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Human Resources Leadership
Employee and labor relations, workplace investigations, performance management, workforce systems, and organizational effectiveness.
Leadership · Governance · Service
Strengthening people.
Building institutions.
Serving communities.
I am Ibrahim Owolabi, an HR leader, governance steward,leadership educator, community advocate and mediator working across people and institutions.
About
A steward of people, institutions, and community.
Ibrahim Owolabi
Human Resources · Governance · Mediation
Ibrahim Owolabi is a human resources leader, nonprofit executive, mediator, leadership educator, and community advocate based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. With over a decade of experience across the United States and Africa, his work focuses on strengthening people, improving institutions, and serving communities.
His human resources experience spans government, nonprofit, behavioral health, financial services, and international development organizations. He also serves as Chair of the Hennepin County Human Resources Board and as a Member-at-Large of the Metropolitan Council Equity Advisory Committee and the Hennepin County Race Equity Advisory Council.
In 2017, he co-founded Involve Africa, which supports young people’s participation in governance, civic life, community development, and peacebuilding. He is also the Founder and Executive Director of the Pan-African Development Center, a Minnesota-based nonprofit that helps African-diaspora and Black communities prepare for the workforce, develop leaders, understand public institutions, and participate in civic life.
An experienced community and court-annexed mediator, Ibrahim is listed on the Minnesota Rule 114 Qualified Neutral Roster. He is also the author of The Leadership Intelligence Framework: A Model of Cognitive, Social, and Moral Leadership.
Education
Georgetown University
Master’s degree, Human Resources Management
Lagos State University
Bachelor’s degree, Banking & Finance
Credentials
GPHRMCIPDCPHRMCIPMDistinguished Toastmaster
Credentialed across global and chartered HR bodies, with the Distinguished Toastmaster designation in leadership communication.
“Leadership is a responsibility to care for people, strengthen institutions, and use entrusted opportunities with integrity.”
Areas of work
A practice grounded in stewardship.
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Governance & Public Leadership
Governance oversight, institutional accountability, civic participation, and inclusive public decision-making.
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Mediation & Leadership Education
Community and court-annexed mediation, conflict resolution, leadership communication, and stewardship.
Public leadership
Service through public and civic institutions.
Chair | 2026-2027
Hennepin County Human Resources Board
Member-at-Large | 2026-2030
Metropolitan Council Equity Advisory Committee
Member-at-Large | 2026-2028
Hennepin County Race Equity Advisory Council
Ideas & writing
Writing and public conversations.
Stage and Broadcast
Keynote
Moderated panel | Saint Paul, Minnesota
Broadcast
Studio conversation | Lagos, Nigeria
Panel
Convening | Lagos, Nigeria
Broadcast
Studio conversation | Lagos, Nigeria
Workshop
Seminar series | Plymouth, Minnesota
Contact
Let's connect.
I welcome thoughtful inquiries concerning professional leadership, governance, mediation, speaking, writing, and media.
- Professional email address
- LinkedIn profile
- Minneapolis, Minnesota