Board Spotlight: Dede Yazzie Devine
Cultural Coalition is delighted to introduce our newest Board Member, Dede Yazzie Devine! Executive Director Carmen Guerrero and Board President Zarco Guerrero have known Dede for many years through her work with Tribal Communities, as the CEO of Native Connections, and as a friend and neighbor in Mesa, AZ. Our Board and Staff are thrilled to have her as part of our team, and invite you to get to know Dede to say hi and welcome her when you see her at our events:
“I have lived in West Mesa for over 40 years, raising my 3 children, 9 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.
My employment included working within Tribal and urban Native American communities since 1972, and I was employed as the CEO of the nonprofit Native American Connections (NAC) from 1979-2023 for 44 years.
I retired from NAC in 2023 and continue to volunteer within my Community sharing the skills, knowledge and expertise in working with nonprofits, housing and healthcare.
My volunteer experience includes: City of Mesa Housing & Community Development Advisory Board, Federal Home Loan Bank Housing Advisory Board, LISC Advisory Board, Valleywise Medical Center Audit Advisory Board, Governor’s Housing Council, Corporation for Supportive Housing National Board, Vitalyst Foundation, Hickey Family Foundation, Statewide Medicaid Advisory Board, and past experiences with City of Phoenix General Obligation Bond Chair Housing Committee, and the Phoenix PCDIC/IDA.
Carmen Guerrero and I have been neighbors and supporters of each other’s work for over 40 years. I am thrilled to finally have the chance to work with the Cultural Coalition and to work more closely with Carmen and the other staff, and to support the MISSION of the Coalition – their increasingly important work in educating, performing and informing the Community. I’m hoping to bring some of my 44 years of nonprofit knowledge and experience to this meaningful community based organization.”
~ Dede Yazzie Devine