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RAWI Staff
Yolanda Francisco
Yolanda Francisco
Yolanda Francisco
Executive Director | Diné
yolanda@restoringawcoalition.org
Yolanda Francisco-Nez is from the Navajo/Dine’ tribe. Her clan is Edgewater (Tabaaha) born for the Basque People. She was born and raised in Tsehootsoi (Fort Defiance), Arizona. Yolanda is the granddaughter of a Navajo Code Talker Vincent Yazza. Ms. Francisco-Nez is the Executive D
Executive Director | Diné
yolanda@restoringawcoalition.org
Yolanda Francisco-Nez is from the Navajo/Dine’ tribe. Her clan is Edgewater (Tabaaha) born for the Basque People. She was born and raised in Tsehootsoi (Fort Defiance), Arizona. Yolanda is the granddaughter of a Navajo Code Talker Vincent Yazza. Ms. Francisco-Nez is the Executive Director of Restoring Ancestral Winds, Inc. Yolanda is a strong advocate of the Native people especially women and children. She uses her expertise to help inform policy. She served four years as board chair of the Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault (UCASA). In 2017, under the leadership of Navajo Nation Delegate Amber Kanazbah Crotty, she helped establish a Navajo Nation Council Sexual Assault Prevention Work Group to address child abduction, sexual violence and human trafficking. In this role she facilitated a policy brief on child abduction and sexual assault, a chapter resolution to install the Amber Alert on the Navajo Nation, and hosts community dialogues on sexual assault throughout the Navajo Nation. In 2018, she received special recognition for her achievements from the Navajo Nation Council.
She has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix. She is trained in Anti-discrimination Response Training from the University of British Columbia and received advocacy training from UCASA and Utah Domestic Violence Coalition (UDVC).
For 17 years, Francisco-Nez served three mayors at the executive level of Salt Lake City government. Among the highlights of her career is the opportunity to address the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland about her award-winning program the Human Rights Education Project. She has co-authored reports on discrimination, women’s rights and excessive use of force. Among other achievements, “The Status of Women in Salt Lake City” was published and used to help guide a resolution to establish a Commission to Eliminate Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and Law Enforcement Excessive Use of Force.
Ms. Francisco-Nez played a significant role in being the first city in Utah to pass legislation to protect the LGBTQI2S from employment discrimination which led to a statewide law. Prior to working city government, she was the president of the Native American Celebration in the Park and vice president and founding partner at Cal Nez Design advertising agency. In 2017, Francisco-Nez was named top 30 Women to Watch in Utah by the Utah Business Magazine.
Leeta Baker
Yolanda Francisco
Yolanda Francisco
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
Yolanda Francisco
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.
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Dakotah Bitney
Office Assistant/ Bookkeeper
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Helpline Coordinator
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Sexual Assault Response Team Coordinator
Nicoletta Brown
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, where she distinguished herself as an awardee of the Student Ambassador Scholarship. 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.
Nicoletta relocated to Utah to further her educational pursuits and has since been an integral part of the community. With a passion for advocacy, she is deeply dedicated to supporting Native American and Tribal communities. Nicoletta utilizes her extensive education to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of these communities and embodies a commitment to positive change.
Audrey Casuse
Nicoletta Brown
Nicoletta Brown
Domestic Violence Tribal Advocacy Outreach Specialist l Diné
audrey@restoringawcoalition.org
Casuse is Navajo from Southern Utah. Her mother is from Page, AZ and father is from Gallup, NM.
Casuse is relentlessly helpful with a mixture of life experiences that cultivated a solid foundation of purpose. The specific ingredients that make up Ca
Domestic Violence Tribal Advocacy Outreach Specialist l Diné
audrey@restoringawcoalition.org
Casuse is Navajo from Southern Utah. Her mother is from Page, AZ and father is from Gallup, NM.
Casuse is relentlessly helpful with a mixture of life experiences that cultivated a solid foundation of purpose. The specific ingredients that make up Casuse can be divided as 1 part neurodivergent, 1 part survivor, 2 parts analytical, 3 parts cultural integrity, and 4 parts momager (mother who manages everything).
Casuse comes to RAW, Inc. with a strong computer technology background from UVU, experience working with tribal outreach efforts for healthcare, and provides valuable knowledge in emerging market trends. She is committed to professional development in the field of data analytics and cultural development. She is a veteran advocate of multiple non-profit organizations who provided outreach, awareness, and prevention efforts to the American Indian demographic in Utah. Some of those organizations include Peace Corps, Phoenix Alliance, Cultural Alliance, Winfield Kids, and COPE Diabetic outreach. She hopes her experience will help with RAWI’s mission to support and heal the tribal community.
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Nicoletta Brown
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Sexual Assault Tribal Advocacy Outreach Specialist
RAWi board members
Kim Benally
Ralph Dellapiana
Ralph Dellapiana
Board President l Diné
Kim comes from the Tsé Daa' Kaan community in New Mexico, where she is a citizen of the Navajo Nation. She is a mother, auntie, grandma, and daughter.
Kim has a background in education and positive youth development, but has found centering work in the sexual and domestic violence movements important to her as a Diné
Board President l Diné
Kim comes from the Tsé Daa' Kaan community in New Mexico, where she is a citizen of the Navajo Nation. She is a mother, auntie, grandma, and daughter.
Kim has a background in education and positive youth development, but has found centering work in the sexual and domestic violence movements important to her as a Diné women.
Kim is currently the Director of Tribal Sexual Assault Services with the New Mexico Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs and Researcher. Her work focuses on increasing and improving sexual assault services in tribal communities.
Kim’s academic background includes holding a Master of Public Administration with a tribal governance concentration from The Evergreen State College and a Bachelor’s of University Studies with concentrations in Education and Native Studies
Ralph Dellapiana
Ralph Dellapiana
Ralph Dellapiana
Board Member l Treasurer
Ralph Dellapiana graduated from the University of Utah College of Law in 1994 and has worked at the Salt Lake Legal Defender Association ever since defending the constitutional rights of indigent clients and working with his social services department to help those clients get their lives back on track. Prior to th
Board Member l Treasurer
Ralph Dellapiana graduated from the University of Utah College of Law in 1994 and has worked at the Salt Lake Legal Defender Association ever since defending the constitutional rights of indigent clients and working with his social services department to help those clients get their lives back on track. Prior to that he earned an M.B.A. degree from Brigham Young University and worked in business management for several years.
Now, Ralph hopes to find ways to serve his brothers and sisters in the community as a member of the board of Restoring Ancestral Winds.
Dena Ned
Ralph Dellapiana
Carl Moore
Board Secretary l Chickasaw
Citizen of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma; citizenship descendant to the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
J. Dena Ned is an Associate Professor/Lecturer at the University of Utah College of Social Work. Her research has focused on the Indian Child Welfare Act, Title V of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, urba
Board Secretary l Chickasaw
Citizen of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma; citizenship descendant to the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
J. Dena Ned is an Associate Professor/Lecturer at the University of Utah College of Social Work. Her research has focused on the Indian Child Welfare Act, Title V of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, urban American-Indian health policies and delivery of care systems, as well as social determinants of health in native communities. After earning her Masters of Social Welfare (MSW) from the University of California, Berkeley, she worked with California’s Division of Children and Family Services before going on to direct a Title V-funded urban Indian health center in Salt Lake City. Her direct practice experience motivated her to explore issues of social justice, health, and policy from the perspective of urban Indians.
Carl Moore
Ralph Dellapiana
Carl Moore
Board Member l Hopi & Chemehuevi
Carl Moore is a member of the Colorado River Indian Tribes.
He is Hopi on his father's side from Third Mesa and Chemehuevi on his Mother's side from Chemehuevi Valley along the Colorado River.
He is a co-founder and the former Chairperson of Indigenous led PANDOS (Peaceful Advocates for Native Dialogue and
Board Member l Hopi & Chemehuevi
Carl Moore is a member of the Colorado River Indian Tribes.
He is Hopi on his father's side from Third Mesa and Chemehuevi on his Mother's side from Chemehuevi Valley along the Colorado River.
He is a co-founder and the former Chairperson of Indigenous led PANDOS (Peaceful Advocates for Native Dialogue and Organizing Support) who advocates for Native sovereignty, both political and sacred along with our marginalized relatives who are oppressed.
He is a co-founder and the former Chairperson of SLC Air Protectors an Indigenous led non-profit who focuses on Native stewardship of our shared environment in Utah.
He is the current Chairperson of Unsheltered Utah an organization that advocates for respectful emotional and physical care of our unsheltered relatives.
He also is a co-founder of OUR's ( Our Unsheltered Relative's) a group of people who cook and care for our unsheltered relatives where they live.
His mission is to open the eyes of others to their unique privileges and responsibilities to every being on Earth by using Indigenous sovereignty over location as the rule of moral authority.
our consultants
Pana Boxx
Klinger & Associates
Accountant
2018-Current
Utah Income Tax Planning Services Since 1976
In 1976, Larry Klingler opened a successful bookkeeping and tax firm with the idea of helping small and medium-size businesses prepare their financial statements and tax returns. His goal was to give them a proficient service as if they had a full-time a
Klinger & Associates
Accountant
2018-Current
Utah Income Tax Planning Services Since 1976
In 1976, Larry Klingler opened a successful bookkeeping and tax firm with the idea of helping small and medium-size businesses prepare their financial statements and tax returns. His goal was to give them a proficient service as if they had a full-time accountant on their staff. And he planned to do it for only a fraction of the cost of hiring an accountant.
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Our firm specializes in small business and corporate tax, working with business owners to compile and understand how to use their company’s financial and accounting data to maximize profits and minimize tax burden. We also prepare hundreds of personal tax returns each year, ranging from the very simple to the complex. In addition, we offer a complete payroll preparation package to simplify your employment burden and keep you compliant. All for a fee comparatively lower than the rates charged at other Utah CPA Firms.