Oballa Oballa

Oballa Oballa was born in Gambella, Ethiopia, and spent his early years in a Kenyan refugee camp. He moved to the United States in December 2013, driven by a determination to pursue higher education and create a better life.

Oballa earned a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the College of St. Scholastica and an Associate degree in Human Services from Riverland Community College. As a student leader at Riverland, he spearheaded efforts to address food insecurity by establishing the college’s first student food pantry, a model that inspired similar initiatives across Minnesota’s community colleges.

His commitment to serving others continued during his presidency at LeadMN, where he represented 180,000 community college students statewide. In 2019, Oballa collaborated with bipartisan state legislators to pass the Hunger Free Campus Act, an initiative that provided a framework for Minnesota colleges to combat food insecurity. This groundbreaking legislation has since designated 26 colleges as Hunger Free, motivating campuses to take actionable steps in addressing student hunger.

Oballa’s leadership extends beyond education. In November 2020, he became the first refugee and person of color elected to the Austin City Council, earning recognition as a unifying figure in the community. Governor Tim Walz acknowledged his contributions by appointing him to the Minnesota State Board of Trustees, where he helps oversee 38 state colleges and seven universities.

Oballa’s achievements have earned him numerous accolades, including the Minnesota Department of Human Services Outstanding Refugee Young Leader Award in 2020. That same year, he had the honor of meeting President Joe Biden, further cementing his role as a respected voice for refugees and young leaders.

Currently, Oballa serves as a Senior Team Leader in the Dry Sausage Department at Hormel Foods. Outside of work, he enjoys road trips, cooking, and playing soccer—activities that reflect his vibrant and community-oriented personality.