We’re excited to introduce several new team members who have recently joined MCC or will be joining us later this month. Each brings valuable experience, a commitment to community, and unique talents that will strengthen our mission and work across Minnesota.
Please join us in welcoming:
- Bugondo “Blaise” Nitbonera, who joined MCC on May 18
- Micah Minnema and Zach Mueller, who begin their roles today
- Ellen Burkhardt and Cearah Hamilton, who will join us on June 22
We invite you to learn more about each of them below and to extend a warm welcome as opportunities arise.
Together, these new colleagues bring expertise in refugee services, fundraising, communications, community engagement, and nonprofit leadership that will help advance MCC's mission and impact.
Bugondo “Blaise” Nitbonera is a refugee services professional with eight years of experience supporting refugee communities in the United States and Uganda. Most recently, he served as Refugee Services Supervisor at Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, where he led resettlement operations, case management, compliance, and community integration efforts.
As a former refugee, Blaise brings both professional expertise and lived experience to his work. He is deeply committed to advocacy, cultural responsiveness, and empowering newcomer communities.
In 2020, he received the Refugee Arrivals Award from the Minnesota Department of Human Services Refugee Program Office in recognition of his outstanding service. Blaise also serves as Vice President of Le Journal Africa and Co-Founder and Board Secretary of Tumaini for Refugee Women. He is a member of the 2025–2026 Minnesota International NGO Fellowship and serves as a panel member for the Minnesota Refugee Resettlement Program.
Micah Minnema is a nonprofit leader with more than two decades of experience in management, fundraising, and institutional giving. Throughout his career, he has focused on building relationships that sustain impactful programs and strengthen communities.
Most recently, Micah served as Managing Director of TaikoArts Midwest, helping advance the organization's mission to promote and preserve the art of taiko drumming. Prior to that, he served as Senior Manager of Institutional Giving at the Science Museum of Minnesota, where he helped secure support for the museum's capital campaign.
Earlier roles across the arts, publishing, mental health, and political sectors helped shape his expertise in fundraising, strategic planning, and nonprofit leadership. Micah lives in St. Paul with his wife and two children and enjoys gardening, stamp collecting, and cheering on the Chicago Cubs.
Zach Mueller is a lifelong Minnesotan with more than a decade of experience in nonprofit leadership, public speaking, community outreach, and civic engagement. He graduated from Waconia High School and Normandale Community College.
Most recently, Zach served as a Case Manager and Program Coordinator at Hope House in Chanhassen, where he supported individuals and families experiencing housing instability. Prior to that, he worked with Open Arms of Minnesota, contributing to programs that provided meals and support to people facing serious illness.
Throughout his career, Zach has been committed to serving vulnerable populations, strengthening communities, and fostering meaningful connections through direct service and advocacy. Outside of work, he enjoys following Minnesota sports teams, spending time at the cabin, and being with his family, friends, and dog.
Ellen Burkhardt is a writer, editor, and communications strategist who specializes in connecting people and communities through storytelling. Her background includes nonprofit communications, content strategy, editing, and community engagement.
Most recently, she served for five years as Senior Editor and Content Manager at Food Bank of the Rockies, where she helped strengthen the hunger-relief network across Colorado and Wyoming. Her work focused on reducing stigma around food insecurity, increasing public awareness, and elevating the voices of people directly impacted by hunger.
Ellen will join the Minnesota Council of Churches on June 22. She believes every person and community has a story that deserves to be heard and honored. Through compassion, active listening, and respect, she seeks to help organizations and communities build understanding and find solutions that benefit everyone.
Cearah Hamilton is a communications strategist, community engagement leader, and storyteller with experience across faith-based, nonprofit, media, civic, and public engagement sectors. Her work centers on amplifying community voices and using communication as a tool for healing, unity, and transformation.
Most recently, Cearah served as Community Engagement Manager at Alliance for a Better Minnesota, where she helped lead digital strategy, social media initiatives, and statewide public engagement campaigns.
Her background includes legislative communications, radio broadcasting, event production, ministry leadership, and public speaking. A licensed minister and speaker, Cearah has worked alongside faith leaders, organizers, elected officials, creatives, and nonprofit partners to inspire change and strengthen communities through meaningful engagement and collaboration.
Cearah will join the Minnesota Council of Churches on June 22.