Meet the Team

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world.

  • Niema Ismael Is a Somali woman living in Minnesota with a background of Psychology and family studies. Niema Is the founder and the executive director of Women’s Wellness & Parenting Support Center. Niema’s passion of women's health started five years ago during her undergraduate studies at Metropolitan State University. She is currently finalizing her MA of counseling psychology at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota and will be pursuing a Psy.D in counseling psychology with the focus of intergenerational trauma and linguistics. Niema firmly believes that every woman deserves to be heard, respected, and supported throughout her journey, regardless of her background or life experiences. WWPSC’s work stems from Niema’s observation of alarming rates of mental health concerns among Somali women. In our work we warmly welcome women from all walks of life, ensuring that each person feels valued and understood. By fostering a strong sense of community and connection, our aim is to provide a sanctuary where women can find solace, strength, and transformative healing. We understand that seeking help is a courageous step, and we are here to support you every step of the way.


  • Dr. Mohamed is a graduate of the University of Minnesota’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program specializing in psychiatry and mental health care. She has been a practicing registered nurse in the twin cities and surrounding suburbs since 2010 and is a public health nurse for Hennepin County’s long-term services and supports department. Dr. Mohamed has also worked as an inpatient psychiatric nurse in the Fairview health system for children and adults.
    Khadra Mohamed, DNP, PMHNP, BC

  • I'm Ridwan Mahamed Yusuf, a passionate, compassionate individual committed to supporting Somali women and their mental health. As a fellow Somali woman, I am driven by a deep desire to empower my community and make a positive impact.

    With a master's degree in marketing and a background as an operations manager, I bring a diverse skill set to my work. My marketing expertise enables me to bring creativity, strategic thinking, and attention to detail to the table. As an operations manager, I have developed a strong organizational and problem-solving abilities, ensuring smooth and efficient processes.

    In addition to my marketing and operations background, I have also made a significant impact as a youth worker, supporting young Somali girls, in navigating challenges and fostering personal growth. Furthermore, I have managed multiple projects, applying my leadership and project management skills to deliver successful outcomes.

    My ultimate goal is to empower individuals and communities to reach their full potential by promoting mental well-being and fostering resilience. Through effective communication, building strong relationships, and leveraging my diverse skill set, I strive to create a supportive environment for growth and positive change.

    I am honored to support and uplift Somali women as we journey together towards a brighter future.

  • Zahra is a highly accomplished professional serving as the Vice President of the WWPSC (Women's Wellness & Parenting Support Center). With a distinguished academic background, she holds a Master of Social Work in clinical social work from Augsburg University, where she gained extensive knowledge and expertise in the field.
    Over the past 12 years, Zahra has excelled as a Senior Social Worker, specializing in providing comprehensive support to individuals with disabilities, with a particular emphasis on Autism. Her dedication to enhancing the lives of others has been unwavering, and she has become a trusted advocate for youth with disabilities and their families. Zahra's remarkable commitment to her work extends beyond her professional role, as she actively engages in delivering training and education to the community, fostering awareness and understanding of the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities.
    Zahra's compassionate nature and her profound desire to make a positive impact in the lives of others are evident in both her professional and personal endeavors. As a devoted mother of seven, she effortlessly balances her roles and nurtures a loving and supportive environment for her family. In her leisure time, Zahra finds solace in reading and indulges in rejuvenating walks.
    Zahra's holistic approach to social work, coupled with her extensive experience, allows her to effectively navigate complex situations and facilitate meaningful change. Her unwavering dedication, expertise, and passion for assisting individuals with disabilities and their families have made her an invaluable asset to the WWPSC and the broader community.

  • Marilyn Sharpe, Secretary of the Board of WWPSC, has a BA in English from Wellesley College and a MAT in Secondary English Education from Harvard University.  She earned Certified Family Life Educator status and has been a parent educator for 45 years, teaching classes, running an ongoing parent support group, and writing articles and a book on parenting.  She is the mother of three, grandmother of five, and someone who believes in the power of families to shape a better world.  She knows that it is the hardest, most important work that humans are called to do.  She believes in the importance of support, wisdom, resources, and care we can give one another on this journey.

  • Therapy is all about moving from a place of poor emotional health to a place of good emotional health, making healthy decisions, and setting healthy boundaries. My clinical interests include working with individuals to develop their own personal goals and to identify ways to help folks experience whatever emotion they are experiencing at the moment. I believe that the vehicle to do this work is through the development of a strong therapeutic relationship of kindness, compassion, and understanding. I believe that fostering wellness and recovery are the most important components of a successful experience.

  • Debbie holds a master’s degree in counseling psychology from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota and a Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from Adler School of Professional Psychology (also known as Adler University, Chicago, IL). Debbie has experience working with complex trauma, play therapy, autism spectrum disorder, multicultural support, sexual acting out behaviors, mood and behavioral disorders, and personality disorders. Debbie has experience working with community mental health, outpatient therapy, day treatment programming, residential treatment, and individuals with legal/court involvement. In her clinical practice, Debbie provides individual therapy to children, adolescents, and adults, as well as family therapy and parenting support. Debbie’s areas of interest include trauma work, play therapy, autism spectrum disorder, anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders, personality disorders, comprehensive psychological assessment, psychosexual evaluations, AD/HD assessments, and autism evaluations.