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April 27-29, 2017 | Chandler, Arizona
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Thank you to our Sponsors
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2017 Circle of Leadership Sponsor
Malachite
United States Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Aventurine
Travel Scholarship Sponsors
SAN MANUEL
United States Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Safe Camp and Code of Conduct
All conference participants are expected to adhere to the AISES code of conduct. “SAFE CAMP”
The AISES Leadership Summit is a “Safe Camp,” meaning this is a welcoming, inclusive, supportive and safe environment
for all our AISES family members regardless of race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, or gender expression/identity.
Safe Camp includes recognizing the AISES Code of Conduct and anyone found violating the code will be asked to leave
the conference immediately. Please contact any AISES staff member or board member if you have any questions.
“CODE OF CONDUCT”
The American Indian Science & Engineering Society (AISES) was established with the goal of developing Native
professionals and leaders in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math. In light of this goal, the first student
leaders of AISES developed a set of principles that prohibited alcohol, illegal drugs, and harassment. These principals have
become core values of the organization and are incorporated as the Code of Conduct.
The AISES Code of Conduct promotes professional development and personal growth by strictly prohibiting the use of
intoxicating drugs or alcohol and all forms of harassment and discrimination. This code is meant to reflect the ideals of
our Native communities by establishing an expectation that we agree to protect and promote the well-being and growth
of all people. This code is expected to be honored when individuals are representing the AISES organization and by all
persons participating in AISES activities. To this end, each person is asked to adhere to this code and promote its intent by
refraining from prohibited activities and encouraging others to do the same.
AISES will continue to maintain the Code of Conduct as a symbol reflective of the teachings and values of our ancestors.
The Code of Conduct represents the ideas and visions set forth by the AISES founders and the student leadership. AISES
values and respects the rights and privileges of others and asks that you honor the AISES organization, its mission, and the
family of AISES by adhering to this Code of Conduct.
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AISES Leadership Summit
The AISES’ Leadership Summit provides Native higher
education students and AISES professionals with in-depth
professional development workshops and networking
opportunities. The major focus of the Leadership Summit is
to build the skill and aptitude levels of AISES members in the
realm of professional and career development - to better prepare them to attain and excel at jobs and careers
in STEM fields.
Multiple sessions will engage participants while also offering networking opportunities. The summit also
fosters the matching of STEM professionals with STEM students for mentoring.
Goals of the Summit include:
•
Increasing the skill and aptitude level of AISES members in leadership
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Developing AISES professional members as role models for the AISES college and graduate students;
and
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Providing American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, First Nations and other
indigenous college and graduate students of North America with support to successfully transition to
the STEM workforce.
Thank you for attending the 2017 AISES Leadership Summit!
Guiding Principles For Equity In Organizations
40 YEARS SUPPORTING NATIVE PEOPLE IN STEM
The summit very deliberately combines our professional members with our student members in a smaller
setting than National Conference to provide opportunities to form important connections that will help our
members now as well as in the future. Through a mentoring approach, AISES professional members can
support students in navigating challenges and making choices during their academic careers. AISES student
members will broaden their support network by engaging and connecting with peers who are in similar fields
of study who are able to share their experiences, strengthening and encouraging each other.
1. Acknowledge that culture plays a predominate role in living, learning and working.
2. Recognize that conflicts exist (even if we can’t see them) between our professional discourses
and the discourses of our students, peers, and colleagues - especially those from non-mainstream
(underrepresented) cultures.
3. Acknowledge the benefits of diversity in perspectives, interpretations, solutions, and practices to
improve our practice, our science, our schools, and our businesses.
4. Make a commitment to regularly explore different cultures – and not with the intention of coming to
know or understand them (the other cultures) – but with an eye to understanding more about yourself.
5. Acknowledge how important it is to invite culture into your practice so people from other cultures are
not asked (unfairly) to check their identities at the door to be successful.
6. Cultivate a supportive community (both inside and outside of your organization) that supports and
grows your efforts toward equity.
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THURSDAY
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Time Event/Session Title
Track
Room
2:00-7:00p Registration
Near elevators
5:30-7:00p Opening Reception
Acacia Ballroom
7:15-8:15p Networking Session
Acacia Ballroom
8:30-10:00p Movie Night - “Hidden Figures”
Ocotillo Rooms
40 YEARS SUPPORTING NATIVE PEOPLE IN STEM
FRIDAY
6:30-7:00a Morning Blessing Ceremony
Reflections Patio
7:15-8:15a Breakfast
Acacia A
8:00a - 12:00p Registration
8:30-9:30a The Code Breaking Mission
Design Thinking a Framework for
Teaming and Action, Part A
Power and Coffee: Native Cafe’ Discussion
9:45-10:45a
with Electric Professionals
Design Thinking a Framework for
9:45-10:45a
Teaming and Action, Part B
8:30-9:30a
Higher Ed
Acacia D
Professional Acacia C
Higher Ed
Acacia B
Professional Acacia C
11:00a-12:00p Keys to Successful Mentoring Relationships
Higher Ed
11:00a-12:00p Heart to Heart with an AISES Elder
Professional Ocotillo A
11:30a -1:00p CAC Lunch Meeting
CAC
Members
12:00-1:15p Lunch
Acacia C
Ocotillo C
Acacia A
1:15-2:30p CAC Best Practices
CAC
Members
Ocotillo C
1:30-2:30p How to be a Successful Chapter
Higher Ed
Ocotillo B
1:30-2:30p Courageous Conversations
Professional Acacia B
2:45-3:45p Leadership in Different Sizes and Flavors
Higher Ed
2:45-3:45p
Speak Like a Leader: Presentations
and Effective Communication
4:00-5:00p Heart to Heart with an AISES Elder
4:00-5:00p
How to work effectively with Tribal
governments and communities
All = Higher Education and Professional
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Near elevators
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Acacia C
Professional Acacia D
Higher Ed
Ocotillo A
Professional Acacia B
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Time Event/Session Title
Track
Room
4:00-5:00p Influential Communication
All
Acacia C
5:15-6:15p Professional Networking Meeting
Professional Acacia D
6:30p Dinner On Your Own
SATURDAY
6:30-7:00a Morning Blessing Ceremony
Reflections patio
7:15-8:15a Breakfast
Acacia A
8:00a-12:00p Lean Six Sigma White Belt
Ocotillo C
All
Acacia B
All
Acacia C
9:45-11:45a Native Leadership: Culture & STEM
All
Acacia D
9:45-10:45a Interactive Activity #2: Toot Your Own Horn
All
Acacia C
11:00a-12:00p Say What?... Building Effective Listening Skills
All
Acacia B
8:30-9:30a Not Conflict Management but Building Success
8:30-9:30a
Interactive Activity #1:
Management vs. Leadership
12:00-1:15p Lunch
1:30-2:30p What Kind of Leader are You?
1:30-2:30p
Skan Skan: Something Holy is MovingTransformational Leadership
Harvesting Harmony in the Workgroup:
1:30-2:30p Practical solutions to solving conflict
problem resolving in a team setting
2:45-3:45p
Cultivating a Community of Selfless
Leaders Through Active Mentorship
Acacia A
Higher Ed
Ocotillo A
Professional Ocotillo B
All
Acacia D
Higher Ed
Ocotillo C
2:45-3:45p Managing Change
Professional Acacia D
2:45-3:45p Finding your Inner Hero/ine
All
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All
Ocotillo B
4:00-6:00p Talking Circle
Acacia B&C
6:30-8:30p Closing Banquet
Acacia A
SUNDAY
Travel Day, Breakfast On Your Own
All = Higher Education and Professional
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SESSION AND EVENT DESCRIPTIONS
The Code Breaking Mission
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Session Track: Higher Education
Presenter: Kendra Bealor, Chief, CIA Corporate Outreach
and Recruitment Division, Central Intelligence Agency,
Washington D.C
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has a code breaking
mission that has a hidden agenda. The mission has to
be completed in a short amount of time. There could be
consequences associated with not meeting the mission
requirements. Come join the mission and:
1. Gain a better understanding of the value of clear
communication during problem solving.
2. Enhance their appreciation of teamwork by
understanding the strengths that each team member
may bring during the problem solving process.
3. Reinforce sound time management and organizational
skills.
Courageous Conversations
Session Track: Professional
Presenters: Rachel Yellowhair, Technology Integration
Manager, Raytheon, Arizona
Mary Begay, HR Manager, Raytheon
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where someone
does or says something inappropriate for the workplace, but
you just don’t know how to react, or can’t find the right words
to say? Having a courageous conversation takes courage the
courage to speak openly and honestly.
Cultivating a Community of Selfless
Leaders Through Active Mentorship
Session Track: Higher Education
Presenters: Alicia Mitchell Jacobs, Jones-Bowman
Leadership Award Program Specialist, Ray Kinsland Leadership
Institute, North Carolina
Kelsey Standingdeer Owle, Cherokee Central Schools
Middle School Counselor, Ray Kinsland Leadership Institute,
North Carolina
Tonya E. Carroll, Department Manager, Ray Kinsland
Leadership Institute, North Carolina
The session presenters will discuss how the Jones-Bowman
Leadership Award Program mentors are fostering a new
generation of selfless leaders to support lifelong culture based
learning for a modern tribal community. The benefits of this
undergraduate fellowship for the enrolled members of the
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian provides unique opportunities
that develops requisite skills for leadership roles on and off the
Qualla Boundary.
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Design Thinking: A Framework for
Teaming and Action, Part A & B
Session Track: Professional
Presenter: Mallory Anderson, User Researcher, IBM Design,
Texas
Design is the intent behind an outcome. IBM uses design
thinking to form intent by developing understanding and
empathy for our users. IBM Design Thinking is our approach to
applying design thinking at the speed and scale the modern
enterprise demands. It’s a framework for teaming and action. It
helps our teams not only form intent, but deliver outcomes that
advance the state of the art and improve the lives of the people
they serve.
This session will require attendees to participate in two 50
minute sessions (Part A and Part B)
Finding your Inner Hero/ine
Session Track: Higher Education and Professionals
Presenters: Sabrina Weiss, PhD, Assistant Research Professor
Sharon Torres, Program Coordinator Sr for Advocacy, Center
for Gender Equity in Science and Technology at ASU
This session will engage participants in an activity to build
self-efficacy and self-concept while emphasizing intersectional
identities and goal-setting. Through a series of short reflective
and demonstrative projects, including brainstorming identity
traits and labels, evaluating them as both challenges and
superpowers, and drawing aspirational connections between
one’s current self and one’s future ideal self, participants will
learn about themselves and have opportunities to try one of
CompuPower’s new learning activities.
Harvesting Harmony in the Workgroup:
Practical solutions to solving conflict
problem resolving in a team setting
Session Track: Higher Education and Professionals
Presenters: Leona Anderson, Lead Human Resources
Strategic Business Partner, The Boeing Company, Arizona
Brandon Polingyumptewa, Materials Management
Specialist, The Boeing Company
Think about how many times a team project was in jeopardy
because of conflicting perspectives. How many of these
conflicts could have become benchmark ideas if the group had
been able to turn the negative into a positive? In this course
you will be given the chance to learn conflict management
techniques and partake in an exercise that will help you see the
positive potential of conflict!
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Session Track: Higher Education and Professional
Presenters: Phil Lane, Jr., British Columbia
Stan & Cecelia Lucero, New Mexico
Bret & Antoinelle Benally Thompson, Wisconsin
James May, PhD, California
The AISES Council of Elders was established by the founding
members of AISES to provide guidance, wisdom, strength, and
love to the AISES membership. As students or professionals, you
may have seen the Elders from a distance at an AISES function
and have been hesitant to approach them with your questions
or concerns. Here is an opportunity to sit and visit with an
Elder in a more informal setting. The Elders will have their own
individual table for more personal discussions in an individual
or small group setting. Laugh, cry, listen, hear, and have time to
enjoy a visit with an AISES Elder. How to be a Successful Chapter
Session Track: Higher Education
Presenters: AISES National and Regional Student
Representatives
Every chapter would like to be successful. In this session, AISES
Regional and National Student Representatives will share
experiences and suggestions for chapter leadership succession
planning, proposal writing, and ideas for how to recruit new
members and/or reactivate old members. This will be an
interactive session and the audience will have the opportunity
to ask questions, share ideas, experiences, and suggestions, and
role play different scenarios.
How to work effectively with Tribal
governments and Tribal communities
Session Track: Professional
Presenter: Arvin S. Trujillo, Manager, Government Relations,
Arizona Public Service Company, New Mexico
This session will explore how to effectively prepare and
provide a presentation or meeting with either a Tribal entity
or community. As a result of attending this session, one will
be able to better prepare to meet with either a Tribal agency,
governmental entity, or community to provide information
or to provide insight to help with their decision making or to
provide information that you would like them to act on.
Influential Communication
Session Track: Higher Education and Professionals
Presenters: Bryanson Sells, Principal Systems Engineer,
Raytheon Company
Influencing people and making decisions without authority can
be challenging for individuals in non-management roles. In this
session, we will explore the influential behaviors that occur in
everyday communication and the impact on decision-making.
The goals of this session are to become familiar with influential
behavior, apply influential techniques to communicate change
requirements, describe styles of communication, and establish
individual style for influential communication.
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Interactive Activity #1:
Management vs. Leadership
Session Track: Higher Education and Professional
Presenters: AISES Board of Directors and Staff
This interactive hands-on activity will allow participants to
engage with one another while learning about the differences
in roles, responsibilities, and characteristics of managers and
leaders.
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Interactive Activity #2:
Toot Your Own Horn
Session Track: Higher Education and Professional
Presenters: AISES Board of Directors and Staff
This interactive hands-on activity will allow participants to
engage with one another while learning about the value and
use of self-promotion.
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Keys to Successful Mentoring
Relationships
Session Track: Higher Education
Presenters: Karletta Chief, PhD, Assistant Professor,
University of Arizona, Arizona
Otakuye Conroy-Ben, PhD, Assistant Professor, Arizona State
University, Arizona
A key element to being successful as an undergraduate
and graduate student is having a good mentor and being a
good mentee. This session will talk about habits to being a
good mentee and how to build a successful mentor-mentee
relationship. This includes creating trust, defining roles and
responsibilities, having short- and long-term goals and
consistently working towards those goals, solid communication,
and solving problems together.
Leadership in Different Sizes and Flavors
Session Track: Higher Education
Presenters: Kim Boxell, Senior Consulting Actuary, Willis
Towers Watson, Illinois
Ramona C. Lee, Actuarial Administrator, Iowa Insurance
Division, Iowa
Explore what it means to be a leader, our own unique qualities
that enhance our abilities to lead, and opportunities to utilize
and develop these strengths as leaders in everyday life as well
as in leadership roles in our professions.
Lean Six Sigma White Belt
Session Track: Higher Education and Professional
Presenter: Aaron Bolin, PhD, Director, Performance
Management Division, United States Navy, Tennessee
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Managing Change
Session Track: Professional
Presenters: Thomas Reed, Senior Electrical Engineer,
MMIC Design, Raytheon, Massachusetts
Kristi Guiou, Principle Chemical Engineer, Raytheon, Texas
We all face major changes at times, whether at work, at home,
or in the community. As individuals we feel the consequences
of change. As leaders we may lead the change. In this session,
we’ll build a framework of how people respond to changes.
Our goal will be to learn how to healthily cope with change as
individuals and to understand how major changes impact those
we lead.
Morning Blessing Ceremony
Presenters: Phil Lane, Jr., British Columbia
Stan & Cecelia Lucero, New Mexico
Bret & Antoinelle Benally Thompson, Wisconsin
James May, PhD, California
Yes, it’s early but this is an experience you will never forget!
Start your day in a reverent, meaningful and invigorating
way and prepare yourself for a positive Leadership Summit
experience. Join the AISES Council of Elders in welcoming and
blessing a new day.
Movie Night - Hidden Figures
In this feature-length motion picture, as the United States raced
against Russia to put a man in space, NASA found untapped
talent in a group of African-American female mathematicians
that served as the brains behind one of the greatest operations
in U.S. history. Based on the unbelievably true life stories of
three of these women, known as “human computers”, we follow
these women as they quickly rose the ranks of NASA alongside
many of history’s greatest minds specifically tasked with
calculating the momentous launch of astronaut John Glenn into
orbit, and guaranteeing his safe return. Dorothy Vaughan, Mary
Jackson, and Katherine Johnson crossed all gender, race, and
professional lines while their brilliance and desire to dream big,
beyond anything ever accomplished before by the human race,
firmly cemented them in U.S. history as true American heroes.
Lean Six Sigma Continuous Process Improvement (CPI) is an
integrated approach to eliminating non-value added activities,
reduce process variation, and constraint mitigation. White
Belt is the initial course that will help participants understand
the vision and apply these concepts to the job and work
environment.
This session will require attendees to participate from 8am 12pm.
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Native Leadership: Culture & STEM
Session Track: Higher Education and Professional
Presenters: Cheryl McClellan, Supplier Quality Engineer,
The Boeing Company, Oklahoma
Curtis Largo, IT Career Foundation Program, The Boeing
Company, Missouri
Mark Abotossaway, Structural Analysis Engineer – 777X
Airplane Program, The Boeing Company, Washington
Networking Session
Session Track: Higher Education and Professionals
The networking session will allow summit participants
the opportunity to interact with fellow students, industry
professionals and AISES partners. Enjoy meeting members of
the AISES Family and learning about internships, careers and
other exciting possibilities with participating organizations.
Not Conflict Management
but Building Success
Session Track: Higher Education and Professional
Presenter: Nathaniel Todea, State Hydraulic Engineer, USDA
Natural Resources Conservation Service, Utah
Conflict will be explored and dealing with conflict will be
the primary focus. Tools and resources will be examined to
determine how one approaches conflict. Traditional cultural,
traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) tools and resources will
be integrated on how a native person may use those tools to
deal with conflict. Participants will be engaged on how they
use their TEK to work with others and move efforts forward.
Western and eastern tools will also be discussed that allow a
broad perspective from lessons learned.
Power and Coffee: Native Cafe’
Discussion with Electric Professionals
Session Track: Higher Education
Presenters: Anthony Kahn, Senior Engineer, Arizona Public
Service Company, Arizona
Lavonda Begay, Environmental Scientist, Arizona Public
Service Company, Arizona
Lisa Billy, Transmission Planner Engineer, Arizona Public
Service Company, Arizona
Nonie Black Elk, Support Technician, Customer Technology,
Arizona Public Service Company, Arizona
Gilfred Lane, System Analyst and Integrator, Arizona Public
Service Company, Arizona
World (Native) Cafe’ and small group discussions to convey how
we as Natives: develop individual & team leadership, how we
overcome obstacles, and use our Native culture as a base to
help us thrive in a large company. Table discussions will focus
on: Native American Networking Organization, environmental
compliance & leadership, challenges women can face in STEM
fields, ethical values & integrity, and how mission & vision are
developed in the work place. Come share coffee with Native
professionals in the electric power field and gain a better
understanding of serving communities, leading with respect,
and how team building is achieved.
40 YEARS SUPPORTING NATIVE PEOPLE IN STEM
Each of us are born leaders, taught by Native cultures across
the globe. The presenters will explore the dynamics of
leadership in the Native world and the STEM occupations. An
activity with the attendees will discuss how to recognize the
skills we have attained from our Native environments and
become distinguished, effective leaders to champion our
respective areas of occupation in the STEM environment. Utilize
leadership skills from both, your Native and STEM cultures, to
champion your future.
Professional Networking Meeting
Session Track: Professional
Presenter: Anthony Kahn, Senior Engineer, Arizona Public
Service Company, Arizona
Meet and greet for all professionals attending the Summit. A
brief overview of the Professional Chapter Council and ongoing professional initiatives will be provided.
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Say What?....Building your
Effective Listening Skills
Skan Skan: Something Holy is MovingTransformational Leadership
Session Track: Higher Education and Professional
Presenters: Karen Kiester, Sr. Manager, Global Business
Services, General Motors Native American Cultural Network,
Michigan
Session Track: Professional
Presenter: Carolyn J Harry, M.Ed, PH.D Candidate, 7th/8th
Grade Resource Math Teacher, Washoe County School District,
Nevada
Nikki DuPuy, Software Analyst, Arizona Innovation Center,
General Motors, Arizona
Leaders: Products of nature or nurture? This session will
examine a type of leadership framework that can transform the
ordinary into extraordinary. In Native country, development
of leadership styles is especially important. Tribes often lack
resources for development and also face unique challenges
within. Participants will leave the session armed with a
framework and hands on activities that will shape decision
making, communication styles, purposeful reflection, and
continuum of leadership stages. Transformational leadership is
an important factor at both the micro, or individual level, and
macro, or organizational, societal level.
Say What? While everyone hears a vast volume of information
every day, it is important to distinguish between hearing
and listening. Cultivating listening skills is the foundation for
effective communication and without this skill, messages are
easily misunderstood. To grow this critical skill, we need to
decide to listen instead of just hearing and show concern for
the person speaking. If not, communication breaks down and
can cause many issues that can effect not only your personal
relationships but your professional ones as well. Effective
Listening requires the right attitude, posture, eye contact and
eliminating distractions and can result in a strong impression. It
promotes a sense that both people are sharing a conversation
rather than one talking at the other. Can you hear me now?
Speak Like a Leader: Presentations
and Effective Communication
Session Track: Professional
Presenter: Chris Kyselka, Academic Professional, Arizona
State University/Fulton Schools of Engineering, Arizona
Research indicates that, in addition to technical expertise or
experience, communication skill is important for career success.
This is particularly important for those aspiring to leadership
roles. An essential part of a leadership profile includes knowing
how to present to a variety of audiences. While many fear
public speaking, it is an attribute of many successful individuals
and leaders. This session will focus on effective communication
skills as part of the leadership portfolio.
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Talking Circle
Presenters: Phil Lane, Jr., British Columbia
Stan & Cecelia Lucero, New Mexico
Bret & Antoinelle Benally Thompson, Wisconsin
James May, PhD, California
The talking circle with the AISES Council of Elders provides the
participants an opportunity to collectively reflect on and share
about our time together at the Leadership Summit and prepare
participants for their journeys home.
What Kind of Leader are You?
Session Track: Higher Education
Presenter: Jonathan Clark, IT Support Manager, Casino
Arizona / Talking Stick Resort, Arizona
The basic definition of leadership is guiding a group of
people toward a common goal. Defining your individual
leadership style, however, may not be as easy. Come learn
various leadership styles that have been both effective and
non-effective. You’ll leave this session with the foundation of
becoming a good leader in your industry, at school, or among
your peers. One fact holds true: An effective, successful leader is
one who has the ability to inspire.
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PRESENTER BIOGRAPHIES
AISES National and Regional
Student Representatives
Senior National Student Representative
Kory Joe (Asa’carsarmiut), Northern
Arizona University
Junior National Student Representative
Aaron U. Bolin, PhD
Director, Performance Management Division (PERS-21)
United States Navy
Born and raised in northern Illinois, Dr. Bolin completed
his doctoral work in Industrial/Organizational Psychology
at Northern Illinois University in 2002. He is also certified
as a Project Management Professional (PMP), a Senior
Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), and a Lean Six
Sigma Black Belt (LSSBB). From 1993 to 2001, Dr. Bolin
also serves as a Human Resources Officer in the U.S. Navy
Reserve. Dr. Bolin has completed numerous performance
improvement projects. He has helped client organizations
address a wide variety of problems such as reducing
middle school discipline referrals, preventing early
returns from overseas duty, reducing delays in manpower
accounting, and eliminating redundant organizational
functions. Dr. Bolin has saved his clients countless dollars
by reducing unnecessary labor, increasing efficiency, and
eliminating waste. Beginning in 2004, Dr. Bolin has worked
primarily with components of the U.S. Navy including
Navy Human Performance Center, Surface Warfare Officers
School, First Naval Construction Division, Navy Personnel
Command, Military Community Management, and Navy
Recruiting Command. Other non-Navy clients included
National Center for Healthcare Leadership, Arkansas State
University, Rockford Public Schools, National Computer
Systems, and the Ball Foundation. Dr. Bolin lives just
outside of Memphis, Tennessee with his wife and three
children. In his spare time, he coaches youth sports and is
learning to play the ukulele.
Alicia Mitchell Jacobs (Cherokee Nation)
Jones-Bowman Leadership Award Program Specialist
Ray Kinsland Leadership Institute
Alicia received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology
from Western Carolina University with a concentration in
Native American Health and is currently working on her
Master of Public Affairs degree. She is passionate about
building self-reliance in native youth to build stronger
native communities. Experience includes advocating for
Native youth on Capitol Hill, certified as a Native Life Skills
Trainer, Qualla Education Collaborative member, and first
recipient of the AISES Tribal Partner Service Award.
Amber Finley (Three Affiliated Tribes/Spirit
Lake Dakota/Standing Rock Lakota)
Amber Finley is an enrolled member of the Mandan,
Hidatsa, Arikara Nation, she is also Spirit Lake Dakota and
Standing Rock Lakota from her maternal grandmother.
Although she grew up in the Bay Area of California, she
also considers Fort Berthold her home. She is Ciicga or
Prairie Chicken clan. Amber has one daughter, one son,
and raises her 3 nieces and nephews full-time. Amber
graduated from Fort Berthold Community College in 2001
with two Associate degrees; one in Science and the other
in Liberal Arts. Amber then transferred to the University of
North Dakota and graduated in 2006 with a Baccalaureate
of Science in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology. Amber
went on to earn her Master of Science in Environmental
Management in 2008 from the University of San Francisco.
Amber returned to Grand Forks in 2008 and along with
some other members of the Native American community,
explored avenues for cultural awareness, development,
and expression. In 2010 the group formally organized
Northstar Council, a state-recognized non-profit with
the express mission of empowering indigenous people
through research, education, and outreach. Northstar’s
vision is to create a Native American Cultural Center that
serves the Greater Grand Forks Area. Current work has
focused on developing cultural awareness through classes
and workshops, offering traditional spiritual service (i.e.
sweatlodge, smudging, ceremony), teaching traditional
arts and crafts, integrating traditional knowledge into the
Grand Forks Public School system, offering mentoring
and leadership training to young Native Americans, and
producing quality cultural events for the community.
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Hannah Balderas (Three Affiliated Tribes,
Santee Sioux and Little Shell Ojibwa),
University of North Dakota
Region 1: Cody Kapotak (Portage Creek
Village), University of Alaska-Anchorage
Region 2: Raquel Kamalu (Native Hawaiian),
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Region 3: Nikki Tulley (Navajo),
University of New Mexico
Region 4: Ashleigh McIntosh
(Caddo), University of Oklahoma
Region 5: Emily Falcon (Turtle Mountain
Chippewa), University of North Dakota
Region 6: Ben Oster (Mohawk),
Cornell University
Region 7: Chloe Blythe (Eastern Band of Cherokee
Indians), Queens University of Charlotte
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Anthony Kahn (Navajo)
Senior Engineer
Arizona Public Service Company
Anthony Kahn is a senior engineer at Arizona Public
Service Company. He earned a BS in Mechanical
Engineering from Stanford University. Tony is a former
Board Chair for AISES. He currently serves on the Board for
the Phoenix Indian Center as Immediate Past President.
40 YEARS SUPPORTING NATIVE PEOPLE IN STEM
Antoinelle Benally Thompson (Navajo)
Antoinelle was born and raised on the Navajo Reservation
in Shiprock, New Mexico with three brothers and three
sisters. Without the love and support of her parents she
would not be who she is today and is thankful every day
for their teachings. Her mother, Phyllis Benally, is originally
from Beclabito NM and her dad who passed away in
1999, Lee Delwashie Benally, is originally from Red Valley,
AZ. Antoinelle is Tachii’nii (Red Running Into Water), Tsin
Sikaadnii (Twisted Tree Clan), her maternal grandfather’s
clan is ‘Áshįįhi(Tree Clump Clan), and her paternal
grandfather’s clan is Naakai Dine’e (Mexican Clan).
Antoinelle has a bachelor’s degree in Biology which she
obtained from California State University, Hayward while
working at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
(LLNL). She was given this great opportunity to work at
LLNL under Steve Grey’s program from Diné College. It
was a great experience working in the Biomedical and
Health Services Division at LLNL. Antoinelle’s biggest
accomplishment is working with the Fond du Lac Tribe
helping them develop their Injury Prevention Program
and working with kids in Head-start to high school level.
She loves working with young kids and seeing how
enthusiastic and excited they are about new ideas and
concepts. She is constantly learning from the younger
generation and that is one reason why Antoinelle love
AISES. The kids that attend the conference and also the
ones can’t attend are all so smart and innovative. She
enjoys seeing their enthusiasm and loves hearing what
they are learning at school and the research they are
working on.
Antoinelle is married to Bret Benally Thompson who
she met at an AISES conference and their fail lives in
Middleton, WI. Currently, her full-time job is a mom to two
beautiful smart girls - Norma, who is 15 years old and Tena
who is 10 years old. She looks forward to spending time
with the AISES family and continue to provide support for
the younger generation that needs it when they are away
from home.
“Thank you to Grandpa for seeing the vision of passing the
torch on to Bret even though we feel we are not capable of
being in this position. I am both honored and humbled to
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be asked to serve and to stand beside my husband to be a
part of the Council of Elders. Ahéhee’ (Thank you).”
Arvin S. Trujillo (Navajo)
Manager, Government Relations
Arizona Public Service Company
Arvin Trujillo is currently the manager of government
relations at the Four Corners Power Plant in Fruitland, NM.
He did his undergraduate studies in Bio-chemistry from
Oral Roberts University and his graduate studies in Mineral
Engineering from Penn State University. Arvin’s career has
included mining engineer, Executive Director of the Navajo
Division of Natural Resources, and now with government
relations. He has been a past Board member of AISES and
was a student representative on the Board.
Brandon Polingyumptewa (Hopi)
Materials Mgmt Specialist
The Boeing Company
Brandon Polingyumptewa entered the aerospace field
at a time when very few natives were represented in
STEM based careers and he served to lead his younger
family members as an example of following dreams and
attaining them. Brandon’s 23 year career in aerospace
began at age 9 when he toured the facility he continues
to work in today. Now in his 22nd year at the Boeing
Company, Brandon continues his journey to inspire and
ignite the fire of STEAM in the hearts and minds of the
next generation. Throughout his career, Brandon has been
sought after for his positive influence, technical expertise,
and abstract thinking to develop manageable solutions
to solve complex problems. Brandon is a firm believer in
community connectedness and volunteers most of his free
time to both learning from and passing his knowledge of
technology and life experiences to the next generation
of all nations and ethnicities. “Knowledge only becomes
wisdom when that knowledge is shared, otherwise, that
knowledge remains an idle thought.” Brandon has strong
ties in the Native Community. He host career fairs for the
Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community, Mesa Public
Schools Native American Education Program, Morning
Star Leaders Youth Council, and Junior ACE Program of
Scottsdale Community College. He is the President of
the Boeing American Indian Society, a Sequoyah Fellow,
and is a current speaker at a number of AISES National
Conference and Leadership Summits.
Bret R. Benally Thompson, MD
(White Earth Band of Ojibwe)
Bret is Anishinaabe, a member of the White Earth Band
of Ojibwe in northern Minnesota. He is originally from
northern Minnesota but grew up in several different
states as his family moved for work, mostly Minnesota,
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Bryanson Sells (Navajo)
Principal Systems Engineer
Raytheon
Bryanson Sells is a reliability engineer at Raytheon. In this
role, he is responsible for managing the reliability program,
interfacing with program leadership and customer staff,
and developing technical solutions to complex problems
achieving short/long-term program goals/objectives.
Sells joined Raytheon in 2005 and has since supported
various programs with increasing responsibilities. Held
functional leadership role as a section head for reliability
and system safety. Earned his Bachelor of Science degree
in Engineering Mathematics and Masters of Engineering
in Quality and Reliability from the University of Arizona.
He is also the Raytheon American Indian Network Global
President.
Carolyn J Harry, M.Ed, PH.D
Candidate (Numu - Northern Paiute)
7th/8th Grade Resource Math Teacher
Washoe County School District
Ms. Harry has been an educator in the Washoe County
School District for over 10 years. She earned her M.Ed in
Education Administration and currently working toward
her PH.D in Transformational Education, Leadership and
Organizational Development. She has served as a school
board member for 6 years. Prior to becoming an Educator,
she has worked at various legislative levels, public service
agencies, and as a lobbyist for After-school programs. Ms.
Harry is an enrolled member of the Pyramid Lake Paiute
Tribe.
Cheryl McClellan (Sac and Fox Nation)
Supplier Quality Engineer
The Boeing Company
Cheryl has an Engineering degree from the University of
Oklahoma and 3 Quality certification from the American
Society for Quality. She has 30+ years’ experience in
engineering and tribal government, is the past president
of the Boeing American Indian Society–OKC, past Second
Chief of the Sac and Fox Nation, and has been an active
member of AISES since 1977.
Chris Kyselka (Navajo)
Academic Professional
Arizona State University/Fulton Schools of Engineering
Chris Kyselka is an academic professional in the
Polytechnic School/Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering.
In her 25+ years at Arizona State University, Kyselka has
worked in college administration in the areas of student
services, community outreach, university advancement,
continuing education and distance learning. Her teaching
experience includes the first and second year seminars,
ethics and communication courses in both online and
classroom formats. Kyselka’s expertise is in retention and
recruitment of diverse students; academic transition;
outreach strategies for community engagement;
constituent relations; faculty governance and online
learning innovation. She has mentored several college
students and working professionals throughout her
career. She has presented workshops and keynotes for
many student audiences and academic conferences. She
is active in the community, having served on boards
and organizations including the Chandler, Gilbert and
Phoenix educational access governing boards, ASU Alumni
Association, National Speakers Association and several
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Montana and Nebraska. Bret’s father’s parents lived on
the Red Lake Reservation and he spent much of his time
with them as a boy and young man. Some of Bret’s uncles
were very traditional and gave him teachings that formed
who he would become as an adult. Bret enlisted in the
Army National Guard at age 18 as a military policeman
and eventually went to Officer Candidate School and was
commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Infantry. He
served a variety of roles both active and reserve,
operations officer for Joint Task Force Panama leading up
to the invasion of Panama; served as the commander of
a counter-narcotics unit on the Texas Mexico border; and
taught Officer Candidate School. Bret’s civilian careers
included deputy sheriff for 10 years in Texas, and several
years as an EMT in the mountains of Colorado. In his
thirties, with the encouragement of his family, AISES and
his elders, Bret decided to return to college to do his premed coursework. Antoinelle and Bret met as students at
their first AISES conference in 1993. They were married
during Bret’s first year of medical school which he started
at age 40 at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. He
completed Family Medicine residency and a fellowship
in Palliative Care and Hospice Medicine in Alaska. Bret’s
passions are helping young people pursue their dreams,
and being a physician who helps people deal with serious,
usually life-threatening illness. When their disease can
no longer be cured with western or traditional medicine,
Bret finds it a privilege to care for people as they enter
their last months and days. His spiritual teachings keep
him centered for this beautiful, rewarding work. Bret
reenergizes himself each year by helping at his tribe’s
original ceremonies, also by attending pow wows as a
traditional dancer, and of course by being part of the
AISES family. Bret has been privileged to know the AISES
Council of Elders when he started volunteering to take
care of them at the conference in 1995. The humbling role
of being on the AISES Council of Elders was passed down
to him by our grandfather, Horace Axtell, who asked the
Council that Bret take his place when he was no longer
able.
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others. She is a Fellow in the Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership
Academy, Valley Leadership Alum (Class 29) as well as an
Arizona Education Policy Fellow. Kyselka earned both
baccalaureate and graduate degrees from Arizona State
University.
Curtis Largo (Navajo)
40 YEARS SUPPORTING NATIVE PEOPLE IN STEM
IT Career Foundation Program
The Boeing Company
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Curtis is Diné/Navajo and he is Water’s Edge clan and
born for the Towering House clan. He grew up on the
Southeastern edge of the Navajo reservation in New
Mexico. He earned a Bachelor’s in Information Technology
from Navajo Technical University in May 2016. Then
hired into Boeing in June of 2016 into the Information
Technology Career Foundation Program. He has had
the opportunity to travel to many places through his
involvement with AISES.
Gilfred Lane (Navajo)
System Analyst and Integrator
Arizona Public Service Company
Gil Lane graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Information
System from Arizona State. He has worked at Arizona
Public Service for 19 years as a System Analyst. His main
areas of expertise are Metering, Field Service and Interface
Systems. He has done numerous projects including
implementing of Advanced Metering Infrastructure, Field
Work Management System, Customer Billing System, Field
Metering System and various Interface Systems.
James May, PhD (United Keetowah Band)
Dr. James H. May retired from the Board of Directors
of AISES in November 2016. That same month he was
inducted to the esteemed AISES Council of Elders. In 2000
he received AISES’ highest award, the Ely S. Parker Medal.
He has a BS in civil engineering from Stanford University.
an MBA from Harvard University, and a doctorate from
Columbia University in library and information science.
May currently is Chairman of the Board of Native American
Public Television. Dr. May served as the first Community
Technology Coordinator at the Smithsonian Institution,
National Museum of the American Indian from January
2000 to April 2002. Before that he was California State
University Monterey Bay’s very first recruited faculty
member and its first Dean of Instruction and founding
Dean of Science, Technology, and Information Resources.
He had also been an administrator at two other CSU
campuses starting in 1974. He served as Treasurer of the
California Faculty Association for 4 years. His first academic
appointment was at the University of Denver from 1972
to 1974 where he directed a Center for Communication
and Information Research. Prior to his academic career he
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served as an officer in the Navy Civil Engineer Corps in the
U.S. and abroad and then was co-founder of a publishing
company which became Macmillan Information
Corporation.
Jonathan Clark (San Carlos Apache Tribe)
IT Support Manager
Casino Arizona / Talking Stick Resort
Jonathan Clark is a proven leader in the technology
industry, Indian gaming, and in civic engagement.
Jonathan works at Casino Arizona and Talking Stick Resort
in the IT Department as the IT Manager. Outside of the
office, Jonathan dedicates his energy to several non-profit
organizations that advocate equality and diversity in
schools, the workplace, and in the community. Jonathan
is also an AISES Sequoya Fellow and lifetime member of
AISES.
Karen Kiester (Chippewa)
Sr. Manager, Global Business Services
General Motors Native American Cultural Network
Karen Kiester (SSM Chippewa Tribe) is a founding member
of the GM Native American Cultural Network. She holds
degrees in Criminal Justice and Sociology. She is works for
General Motors where she has held a variety of strategic
roles. Currently, she is in Global Business Services, Staff
Operations leading a team of SME’s responsible for global
execution for over 2500 employees in Organizational
Effectiveness, Executive Coaching, Change Management,
Training, Organizational and Leadership Development and
Operational Excellence.
Karletta Chief, PhD (Diné)
Assistant Professor
University of Arizona
Dr. Karletta Chief is an Assistant Professor in Soil, Water,
and Environmental Sciences at the University of Arizona
(UA). Her research focuses on understanding, tools,
and predictions of watershed hydrology, unsaturated
flow in arid environments, and how natural and human
disturbances impact water resources. She received a B.S.
and M.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from
Stanford in 1998 and 2000 and her Ph.D. in Hydrology at
UA in 2007.
Kelsey Standingdeer Owle (Eastern
Band of Cherokee Indian)
Cherokee Central Schools Middle School Counselor
Ray Kinsland Leadership Institute
Kelsey Standingdeer Owle obtained an M.Ed. in School
Counseling from North Carolina State University and a
B.A. in Psychology from the University of Tennessee. She
is currently the Middle School Counselor for Cherokee
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Central Schools. She volunteers as a Mentor for the
Jones-Bowman Leadership Award Program. She is a
member of the Qualla Education Collaborative, University
of Tennessee Alumni Council, North Carolina School
Counseling Association, and Sigma Omicron Epsilon
Incorporated.
Kendra Bealor (Powhatan heritage)
Chief, CIA Corporate Outreach and Recruitment Division
Central Intelligence Agency
Kim Boxell, FSA, EA, MAAA (Oneida)
Senior Consulting Actuary
Willis Towers Watson
Kim Boxell has worked at Willis Towers Watson, by way
of Towers Watson, for 12 years and has over 25 years
of consulting experience in the employee benefits
field. As a Senior Consulting Actuary, her work has
included traditional retirement consulting as well as
implementation of pension administration systems. Kim
is a member and immediate past Chairperson of the SOA/
CAS Joint Committee for Career Encouragement and
Diversity.
Kristi Guiou (Chickasaw)
Principle Chemical Engineer
Raytheon
Kristi Guiou is a Materials and Process Engineer for
Raytheon based in McKinney, TX. Her current role is
managing the quality and acceptance of chemicals and
materials. Kristi has been with Raytheon for over 30 years. She attended Southeastern Oklahoma State University
where she received her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. Kristi is a member of the Chickasaw Tribe of Oklahoma,
AISES and a Sequoyah Fellow.
Lavonda Begay (Navajo)
Environmental Scientist
Arizona Public Service Company
Lavonda Begay is an environmental scientist at Arizona
Public Service Company. She earned a BS in Chemistry
from Arizona State University. Lavonda is a long time
member of AISES, active in the ASU AISES Chapter and the
Phoenix Professional Chapter.
Leona Anderson (Cherokee)
Lead Human Resources Strategic Business Partner
The Boeing Company
Leona Anderson Anderson is the Lead HR Strategic
Business Partner for the Boeing Mesa Operations. She is
the Vice Chair of the Mesa Diversity Council, Treasurer of
the Boeing American Indian Society, and Enterprise Focal
for The American Indian Science and Engineering Society
for the past ten years. Leona is a current presenter at AISES
National Conferences and AISES Leadership Summits.
Her Paternal Grandparents are registered members of
the Cherokee Nation Tribe in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. She
received her Sequoyah Fellow Membership in 2011.
Leona has a demanding job at Boeing, but, still takes
time to serve in the community with organizations like
(T.A.C.K.L.E.) Teaching All Children to Kickoff Leadership
through Education, Welcome Home Veterans (returning
from Iraq/Afghanistan), Special Olympics Basketball
and Cheer Association, Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian
Community, Mesa Public Schools Native American
Education Program, Cortina STEAM Science Fair, Phoenix
Indian College Leadership Summit, Morning Star Leaders
Youth Council, and Junior ACE Program of Scottsdale
Community College. Leona received her Master of Arts
in Education from Northern Arizona University and her
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from
Western International University.
40 YEARS SUPPORTING NATIVE PEOPLE IN STEM
Kendra Bealor has served over 25 years at the CIA. She
started her career in the Cartography Center in the
Directorate of Analysis after receiving her Bachelor of Arts
degree in Geography from George Mason University. In
1997, she joined the Recruitment Center where she spent
12 years in a variety of positions ranging from a recruiter to
management positions. Intertwined with her recruitment
experience, she served as the Human Resources Chief of
Staff as well as a tour at CIA University’s Mission Academy
where she managed the Agency onboarding course.
Before returning to the CIA Talent Acquisition Group in the
fall of 2014, she served as a Diversity & Inclusion Program
Manager where she received the Agency’s premiere
diversity and inclusion award for her efforts in this role as
well as her work on equity assurance training effort as part
of the Director’s Advisory Group on Women in Leadership.
Currently, she is the Chief of the Corporate Outreach &
Recruitment Division where she leads programs that
help drive recruitment strategies to reach and sustain a
high-quality, diverse applicant pool for all Agency hiring
requirements.
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Lisa Billy (Navajo)
Transmission Planner Engineer
Arizona Public Service Company
Lisa Billy is a transmission planning engineer for Arizona
Public Service Company. She earned a BS in Electrical
Engineering and Mechanical Engineering from Colorado
School of Mines. Lisa was born and raised on the Navajo
reservation.
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Mallory Anderson (Sault Ste. Marie
Tribe of Chippewa Indians)
40 YEARS SUPPORTING NATIVE PEOPLE IN STEM
User Researcher
IBM Design
Mallory Anderson is a User Researcher and UX Designer
currently working at IBM in Austin, TX. Born and raised in
Michigan, she earned a BA from Michigan State University
in Advertising and worked as a graphic designer. She
went back to school to earn an MS from the University
of Michigan School of Information with a specialization
in Human Computer Interaction. While studying for her
MS she presented research and design work to a global
audience at the 2015 CHI (Computer-Human Interaction)
Conference on a language learning platform connecting
Ojibwe speakers and learners living both in and outside
of tribal communities. Mallory now helps with diversity
recruiting at IBM.
Mark Abotossaway (Aundeck
Omni Kaning First Nation)
Structural Analysis Engineer – 777X Airplane Program
The Boeing Company
Mark Abotossaway is Ojibwe and grew up on the Aundeck
Omni Kaning First Nation, on Manitoulin Island, Canada.
He is a Structural Analysis Engineer with The Boeing
Company. He is a recent college graduate, with a Bachelor
of Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics in 2013 from
the University of Minnesota and a Bachelor of Science
Physics from the University of Winnipeg in 2010. He is a
first-generation college graduate and an AISES Sequoyah
Fellow
Mary Begay (Navajo)
HR Manager
Raytheon
Mary Begay is the HR Manager at the Raytheon Diné
Facility. In this role, she is responsible for managing the
administration of human resources policies, and programs.
She maintains and enhances the organization’s human
resources by planning, implementing and evaluating
employee relations and human resources programs. Mary
joined Raytheon in 2009, she earned hers Bachelor of
Science degree in Business with concentration in Human
Resources from University of Phoenix and currently
completing her Master in Business Administration. She is
also the Raytheon American Indian Network Officer.
Michael (Mike) Laverdure (Turtle Mountain Band
of Chippewa)
Mike Laverdure. Migisi Migwan (Eagle Feather), Makwa
Doodem (Bear Clan), is an enrolled member of the Turtle
Mountain Band of Chippewa, located in North Dakota.
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He is a registered architect and a Sequoyah member of
the American Indian Science and Engineering Society.
Mike attended North Dakota State University’s College of
Architecture, graduating in 1996. He is currently a partner
at DSGW Architects and President of a Native American
owned planning firm, the First American Design Studio.
Mike has been a member of AISES since his junior year at
Turtle Mountain Community High School and has served
on the leadership council for the Region 5 professional
chapter, NSAAP since its inception in 2010. Mike also
serves on the board for the Minnesota American Indian
Chamber of Commerce and is the President-elect for the
American Indian Council of Architects and Engineers.
Mike is a past award winner of the AISES Executive of
the Year and has made it a mission in his life to promote
Architecture and Engineering as valid and vital STEM
careers for our Tribal Youth. His mother, Betty Laverdure,
instilled in him that giving back to our Tribal Nations
should be at the core of what we do on a daily basis, and
Mike has found that designing great places is a great way
to accomplish that goal.
Nathaniel Todea (Diné)
State Hydraulic Engineer
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
Nathaniel Todea holds a BA in Anthropology from Fort
Lewis College & a MS Degree in Civil Engineering from the
University of New Mexico. As the State Hydraulic Engineer
with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service for
Utah, he works on watersheds, rivers, stream restoration,
fire hydrology, & dams. His background includes a business
in Geographic Information Technology and worked as an
archaeologist for the Navajo Nation. He was awarded the
2008 AISES Most Promising Engineer Award.
Nikki DuPuy (Navajo)
Software Analyst
General Motors Arizona IT Innovation Center
Nikki DuPuy obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer
Information Systems from Northern Arizona University.
She currently works at the General Motors Arizona IT
Innovation Center. Passionate about learning and giving,
Nikki encourages Native Americans to pursue higher
education, excel in the workforce, and help people on
the reservations. In the future, she wants to utilize her
technical knowledge and experience to help promote
positive activities back home in Tuba City, AZ.
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Nonie Black Elk (Fort Peck
Assiniboine & Sioux Tribes)
Support Technician, Customer Technology
Arizona Public Service Company
Ms. Black Elk has been with APS since 2010 and is
the Support Technician in the Customer Technology
department. As the Phoenix Representative for the APS
employee led group, the Native American Networking
Organization, Nonie led the internal team and coordinated
with external organizations to help weatherize the home
of a Navajo Code talker. Prior to joining APS, Nonie
has worked in the utility industry for 18 years, and held
positions at Calpine and SRP.
Rick Stephens (Pala Band of Mission Indians)
Rick Stephens is an enrolled member of the Pala Band of
Mission Indians and former Tribal Chairman. He retired
from The Boeing Company in 2013 after 33 years and 8
years as Senior Vice President of Human Resources and
Administration. Rick is currently Vice Chair of AISES and
Chair of API, Treasurer of the Marine Corps Scholarship
Foundation, Board Member for Digital Promise, City
Councilman and Mayor Pro tem for Alpine, TX. He is a
former member of the US President’s Council for Tribal
Colleges and supported three US cabinet secretaries. Rick
has a BA in Mathematics and Masters in Computer Science
and a former US Marine Corps Officer. He is married and
has 6 children and 11 grandchildren.
Assistant Professor
Arizona State University
Sabrina Weiss, PhD
Dr. Otakuye Conroy-Ben is an Assistant Professor in
the School of Sustainable Engineering and the Build
Environment at Arizona State University. Her research
interests include environmental endocrine disruption,
metal and antibiotic resistance in bacteria, and wastewater
epidemiology. She teaches the courses CEE 361
Introduction to Environmental Engineering, CEE 560 Soil &
Groundwater Remediation, and CEE 564 Contaminant Fate
and Transport.
Dr. Weiss recently completed her PhD at Rensselaer
Polytechnic Institute with a research focus on modeling
complex change through layered social, cultural, and
technology lenses. Other interests include intersectional
identities and discourses, community formation and
leadership in online environments, food ethics as related
to public health, and innovative pedagogies. Dr. Weiss’ first
book is Worlds of ScienceCraft: New Horizons in Sociology,
Philosophy, and Science Studies.
Rachel Yellowhair (Navajo)
Sharon Torres
Technology Integration Manager
Raytheon
Assistant Research Professor
Program Coordinator Sr for Advocacy
Center for Gender Equity in Science and Technology at ASU
Rachel grew up on the Navajo reservation. She has
a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Master
of Information Systems. During her 15 year career,
she’s moved from a technical individual contributor
to a leadership role. She manages an unclassified
infrastructure team for Raytheon Missile Systems
Information Technology. Rachel relishes co-parenting her
10 and 12 year old sons, staying healthy, traveling and
giving back. She’s been an active member of AISES as a
student and a professional.
As Advocacy Manager for the Center for Gender Equity in
Science and Technology at ASU, Sharon oversees outreach
and programming for the National STEM Collaborative.
Prior to ASU, Sharon had worked at Western Connecticut
State University (her alma mater), Temple University, and
Princeton University. Although she served in various
capacities in higher education administration for the last
16 years, her area of interest and expertise always focused
on student engagement, leadership development, and
inclusive education.
Ramona C. Lee, ACAS, MAAA, PRM
Sheila Lopez (Navajo)
Actuarial Administrator
Iowa Insurance Division
Ramona Lee is a Property and Casualty actuary
and professional risk manager. She is the Actuarial
Administrator at the Iowa Insurance Division. Her work
includes investigating and providing opinions on financial
implications of risks companies face and assume and on
new and emerging risks in the Property and Casualty
insurance industry.
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Otakuye Conroy-Ben, PhD (Oglala Lakota)
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Sheila Lopez is Diné (Navajo) from Winslow, Arizona.
She is a Diversity Staffing VIP Program Manager for Intel
in Chandler, AZ. Sheila is one of AISES’ newest board
members and a Sequoyah Fellow. She has two passions
in her life: increasing the number of Native professionals
in the STEM fields and raising awareness to issues faced
by LGBTQ individuals. Sheila earned her bachelor’s
degree in Electrical Engineering from Northern Arizona
University, has worked in her field for nearly two decades,
and has helped recruit many people of color and women
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for tech industry jobs. Lopez also co-founded the only
Native American chapter of PFLAG, the nation’s largest
family and ally organization supporting family and friends
who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer
(LGBTQ) after learning that two of her three children are
gay. The chapter is known as “Native PFLAG” and has been
supporting the Phoenix and surrounding community since
June 2011. Sheila is also a HRC Safe Space presenter and
has presented numerous workshops at ASEE and AISES.
Her passion and dedication to the community and PFLAG’s
mission lead her to be named a 2015 LogoTV Trailblazer
Parent and the recipient of Intel’s 2015 Commitment to
Diversity leadership Award.
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Thomas Reed (Hopi)
Senior Electrical Engineer, MMIC Design
Raytheon
Thomas Reed was hired at Raytheon IDS (Andover, MA) in
2013 after completing his Ph.D. in electrical and computer
engineering at University of California Santa Barbara. His
research and current work focuses on designing some of
the world’s highest performance integrated circuits. At
Raytheon he has served for 3 years as Raytheon American
Indian Network Director of Communications. Thomas
has been a member of AISES since 2008 and has been a
scholarship recipient, student research presenter, chapter
co-founder, chapter officer, college-track session presenter,
career fair recruiter, graduate research presentation judge,
and Sequoyah Fellow.
Tonya E. Carroll
Department Manager
Ray Kinsland Leadership Institute
Tonya E. Carroll was born and raised in Cherokee, North
Carolina. She studied American history and Cherokee
studies at Western Carolina University, where she earned
her master’s degree in public history. Tonya’s early work
history at the Oconaluftee Indian Village and Qualla Arts
and Crafts Mutual, Inc. led her to become a supporter
of Cherokee artisans and their work and helped flame
a passion for learning Cherokee history and culture.
In 2011, she graduated from the Duyukdvi Right Path
Adult Leadership Program. In 2016, her passion for her
community and Cherokee history and culture made
becoming the department manager of the Ray Kinsland
Leadership Institute a natural fit. There she is involved
with several leadership programs and works with area
specialists to create a generation of lifelong, selfless
leaders deeply rooted in Cherokee history and culture.
She serves on various boards including the Appalachian
Women’s Museum, Cherokee Talents Inc., Cherokee Boys
Club, and the Museum of the Cherokee Indian. In her free
time, she loves to read and travel, and she volunteers in
her community by teaching a free Cherokee Syllabary class
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and helping with sponsored 5K and half-marathon events
that raise money for various support groups in Cherokee.
She resides in the Birdtown Community on the Qualla
Boundary in Cherokee with Bear Allison and their dog,
Prince.
Twyla Baker-Demaray, PhD
(Three Affiliated Tribes)
Dr. Twyla Baker-Demaray is the President of Nueta Hidatsa
Sahnish College in New Town, North Dakota. She is a
citizen of the Mandan, Hidatsa, & Arikara Nation, and
was raised on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in
northwest North Dakota. Prior to leading the tribal college,
she was the Director of the National Resource Center on
Native American Aging based in Grand Forks. Dr. BakerDemaray is a Sequoyah Fellow of the American Indian
Science & Engineering Society (AISES), and has been active
with the organization for many years. She currently serves
as their Chair of the Board of Directors. Dr. Baker-Demaray
makes her home in New Town with her husband Allan and
their seven children.
William (Bill) Black
Recently retired as Vice President and Executive Director
of the Comcast Foundation, Bill Black oversaw more than
$1.5 billion in grants, corporate contributions and in-kind
support during his nine-year tenure in that role. Under
his leadership, Comcast implemented new and innovative
strategies for forming national, regional and local
partnerships. Bill previously served Comcast and other
telecommunications providers in community relations,
public policy and operations positions, and has 40 years
of management experience. In his role at Comcast, Bill
created an unprecedented portfolio of support to Native
American nonprofits. Through his personal development
of grants and in-kind support, and his ongoing
participation in funder relationships, Bill established very
strong ties in Indian Country and remains involved there.
His past and present partners include AISES, American
Indian College Fund, First Nations Development Institute,
Native American Rights Fund, Notah Begay III Foundation,
Americans for Indian Opportunity and many more. Bill
serves on the board of the American Indian College
Fund and its Finance and Investment Committee. He is
an adjunct professor at Temple University and Cabrini
University. Bill received an MBA and Master’s in Business
Communications from Jones International University.
He received a Bachelor’s in Business Management from
Thomas Edison State University.
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STRENGTHENING DIVERSITY
IN THESE FACES,
WE SEE THE FUTURE.
Raytheon.com/responsibility
@Raytheon
Raytheon
40 YEARS SUPPORTING NATIVE PEOPLE IN STEM
Raytheon salutes AISES for shaping the
leaders of tomorrow and delivering the
true value of diversity: success.
© 2017 Raytheon Company. All rights reserved.
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渀愀瘀礀⸀挀漀洀⼀挀愀爀攀攀爀猀
㄀ⴀ㠀　ⴀ唀匀䄀ⴀ一䄀嘀夀
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American Indian Science and Engineering Society
National Conference
40 YEARS SUPPORTING NATIVE PEOPLE IN STEM
National Conference
The American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) is excited to announce that registration will
open in April for the 2017 AISES National Conference.
The 3-day event will take place September 21 – 23 in Denver, CO. Participants will experience educational
sessions, networking opportunities, student research presentations, the largest career fair in Indian Country,
traditional cultural events and more.
Over 2,000 graduate students, undergraduates, and high school junior and senior students, educators,
workforce professionals, corporate and government partners, tribes and all members of the “AISES family”
make this event one-of-a-kind. Register today!
40 YEARS SUPPORTING NATIVE PEOPLE IN STEM
SAVE THE DATE • SAVE THE DATE
Co nfe renc e Hi g hl i g hts
• The Largest American Indian
Career & Opportunity Fair
• Industry Partner and University
Tours
• Meetings, Gatherings &
Caucuses
• STEM Activity Day
• Great Keynote Speakers
• Student Research Competitions
• High School, College,
Professional, Partner, Research,
and STEM & Business Session
Tracks
• 40th Anniversary Gala
• Powwow and American Indian Products Marketplace
NORTHERN CREE
will perform at the
Closing Gala and
host drum for the
Powwow
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Proud Sponsor of
the AISES 2017
Leadership Summit
Congratulations to AISES Leaders
United States Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service
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AISES Council of Elders
Dr. Henrietta Mann
(Southern Cheyenne)
Phil Lane Jr. (Yankton Dakota
and Chickasaw)
Stan Lucero (Laguna)
Cecelia Lucero (Acoma Pueblo)
Faith Spotted Eagle (Ihanktonwan
Band of the Dakota/Nakota/
Lakota Nation of South Dakota)
Dr. Bret R. Benally Thompson
(White Earth Ojibwe)
Dr. James May (United Keetowah Band)
AISES Board of Directors
Dr. Twyla Baker- Demaray
(Three Affiliated Tribes)
Chair
Term: Nov. 2015 - Nov. 2018
Richard Stephens (Pala Band
of Mission Indians)
Vice-Chair
Term: Nov. 2016 - Nov. 2019
Paul Kabotie (Hopi)
Treasurer
Term: Nov. 2014 - Nov. 2017
Amber Finley (Three Affiliated Tribes)
Secretary
Term: Nov. 2015 – Nov. 2018
Sheila Lopez (Navajo)
Term: Nov.2014 - Nov.2017​
Lisa Lone Fight (Mandan,
Hidatsa, Sahnish​)
Term: Nov. 2014 - Nov. 2017
John B. Herrington (Chickasaw)
Term: Nov. 2016 - Nov. 2019
Michael Laverdure (Turtle
Mt. Chippewa)
Term: Nov.2016 - Nov.2019​
Bill Black
Term: Nov.2016 - Nov.2019​
AISES Student
Representatives
Senior National Student Representative
AISES Staff
Sarah Echohawk (Pawnee)
Chief Executive Officer
Kory Joe (Asa’carsarmiut)
Northern Arizona University
Term: November 2015-November
2017
Ruben Hernandez (Rosebud Sioux)
Chief Technology Officer
Junior National Student Representative
Katherine Cristiano
Director of Special Events
Hannah Balderas (Three
Affiliated Tribes, Santee Sioux
and Little Shell Ojibwa)
University of North Dakota
Term: November 2016-November
2018
Regional Student Representatives
Current Term: Summer
2016 - Summer 2017
Region 1: Cody Kapotak (Portage
Creek Village), University
of Alaska-Anchorage
Region 2: Raquel Kamalu
(Native Hawaiian), University
of Hawaii at Manoa
Region 3: Nikki Tulley (Navajo),
University of New Mexico
Region 4: Ashleigh McIntosh
(Caddo), University of Oklahoma
Region 5: Emily Falcon
(Turtle Mountain Chippewa),
University of North Dakota
Region 6: Ben Oster (Mohawk),
Cornell University
Region 7: Chloe Blythe (Eastern
Band of Cherokee Indians),
Queens University of Charlotte
Bill McIntyre
Chief Finance Officer
Dr. Kathy DeerInWater (Cherokee)
Director of Special Projects & Research
Kellie Jewett-Fernandez
(Cheyenne River Sioux)
Director of Business and Program
Development
Lisa Paz (Pawnee/Comanche)
Director of Membership & Individual
Giving
Montoya Whiteman (Cheyenne
and Arapaho)
Director of Marketing and
Communications
Kyle Coulon (family from Onondaga)
Program and Development Officer
Angelika Silva
Accounting and Human Resources
Officer
Emerald Craig (Navajo)
Marketing and Communications
Manager
Shayna Gutierrez (Oglala Lakota)
Tribal and Business Development
Manager
Candace McDonough
National Sales Director
Elsie Montoya
Accounting Manager
40 YEARS SUPPORTING NATIVE PEOPLE IN STEM
Antoinelle Benally Thompson (Navajo)
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Debbie Derryberry
Executive Assistant
Brianna Hall
Administrative Coordinator
Monique Tulley-Bahe (Navajo)
Administrative Coordinator
API/Winds of Change
Magazine
Karen English
Lead Editor
Amy Norcross
Managing Editor
Kristen Goodfriend
Art Director
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AISES National Headquarters
2305 Renard SE, Suite 200
Albuquerque, NM 87106
Telephone: (505) 765-1052
Fax: (505) 765-5608
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