HEEF Welcomes New Members

Following a four-month competitive process, which included recruitment, nomination and voting, the Hopi Education Endowment Fund (HEEF) is pleased to welcome 4 new and 6 returning members to serve 3-year terms as members of the general board. Members of the Fund not only form the governing structure of the HEEF, but are also vested with the responsibility of actively providing their experience and expertise to advance the mission of the Fund.

New members to the HEEF board include Karen Francis-Begay, Special Advisor to the President on Native American Affairs, Office of the President, University of Arizona, Lois Reynosa, Senior Accountant, Northern Arizona Healthcare from the village of Shungopavi, Dr. Lee Gaseoma, Consultant from the Village of Hotevilla and Kerry Green, Manager/Co-Director, Glenn Green Galleries. When asked about their motivation for joining the HEEF Board, Dr. Gaseoma shared, "I am interested in learning about HEEF's future plans in improving and expanding its organizational capacity to secure resources… to meet the educational needs of the Hopi Tribe", with Kerry Green adding, "I am interested in fundraising and increasing awareness of HEEF. I am happy to lend a hand with these activities and to know more about HEEF."

Previous members elected to continue their service to the HEEF include Monica Nuvamsa (Village of Shungopavi), Dr. Sheilah Nicholas (Village of Shungopavi), Leroy Shingoitewa (Village of Moencopi), Eileen Egan (Village of Oraibi), Nancy Yaiva (Village of Kykotsmovi) and Dr. Cedric Kavena (Village of Sichomovi). HEEF Nomination Committee Chair Gloria Lomahaftewa stated, "Congratulations to the new and returning members, their commitment in volunteering their time to serve on the HEEF board is a great way to give back to their community while supporting future generations of Hopi". She also added that the HEEF would like to acknowledge and thank outgoing members Sherry Salway-Black and Marlene Sekaquaptewa "for their years of dedication to the HEEF", and to the Nomination Committee members Dr. Cedric Kavena, Dr. Noreen Sakiestewa, Patty Talahongva, and Nancy Yaiva.

HEEF Executive Director, LuAnn Leonard stated, "HEEF board members are a critical piece of the puzzle in growing and maintaining the Fund for future generations of Hopi students." She added, "as the HEEF continues to fund Hopi education programs such as the Hopi Tribe's Grants and Scholarship Program, which awards grants and scholarships to Hopi students across the U.S., as well as programs like the Hopilavayi Summer Institute and the Hopitutukaiki Summer Arts Program, we welcome the energy and expertise new and returning members to the HEEF Board will provide in support of our efforts."

The new and returning members will be formally seated at the HEEF Annual Meeting, October 2, 2009, on the Hopi Reservation. The public is invited to attend. For more information contact Oneita Lomayaktewa, HEEF Office Manager at (928) 734-2275 or at oneita_l@hopieducationfund.org