Meet Our Team
Shana Dukes
Co-Executive Director
Hello Friends!
I participated in my first pageant nearly 14 years ago when I was in junior high school. Since then, I've held multiple titles in various organizations. My time in the Miss America Organization has been some of the most rewarding moments of my life. When I decided to become a local director, I knew I wanted to provide an empowering experience for young women that they can carry throughout their lives.
Currently, I serve as a Program Director at Breakthrough Twin Cities and am a member of the ISD 199 School Board. I am dedicated to promoting and advocating for equity in every space I inhabit. I hold a Master's degree in Restorative Justice from Vermont Law School and a Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Business from South Carolina State University. I am also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. My favorite colors are pink and green, and I make a delicious candy salad. I have two fur babies, Lacey and Jacey!
As a director, my goal is simple: to provide a great experience for as many young women as possible. If you're a young woman considering competing, go for it! Take this leap; you never know what's waiting for you on the other side of this opportunity. My journey as a local director has just begun, and I am incredibly thankful that you are choosing, or have chosen, to join me on this ride!
Although only six will become Miss Twin Cities, Miss Twin Cities' Teen, Miss Dakota County, Miss Dakota County’s Teen, Miss Capital City and Miss Capital City’s Teen, we will all remain a family forever!
Natalie Demos
Co-Executive Director
Hi sweet friends!
My journey with the Miss America Organization began as a little girl watching Miss America in my living room with my sister. What started as admiration quickly grew into a lifelong desire to make a meaningful impact. Over the past decade, I’ve competed in pageants across two systems—each experience shaping me into the woman I am today. This organization changed the trajectory of my life, and I hope other women get to experience that same magic.
Outside of this role, I’m pursuing my Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Rasmussen University-Mankato with plans to earn my Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and become a Certified Nurse Practitioner. I currently serve as a Lead Care Advocate through a mental health organization in St. Paul, where I support individuals on their mental health journeys. As a passionate advocate, I partner with state and national mental health organizations to spread awareness and encourage open conversations about mental health—using my own story to inspire others. When I’m not studying or advocating, you’ll find me expanding my Crocs collection, sipping from one of my many Owala water bottles, or spending time with my partner Nick, our dog Asher Mountain, and our cats Theo Furbottom and Lucy Goose.
As Co-Director alongside Shana, I’m honored to help create an empowering and transformative experience for young women across Minnesota. My goal is to ensure every contestant feels supported, celebrated, and confident in her individuality—because this organization is about so much more than a competition; it’s about growth, sisterhood, and service. Above all, I want every young woman who steps on our stage to know she is seen, worthy, and valued.
I’m incredibly grateful to be part of an organization that continues to uplift and inspire the next generation of leaders. I hope you’ll join us on this journey of empowering women—celebrating their voices, their purpose, and their potential to make an impact that reaches far beyond the stage.