Board Director

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.

Board Director

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 (MEDA) and is also the Founder and CEO of Prosperity Link, a real estate-focused nonprofit advancing expanded access for development in underserved communities.

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 to Sown Emancipation. In addition Alivia also serves on the board of the Minnesota Alliance for Volunteer Advancement and holds a leadership role with Partners in Property Community Land Trust, where she contributes to efforts that expand equitable access to commercial real estate. Alivia holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Applied Social Science and Interdisciplinary Studies and has completed executive education in Leadership Principles through Harvard Business School. She is currently pursuing a Master’s in Legal Studies to deepen her ability to shape policy and address structural inequities. A mother of three and a committed community advocate, Alivia is driven by a long-term vision to build systems that make wealth creation more accessible, sustainable, and transformative for future generations.

Board Director

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 a valuable combination of strategic thinking, ecosystem knowledge, and a community-centered approach to the Sown Emancipation Board of Directors. He is committed to expanding access to entrepreneurship and helping young people develop the agency, problem-solving skills, and confidence needed to create value and shape their own futures.

Board Director

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. She is committed to creating the conditions young people need to strengthen their confidence, expand their possibilities, and pursue futures shaped by purpose, opportunity, and agency.

Board Director

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.

Her background also includes serving as an Accounting and Client Services Specialist at Northside Achievement Zone and as a chief executive, where she developed broad experience in nonprofit operations, finance, governance, and organizational leadership. A graduate of Howard University, Dearest brings disciplined financial insight, executive-level perspective, and a strong commitment to helping organizations build sustainable systems that advance their missions.

Board Director

De’Vonna Pittman is a nationally recognized entrepreneur, author, and community leader. She is the founder and CEO of Nature’s Syrup Beauty, a plant-powered hair and skincare company created to meet the needs of people with textured hair while advancing healthier approaches to beauty, wellness, and self-image.

Named the 2024 SBA Minnesota Women in Business Champion of the Year, De’Vonna has built a distinguished career at the intersection of entrepreneurship, economic empowerment, and community impact. She is also a three-time published author and the founder of the Minnesota Black Authors Expo, an initiative that elevates Black writers, strengthens literary entrepreneurship, and expands access to publishing opportunities.

De’Vonna brings to the Sown Emancipation Board of Directors a powerful combination of entrepreneurial leadership, brand-building expertise, and commitment to creating platforms where others can transform their ideas, talents, and lived experiences into opportunity.

Board Director

Kathryn “Katie” Obayuwana is a strategic corporate social responsibility and community engagement leader who builds purpose-driven partnerships that connect organizational priorities with meaningful community impact. Her experience spans corporate partnerships, employee and volunteer engagement, community initiatives, and the development of social-impact strategies across Minnesota.

Katie has also contributed to youth leadership and mentorship initiatives, supporting volunteer engagement and community-centered programming designed to help young people develop confidence, leadership skills, and pathways to future success.

She brings to the Sown Emancipation Board of Directors a strong ability to translate mission into action, cultivate authentic cross-sector relationships, and mobilize people and resources around shared community goals. Katie is committed to creating partnerships that expand opportunity, strengthen communities, and generate measurable social impact.

Founder, Executive Director, and Board Chair

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. Her work is grounded in the belief that young people should be equipped not only to participate in existing systems, but also to create value, solve problems, build opportunity, and shape their own futures.

Maliza brings extensive experience in nonprofit leadership, youth development, education, workforce development, program strategy, and fundraising. Throughout her career, she has designed and led initiatives that connect young people and communities to education, economic mobility, leadership development, and meaningful pathways to opportunity.

She founded Sown Emancipation after recognizing a critical gap in how young people are prepared for the future: while college and career readiness remain essential, entrepreneurial agency is too often left out. Under her leadership, Sown Emancipation has developed youth entrepreneurship fairs, marketplaces, workshops, and community-based learning experiences that help young people see themselves as creators, problem-solvers, and architects of opportunity.

A graduate of Howard University, Maliza is also pursuing an Executive MBA through the Howard University School of Business. She brings to Sown Emancipation a combination of visionary leadership, strategic execution, and a deep commitment to helping young people author futures defined by agency, mobility, and possibility.

Board Director

Dr. Olaf Kuhlke is a professor and chair of the Creative Entrepreneurship Department at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, where he helps prepare artists, designers, and creative professionals to build sustainable ventures and translate ideas into economic and social value.

A nationally recognized leader in creative entrepreneurship education, Dr. Kuhlke works at the intersection of innovation, art, business, and community development. His teaching and leadership emphasize entrepreneurial thinking, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the practical tools founders need to move from creative vision to viable enterprise.

Dr. Kuhlke brings to the Sown Emancipation Board of Directors deep expertise in entrepreneurship education, curriculum development, and creative-economy strategy. He is committed to expanding access to entrepreneurial learning and helping young people recognize their creativity as a source of agency, opportunity, and future mobility.