About Iftiin
A New Chapter for a Minnesota Foundation
Iftiin, Somali for "light," began with education and community development work for Somali girls and families. Today we are a community data and advocacy organization serving Somali American, East African and other immigrant and minority communities across Minnesota.
Mission, Vision and Leadership
Our mission is to build trustworthy, community-governed data on youth, health, education, housing and business in Minnesota's minority and immigrant communities, and to turn that evidence into advocacy that improves outcomes. Our vision is a Minnesota where every community can see itself clearly in public data. Iftiin Community Development Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN 38-4280963) in active standing with the Minnesota Secretary of State.
Board of Directors
Abdurahman Jama, MBA, Chair
Abdurahman Jama serves as Chair of the Board of Directors of Iftiin. He is the Founder and CEO of Mercy Link, LLC, a Minnesota-based health and human services provider that helps older adults and people with disabilities live safely and with dignity. Its services include in-home care, assisted living, adult foster care and community-based supports across the Twin Cities metro area.
Under Mr. Jama’s leadership, Mercy Link has grown into a trusted provider for families in Hennepin and Dakota counties, known for care that is compassionate, respectful of each person’s culture and centered on the individual. He is deeply committed to the Somali community, to immigrant and refugee families, and to youth and education. As Board Chair, he brings to Iftiin his experience in organizational leadership, regulatory compliance and building community partnerships, guided by his belief that “every family deserves a path to opportunity.”
Abdirahman Abdi, MBA, MHA, Secretary
Abdirahman Abdi serves as Secretary of Iftiin’s Board of Directors. He is the Chief Financial Officer of Hennepin Healthcare, one of Minnesota’s leading public health systems. He joined Hennepin Healthcare in 2024 as Chief Administrative Officer and was named Chief Financial Officer in 2026.
Mr. Abdi brings broad experience in strategic and financial leadership in health care. He previously served as Chief Financial Officer of Hennepin Health and held finance and analytics leadership roles at Fairview Health. Earlier in his career, he worked in financial planning and analysis at UnitedHealth Group and Target Corporation. He holds an MBA from the University of St. Thomas Opus College of Business, a Master of Healthcare Administration from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, and a bachelor’s degree from Hamline University. As Secretary, he brings to Iftiin his expertise in organizational leadership, governance and financial stewardship.
Dr. Abdi Jama, MD, FACC, Treasurer
Dr. Abdi Jama serves as Treasurer of Iftiin’s Board of Directors. He is an interventional cardiologist with Minnesota Heart Clinic and cares for patients at M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina and M Health Fairview Ridges Hospital in Burnsville. His clinical focus includes adult structural heart disease, complex coronary interventions and peripheral vascular procedures.
Dr. Jama earned his medical degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine. He completed his residency in internal medicine and fellowships in cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology at Mayo Clinic, followed by a fellowship in vascular medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital. He is board certified in cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology and is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology. As Treasurer, Dr. Jama brings to Iftiin the discipline, sound judgment and commitment to service that define his medical career.
Executive Director
Dr. Abdirashid M. Shire (Ph.D.) is a public health executive and scientist with more than 30 years of experience. A former Mayo Clinic Assistant Professor of Medicine and recipient of the Minnesota Department of Health's 2012 Roy VanHorne Memorial Award, he built Somalia's first national forensic science system and founded Shire Scientific, which managed Hennepin County mental health case management contract and collaborated with University of Minnesota researchers. He holds a Ph.D. from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
Senior Consultant
Ms. Mariam Mohamed (MS) is a population health program consultant focused on the language and cultural barriers that keep Somali women from care. Trained in agriculture, statistics and nutrition, she co-founded Hoyo, a Twin Cities sambusa company created to give Somali women steady employment.
Our Commitments
A Community Data Council approves how data is used and released. We publish only de-identified, aggregated results, never sell or share individual records, never produce analysis for immigration enforcement or surveillance, and share findings with the community first, in plain language and in Somali.
Contact us to learn about our data initiatives or partnership opportunities.
Telephone: 651-333-9285 (Fax: 651-204-9510)
E-mail: ashire@iftiincdf.org
Address: 450 Syndicate Street North, Suite 275, Saint Paul, MN 55104