LEADERSHIP & GOVERNANCE
NAFSA’S Leadership Council (Board of Directors) is comprised of 16 activists that have been working on Native food sovereignty issues for many years. Their combined wisdom and experience have provided the organization with a firm foundation on which to build and sustain a movement that will affect Native communities now and in the years to come.
The Leadership Council has guided the ongoing activities and the formation of the organization. In 2016, the current board of directors was elected from the Leadership Council to serve five-year terms with staggered elections for continuity and smooth transitions. The board meets quarterly by conference call and meets in person annually.
Boards have 3 and 5-year terms that are up for re-election. Seven members from the Leadership Council serve on the Executive Committee for renewable 1-year terms. Selection of new Leadership Council members take place through a transparent and inclusive nomination, review and evaluation process.
Our dedicated Leadership and Governance guides NAFSA to success!
Staff and Consultants
ted wright, Sitka
Executive Director
ted@nativefoodalliance.org
Marian K. Bitsui, Diné
Director of Communications
marian@nativefoodalliance.org
Kristina Stanley, Ojibwe
Communications Coordinator
stanleyk@nativefoodalliance.org
AAron Lowden, Acoma pueblo
ISKN Program Coordinator
aaron@nativefoodalliance.org
MARIAH ASHLEY, DINÉ
Media & Design Coordinator
mariah@nativefoodalliance.org
Laura Di Piazza
Individual Giving Manager
laura@nativefoodalliance.org
Executive Committee
- Dan Cornelius- Interim Chair
- Jon Matthews-Treasurer
- Gloria Mae Skeet- Interim Secretary
- Josie Chase- Member
- Ed Hall- Member
2022-2025 Leadership Council
Terrol Johnson, Tohono O’odham
Executive Director, Tohono O’odham Community Action
tdewj@yahoo.com
Jon Matthews, Nez Perce (Nimiipuu)
Committee Treasurer
john bonaparte, mohawk nation of akwesasne
Bare Bones Farms
JohnLbonaparte@gmail.com
Edward H Hall III, Arikara / Hidatsa
Committee Vice President
Transportation Specialist/Tourism Coordinator, Bureau of Indian Affairs
ehhh3d@verizon.net
Roy Kady, DinÉ
Navajo-Churro Sheep Presidium
roykady@outlook.com
2021-2024 Leadership Council
Loretta Barrett Oden, Potawatomi
Chef
shedreams2@me.com
Gloria Skeet, DinÉ
Dan Cornelius, Oneida
Technical Assistance Specialist for the Great Lakes Region, Intertribal Ag. Council
dan@IndianAgLink.com
dr. Josie Chase, Mandan / Hidatsa Ihunktawanna / Hunkpapa
Consultant /Director Horse Nation Healing
jozc@wescomm.com
Advisory and Ex-Officio Leadership Council Members
Adae Romero, Cochiti pueblo / Kiowa
Associate Director of Research, First Nations Development Institute
vena.adae@gmail.com
Pati Martinson, French / Lakota
Co-Founder, Woksapé
wowoki@taosnet.com
Terrie Bad Hand, Italian / Cherokee
Co-Founder, Woksapé
tbadhand@newmex.com
Winona LaDuke, Anishinaabe
Executive Director, Honor the Earth
winonaladuke1@gmail.com