Restoring Ancestral Winds, Inc.'s purpose is to end violence in Native communities.

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.

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.

Office Assistant/ Bookkeeper

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.

Helpline Coordinator

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.

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.

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 and knowledge  will help with RAWI’s mission to support and heal the tribal community.