Our Staff

Executive Director

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 a Co-Founder, Chairperson of the Board, and Executive Director of Yee Ha’ólníi Doo. 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.

Deputy Director

Cassandra Begay is Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak Wood People clan) born for Naakai (Mexican People).  Her maternal grandfather is Tódich’ii’nii (Bitter Water clan) and her paternal grandfather is Naakai. She 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 with 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 and currently pursuing her MBA at Western Governors University.

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, Navajo Nation (Arizona) but she was raised in Coppermine, Navajo Nation (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, Navajo Nation (Arizona). She has worked for 20+ years in positive youth development strategies for Western Navajo communities.  She has served on the Diné College Board of Regents for the past 9 years and currently serves as its 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 address 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!” 

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, Navajo Nation (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.”