OUR BOARD

J. Duwar Kollie is a Certified Information System Auditor and a senior auditor with the Minnesota Department of Revenue. Mr. Kollie arrived in the United States from Liberia on the Lutheran Leaders Academic Scholarship in 1995. He holds a BA in Business Administration and a minor in Entrepreneur Studies from Carthage College, Kenosha, WI. Mr. Kollie has always had a passion and drive to help people and sees Aspire Network’s advocacy and community outreach as a conduit to fulfill his passion. His interest in advocacy and community outreach stems from his personal experience as a refugee. When he is not busy with work, Mr. Kollie spends time working on different home projects with JD, his 14 years old son with special needs.  
 

Pastor Kim is the pastor of Christ the River of Life Lutheran Church, a faith community with a multicultural congregation based in Minneapolis. Pastor Kim has a background in accountancy, and she is currently a volunteer firefighter for the city of Eden Prairie. Pastor Kim is a graduate of Luther Seminary. 

Musa Keita is a financial analyst with over 20 years of experience working in various industries such as banking, agriculture, education, and healthcare. He also has experience as a small business owner. Mr. Keita holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance. He has expertise in financial reporting, budgeting, financial modeling and analysis, and business planning. Mr. Keita is looking forward to using his experience to help guide Aspire Network on the business side to be a preeminent contributor to solving the mental health crisis in our community. 

Barry A. Lehman is a licensed alcohol and drug counselor (LADC) with nearly 30 years of experience. He has worked as a chemical health school-based worker with students in middle and high school and in outpatient settings. Mr. Lehman is a recognized author and speaker. His most recent publication is Mastering Recovery: Find a New Freedom and a new Happiness Through Long-term Recovery. Mr. Lehman has a Doctor of Ministry degree in counseling from the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago, a Master of Divinity from Moravian Theological Seminary, and a Bachelor of Arts from Lehigh University. Mr. Lehman is a retired pastor. 

Compassion – “If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.” The Dalai Lama  

Hope – The anticipation that our lives CAN get better. 

Empathy – Our common humanity lies in our ability to put ourselves in someone else's position and feel what they must be feeling.

Respect – Respect for ALL cultures and peoples.

Trust – Trust the process.

Edwin N. Swaray is the Executive Director for Aspire Network. He is a Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS) and a Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy (BBHT) approved supervisor for  licensed alcohol and drug counselor (LADC) professionals. Edwin has worked in the field of behavioral health for more than 10 years. He is a constant force in helping others recognize the needs of diverse populations in the field of behavioral health.