Local Leaders Join Board of Directors at Twin Cities Habitat

The Board of Directors at Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity welcomes three new board members. The new cohort joins as the organization celebrates its 40th anniversary and continues its Build Forward Together strategic plan and campaign to expand homeownership opportunities, advance racial equity, and engage the community. 

Our newest board members are:

• Nicki Donlon, CPA, Partner – Nonprofit Team Leader, Baker Tilly US, LLP
• Brendan Johnson, Robins Kaplan LLP, Partner, Chair of National Business Litigation Group
• Kenya McKnight Ahad, Founder & CEO, Black Women’s Wealth Alliance

Tony Barranco, President, North Region, at Ryan Companies is serving as Board Chair. Barranco leads an executive committee that includes:

• Vice Chair: Laura Crosby, Community Volunteer
• Treasurer: Jim Mulrooney, Senior Vice President, Bremer Bank
• Secretary: Lara Koza, Chief Strategy Officer, Longevity Holdings, LLC
• Past Chair: Nash Shaikh, Chief of Staff to the President & CEO, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota

Learn more about Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity's board leadership and see a complete list of the Board of Directors.

In addition, the following leaders have joined the Board’s Lending Committee:

• Kirstin Burch, Executive Director, PRG
• Devon Pohlman, Lending Strategies Director, Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota

The Board of Directors leads the organization as it continues to strengthen its programs, expand its impact, and advance racial equity. Building on 40 years of successful programs and generational impact, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity is a bold leader in affordable homeownership in the Twin Cities and across the Habitat for Humanity global network.

The organization’s Build Forward Together strategic plan and campaign have led to numerous successful programs and initiatives.

This month, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity marks two years of its groundbreaking Advancing Black Homeownership program. The program is designed to unlock homeownership opportunities for Foundational Black households—those who trace their roots to slavery in the U.S. In just two years, nearly 60 households have bought affordable homes through the program.

In fall 2024, Twin Cities Habitat hosted a tremendously successful Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project, engaging thousands in building homes and carrying on the Carters’ legacy of service.

The largest affordable homeownership builder in the area, Twin Cities Habitat continues to build homes across the metro area, while developing its largest-ever development at The Heights on the Greater East Side of St. Paul. Starting with 30 units at the Carter Work Project, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity is building 147 homes across four city blocks over five years. When Habitat’s work is complete, the new community will deliver the safety, stability, and wealth-building potential of affordable homeownership to more than 500 people.

Meet the Newest Board Members

Nicki Donlon, Baker Tilly 

Nicki Donlon is a principal with Baker Tilly’s not-for-profit practice. Prior to joining Baker Tilly, Nicki spent more than 10 years at an international firm serving audit clients in many different industries including not-for-profits, healthcare providers, public sector, and financial services. Nicki has more than 20 years of experience managing audit engagements of varying sizes, and specializes in serving not-for profits, healthcare providers, and higher education. She has past and current experience serving on audit committees and boards of directors of not-for-profit organizations, and hands-on experience advising these organizations regarding their day-to-day operations and financial policies and procedures.

Brendan Johnson, Robins Kaplan LLP

Brendan Johnson is a partner at Robins Kaplan LLP and Chair of the National Business Litigation Group. He formerly served as the United States Attorney for the District of South Dakota and is listed by Forbes Magazine as one of the top 200 lawyers in the United States. An aggressive advocate, Brendan has spent his career trying cases, deposing hostile witnesses, and cross-examining experts. Together, his unique background and skill set power his ability to guide clients to solutions that serve not only their legal interest but also to safeguard their reputation in high stakes litigation. Brendan’s experience comes from his time at the Department of Justice as well as his political and public advocacy work. While serving as the United States Attorney for the District of South Dakota, he was selected by the Attorney General of the United States to chair the Department of Justice’s Native American Issues Subcommittee and to serve on the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee. He was also a member of the Justice Department’s Terrorism/National Security and Cybercrime Subcommittees. In addition, he was named one of the nation’s top 40 political rising stars under the age of 40 by The Washington Post, and Campaigns and Election listed him as one of the 500 most influential people in politics. Brendan has earned numerous other awards and recognitions for his legal work and advocacy, especially in representing Native American communities. 

Kenya McKnight Ahad, Black Women’s Wealth Alliance

Kenya McKnight Ahad is the Founder & CEO of Black Women’s Wealth Alliance, a historically Black-owned and -led institution which provides critical wealth education and services, business technical support, professional development, and financial assistance to strengthen the capacity of Black Women to build generational wealth. Since 2014, Black Women’s Wealth Alliance has served over 4,000 Black women, provided over $1,300,000 in small capacity grants and facilitated $780,000 in lending. Kenya is also the Founder, CEO, and owner of the ZaRah Integrated Root Center, Minnesota’s first Black-owned holistic wellness complex, located in North Minneapolis. With 25 years of community involvement and leadership, Kenya has a proven track record of driving results and fostering collaboration across diverse stakeholders. She is a transformative, empowering, and visionary leader advancing innovative solutions that empower Black culture, Black joy, and prosperity and that drive sustainable Black generational wealth. In 2020, Kenya was inducted into The Minnesota Historical Society: African American History – Rising Star.