Our Staff

Ethel is Bįįh Bitoodnii (Deer Springs Clan) born for the Naakai (Mexican People). Her maternal grandfather is Tsi'naajinii (Black Streak Wood People) and her paternal grandfather is Naakai.  

She is an original Co-Founder, Chairperson of the Board, and the Interim Executive Director of Yee Ha’ólníi Doo. In order to do COVID relief work, she is on a leave of absence as a Member of the law firm of Kanji & Katzen, PLLC. She is an enrolled Navajo tribal member and previously served as the 11th Attorney General of the Navajo Nation. She is a graduate of Harvard Law School, Harvard Kennedy School, and Harvard College. 

She says "Through the grace and charity of our many incredible donors I am blessed and honored to do this work to help our people during this difficult time. It has been so inspiring to be part of a movement where our Navajo and Hopi people have reached within themselves to find the leadership and strength needed to respond to this unprecedented public health emergency. Our donors, volunteers, and staff have all shown such profound beauty in their hearts in taking measures to protect our most treasured and vulnerable community members. Ahéheeʼ and askwali to all of you. What you do literally saves lives.” 

Deputy Director

Cassandra Begay engages in transformational organizing with Native communities in Utah and across the country to protect ancestral lands and elevate Native voices and issues. She is the Founder of Defend the Sacred Consulting, which seeks to close the gap of social inequality by building relationships to each other and our environment. Cassandra is  also Co-Founder and former Tribal Liaison for the Native Advocacy organization, PANDOS, a Native led nonprofit that advocates for basic human rights and the protection of our shared home. She is a graduate of Utah State.

K’é Kinship Care Package Program Manager

Mary is Red Running Into the Water clan, born to the Edge Water clan. Her maternal grandfathers are of the Reed People Clan and her paternal grandfathers are of the Manygoats clan. Her matriarchal roots start from Inscription House, Arizona but raised in Coppermine, Arizona. Mary brings 20 years of work and community advocacy. She leads our K’é Kinship Care Package Program. She enjoys spending time with her family. 

Logistics Coordinator

Theresa is Deer Springs clan, born for Salt clan.  Her maternal grandfathers are Edgewater clan and her paternal grandfathers are Rock Gap clan.  She is from Coalmine Mesa, Arizona. She has worked for 20+ years in positive youth development strategies for communities within western Navajo.  For the past 9 years she has served on the Diné College Board of Regents and currently serve as the Vice-President.  She has a B.S. in Business Administration from Northern Arizona University.  She leads our Navajo Seamstresses United COVID-19 Dooda sub-initiative and responds to the needs of hospitals, first responders, police departments and care facilities to meet the shortages of masks, hospital gowns, surgical caps, hair covers, face shields and isolation bunny suits for direct Covid-19 patient care.  “Every stitch holds hope and prayers to its recipient and it truly is a Labor of Love!”  

Lead for America Fellow

Shandiin is a Lead for America Hometown Fellow working in her home community of Monument Valley on the Navajo Nation. She received her bachelor’s degree in Public Policy from Duke University. She is dedicated to advocating for policies that directly impact Indigenous communities. As a staff member, she leads our Kinship Care Package and PPE Distributions for the Navajo Nation communities in Utah. Shandiin is also leading the initiative for the Winter Clothing Drive and Kids Coloring Contest through the Youth Program. Her work has been instrumental in advocating for her community of Monument Valley, UT. 

Public Health Education Program Manager

Wendy Atcitty is a Navajo Nation tribal member, born for the Bitter Water Clan and Salt Clan. Since 1996, Atcitty has achieved degrees in Earth and Environmental Science and Chemistry. Since 2007, she has been an educator in schools on and near Native American nations teaching cultural based science curriculum. Most recently, Atcitty earned an MBA in Sustainable Business to establish an entrepreneurship journey in education, environmental and indigenous pathways. 

Public Relations Director

Mihio Manus is Tódich’ii’nii (Bitter Water) born for Tsin sikaadnii (Clamp Tree). His maternal grandfathers are Omaha Deer Clan (Tapa) and his paternal grandfathers are Cherokee Bird Clan. He is from Chinle, Arizona. 

Manus has a Bachelor of Science from Northern Arizona University’s School of Communication in Photography. He’s worked as the managing editor of both the Gila River Indian News and the Hopi Tutuveni. He was the Communication Director for Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye.

“It’s important to me that we, as Native Americans, control the narrative of the stories written about us,” Manus said. “Looking at the recent history relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s important to document these monumental relief efforts as they grew from a respect of kinship and community.”

Public Relations Specialist

Shandiin Vandervere is Red Running Into the Water People clan, born for Black Streak Wood People clan and is from Chinle, Arizona. She is a prospective graduate from the American University of Paris. She hopes to use her experience with international communication to help raise awareness for her community. By balancing traditional values and the power of digital media, she believes the strength and resilience of Indigenous peoples can be shared with other communities.