Meet The Team
Shakir Consulting Services is looking for new talent. Please email us at shakirconsultingservices@gmail.com if interested in learning more.
Ayana Shakir
President and CEO
Ayana is a Doctoral Candidate in Organization Development and Change Management at the University of St. Thomas. Ms. Shakir has a Master's of Arts in Health and Human Services Administration from St. Mary's University. She has over 20 years of experience as a Social Work Practitioner and Educator working in the areas of Adoption, Foster Care, Child Protection, Adult Protection, MN Choices DD Assessments, and taught English in Saudi Arabia at Taif University.
Lauren McAfee
Case Management Supervisor
Lauren has a bachelor's degree in Psychology and management experience in various social services settings.
De'Andra Walker
Case Manager
De'Andra has several years of experience in CADI case management. De'Andra has a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice.
Hodan Ibrahim
Lead Case Aide
Hodan has experience in Early Childhood Education, is bi-lingual in English and Somali, and knowledgeable about the Somali and Muslim communities in the Twin Cities. In addition, Ms. Ibrahim is a trained Somali interpreter.
Sara Hesseltine, LGSW, MSW
Housing Program Manager
Sara has an undergraduate degree in social work from The College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, MN and a Master’s degree in social work from Our Lady of the Lake in San Antonio, TX. Sara's background is in historical trauma. Sara works with families experiencing homelessness and in need of housing, as well as other supports.
Yesica Tello Castro
Case Aide & PSOP Case Manager
Yesica Tello graduated from Augsburg University with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. Worked and volunteered in the community to advocate for families needing resources to support security and family stability and strengthen parent/child relationships. Yesica is fluent in Spanish, and as well as a first generation college graduate.
Istar Mire
Case Manager
Istar has a Bachelor's degree in Biology and 7 years of experience working with seniors and people with disabilities. Istar is trilingual in English, Somali, and Swahili.
Mary Nambi, MSW
Case Manager
Wlehgie Gausi
Case Manager
Gigi's passion for working with individuals with disabilities started while in college when she worked as a Direct Support Professional. Gigi has a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Minot State University and a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Science.
Mary has several years of experience working as a social worker with refugee resettlement, providing ABA therapy as well as working with children and adults with developmental and physical disabilities. Mary has an M.S. in Social Work from Eastern Michigan University and a B.S. in Social Work from Franciscan University of Steubenville.
Zakia Bommersbach
Case Manager
Zakia is a recent BSW graduate of Augsburg University. She has experience working with children and families and also working with corrections.