Our Staff
HAMDI ABDULLE
Executive Director
Hamdi is a prominent leader in Seattle, and has over 20 years of experience working with the African Diaspora immigrant and refugee community. She is a former educator who holds degrees from Lafoole University and George Mason University. She is a member of the Community Café Collaborative and the King County Women’s Advisory Board. Hamdi is a proud recipient of King County Council’s MLK Jr Distinguished Service Award, as well as Congressman Adam Smith's Champion of Justice Award in recognition of her contribution to the communities of the 9th Congressional District. Hamdi also received South King County Council's Human Services Equity and Social Justice award for exemplary community leadership and advocacy. She served as a board member of All Home from 2015-20, and as a standing member of the Affordable Housing Task Force from 2017-18. Hamdi is polylingual (English, Somali, Arabic, and Italian), and a Somali-language poet.
BILAN ADEN
Associate Director
As ACHD's Associate Director, Bilan designs and leads programs, develops curriculum, manages budgets, and advances the mission of the organization in the community. Bilan is fluent in English and Somali, and she holds a BA in Marketing from Seattle University and an MA in Education (Curriculum and Instruction) from the University of Washington. She also holds a Family Engagement Certificate from Harvard University, a P-3 Executive Leadership Certificate from the University of Washington, and she attended IslandWood’s Education for Community and Environment program in 2018. Bilan serves as a member of the King County Play Equity Coalition, the King County Immigrant and Refugee Commission, the People’s Economy Lab, and an incoming member of the City of Seattle Sweetened Beverage Tax Community Advisory Board.
ASAD ABDI
Food Access & Senior Programs Manager
Asad participated in afterschool programs most of his childhood led by members of ACHD's leadership team, which had a profound effect on his growth as a young man. He is excited to be a part of the ACHD team so that he can contribute to the development of his community. Asad has an Associates Degree in Business from South Seattle College; in his free time, he enjoys playing basketball and Call of Duty.
RUWAYDA ABDI
Youth Programs Manager
Ruwayda is known for her ability to establish and maintain positive teaching in an interactive, project-based environment. She holds a bachelors degree in Social Work from the University of Washington with a minor in Human Rights. In her free time, Ruwayda loves reading, boxing, and drinking coffee.
SHIRWA ADEN
Senior Case Manager
Shirwa has over 10 years of social service and advocacy experience. He lives in Des Moines, WA, where he enjoys hanging out with his lovely kids, composing music, writing scripts, and producing/directing live performances. His favorite thing about working at ACHD: Providing quality assistance that puts a smile on a client's face!
DAUD ALI
Workforce Development Manager
With over 10 years in both public and private sectors, Daud has experience in management consultation, team building, workforce development, and strategic planning. Daud holds a bachelor’s degree in Marketing from the University of Washington. In his free time, he loves traveling, hiking and spending time with his family.
ALEXANDRA DILLARD, MSW
Eviction Prevention Case Manager
Alexandra lives in Renton with her 15-year-old grandson. She graduated from San Francisco State University with a Bachelors Degree in Home Economics, and a Masters Degree in Social Work, with a concentration in administration and planning. Alexandra loves collecting R & B music from the 60s and early 70s; she also likes to read, go to the gym, and travel. Something she enjoys about ACHD: all ideas are embraced for continued agency growth and development.
LIDIYA GEBRE
Education Programs Manager
Lidiya graduated from Northwest University with a dual degree in Biology/Pre-Medicine and Psychology. Her work at ACHD entails building curriculums and providing workshops for the Positive Family Connection program participants. She also manages the after-school learning pod for K-6 grade students, which includes tutoring, social-emotional learning, and outdoor sports. Lidiya is passionate about mental health in the BIPOC community and does advocacy work in her free time. On the weekends, she works as a care manager for seniors. Lidiya loves traveling, watching sunsets with friends, and working out.
ALIYA HALOS
Office Manager
Aliya moved to the United States in 2013 and followed her passion to work in nonprofit to help people. She has previously worked for USAID projects in Afghanistan and the Minority Supplier Development Council here in the Northwest. Aliya’s background is in education and business management, and she believes everyone can make a positive impact in their community. Aliya is a coffee enthusiast and dog lover, and she enjoys hiking and acrylic painting in her free time.
FREGENET KEBEDE
Data Analyst
Fregenet Kebede has three years of experience working as a researcher, data analyst, and legal assistant. She graduated from the University of Washington School of Law with master’s degree in Sustainable International Development. Previously, Fregenet worked for Stole Rives LLP. Her hobbies include reading books, going to the gym, and traveling. with her friends. She lives in Renton, and her favorite thing about working at ACHD is collaboration - everyone shares the same vision and is dedicated to the mission.
SOPHIA LOPEZ
Operations Manager
Sophia lives in Seattle, where she was born and raised. With a background in retail operations, Sophia has been excited to shift her skillsets to work with ACHD. She is passionate about building collaborative programs that highlight BIPOC voices. On the weekends she enjoys playing soccer and cooking for friends and family.
BREE NICOLELLO
Director of Community Development & Special Projects
Bree is an urban planner and project manager with 8+ years of experience working with diverse communities throughout the Pacific Northwest. Her passions include developing affordable housing and economic development projects, policies, and programs rooted in equity and collaboration.
RACHEL PERLOT
Director of Fund Development & Food Access
Rachel writes grants and raises funds for ACHD, and she runs the monthly Delridge Farmers Market. She has a bachelors degree from the University of Washington, and is a member of the King Conservation District Advisory Committee and the Association of Fundraising Professionals. When she's not working with ACHD, Rachel runs Bad Weather Farm in North Seattle, and is also a freelance wedding and event planner.
TERI REID
Director of Finance & Operations
Teri joined ACHD in October of 2020 to build the agency's capacity to manage its finances as it grows in size and complexity. Teri brings with her thirty years of non-profit experience; she has extensive knowledge in non-profit leadership, business finance, budgeting, and project management. Teri is excited to provide support and leadership to the amazing team at ACHD as they impact the community in so many ways. Outside of work Teri enjoys spending time with her beautiful teenage daughters.
DEREK SENIOR
Senior Case Manager
Derek is Navy Veteran turned community worker from New York who moved to Seattle by way of San Diego! His favorite movie is “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid”, and his favorite book is “Black Boy” by Richard Wright. He has been doing social justice work in Seattle since 2016. Although he is a dog person, he has a soft spot for cats.
AKRAM SHEIKH
Information Technology Manager
Akram joined ACHD in July 2020 as the Information Technology Manager, providing strategic oversight of facility-wide IT activities, sponsoring IT committees, and working with IT service units across the organization. Akram obtained his Bachelors of Information Technology from Bunkelhand University Jhansi. In his spare time, Akram enjoys spending time with his family, road trips, and traveling abroad.
ABUKAR YOUSUF
Data Analyst
Abukar moved to West Seattle from Ohio in 2018. He spends his free time enjoying the Pacific Northwest outdoors by going on bike rides, hiking, swimming, and playing soccer. Abukar is passionate about community building, volunteering in youth sports programs, and mentorship.
Our Board