katie brings a strong ability to translate mission into action and mobilize people and resources around shared community goals.
Dr. Olaf Kuhlke
Dr. Olaf Kuhlke is a professor and chair of the Creative Entrepreneurship Department at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. A nationally recognized leader in creative entrepreneurship education, he works at the intersection of innovation, art, business, and community development. Dr. Kuhlke brings deep expertise in entrepreneurship education, curriculum development, and creative-economy strategy.
Our Youth Entrepreneurial Fellows
Meet the young leaders contributing their talents to Sown Emancipation while building professional, entrepreneurial, and leadership experience.
Abdulahi Yusuf Abdi
Abdulahi supports Sown Emancipation’s digital presence through website development, technology research, and improvements to the organization’s online user experience. Through the fellowship, he is gaining practical experience connecting technology, entrepreneurship, and community impact.
Salma Omar Fiqi
Salma supports Sown Emancipation’s marketing and communications through social media content, visual branding, and storytelling. Her fellowship provides opportunities to develop creative, entrepreneurial, and professional communication skills while expanding the organization’s public reach.
Dominique Renee Trent
Dominique supports partnership development, community outreach, and relationship-building for Sown Emancipation. Through her fellowship, she is gaining experience in professional communication, organizational representation, and creating opportunities that connect young people with entrepreneurship.
Meet Our Board of Directors
Our board provides governance, strategic guidance, professional expertise, and a shared commitment to expanding entrepreneurial opportunity for young people.
Autumn Stafford
Autumn Stafford is the Founder and CEO of RadiMae Cosmetics and the Founder of Urban Formulation Lab in Washington, D.C. A STEM educator and cosmetic science entrepreneur, she brings more than ten years of experience in charter school operations, chemistry education, strategic planning, and youth entrepreneurship. Autumn joined the Sown Emancipation Board of Directors in 2024 to support the next generation of innovators, leaders, and entrepreneurs. She is a pre-med graduate and holds a certificate in Entrepreneurship from Cornell University.
Alivia Boddie
Alivia Boddie is a nonprofit leader, real estate professional, and systems-level strategist committed to closing wealth gaps through entrepreneurship, property ownership, and equitable economic development. She leads initiatives as a Program Manager at the Metropolitan Economic Development Association and is Founder and CEO of Prosperity Link. With experience in real estate, nonprofit leadership, curriculum development, grant writing, and program design, Alivia brings a dual perspective that combines market expertise with mission-driven impact.
Ben Ihde
Ben Ihde is a business strategist and entrepreneurial ecosystem leader with experience in organizational strategy, operations, business development, and small-business support. His work has focused on strengthening the systems, partnerships, and resources that help entrepreneurs move from ideas to sustainable growth. Ben brings strategic thinking, ecosystem knowledge, and a community-centered approach to the Sown Emancipation Board of Directors.
Brittany Pinales
Brittany Pinales is the Director of Big Futures at Big Brothers Big Sisters Twin Cities and a former Minnesota school leader. Her career has centered on helping young people access meaningful mentorship, educational opportunities, and pathways to long-term success. A skilled community collaborator and youth advocate, Brittany brings deep experience in education, leadership development, and cross-sector partnership building.
Dearest Ativie
Dearest Ativie is a nonprofit finance, accounting, and governance professional with extensive experience supporting mission-driven organizations. She currently works with Master Properties and brings specialized expertise in nonprofit accounting, organizational compliance, and financial stewardship, along with deep experience in the hunger-relief sector. A graduate of Howard University, Dearest brings disciplined financial insight and executive-level perspective.
De’Vonna Pittman
De’Vonna Pittman is a nationally recognized entrepreneur, author, and community leader. She is the founder and CEO of Nature’s Syrup Beauty and was named the 2024 SBA Minnesota Women in Business Champion of the Year. De’Vonna is also a three-time published author and founder of the Minnesota Black Authors Expo. She brings entrepreneurial leadership, brand-building expertise, and a commitment to creating platforms where others can transform ideas into opportunity.
Kathryn “Katie” Obayuwana
Kathryn “Katie” Obayuwana is a strategic corporate social responsibility and community engagement leader who builds purpose-driven partnerships connecting organizational priorities with meaningful community impact. Her experience spans corporate partnerships, employee and volunteer engagement, community initiatives, and social-impact strategy. Katie brings a strong ability to translate mission into action and mobilize people and resources around shared community goals.
Dr. Olaf Kuhlke
Dr. Olaf Kuhlke is a professor and chair of the Creative Entrepreneurship Department at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. A nationally recognized leader in creative entrepreneurship education, he works at the intersection of innovation, art, business, and community development. Dr. Kuhlke brings deep expertise in entrepreneurship education, curriculum development, and creative-economy strategy.
Meet Our Founder
“We cannot prepare young people only to survive within systems they did not design. We must equip them to recognize possibility, build what is missing, and become architects of opportunity. That is why entrepreneurship and business development belongs in K–12 education.” — Maliza Kalema
Maliza Kalema
Maliza Kalema is the founder, executive director, and board chair of Sown Emancipation, where she leads the organization’s vision to expand entrepreneurial development within the K–12 educational ecosystem. She brings extensive experience in nonprofit leadership, youth development, education, workforce development, program strategy, and fundraising. A graduate of Howard University and Executive MBA candidate through the Howard University School of Business, Maliza founded Sown Emancipation to help young people see themselves as creators, problem-solvers, innovators, and architects of opportunity.