Press Release | November 12, 2024
Sumair Sheikh rejoins Board of Trustees
The Northland Foundation Board of Trustees has welcomed Sumair Sheikh back to the board. He formerly served as a Trustee starting in 2018 until voluntarily stepping down in the spring of 2022. At that time, he was embarking on a new job and pared back his volunteer commitments to focus on the career transition. He began his new, three-year term with the board in October.
Sheikh is the Executive Director of LISC Duluth. He began his career as a teacher and community organizer in Duluth, Ann Arbor, Chicago, and Boston. Alongside his education sector work, he established a consulting practice working with municipal leaders in Minnesota including the City of Duluth. Prior to leading LISC Duluth, he worked with school districts in the region, as well as in the Twin Cities, bridging resources between community and schools, designing and implementing racial equity and cultural competency systems. He has a master’s degree in advocacy and political leadership from the University of Minnesota Duluth, a bachelor’s degree in biology from Michigan State University, and a secondary teacher certification from Eastern Michigan University.
“The Board and staff are pleased that Sumair is ready and willing to serve again. Like all our Trustees, he brings valuable insights to the table. Sumair’s resume and experience align closely with Northland’s programs and priorities, and he understands well both the funder and the recipient perspectives,” stated Tony Sertich, Northland Foundation President.