Administration
Monica Nuvamsa Executive Director/KUYI General Manager Monica, Hopi/Acoma/Havasupai, is a member of the Water Cloud Clan from the Village of Songoopavi. She received her Bachelor’s in Psychology and American Indian Studies from the University of Arizona in 1997. Monica currently serves as the Executive Director/Director of Programs for The Hopi Foundation and General Manager of KUYI Hopi Radio. She works directly with the Foundation’s Capacity Building Program and projects including the Hopi Leadership Program, KUYI Hopi Radio, HOPI Substance Abuse Prevention Center, Natwani Coalition, Three Mesas Productions, Hopi Language Program, and the Center for Prevention and Resolution of Violence. Monica’s early career experiences include developing and managing the Hopi Tribe’s Domestic Violence Program. She served both as an advocate and project coordinator until she was appointed by former Hopi Tribal Chairman, Wayne Taylor, Jr., to serve in the role of the Intergovernmental Affairs Liaison for the Hopi Tribe to both state and federal governments. After serving nearly six years in the tribal government, her career moved toward higher education at The University of Arizona and tribal public policy training at The Morris K. Udall Foundation for Excellence in Environmental Studies and Public Policy. Monica currently serves on several nonprofit boards including Native Americans in Philanthropy, Native Public Media and the Arizona Grantmakers Forum.
Marissa Nuvayestewa Capacity Building Director
Marissa is Corn Clan from the Village of Tewa in Polacca, AZ and is a mother of two beautiful daughters, Hooinmana and Pakupmana. Marissa received her Master degree in Social Work with emphasis in Social and Economic Development in Native American Communities from Washington University in St. Louis, MO-George Warren Brown School of Social Work. She currently serves as the Capacity Building Director to assist in the Foundation's development, training and technical assistance to optimize the impact of our work and direct the strategic development of The Hopi Foundation’s fundraising and capacity building initiatives. She previously served as the Program Officer overseeing the Strengthening Native American Philanthropy program with First Nations Development Institute providing education, building awareness and providing technical assistance nationally to Tribes regarding options in establishing Tribal Foundations. In addition, she has gained extensive knowledge working for the Center for Social Development in regards to Native asset building initiatives on a national scale while coordinating collaborative efforts of asset convening’s, research, and evaluation. Her work has given her the opportunity to work at the grassroots level with diverse developmental efforts and partnerships. These experiences have launched her path of promoting culturally relevant social and economic development, capacity building, and the importance of supporting or establishing strong core institutions/foundations within.
Laurel Sekakuku Program DirectorLaurel Sekakuku, Hopi, is a member of the Sun Clan from the Village of Kykotsmovi. Some of her previous work experience includes working with Native American communities in the areas of economic development, building and infrastructure, environmental quality issues and residential property management. After completing The Hopi Foundation's inaugural 2006-2007 Hopi Leadership Program, Laurel's interest in nonprofit organizations and working for the Hopi community grew. In May 2008, Laurel was hired as The Hopi Foundation Program Associate and Program Coordinator for The Hopi Foundation's Hopi Leadership Program. She now oversees all of the Hopi Foundation Programs and Services as well as coordinating the leadership program. Laurel is a current participant of the 2012 Healthy Native Community Partnerships Fellows Program out of Shiprock, New Mexico. Angie Harris Executive Administrative Manager Angie Harris, Hopi, is a member of the Eagle Clan from the Village of Mishongnovi. Hired by The Hopi Foundation in August 1995 as the organizational Bookkeeper, she has been with the Foundation for thirteen years. She currently serves as the Executive Administrative Manager overseeing all financial activities, i.e., grants received, budget development, payroll processing, account receivables and payables. Previous work experience includes serving as the Finance Manager with the Hopi Arts & Crafts Cooperative Guild for thirteen years, and worked as a sales clerk and bookkeeper for four years. She also was a Bank Teller with Valley National Bank for two years in Tucson, AZ.Professionally, Angie, has been working in the financial field for the past thirty years.
Rowena Dickerson Public Relations & Volunteer Coordinator Rowena Dickerson, Dine’, is from the northern part of the Navajo Nation, White Cone, Arizona. Having worked on a contract basis with The Hopi Foundation off and on for the past three years assisting with various projects and then as a program assistant, she was hired in July 2008 as the HF Public Relations Coordinator. Previous work experience includes positions such as Public Relations Director at the Santa Fe, NM Wheelwright Museum, Director of Guest Services in several Four Star hotel properties, as well as freelance writer and fundraising/event coordinator. One of her on-going interests has been in the development of leadership and management capabilities particularly for women and Native American peoples. Having been involved in the making of The Hopi Foundation’s bench mark leadership program as a member of the leadership development team was like a dream come true.
Natwani Coalition Samantha Honani Program Manager
Tewa/Hopi from the Village of Tewa in First Mesa, Samantha is the Program Manager of the Natwani Coalition serving as a facilitator for the planning, organizing, andimplementation of community-based and culturally relevant agricultural initiatives. She is also the content developer for the Hopi Natwani for Youth Project (HNYP) farming curriculum. Prior to her work with The Hopi Foundation, she served as a School Health Coordinator with The Hopi Health Care Center, and an elementary school teacher at First Mesa Elementary School. Her accomplishments include the establishment of the annual Be Hopi, Be Healthy Summer Camp for Hopi Youth to encourage youth to engage in their culture and physicalwell-being. Samantha also assisted in strengthening and coordinating the community grassrootscoalition, Hopi Alliance Against Substance Abuse (HAASA) including the successful award of the AZ Governor’s Grant for Underage Drinking to assess substance abuse on the Hopi reservation, and creating a health program for early intervention inour youngest of learners at the Hopi Head Start. She is a recent graduate of the Healthy Natives Community Fellowship program. She received her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Northern Arizona University in 2005. Samantha is inspired to work with diverse populations on a grassroots level.
Kyle Knox Program Associate
Hopi and Akimel O’odham (Pima) from the village
of Kykotsmovi, Kyle is a member of the Coyote Clan.
He spent most of his life residing in Phoenix, AZ before moving home to
the Hopi reservation. Kyle attended Arizona State University and graduated in 2009 with a Bachelors of
Fine Arts in Film and Media Production.
After ASU he moved home to Hopi where he utilized his skills as a media
consultant to create a number of educational and outreach videos for different
organizations and programs on the Hopi Reservation. During his time as a
media consultant with the Natwani Coalition he grew close to the mission and
vision of the program, often volunteering his own time to help with program
events and activities. Now as the Program Associate for the Natwani Coalition, Kyle hopes to bring in his own experience as an
active Hopi farmer to the table and aid in shaping the future of the
program. When he is not working Kyle enjoys physical activities (running, hiking, weight training), photography,
music, and volunteering. HOPI Substance Abuse Prevention Center
 Kevin Nash Program ManagerKevin Nash, Hopi, is a member of the Tobacco Clan from the Village of Sichomovi. Kevin joins the HOPI Substance Abuse Prevention Center staff as the Program Manager. Prior to joining The Hopi Foundation, Kevin served as an Elderly Coordinator where he was able to meet and learn about community strengths and weaknesses. Learning the dynamics of how the cycle of various activities affects all members of the communities inspired him to apply as the Program Manager. All members of the community have value and contribute in their own way; keeping on the positive side of life is a daily chore each of us should happily accept. Kevin also served as a Facilitator for Positive Leadership Practices; in this role he coached management and supervisory employees on problem solving techniques and improving communication skills. Kevin currently holds the position of Vice President for the Hopi Alliance Against Substance Abuse (HAASA) and is a member of the Hopi Assisted Living Facility Task Team. He has a passion to give back to the community through his experience, strength and hope. Kevin is a Desert Storm/Gulf War Veteran and served as a U.S. Marine. More recently, Kevin participated in the 2010-2011 Hopi Leadership Program. Racheal Povatah Substance Abuse Mentor Racheal, Hopi/Tewa, is a member of the Roadrunner Clan of Sichomovi Village in the community of Polacca, AZ. As a mother of four children, she has three sons, one daughter and is a grandmother to four grandsons and one granddaughter. Racheal has been a part of the HOPI Substance Abuse Prevention Center since its inception. As a Mentor she provides mentoring service to individuals who may have substance abuse issues. Prevention education and awareness presentations are also an important part of the work the Center offers. This sharing of information is conducted throughout all the Hopi communities by way of village organizations, meetings, and tribal departments. Racheal and other HSAPC staff are often asked to do outreach presentations of their work to organizations both on and off the reservation. Some of her previous work experience includes operating heavy equipment on road construction projects as well as a Head Start school bus driver. Racheal is an alumnus of The Hopi Foundation's inaugural 2006-2007 Hopi Leadership Program, she was one of thirteen Hopi participants selected to participate in this first class. Shawn Namoki, Sr. Substance Abuse Mentor Shawn,Hopi, is a member of the Bear Clan from the Village of Sipaulovi. Shawn received his degree in Network Engineering from Coconino Community College in December 2010. Shawn is the newest member to the team as a Mentor for the HOPI Substance Abuse Prevention Center. As this is his new job, far apart from what he is accustomed too, Shawn is committed to helping others through leadership, mentoring, and sharing of his experiences. His previous work experience includes being a forklift operator and truck unloader for Savers store in Flagstaff while he attended college. Shawn also worked as a Computer Specialist/Network Assistant with the Hopi Jr/Sr High School from 1999 to 2004. He is also an artist who loves to paint and draw. During his free time loves spending time with his family. KUYI 88.1 FM Hopi Radio
 Richard Davis Station Manager
Richard was born in the United Kingdom, where his father Richard performed with the London Symphony Orchestra as well as the London Philharmonic Orchestra and passed along the love of song to his son. The Davis family, mother Inge and sister Gillian, moved to the northern suburbs of Chicago where Richard got his first taste of radio in New Trier High School's Radio Workshop before heading out to Maine and then Ohio where he attended the College of Wooster, focusing on contemporary American Indian literature and DJ'ing at WCWS. Upon graduating Richard moved to Flagstaff, Arizona where he served eight years as an advocate for victims of domestic/family violence at NFHC's Domestic Violence shelter, while juggling music recording and concert production with Greenhouse Productions as well as co-founding the northern Arizona chapter of No More Deaths / No Mas Muertes. Richard specializes in multi-track recording and sees community radio as the perfect blend of social justice and entertainment. As a kid he used to stay up late just to listen to Wolfman Jack and Doctor Demento. As the Station Manager for KUYI, he currently serves as the primary manager of the KUYI
Hopi Radio Station to ensure efficient, quality operations and administrative
management oversight.
 Macadio Namoki Development and Marketing Coordinator
Macadio Namoki is from the Village of Mishungnovi; however, he was born and raised in the Village of Walpi. Macadio was hired to fill the newly developed position of Development and Marketing Coordinator. Prior to joining KUYI Hopi Radio staff, Macadio was employed at the Hopi Cultural Center a division of the Hopi Tribe’s Economic Development Corporation where he served as Human Resource/Payroll Administrator, he was also a Security Officer at Casino Arizona, a Salt River-Pima Maricopa Enterprise and served as an Aviation Boatswains Mate Handler in the U.S. Navy aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). Macadio has attended Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona where he studied Pre-Nursing and Native American Studies. Macadio’s core expertise includes working with youth programs, security, finance/payroll, human resource and customer service.
Owl and Panther
 Marge Pellegrino Program Manager
Marge Pellegrino grew up in the small community of Tuckahoe, NY and received her AA from Westchester Community College and BA from Marist College. She continues to further her education in writing and bookmaking classes in Tucson. She facilitates writing and expressive arts workshops. She taps her passion for words and expression with her background in psychology and human relations training in the corporate world to bring a fresh approach. Marge's children¹s books My Grandma's the Mayor, Too Nice and I Don't Have An Uncle Phil Anymore, published by the American Psychological Association¹s Magination Press, echo the theme of self-discovery and community. Her new novel, Journey of Dreams, published by Frances Lincoln books follows a Guatemalan family's flight to safety during the Sanctuary era. Marge is an award-winning writer, on the roster of the Arizona Commission on the Arts, and a writer in residence working with students in several Native American communities as well as schools and libraries across Arizona. Since 1999 Marge has served as both coordinator and now program manager for The Hopi Foundation's Owl & Panther: Writing from the Darkness Project. This special creative writing and leadership program is for at-risk children affected by torture, traumatic dislocation, and refugee status. Participants experience a wide variety of opportunities to explore themselves and the world around them. In the process, they build community. In 2006 Writing Out of the Darkness: An Anthology of Poetry by Refugees in Transition was published with writings from group participants and volunteers. In 2007 Owl & Panther youth participated in Columbia University Teacher's College's Comic Book Project, chosen for publication and film.
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