Reem El-Radi, Executive Director

Reem El-Radi, Ph.D., brings a blend of transformative leadership and visionary insight to her role as the Executive Director and Co-founder of OaknNa. With a rich background spanning both education and the nonprofit sector, she excels in translating ideas into meaningful initiatives. Reem's expertise in community building, program development, teaching, and training ensures a profound and enduring impact on her work. Her doctoral studies at the University of Minnesota, focusing on Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development with a specialization in Human Development and Adult Education, underscore her qualifications to lead OaknNa's mission.

As Executive Director of the Oaknna Foundation, Reem considers it a privilege to guide a team dedicated to empowering marginalized communities. Drawing from her journey as a Sudanese American and former asylee from Sudan, her commitment to creating pathways to education and sustainable livelihoods is deeply personal.

With a wealth of experience in program management and evaluation within the nonprofit sector, Reem has been a tireless advocate for those in need. Her doctoral research, "The Resettlement Experiences of Southern Sudanese Women Refugees in Minnesota," not only demonstrates her academic prowess but also serves as a practical guide for effectively supporting African women refugees.

Before assuming the role of Executive Director, Reem spent fifteen years in academia as a professor specializing in organizational behavior, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), and interpersonal communication. This academic background has profoundly shaped her leadership philosophy, which is centered on fostering a more just, inclusive, equitable, and sustainable world. Through her teaching, she prioritized the holistic development of her students, integrating service-learning initiatives that made tangible impacts on their communities.

At the Oaknna Foundation, the commitment is resolute to drive positive change and foster inclusivity for all. Through collaborative efforts and innovative programming, the mission remains clear: to empower marginalized communities, provide pathways to education, and foster sustainable livelihoods to create a brighter future for all.