Steps to Success Benefit: Join Us in Celebrating 25 Years of Daily Work
Meet our Keynote Speaker
Oballa Oballa was born in Ethiopia and raised in a Kenyan refugee camp before coming to the U.S. in 2013 to pursue education and a better life. He earned degrees in Social Work and Human Services and became a student leader, launching a college food pantry and inspiring statewide change.
As president of LeadMN, a statewide student association representing 180,000 community college students, he helped pass the Hunger Free Campus Act, leading to 26 colleges earning the designation. In 2020, he made history as the first refugee and person of color elected to the Austin City Council. That same year, Governor Tim Walz appointed him to the Minnesota State Board of Trustees, where he helped oversee the state’s 38 colleges and 7 universities.
Oballa has received widespread recognition for his leadership, including the Outstanding Refugee Young Leader Award from the Minnesota Department of Human Services. His advocacy has earned both local and national attention, with invitations to meet President Biden and speak at Harvard, Yale, and other prestigious venues. Today, he serves as a Senior Team Leader at Hormel Foods and continues to inspire communities across the country. We are honored to welcome him to the Steps to Success Benefit & 25th Anniversary Celebration.
The Details
Date: Tuesday, May 20, 2025 -- Registration extended to May 13! Don't Delay. Register now.
Time: Buffet starts at 5:30 p.m. • Program 6:30–8:00 p.m.
Place: Westminster Presbyterian Church Hall • 1200 Marquette Ave • Downtown Minneapolis
**Click here for directions to free parking for the evening.
Misc: Join us for a special evening featuring a buffet dinner with choices that will accommodate a wide range of diets, full bar*, and free parking—all wrapped into an unforgettable night of reflection, connection, and dreaming about the future of Daily Work.
*Beverages will be available for guests to purchase using a credit or debit card (no cash accepted).
From L to R: Maya Lehmann, Robert Lehmann and Teiana Nakano Photo credit: Maria McCoy
Evening Entertainment by The Umamies!
We’re thrilled to announce that The Umamies will be the featured entertainment at the Steps to Success Benefit! This Minneapolis-based band—featuring Maya Lehmann, Robert Lehmann, and Teiana Nakano—is made up of Asian American musicians with Filipino and Japanese backgrounds. Maya and Teiana are also part of the Daily Work family, having served as interns through St. Olaf College’s Social Impact Scholar Program.
The Umamies are a pop band who hope to foster spaces for Asian expression, celebration, and joy—and we can’t wait to share that joy with you!
instagram: @the_umamies | fb: The Umamies
Sneak Peek Video: One Word to Describe Daily Work
In honor of Daily Work’s 25th Anniversary, we asked job seekers, volunteers, donors, and staff one simple question: What’s one word you’d use to describe Daily Work?
This short video offers a glimpse into the heart of our mission—and the powerful relationships that make it all possible. Watch and see how courage, connection, and community come to life every day at Daily Work. And join us on May 20th to hear more.
Thank you to Our 2025 Sponsors
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The Fredrikson firm brings business acumen and entrepreneurial thinking to their work with clients, operating as business advisors and strategic partners as well as legal counselors.
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The Purpose of Local Mission Partners (LMP) at Christ the King is to engage in God’s Mission with the growing diversity of the Twin Cities.
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For more than 140 years, the Securian Financial family of companies has developed innovative insurance and retirement solutions to meet the evolving needs of individuals, families and businesses to help build secure tomorrows.
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Old National is the sixth largest commercial bank headquartered in the Midwest and a top 30 U.S. bank, but they have the heart, culture and DNA of a smaller community bank.
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Sunrise is a socially responsible bank offering financially inclusive products that aim to better the lives of their clients in the Minnesota Twin Cities Metro and beyond.
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Waypoint’s Keith Van Dell specializes in developing comprehensive retirement accumulation and distribution strategies through personalized asset management.
