Deqa Dhalac: Qualified Community Leadership

Deqa Dhalac currently serves as South Portland's mayor, the first Somali-Amerian mayor in the US. She is also currently serving on South Portland City Council. She holds two Master's Degrees (in Social Work and Development Policy and Practice). She's co-founder of Cross-Cultural Community Services and is currently Assistant Executive Director at Gateway Community Services in Portland.

Deqa first came to the US more than 30 years ago fleeing civil war in Somalia. As an immigrant woman, she has worked hard to ensure that Maine's immigrant communities are engaged with the larger communities around them and that their rights are protected. She has lived in the West End of South Portland since 2008, where she raised her three children, all of whom attended South Portland public schools. 

Boards:

• Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition, Former Board President

• Mercy Hospital

• I’m Your Neighbor Books

• Somali Community Center of Maine

• Advisory Committee

• DHHS Office of Population Health