Meet The Team
Get to know the faces behind our work
Rafat Solaiman
Founder & Executive Director
Bio: Rafat founded Fasting For Friends during his junior year in high school after noticing a shortage in supplies at his local food shelf. After launching a successful pilot year for the organization in Saint Peter, MN, he began expanding and further developing the organizations' mission and reach. He received his BA in Human Physiology with a minor in Management from the University of Minnesota.
Nick Seitzer
Operations Director
Bio: Nick is a senior at the College of Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resource Sciences at the University of Minnesota. He joined the team in 2018 because he wanted to become part of an important cause with the potential to make a large-scale impact. In addition to regional and national awards in agriculture, he's spent three weeks in Italy studying sustainable food systems.
Angela Nguyen
Advocacy Director
Bio: Angela is a senior at Macalester College studying International Studies and Asian Studies. She has previously helped other organizations with policy agenda and has extensive experience working with refugee populations. With a strong background in policy, Angela contributes to policy research and food shelf advocacy for our organization.
Taylor Woommavovah
Marketing Director
Bio: Taylor is a senior at the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota studying Accounting. She is involved with several student-led business and intercultural organizations on her campus. With a strong business background, Taylor contributes to fundraising, marketing, and research for our organization.
Vienna Branom
Content Creation Director
Bio: Vienna is a senior at Gustavus Adolphus College studying Communication Studies and Studio Art with a minor in Administration. Vienna has graphic design experience with multiple organizations. With a strong creative background, Vienna contributes to design, content creation, and fundraising for our organization.
Previous Team Members
Hannah Hansen
Communications Director, 2019-2021
Josie Carlson
Policy & Advocacy Intern, Summer 2021
Leif Annexstad
Communications Director, 2018-2020
Matthias Annexstad
Operations Director, 2018-2020
Mia Hansen
Advocacy Intern, Summer 2021