RAWI Staff
Leeta Baker
Dakotah Bitney
Financial Manager l Diné
leeta@restoringawcoalition.org
Leeta Baker is from Navajo/Diné tribe in Arizona. Her Clans are Cliff Dweller Clan (Tsé njikini) born for the Rock Gap (Tsé deeshgiizhnii). She was raised in Leupp, Arizona.
Leeta has years of experience in non-profit customer service. She also has experience in data entry, and bookkeeping skills in accounts payable.
Dakotah Bitney
Dakotah Bitney
Operations Manager l Diné
dakotah@restoringawcoalition.org
Dakotah Bitney is from the Navajo/Diné tribe in Arizona.
With over three years of dedicated service in management, Dakotah has demonstrating a commitment to excellence and adaptability by enhancing and ensuring client satisfaction by expanding staff, secure and smooth operations, an
Operations Manager l Diné
dakotah@restoringawcoalition.org
Dakotah Bitney is from the Navajo/Diné tribe in Arizona.
With over three years of dedicated service in management, Dakotah has demonstrating a commitment to excellence and adaptability by enhancing and ensuring client satisfaction by expanding staff, secure and smooth operations, and cohesiveness. Throughout her career, she has been instrumental in creating and implementing policies, post orders, and standard operating procedures (SOPs), all designed to optimize safety and streamlined efficiency.
Dakotah also emphasize personal development and growth within the teams she cultivates, believing that a well-supported team is key to long-term success within any organization.
Vard McGuire
Grant Manager
Vard McGuire is a seasoned social work professional with over two decades of experience spanning grant management, mental health services, housing advocacy, and violence prevention. With a Master of Social Work from the University of Utah and certifications in both clinical and advocacy roles, Var
Grant Manager
Vard McGuire is a seasoned social work professional with over two decades of experience spanning grant management, mental health services, housing advocacy, and violence prevention. With a Master of Social Work from the University of Utah and certifications in both clinical and advocacy roles, Vard has dedicated his career to advancing social justice and equity—particularly in the areas of housing, sexual assault and domestic violence, and disability rights.
Vard has extensive experience managing and ensuring compliance for federal grants, particularly those from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). At a Utah nonprofit, he oversaw multi-year HUD Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) grants totaling more than $2.5 million, designed to promote housing access and combat discrimination. His leadership in this area included drafting comprehensive grant reports, program development and implementation, and presenting at local and national conferences on housing rights and enforcement. Vard also has experience from the grantor perspective, having worked for the State of Utah (UServeUtah) as an AmeriCorps Program Specialist. In this role he managed a portfolio of grants for compliance, conducted onsite monitoring visits, and assisted with the grant application process for State grants.
A recognized educator and trainer, Vard has delivered recurring sessions for the Utah Domestic Violence Coalition, the Rape Recovery Center, and the Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault, focusing on the intersection of disability with sexual and domestic violence. He has trained hundreds of professionals statewide on how to better serve survivors with disabilities and presented on these topics at both state and national conferences. Vard is also a certified sexual assault counselor/advocate and has contributed to 40-hour rape crisis training programs in Utah.
Throughout his career, Vard has maintained a strong connection to education and mentorship, serving as adjunct faculty at Salt Lake Community College, guest lecturing at multiple universities, and supervising social work students during practicums.
Vard’s expertise lies at the intersection of trauma, advocacy, and systems change, and his work continues to bridge the gap between policy and practice to ensure safety, equity, and justice for all communities
Ashlyn Owens
Office Assistant/ Bookkeeper
ashlyn@restoringawcoalition.org
Ashlyn Owens is from Salt Lake City, Utah, and was raised in the beautiful Pacific Northwest near Seattle, Washington.
She believes deeply in advocacy, empathy, and supporting the communities around her and she is excited to bring energy, dedication, and heart to the important wor
Office Assistant/ Bookkeeper
ashlyn@restoringawcoalition.org
Ashlyn Owens is from Salt Lake City, Utah, and was raised in the beautiful Pacific Northwest near Seattle, Washington.
She believes deeply in advocacy, empathy, and supporting the communities around her and she is excited to bring energy, dedication, and heart to the important work of Restoring Ancestral Winds. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a double emphasis on Global Women's Studies and Scandinavian Studies.
Adrian Romero
Nicoletta Brown
Helpline Coordinator
adrian@restoringawcoalition.org
Adrian is a fierce victim advocate with nearly five years of experience in social services. Adrian has built a career focused on empowering survivors and ensuring that they receive the individualized support they need to rebuild their lives free from violence. With a deep passion for soci
Helpline Coordinator
adrian@restoringawcoalition.org
Adrian is a fierce victim advocate with nearly five years of experience in social services. Adrian has built a career focused on empowering survivors and ensuring that they receive the individualized support they need to rebuild their lives free from violence. With a deep passion for social justice, gender equality, and psychology, Adrian approaches their work through an intersectional feminist lens. Adrian is especially passionate about advocating for the unique needs of disabled, undocumented, and LGBTQ survivors of violence. Adrian is committed to providing compassionate, nonjudgmental, and culturally competent support to helpline callers and works hard to make a lasting impact on the lives of survivors and their families.
Nicoletta Brown
Nicoletta Brown
Community Training & Education Specialist l Northern Arapaho
nicoletta@restoringawcoalition.org
Nicoletta Brown is a proud member of the Northern Arapaho tribe from the Wind River Reservation in Central Wyoming.
As a trailblazer and first-generation college student, Nicoletta earned an Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice from Ce
Community Training & Education Specialist l Northern Arapaho
nicoletta@restoringawcoalition.org
Nicoletta Brown is a proud member of the Northern Arapaho tribe from the Wind River Reservation in Central Wyoming.
As a trailblazer and first-generation college student, Nicoletta earned an Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice from Central Wyoming College. Building on this foundation, Nicoletta earned a Bachelors of Science degree in Criminal Justice with an emphasis in Criminology from Utah Tech University. Her commitment to excellence led her to achieve a Masters of Legal Studies in Indigenous Peoples Law from the University of Oklahoma in May of 2023.
With a passion for advocacy, Nicoletta is deeply dedicated to supporting Native American and Tribal communities. She utilizes her extensive education to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of the community and embodies a commitment to positive change.
Audrey Casuse
Domestic Violence Tribal Advocacy Outreach Specialist
audrey@restoringawcoalition.org
Casuse is Navajo from Southern Utah. Her mother is from Page, AZ and father is from Gallup, NM.
Casuse is a relentless source of assistance, having cultivated a robust foundation of purpose through a diverse range of life experiences. Its unique compositio
Domestic Violence Tribal Advocacy Outreach Specialist
audrey@restoringawcoalition.org
Casuse is Navajo from Southern Utah. Her mother is from Page, AZ and father is from Gallup, NM.
Casuse is a relentless source of assistance, having cultivated a robust foundation of purpose through a diverse range of life experiences. Its unique composition can be categorized into the following components: 1 part neurodivergent, 1 part survivor, 2 parts analytical, and 3 parts cultural integrity.
Ms. Casuse possesses a strong background in computer technology from Utah Valley University. She also has extensive experience in SQL database infrastructure and engineering from Rizepoint. Additionally, she has gained valuable experience in strategic tribal outreach with Sacred Circle Healthcare marketing. Furthermore, she is well-versed in emerging market trends. Ms. Casuse is dedicated to data analytics, strategic outreach, and cultural development. She believes her skills will help RAWI make a tangible difference in ending violence in our communities.
Winter Rex
Education Prevention Program Coordinator
winter@restoringawcoalition.org
Winter Rex (Isto’yii a’kii) is a proud member of the Blackfeet Nation which is part of the Blackfoot Confederacy in modern Montana and Alberta.
Winter has various experiences working within Children and Family Services and different education systems from kindergarten
Education Prevention Program Coordinator
winter@restoringawcoalition.org
Winter Rex (Isto’yii a’kii) is a proud member of the Blackfeet Nation which is part of the Blackfoot Confederacy in modern Montana and Alberta.
Winter has various experiences working within Children and Family Services and different education systems from kindergarten to community college. As a powwow mom Winter encourages people to celebrate their culture. Winter is a first-generation college graduate, getting her degree in Communication and Native American Studies. Since relocating to Utah Winter has helped with various Native cultural events, including the 2 Spirit Powwow and Native American Heritage Month events.
Tracie Tso
Tracie Tso
Tracie Tso
Sexual Assault Tribal Advocacy Outreach Specialist
Tracie@restoringawcoalition.org
Tracie Yellowman Tso, she represents the Bitahnii clan and her father's Tlaash chi'i' clan and is a Diné Navajo woman, she is from Diwoozhi Bikoh, Utah, and serves as the Sexual Assault Tribal Advocacy Outreach Specialist at Restoring Ancestral Winds Inc. She
Sexual Assault Tribal Advocacy Outreach Specialist
Tracie@restoringawcoalition.org
Tracie Yellowman Tso, she represents the Bitahnii clan and her father's Tlaash chi'i' clan and is a Diné Navajo woman, she is from Diwoozhi Bikoh, Utah, and serves as the Sexual Assault Tribal Advocacy Outreach Specialist at Restoring Ancestral Winds Inc. She brings a strong commitment to serving Indigenous communities through culturally rooted advocacy, outreach, and education. Tracie recently graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in Health and Kinesiology, emphasizing Health Education and Promotion. She will begin graduate studies this fall at the University of Utah, pursuing a Master of Public Health.
In addition to her work in advocacy, president of the Native American Church of Ashiihbiito a native nonprofit organization, and an active community volunteer supporting Native families and youth. She is also a proud wife and mother of three. Most recently she became the first Native American student commencement speaker at the University of Utah and was recognized by the Navajo Nation as potentially the first Diné to give a commencement address at a major university.