Kit Fordham
Joined the Board of Directors in 2020
Kit serves as the Executive Director of Mni Sota Fund (formerly known as Bii Gii Wiin Community Development Loan Fund) – a certified Native CDFI headquartered in the American Indian Cultural Corridor on Franklin Avenue. Having previously worked in the cooperative development world, Kit is passionate about imagining new paths towards building a socially, economically, and environmentally equitable world.
When Kit’s not working – and sometimes when he should be working – he can be found out in his kayak with his wife, Chanelle Gallagher, an enrolled member of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and the Clinical Manager at the Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center.
Kit holds his BA in Global Studies from Warren Wilson College in Asheville, NC; and his MBA from Bainbridge Graduate Institute (now known as Presidio Graduate School.) He also serves as the Treasurer for the Minneapolis American Indian Center and the Metro Urban Indian Directors group.
Kit was connected to Exodus through his work in the urban Indian community. As the Executive Director of Mni Sota Fund Kit is deeply immersed in the world of using credit education as tool for replacing cycles of poverty with cycles of prosperity. Mni Sota Fund’s mission is perfectly aligned with Exodus, so when Exodus asked him to join the board Kit was thrilled to join the organization to learn and grow together.
Who is one person who inspires you and why?
Sara Nelson-Pallmeyer – because she leads with tremendous grace and curiosity. Anytime I meet with Sara, I leave more optimistic and more focused on the possibilities ahead.