Kykotsmovi, AZ, July 30 — The Hopi Foundation has held a tradition of cultivating its leadership from within the organization. This tradition began with Barbara Poley, a member of the Bear Clan and resident of Bacavi Village, who served 18 years as Executive Director and selected Monica Nuvamsa to succeed her. Monica, Water Cloud Clan from the Village of Shungopavi, took on several roles at HF after starting in 2007, including KUYI General Manager, Program Director, and Associate Director to the Executive Director. She was appointed Executive Director in 2012 after a nearly four-year transition period during which Barbara mentored her, building up her leadership skills and introducing her to key contacts outside the organization. Upon her retirement from the ED role, Monica will have served a total of 18 years with the Hopi Foundation. Her tenure has been marked by dedication to local community grant-making, nonprofit and community capacity building, community leadership development, and community organizing. With a distinguished career dedicated to community service and advocacy, Monica has significantly contributed to the Foundation and the broader Hopi community.
Monica’s early career was spent developing and managing the Hopi Tribe’s Domestic Violence Program, where she served as a Legal Advocate and Project Coordinator. She later became the Intergovernmental Affairs Liaison for the Hopi Tribe, representing the Tribe to state and federal governments. Following nearly six years in tribal government, Monica shifted her focus to higher education and tribal public policy training at The University of Arizona and the Morris K. Udall Foundation for Excellence in Environmental Studies and Public Policy.
As Monica retires, The Hopi Foundation Board of Trustees has selected Hannah Honani as the next Executive Director. Paul Kabotie, Chairman of the Board, states, “The Hopi Foundation is nearing 40 years old, and our founders envisioned an organization that would support Hopi needs differently from the Tribal and Federal governments. They wanted it to be rooted in Hopi values and character. Over my ten years on the board, I’ve seen that the Foundation is fundamentally Hopi, built from our values at its core. The Foundation’s name, Lomasumi’nangwtukwsiwmani, reflects its intent to grow and improve with each generation. Our past Executive Directors, Barabara Poley and Monica Nuvamsa, embodied these values and helped the organization flourish. We extend our deepest gratitude to Monica for her dedicated service and leadership.”
“We now look forward to the next generation with Hannah stepping into this role. As the Chairman of the board and on behalf of the Board of Trustees, I look forward to her bringing her strength in leadership and guidance to the next stages of the organization. With all of our support to Hannah, we will continue the good work of The Hopi Foundation and build upon the strength and reputation it has earned in Indian Country.”
Hannah, Roadrunner Clan from the Village of Sitsomovi, holds an Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Studies from Coconino Community College. She began at the Hopi Foundation in 2014 as a part-time Youth Liaison with the Hopi Opportunity Youth Initiative (HOYI). She exemplified her leadership since then, becoming HOYI’s Program Associate, and then Program Manager. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she helped to co-lead HF’s Hopi Emergency Relief Fund (HERF) operations, collaborating with on- and off-reservation partners to purchase inventory for community food and PPE distributions, and regranting funds to local villages and nonprofits to support their efforts around COVID-19. Hannah was appointed to the administrative team of the Hopi Foundation as the Associate Operations Director and most recently to the Operations Director of the organization.
“Hannah is deeply committed to her Hopi and Tewa cultural values and bridging the communication gap between Hopi youth. Her leadership vision aims to continue to foster their success. Beginning her career at The Hopi Foundation, her role was to find ways to connect youth with resources to help them set future goals, find their identity, and align them to their passion as they give back to the greater society. Her experience and passion for working with Hopi youth and her leadership positions in administration are a springboard for her promising leadership within the organization. I look forward to the future of the Hopi Foundation under Hannah's leadership and am excited about the positive impact she will undoubtedly make in our community,” states Monica Nuvamsa.
This leadership transition marks The Hopi Foundation's fourth since its founding in 1987, beginning with the late founding Executive Director Dr. Robert Robin in 1996, followed by Barbara Poley, and then Monica Nuvamsa in 2012. Hannah will begin her work as Interim Executive Director on August 1st, until the 6-month transition is completed in January 2025.
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