Testimonials

Anika is an excellent problem solver for equity and inclusion systems change. She is a trusted and valued advisor/partner to me and other executive leaders in nonprofit, government, corporate, and community spaces across our region.

Anika is authentic, bold and a relationship-builder who creates trusting relationships with others. She provides thoughtful support to leaders and delivers equitable solutions for systemic and impactful change. I highly recommend Anika.

— James Burroughs
Chief Inclusion Officer

We would highly encourage leaders who are looking to advance equity in their organization to partner with Sankofa. From leadership coaching to sharing her experience and perspective on timely topics, our sessions with Anika are always valuable and energizing. Since the start of our partnership, we have formalized a DEI vision, goals and dashboard to share internally and externally. We have launched a DEI Council to help shepherd each of our discipline’s DEI goals and address topics as they arise. Anika’s coaching has helped shift us to a place of curiosity and confidence in pursuing equity in all areas of our business and connection to our community.

— Kasey Hatzung
Principal

Anika has proven to be a key partner for institutional transformation, and is well versed in equity-centered systems change. She inspires critical thinking and innovation as she works with others to catalyze action for equitable outcomes. Anika centers equity in her approach and builds strategic relationships that bridge across differences.

Anika brings a toolkit of valuable assets and resources to the table. Her skillful communication, network connections, and critical insights/guidance empower people and institutions in building a culture and practice of transformational leadership.

— Rosemond Owens
Director of Health Equity

I have known of Sankofa Leadership Network since its inception. However, last year I approached SLN to provide my company a presentation on the lived history of the Rondo Neighborhood from the perspective of Anika Ward. This engagement opportunity was between her and our senior leadership. It provided context and a true historic account of the black community where Medica recently invested in a call center.

The team's expertise and professionalism was A+ on getting the contract in place, understanding the needs of Medica and especially delivering a presentation that was personal, engaging and real. Anika was a powerhouse and my senior leaders really felt like they grew from her presentation.

— Alex Tittle
Sr. Director, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Beginning in the spring of 2022, MN Community Measurement has worked with Sankofa Leadership Network to plan and carry out a series of workshops on DEI and unconscious bias.

The Sankofa team has an incredible depth of expertise on both subject matter and presenting it in a way that is engaging, meaningful, and memorable. Even in a largely remote context, the workshops were highly engaging and we received excellent feedback from participants.

— Julie Sonier
President & CEO

I received leadership coaching from Sankofa Leadership Network. I think that the team is incredibly personable, hard working, and they care about their clients. Anika supported me as my leadership coach while I was onboarding. It was one of the most valuable services I received as an early stage ED.

— Markus Flynn
Executive Director

We have worked with Anika for the past year. She helped us design and facilitate monthly sessions for our BWC Members who wanted to learn and grow in the area of DEI. Anika is a kind, patient and agile facilitator. She created a wonderful space for our members to be open about sharing their issues, asking questions they didn't feel they could ask anywhere else and learn from her wisdom.

During our work with Anika, my members have reported feeling more confident in the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion, better educated on how their actions, un-actions and words can impact those areas and the role their leadership plays in creating better organizations. Additionally, many worked on creating a compelling equity and inclusion vision.

— Lani Basa
Owner + Co-Founder

I met Anika while she was at the State of Minnesota and then followed her work to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota.

She is among just a handful of leaders who won’t just talk about the need to connect diverse community leaders to institutional power, but she takes it seriously. Before I knew it we were creatively working to design a community-centered engagement event.

Her commitment to live out the values of access and inclusion makes her effective and impactful, because you know she won’t just talk, but she will help make things happen.

— Bo Thao-Urabe
Former ED of CAAL

I feel like Anika really meets you where you are at and helps create space to process. She often will share a story or something to think about that I carry forward with me. I find myself often coming back to what she shared in those stories to think through what’s going on and how I can move some work forward or approach something different.

I was able to strengthen relationships with my team and find better boundaries for my work-life balance. I feel like Anika helped me find my way back to myself and realize who I want to be as a leader, and start the process of becoming that person.

— Erin Braaten
Vice President of Human Resources

I have had the pleasure of working with Anika in a number of capacities over the years, beginning with her role as Director of the Kitty Andersen Youth Science Center at the Science Museum of Minnesota. Equity-centered systems change was already at the heart of her practice in that role, supported by deeply-held values and an approach that made working with her both inspiring and exciting.

I particularly appreciate her willingness to take on the things we Minnesotans would rather ignore - such as barriers that are uncomfortable for mainstream white organizations to acknowledge - in order to have real conversations and make real change.

— Kathleen Fluegel, Ph.D.
Executive Director (Retired)

Sankofa Leadership Network provided executive coaching and authentic supports to executive and senior leaders, mostly women from all walks of life. I personally benefitted from a tailored approach of self exploration and deep reflection of my core values, which further sustained my commitment to racial justice, systems transformation, organizational development, and leadership.

The Sankofa Leadership Network, and Anika Ward’s approach particularly, created a space for me to process various challenges and work through tough situations that present in a complex and demanding work environment. I have been able to better view situations from an authentic interpersonal lens, a technical view, as well as a systems-based perspective.

— Maria Sarabia
Director

I am thrilled to endorse the Sankofa Leadership Network! Anika Ward approaches all endeavors with empathy, honesty and integrity. She’s a listener and an active implementor. Anika is interested in change for good no matter the scale. She works with individuals, small and large groups, listening and sharing insights and strategies that produce results. Her years of experience advancing equity, inclusion and leadership environments that challenge and strengthen larger systems have resulted in useful tools for building an inclusive work culture, supporting leadership teams and creating engagement practices for productive conflict.

— Joanne Jones-Rizzi
Vice President of Science, Equity, and Education