U.S. Board Member

Member Deqa Dhalac is a passionate advocate for the immigrant community with extensive experience in social services, public health, and community building. Holding a master’s degree in development policy & practice from the University of New Hampshire, and in social work from the University of New England, has aided in her impressive career. Formerly, she has been a Family Engagement and Cultural Responsiveness Specialist for the Maine Department of Education, an Opportunity Alliance community builder, and a City of Portland Health and Human Services Councilor. She is also a certified language tester, cultural skill trainer and has been providing broad mediation for clients in different settings with service providers to ensure unmet needs of immigrant communities.

Deqa continues her impactful work through memberships on the boards of Northern Light Mercy Hospital, I am Your Neighbor Books, Emerge Maine, and Nurture Horn Afric. Co-founding Cross-Cultural Community Services, she and her colleagues provide cultural competency trainings to organizations in Maine to better understand the challenge BIPOC communities go through. She also served as the Mayor of South Portland from 21’-22’, making history by becoming the first Muslim, black, Immigrant woman Mayor in the State of Maine, and the first African-born and Somali-American Mayor in the USA.

Most recently, Deqa Dhalac is a leader in the Somali Community Center of Maine, and assumed office in the Maine House of Representatives for the 120th district on December 7th, 2022. She believes everyone should have the opportunity to access quality education, healthy food, safe & affordable housing, and a clean environment to thrive no matter their background.