Global Friends Coalition | Grand Forks, North Dakota
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  • What We Do
  • Who We Are
  • Get Involved
  • Calendar
  • Resources
  • Contribute
  • Contact Us

STAFF

Global Friends Coalition Cynthia Shabb

CYNTHIA SHABB

Executive Director 
cshabb@gfcoalition.org 

​Cynthia Shabb has been with Global Friends Coalition since January 2011. Shabb earned a B.S. degree in English education from the University of Minnesota, a master’s in Library Science from Vanderbilt University, and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of North Dakota. She has served as an administrator at UND in several roles including director of the Teaching and Learning doctoral program, assistant dean of the Graduate School, and head of collection development and library advancement at the Chester Fritz Library. Shabb serves on the board of the North Dakota Association of Nonprofit Organizations and the Grand Forks Public Schools.
Global Friends Coalition Adam Fortwengler

ADAM FORTWENGLER

Program Coordinator
pc@gfcoalition.org

Adam Fortwengler joined Global Friends in August 2018 as  our program coordinator. Adam graduated from the University of North Dakota with a Bachelor of Science degree in social work and a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. Adam completed an internship at Global Friends Coalition in the summer of 2017. During his internship, Adam mentored New American families, taught driving skills on our golf cart and coordinated a behind-the-wheel driver’s education course, helped with event set-up, and assisted with grant writing. When his internship ended, he remained on as a steady volunteer helping countless New American families navigate paperwork, assisting with driving lessons, providing transportation, and advocating for families in social services. Prior to joining Global Friends, Adam worked at the Grand Forks Housing Authority and was a football coach for many years. Additionally, Adam was hired in the summer of 2018 to coordinate the driver’s education program, teaching people how to drive on the golf cart, and providing transportation to people so that they could get to their behind-the-wheel driver’s training.

BOARD

Lisa Gibson
President

Marina Kojic-Zepackic
Vice-President

Faye Pederson
Secretary

Robbin Rendahl
Treasurer


Craig Burns
Member-at-Large

Elias Dean
Member-at-Large
​
Maura Ferguson
Member-at-Large
​
Cindy Jensen
Member-at-Large
​

Chyna Lynner
Member-at-Large

Michelle Nyguen
Member-at-Large

​Andria Pinkerton
Member-at-Large

​
Ione Seidlinger
Member-at-Large

Jai Rasaily
Member-at-Large

New American Advisors
Sahra Abdullah 
Ranju Dhungana
Tulasha Dhungana
Aisha Hassan
Prakash Pathak
Regginald Tarr
Picture
Global Friends Coalition's Youth Advisors, shown above
​From Left to Right: Lisa Gibson (Board President), Ione Seidlinger (Youth Liaison Board Coordinator),  Fatuma Ali, Nasteho Ali, Shubhhana Rai, Soma Maya Subba, Farhio Ali, Manisha Mishra, Cynthia Shabb (Executive Director), Zihan Zhang

FUNDERS

CONTACT

600 DeMers Avenue, Suite 406A
In the US Bank Building
Grand Forks, ND 58201
​
info@gfcoalition.org
701.746.8233

Weekdays: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Weekends: Closed

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