From shy teenager to successful business professional, Khadra Sharif’s journey is nothing short of inspiring.
Khadra currently serves as Target’s Executive Team Leader for the Service & Engagement and Fulfillment departments where she leads with confidence and conviction – qualities she attributes to her experience at BestPrep’s summer camp, Minnesota Business Venture (MBV).
Khadra first attended MBV in 2017 as a Robbinsdale Cooper Senior High School student. In the begining, she was nervous about spending time with other students because it was her first camp experience. She was also afraid to speak English since it wasn’t her native language. Despite those initial fears, MBV became a turning point in her life. “My MBV experience was life-changing. I made lifelong friends, never felt judged, and didn’t feel like I had to fit into a certain group. The students and staff were incredibly welcoming, and by the end of the week, I never wanted camp to end.”
[Khadra shaking hands with Business Panel Judges.]
Inspired by her first experience, Khadra returned twice in student leadership roles. She shares, “Every role gave me new opportunities to grow, and each experience strengthened my passion for MBV. That’s why I kept coming back. MBV became more than just a camp; it became a place where I discovered my confidence, developed my leadership skills, and found a community that continues to inspire me.”
[First photo: Khadra (left), Second photo: Khadra (right), in her leadership roles.]
Her relationship with BestPrep only deepened. In 2020, she was named BestPrep’s Student of the Year, the organization’s highest honor for students. She has also volunteered numerous times at BestPrep events.
Khadra expresses gratitude toward BestPrep, claiming it brought more clarity to her personal and professional life.“When I look back at my 16-year-old self, I never truly understood what it meant to be a leader. I was a shy young Muslim black woman with a language barrier who had no idea what my future would look like or what career path I wanted to pursue. BestPrep helped me gain confidence, provided a clear vision of what was possible for my future, and taught me valuable leadership skills; like the importance of collaboration, teamwork, communication, and how to think like a business owner.”
When asked what advice she’d like to give high school students, she shared, “Be open to new experiences, take chances, and say yes to opportunities, even when they feel uncomfortable or challenging. You never know where one opportunity might lead or how it could shape your future.”