- Details
- By Tribal Business News Staff
- Economic Development
This month's People on the Move highlights new directors, officers and board members at organizations including Cherokee Nation, the Alaska Native Heritage Center, Cook Inlet Region Inc., North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems and the University of Arizona Comprehensive Cancer Center.
From executive leadership programs to national industry awards, these professionals are advancing tribal sovereignty, building sustainable enterprises and creating pathways for the next generation of Native leaders. Here's who's making moves in Indian Country.
HIRES + PROMOTIONS
Alaska Native Heritage Center: The Alaska Native Heritage Center appointed Karla Gatgyedm Hana'a'x Booth as its director of cultural programs. Booth, who is Tsm'syen of the Raven Clan, will oversee cultural initiatives and deepen engagement with culture bearers, artists, elders and partners across Alaska. She has been a dancer with the Lepquinm Gumilgit Gagoadim Tsimshian Dancers of Anchorage since 2005 and holds a bachelor's degree in Alaska Native literature from the University of Alaska Anchorage. Booth previously served as the center's Ch'k'iqadi Gallery manager.
Cherokee Nation: Cherokee Nation appointed Brandon Scott as chief communications officer. Scott, a Cherokee Nation citizen, is responsible for all communications and public relations across Cherokee Nation and Cherokee Nation Businesses. He most recently served as Cherokee Nation's vice president of enterprise communications and previously served as executive editor of the Cherokee Phoenix. Scott has served the tribe in various professional roles since 2012 and will continue as a trusted advisor to tribal officials and Cherokee Nation Businesses' executive leadership.
NATIFS: North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems appointed Patina Park as its first chief operating officer. Park, who is Mnicoujou Lakota, served for more than five years as executive director of tribal state relations in the Walz administration, advising on tribal-state relations and issues impacting Native American communities throughout Minnesota. She previously spent six years as president and CEO of the Minnesota Indian Women's Resource Center. Park will work with NATIFS CEO and founder Sean Sherman to oversee daily operations across the nonprofit's initiatives.
University of Arizona: The University of Arizona Comprehensive Cancer Center appointed Monica Yellowhair as assistant director of Native American partnerships. Yellowhair previously served as the center's assistant director of community outreach and engagement. She will guide strategic and operational initiatives centered on tribal communities, working to address cancer disparities that disproportionately affect Native American populations across Arizona. Yellowhair will cultivate and strengthen partnerships with tribal governments, health systems and community stakeholders to ensure the center's initiatives are culturally grounded and community-driven.
Indigenous Pact appointed Melissa Cruz as senior people and culture manager. Cruz brings more than 12 years of experience in communications, marketing and talent acquisition. She most recently served as vice president and talent acquisition director at Edelman Data & Intelligence, where she led talent acquisition for a global division focused on market research, data, analytics and machine learning capabilities and hired more than 200 permanent employees across the U.S. Cruz previously spent 10 years at Edelman in various talent acquisition roles, where she personally hired more than 1,000 permanent and temporary employees. She holds a bachelor's degree in business and marketing management from the University of Washington Bothell.
Cook Inlet Region Inc. appointed Kyla Morris as senior director of stakeholder engagement. Morris, a CIRI shareholder who is Aleut/Unangan, will lead the shareholder and descendant programs department, overseeing initiatives that support CIRI shareholders, descendants and other Alaska Native people. She will design and grow programs that advance economic opportunity, social well-being and Alaska Native heritage while building strategic relationships across CIRI, its affiliated nonprofits and the broader community. Morris will play a key role in advancing CIRI's Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act mission to promote the economic and social well-being of shareholders and to preserve and perpetuate Alaska Native heritage for future generations.
APPOINTMENTS
Tribal Leadership Council Foundation appointed James Craig III, a council member for the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana, to its Tribal Leadership Foundation Committee, where he will help guide the organization’s scholarship and professional development work for emerging tribal leaders. The foundation serves as the charitable arm of the Tribal Leadership Council, supporting education and leadership training across Indian Country. Craig brings experience spanning tribal governance, banking and military service, drawing on that background to provide strategic and operational insight to the committee. He currently serves on the Tunica-Biloxi Tribal Council and has worked in roles that bridge public service, finance and leadership development within tribal communities.
Cayuse Holdings appointed Annette Hamilton to its board of directors. Hamilton, a member of the Kickapoo Tribe of Kansas, recently retired as chief operating officer and vice president of a tribally owned holding company after a 24-year tenure leading operations of 28 subsidiaries spanning government contracting, retail, marketing and construction. Under her leadership, revenues increased by 3,700%, and the organization received the U.S. Department of State's Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year award. Hamilton's expertise lies in crafting strategies for sustainable development and delivering results in multi-million-dollar operations. Cayuse Holdings is a 100% Indian-owned economic enterprise of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.
The American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Oklahoma elected Julie Aldridge, Les McGee and Angie Reeves to its board of directors. The board also elected officers for 2026: Amber Sharp, secretary; Katera Snelling, treasurer; Les McGee, vice president; and Nathan Hart, president. Aldridge, who is Choctaw, is vice president of product sales at PDS Gaming and owner of Apela Resources. McGee, who is Cherokee, is owner of GoToBenefit in Stillwater. Reeves, who is Cherokee, is director of communications and community development at the Oklahoma City Indian Clinic. Sharp, who is Cherokee, is founder and CEO of ClaimRev. Snelling, who is Choctaw, is a financial advisor and owner of RainCrow Capital.
KUDOS
Ellen Harmon (left) and Serena Harmon, co-owners of Rosebud Building Products, received Rising Star Awards at the 2025 Top Women in Hardware & Building Supply event in Chicago. (Courtesy photo)
HBS Dealer magazine selected Ellen Harmon and Serena Harmon, co-owners of Rosebud Building Products, for Rising Star Awards at the 2025 Top Women in Hardware & Building Supply event in Chicago. The sisters were selected from more than 1,000 nominations across the United States. The awards celebrate emerging leaders whose innovation, integrity and community focus are helping shape the future of the industry. The Nov. 10-11 gala marked the sixth year of the national program, which aims to elevate women in traditionally male-dominated sectors.
Rosebud Building Products is a Sicangu Lakota-owned hardware and building supply company based in Mission, South Dakota. The company provides materials and equipment support for tribal and federal government programs, contractors and community projects across the region. Since becoming sole owners in 2021, the Harmon sisters have expanded operations, created local jobs and established partnerships that prioritize community investment and economic self-sufficiency. Past honorees have included executives from national companies such as Lowe's, Builders FirstSource and Do it Best.
Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation Deputy Chief Kristen DiMauro receives her certification plaque after completing Roger Williams University's executive leadership program. (Courtesy photo)
Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation recognized Deputy Chief Kristen DiMauro of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Police Department for completing the Executive Development segment of Roger Williams University’s Command Training Series, a seven-week leadership program for senior law enforcement officials. The executive-level course focuses on strategic decision-making, organizational leadership, policy development, communications, and modern policing practices, and is delivered through the university’s Justice System Training and Research Institute in partnership with the New England Association of Chiefs of Police. DiMauro participated alongside senior officers from departments across New England. She serves as deputy chief for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Police Department, where she holds operational and leadership responsibilities within the tribe’s public safety system.
If you have news of new hires, appointments or special recognition, please share them with [email protected].
