- Details
- By Tribal Business News Staff
- Economic Development
Native professionals moved into new leadership roles across tribal enterprises, Native-serving organizations and higher education in August, while others received recognition for their work in business, journalism and their communities.
This month’s People on the Move includes new roles at Mno-Bmadsen, Mohegan, Idaho State University and the National Fund for Excellence in American Indian Education, along with several board appointments and professional honors. Our featured recognition is Patricia Tate, who became the first woman and first enrolled tribal member to lead Salt River Community Gaming Enterprises.
HIRES + PROMOTIONS
Idaho State University appointed Summer Baldwin as Native American Student Services coordinator. Baldwin, an enrolled citizen of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, will work with Native American and Indigenous students and coordinate programs, cultural activities and campus engagement. She has more than six years of experience serving Indigenous and historically marginalized students, including four years in higher education student services. Baldwin most recently worked for the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes Natural Resources Division and previously held positions with Traverse City Area Public Schools and Central Michigan University. She earned a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership from Central Michigan and is completing a master’s degree in administration with a concentration in leadership.
STS Systems Defense LLC hired Joe Burrow as a personnel management support specialist supporting the U.S. Air Force’s 67th Cyberspace Wing at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. Burrow, a Cherokee Nation citizen, has more than three decades of experience in human resources, workforce management and military and civilian personnel programs. He previously served as deputy director of manpower, personnel and talent management for the 67th Cyberspace Wing and held workforce and personnel positions with the Air Force and Air Force Reserve. Burrow holds an MBA from Columbia Southern University and a master’s degree in organizational leadership from the University of Phoenix.
Mohegan promoted Kristi Hanney to vice president and deputy general counsel, where she will help oversee the tribal gaming and entertainment company’s legal department and support legal and business initiatives across its portfolio. Hanney joined Mohegan in 2022 as senior corporate counsel and has worked on transactions including the company’s 2025 balance-sheet restructuring, sale of the Connecticut Sun and restructuring of its digital businesses. Before joining Mohegan, Hanney operated the Law Office of Kristi A. Hanney and previously was a partner at Louden Caisse Hanney. She has also been recognized as a Connecticut Super Lawyer and received a Lawyer of the Year award.
Fairweather LLC, a subsidiary of Doyon Ltd., named Zach Dunlap general manager. Dunlap, a Doyon shareholder, previously served as operations director at Doyon for more than 19 years. Fairweather provides logistics support, medical services and weather data and was acquired by Doyon in 2023. Dunlap holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Alaska Anchorage and an MBA and Alaska Native Executive Leadership graduate certificate from Alaska Pacific University, where he is an adjunct faculty member. He also serves on the UAA Alumni Association board and previously served on the Alaska Native Professional Association board.
The National Fund for Excellence in American Indian Education hired Nicholas Courtney as program director. Courtney, a citizen of the Makah Tribe, joins the organization after serving as deputy division chief for the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program at the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration. He previously served as director of policy for the National Congress of American Indians and with the White House Initiative on American Indian and Alaska Native Education. Courtney also directed the Native American Political Leadership Program at George Washington University and has taught courses on tribal governance and Native politics at Cornell University and George Washington University.
Mno-Bmadsen, the non-gaming investment enterprise of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, appointed Anthony E. Kramer chief operating officer of its manufacturing portfolio. Kramer will oversee a portfolio that includes Enmark Tool & Gage, Michiana Global Mold and Walerko Tool & Engineering. He previously served as vice president of commercial for Creative Liquid Coatings and held executive roles at Cascade Engineering and CK Technologies, including president and chief operating officer. Kramer has more than 20 years of manufacturing and commercial leadership experience, including managing manufacturing facilities, supporting acquisitions and integrations, launching original equipment manufacturer programs and developing new markets.
Chenega Corporation hired Adrian Ramos as vice president and controller and promoted Siena Caruso to senior vice president and general counsel. Ramos joins Chenega after a decade with The Tatitlek Corporation, where he most recently served as controller. He will oversee accounting, financial reporting, internal controls, compliance and financial planning. Caruso joined Chenega in 2022 as deputy general counsel and became general counsel in 2025. She previously practiced law with Dorsey & Whitney and Shook, Hardy & Bacon and clerked for the Alaska Supreme Court and Anchorage Superior Court. She oversees Chenega’s legal, governance, compliance, federal contracting and mergers and acquisitions matters.
FEATURED RECOGNITION
Patricia Tate Named First Tribal Member, Woman to Lead Salt River Gaming Enterprise
Salt River Community Gaming Enterprises named Patricia Tate president and CEO, making her the first enrolled member of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community and the first woman to lead the organization overseeing Casino Arizona and the Talking Stick Resort. Her appointment took effect Aug. 1. Tate has spent more than two decades with the tribal gaming enterprise, joining as controller in 2004 and becoming chief financial officer in 2006. She most recently served as executive vice president and CFO, helping oversee the enterprise during the expansion of Casino Arizona and opening of Talking Stick Resort. Tate holds master's degrees in finance and accounting and business administration from Keller Graduate School of Management and a bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of Arizona.
APPOINTMENTS
The Sam McCracken Youth Project appointed Kathy Baird, Charles Galbraith and Mary Hiratsuka Mazilo to its board of directors. Baird, an enrolled member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe who is Sicangu Lakota and Oneida, is U.S. chief impact officer for McDonald’s and has more than 25 years of experience in business, media and government. Galbraith, a Navajo Nation citizen, is co-chair of Jenner & Block’s Native American Law Practice and previously served in the Obama White House. Mazilo, a Curyung Tribal Council citizen of Aleut and Yup’ik heritage, is founder of Malii LLC and has more than 15 years of experience in public policy, talent strategy and organizational performance.
The Indigenous Journalists Association, in partnership with the Asian American Journalists Association, named Erythrina Ngirkelau and Kianna Reyes recipients of the 2026 IJA-AAJA Pacific Islander Scholarship, which awards up to $5,000 to emerging and early career journalists. Ngirkelau (Palauan) is a University of California, Berkeley student, host of the Oceanic Podcast and an Island Justice Fellow with the Critical Pacific Islands Studies Collective. Reyes (CHamorru and Micronesian) writes about culture for Marianas Press and has contributed to The Husk. A filmmaker and freelance photographer, she studies natural resource management at Northern Marianas College and recently participated in IJA’s Indigenous Journalism Fellowship.
KUDOS
REDW Advisors & CPAs Senior Manager Marcus Benally was named one of AZ Insider’s 13 Arizona leaders “making it rain” in 2026. Benally, a Navajo Nation citizen, works in REDW’s Client Advisory & Accounting Services practice. He also joined the board of managers of Quivera Enterprises, the tribally owned holding company of the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes, this year. Benally chairs the Greater Phoenix Chamber’s Valley Young Professionals and has worked to increase Native representation within the organization. His work at REDW includes supporting the firm’s National Tribal Practice and providing financial and accounting expertise to clients in Indian Country.
Seneca Resorts & Casinos executives Kimberlee Dunlop and Joanne Israel were named to Buffalo Business First’s 2026 Power 200 Women list, which recognizes business and community leaders in Western New York. Dunlop, chief operating officer, previously served five years as counsel to the Seneca Gaming Corporation Board of Directors and now oversees initiatives across Seneca’s three casino properties. Israel, named chief strategy officer earlier this year, joined Seneca Resorts & Casinos in 2011 and has held roles including casino general manager, corporate director of finance and casino controller. Dunlop and Israel are enrolled members of the Seneca Nation.
Arrow Strategies, a Native American- and veteran-owned talent acquisition firm, was named one of Crain’s Detroit Business Best Places to Work in Michigan for 2026. The Royal Oak, Mich.-based company specializes in staffing for information technology, engineering and professional services. The recognition, which Arrow Strategies has received 16 times during its 24-year history, evaluates companies based on factors including employee benefits, communication, workplace programs and culture. Arrow Strategies was founded and is led by CEO Jeff Styers.
If you have news of new hires, appointments or special recognition, please share them with [email protected].
