Amina Shale : Founder and Executive Director
A first-generation Somali Bantu refugee and lifelong advocate, Amina Shale founded More Than a Smile Foundation to ensure that no child or family faces the systemic barriers her family once experienced. Drawing from her lived experience navigating complex systems as a young interpreter for her family, Amina has built a community-driven organization rooted in equity, access, and empowerment. Her leadership centers on amplifying youth voice, advancing opportunities for immigrant and refugee families, and creating pathways for long-term community success.
Fatuma Nur : President
A chef, entrepreneur, and cultural leader dedicated to uplifting women and strengthening community connections. Through her leadership, she creates safe, empowering spaces where women can gather, share, and grow both personally and professionally. Fatuma brings a strong cultural lens to her work, ensuring programs are inclusive, accessible, and reflective of the communities served.
Shamso Haji : Vice President
Shamso Haji is a dedicated health worker and advocate committed to helping refugee and immigrant families access essential, life-saving care. Through her work, she builds trust within the community and ensures families can navigate healthcare systems with dignity, compassion, and support.
Susan Shale : Secretary
Susan Shale is a college student and emerging youth leader who is deeply passionate about equity, community-building, and advocacy. She brings a fresh, youth-centered perspective to the organization’s work and is committed to ensuring that every voice especially those often unheard is represented and valued.
Nantebuka Jolie Muhebyi : Community Liaison
Plays a critical role in strengthening relationships between the organization and the diverse communities it serves. She works directly with families to ensure their voices are heard, their needs are understood, and they are connected to culturally responsive resources and programming. Nantebuka is deeply committed to building trust, fostering inclusion, and creating pathways for meaningful community engagement, particularly among immigrant and refugee populations.
Feysal Sheikh: Youth Development Director
He leads the design and implementation of youth-centered programming with a strong focus on sports, mentorship, and leadership development. As the founder of the Louisville Development Club, Feysal has played a pivotal role in creating safe, structured spaces for young people particularly those from immigrant and underserved communities to build confidence, discipline, and teamwork through soccer. His work bridges athletics and personal development, empowering youth to thrive both on and off the field.
Abdimajid Hassan: Community Advisor
He brings deep-rooted leadership and advocacy experience. As the President of the Somali Bantu Community in Kentucky, he has been instrumental in advancing access to education, citizenship support, and culturally responsive services for immigrant and refugee families. Abdimajid provides strategic guidance to ensure programs remain community-driven, culturally grounded, and aligned with the evolving needs of the families we serve.