WHO
WE ARE
MEET THE TEAM.
The Board
Dr. Alta
Piechowski
Hozho Center Chair
Hometown: Jeddito, AZ
Current: Fort Defiance, AZ
Profession: School Psychologist
Education: Counseling & Diné healing
Experience: 30+ years in the mental health field on the Navajo Nation
Their Why: She seeks to use Diné knowledge, practices, and philosophy to heal and sustain future generations.
Diné
Tara E.
Roche
Navajo Sheep Project President
Profession: Navajo-Churro Sheep Expert
Education: Plant, Soils & Climate (Utah State)
Experience: 10+ years raising sheep
Their Why: Because education and community outreach are instrumental in the sustainability of Navajo and Latinx herds, agriculture, and communities.
Emerging Leaders
Shanidiin Piechowski-Begay
Tribal Liaison
Hometown: Ganado, AZ
Current: Fort Defiance, AZ
Profession: Automotive Technology Instructor at Navajo Tech University
Education: Utah State University
Experience: A liaison for family sheep camps and Navajo Nation entities.
Their Why: Because tribes are
sovereign nations and need to be treated as such.
Diné
Dominique
Daye Hunter
Copywriter & Graphic Designer
Hometown: Oxford, NC
Current: Phoenix, AZ
Profession: CEO of D. Daye Hunter Designs & Storyteller
Education: Nonprofit Leadership Management & American Indian Studies (Arizona State University)
Experience: 16 years of storytelling
Their Why: Because our stories need to be heard to heal the next generation.
Black/Saponi/Nansemond
Supporters
Tara E.
Roche
Navajo Sheep Project President
Hometown: Layton UT
Current: Riverside, UT
Profession: Agriculture Research
Experience: Sheep breeding, education, and community outreach.
Their Why: “I came for the sheep, but I stayed for the People. The spiritual relationship between the Navajo-Churro and the Diné shepherds that raise them cannot be fully understood or appreciated until it is witnessed.”
Nancy
McNeal
Co-founder of NSP
Hometown: Inglewood, CA
Current: Nibley, UT
Profession: Educator
Education: Pomona College
Experience: writing, art education, storytelling, and grant writer
Their Why: To help heal through art and storytelling.
Nanabah
Bulman
Hozho Center Co-chair
Hometown: Lukachukai, Arizona
Current: Houck, AZ
Profession: Educational Program Coordinator
Education: Traditional Diné practice
Experience: 10+ years at Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program
Their Why: To empower youth to be agents of change with spiritual resilience.
Diné
Chamisa
Piechowski-Begay
Digital Marketing Specialist, Raising Indigenous Leadership
Program Coordinator
Hometown: Ganado, AZ
Current: Blanding, UT
Profession: Marketing Strategist
Education: Marketing (Fort Lewis College)
Experience: Co-founder of K'é Krew, COVID-19 aid for Native communities
Their Why: Bringing visibility to Indigenous peoples.
Diné
Terrell
Piechowski
Elder, Staff Support
Hometown: Browns Valley, MN
Current: Ft. Defiance, AZ
Profession: Teacher, Counselor, School Psychologist, and Director of a Native cooperative
Experience: 40+ years working with the Navajo Nation and Zuni Pueblo
Their Why: Using his elder wisdom and experience to uplift the next generation.
Bradley
Kuluris
Executive Mentor
Hometown: Orange, CA
Current: Chandler, AZ
Profession: Franchise Owner
Education: Pepperdine University
Experience: investment banking, business consulting, and real estate development.
Their Why: Using his experience to help Native communities with executive leadership, development, strategy, conflict resolution, and team building
Alex
Piechowski-Begay
Film & Photography Director
Hometown: Ganado, AZ
Profession: Visual Storyteller
Experience: Community Advocate (Earth Guardian), co-founder (Sovereign Sounds Project), committee member (Stop the Money Pipeline Coalition), Production Manager (Dancing Earth), and onsite supporter at Standing Rock.
Their Why: Bringing Indigenous youth to the forefront on environmental issues.
Diné
Dr. Lyle
McNeal
Founder, Navajo Sheep Project
Profession: Navajo-Churro Sheep Expert
Education: Ph.D. in Reproductive Physiology and Range Science (Utah State)
Experience: 44+ years locating Navajo-Churro sheep remnants in remote areas across the reservation
Their Why: Because “Extinction is Forever.”
Lar
Thomas
Legal Advisor
Hometown: Bosque Farms, NM
Profession: Attorney at law
Education: Law (Mississippi College)
Experience: A member of the New Mexico Environment Department task force arbitrator, and a settlement facilitator for NM judicial courts.
Their Why: Using his experience to help Native communities navigate legal matters.
Bradley
Kuluris
Executive Mentor
Hometown: Orange, CA
Current: Chandler, AZ
Profession: Franchise Owner
Education: Strategic Planning, Business
Experience: Investment banking, business consulting, & real estate.
Their Why: Offering knowledge in executive leadership, development, strategy, conflict resolution, & team building.
Nancy
McNeal
Community Networking & Public Relations
Hometown: Inglewood, CA
Current: Nibley, UT
Profession: Equine Illustration Instructor (Utah State University)
Education: Education (Pomona College)
Experience: Founding member of NSP
Their Why: Utilizing her skills as a
writing specialist, art teacher, storyteller, and grant writer to support the Hozho Center.