MISSION

Executive Director | Diné

STAFF

yolanda@restoringawcoalition.org

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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.

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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.

Public Policy | Diné

Consultant

moroni@restoringawcoalition.org

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Moroni Benally is the Coordinator for Public Policy and Advocacy at Restoring Ancestral Winds, Inc. He also serves as a Board member of Western Resource Advocates, a conservation organization that seeks to protect the West's land, air, and water to ensure that vibrant communities exist in balance with nature.

He co-founded the Utah League of Native American Voters where he assisted and advocated on behalf of tribes on public lands, water, voting rights, and violence prevention.

He also served as Director of the Navajo Nation’s Division of Natural Resources where he helped facilitate the Navajo Nation’s involvement in the Bears Ears National Monument and worked extensively on natural resource policy at the tribal, state, and federal levels.

Additionally, he served at Vice-President of Diné College. Prior to this he taught at Evergreen State College in the Masters of Public Administration program.

He is currently finishing a PhD in Public Policy at the University of Washington, focusing on collaborative governance around natural resources. He is Diné and currently lives in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Board Member | Ute Mountain Ute/Seneca/Cayuga

1st term: May 8, 2018-May 2020

Board President, appointed Nov 29, 2019

Griselda is from Towaoc, Colorado and is a member of the Ute Mountain Ute tribe. She is also Seneca/Cayuga from Quapaw, Oklahoma.  Griselda is the Education Director for Ute Mountain Tribe in White Mesa, Utah. She received a Bachelor’s degree from Utah State University and a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Colorado State University-Global Campus. Griselda is part of several boards and participates in various organizations to help bring services to the community.

Treasurer

1st term as a board member: July 28, 2020-July 28, 2021 (one year)

Alexander completed Alastair Bitsoi’s term as Treasurer from July 28, 2020-October 29, 2020

Elected Treasurer Term: November 2, 2020-November 2, 2021

Alexander Castagno has worked in public policy and team building for the last five years. Alexander ran for a Utah State Senate seat in 2018 and won 32% of the district with almost 13,000 votes. In 2019 Alexander ran city-wide campaigns in Salt Lake City and Millcreek City. Alexander has a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Utah and a Master’s degree in Political Management from George Washington University. He is currently a Team Leader for a national testing laboratory.

Consultant 

2019-2021

Denae Shanidiin, Diné and Korean artist, is born to the Diné (Navajo) Nation. She is Honágháahnii, One-Walks-Around Clan, born to the Korean race on her Father’s side. Kinłichíi’nii, the Red House People is her Maternal Grandfather’s Clan and the Bilagáana, White People, is her Paternal Grandfather’s Clan. 

Shanidiin’s projects reveal the importance of Indigenous spirituality and sovereignty. Her work brings awareness to many contemporary First Nation issues including Missing and Murdered Indigenous People.