• Kelly McCue Nation, MPH

    CONSULTANT IN PUBLIC HEALTH

    Kelly McCue Nation is originally from Fort Collins, CO, but has called Flagstaff, AZ “home” since 2007. She completed her Bachelor of Science degree from Northern Arizona University and a Master of Public Health degree with an emphasis in Maternal and Child Health from Boston University. Kelly is a Research Scientist for the Center for Health Equity Research (CHER) at Northern Arizona University and is adjunct faculty at Diné College (course: PUH 360, American Indian Maternal, Child, and Sexual Health). Outside her work life, Kelly spends time with her husband Nick, mountain biking, trail running, and gardening.

  • DeeDee James, MPH

    CONSULTANT IN PUBLIC HEALTH

    DeeDee James (She/Her) is a Diné (Navajo) woman, originally from Promise Rock, AZ, and now residing in Flagstaff, AZ. Her matrilineal line is of the Tódích’ii’nii (Bitter Water clan), born of the Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House clan). Her maternal grandfathers’ lineage is of the Kinłichíí’nii (Red House clan), and her paternal grandfathers’ are of the Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle clan).

    DeeDee currently serves as a Research Coordinator at Northern Arizona University (NAU) - Center for Health Equity Research. Her academic journey includes earning a B.S. in Exercise Science with a minor in psychology, followed by her Masters of Public Health with an emphasis in Indigenous Health, both achieved at NAU.

    Beyond her professional endeavors, DeeDee finds joy in being an auntie, indulging in her love for hiking, powerlifting, and attending concerts. Her passions extend to advocacy, particularly for maternal and child health, and environmental health within the Navajo Nation.

  • Mae Arviso

    Mae Arviso, Hasht ł’ishnii Clan born for Kinyaa’áanii Clan her maternal grandfather are Tódich’ii’nii and paternal grandfather are Tsénahabiłnii.  She's lived on the Navajo Reservation for many years and is a mother, grandmother, father, and grandfather within her family.

    As part of her deep commitment to community, cultural preservation, and the well-being of Diné families, Mae supports the integration of traditional knowledge, values, and practices into maternal and child health initiatives. She works to ensures that these programs are culturally grounded, respectful and responsive to the needs of the Navajo Nation and other communities.

  • Tressica Johnson

    SENIOR PROJECT COORDINATOR, NAVAJO MATERNAL & CHILD HEALTH PROJECT, DINÉ COLLEGE

    Tressica Johnson (Navajo) is Tsé deeshgizhníí (Rock Gap Clan), born for Ashįįhí (Salt People Clan). Her maternal grandfather is Tábaahá (Water’s Edge Clan) and her paternal father is Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan). Tressica currently serves on the Navajo Nation, as a Senior Project Coordinator with the Navajo Maternal and Child Health Project at Diné College. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Family Studies and Human Development from the University of Arizona (2020) and her Master of Public Health in Health Promotion with an emphasis in Indigenous Health from Northern Arizona University (2022).

  • Dr. Amanda Hunter

    EVALUATOR

    Amanda Hunter is a member of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe and was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona. She is currently an Assistant Professor at Arizona State University's College of Health Solutions. She earned her MPH (2016) and PhD (2020) with a concentration on Health Behavior and Health Promotion from the University of Arizona's Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health. Dr. Hunter is the lead evaluator for the ADHS Tribal Maternal Health Innovation Program. She has worked in evaluation of tribal health promotion and disease prevention programs since 2015 including programs dedicated to strengthening cultural identity and resilience, promoting maternal health and youth mental health, and preventing suicide, and substance use. In her free time, Amanda loves to relax with her family, read sci-fi novels, and go camping.

  • Sunnirose Yazzie

    INTERN IN PUBLIC HEALTH

    Shi éí Sunnirose Yazzie yinishyé. Honágháahnii nishłį. Tódích’íí’nii bashishchiin.Honágháahnii dashicheii. Mą’ii deeshgiizhinii dashinalí. Shi éí Tséhootsóoí déé’ naashá. Ákót’éego diné asdzáán nishłį́. 

    Sunnirose Yazzie (she/her) is from Fort Defiance, which is located on Navajo Reservation in Arizona. She is from the One-Who-Walks-Around clan, born for the Bitter-Water clan. Her maternal grandparents clan is One-Who-Walks-Around and her paternal grandparent’s clan is Coyote Pass. She is a Senior at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ, graduating in December 2026 with a bachelor's in Public Health. By working with the Navajo Maternal and Child Health project, she hopes to work closely in the Maternal Health space and advocate for Indigenous moms, families, babies, and children.

  • Tianna Curley

    INTERN IN PUBLIC HEALTH

    Bit'ahnii nishli, Dibe lizhini bashichiin, Ashiihi dashicheii, Todich'ii'nii dashinali. Hello, my name is Tianna Curley and I am from Rock Point, Arizona. I am pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Public Health at Dine College. I am to promote indigenous health and wellness during my internship with the Healthy Navajo K'e Project.

  • Sheryl Nez

    INTERN IN PUBLIC HEALTH

    Hello. My name is Sheryl Nez. My clans are Honaghaahnii (One Walks Around Clan), born for Deeshchii’nii (Red Streak People Clan), my maternal grandparents Kiyaa’aanii (Towering House Clan), my paternal grandparents Tse’deeshgizhnii (Rock Gap Clan). I am from Cedar Ridge, Arizona.

    I am a senior at Diné College and will be graduating with my Bachelor’s degree in Public Health.

  • Mikhail Lee

    INTERN IN PUBLIC HEALTH

    Mikhail E. Lee is from Del Meurto Arizona, and she has earned two associate degrees from Dine college. She is a senior at Dine College and will be graduating with her bachelor's degree in public health in May 2026. She will be completing her degree by interning with the Healthy K’e Project. During her internship she hopes to expand her knowledge and gain hands on experience within the Public Health field. 

  • Alia Poyer

    INTERN IN PUBLIC HEALTH

    Alia Poyer’s clans are Ashiihi (The Salt People) nishli, Tachiinii (The Red Running into the Water people) bashishchiin, Oozei Tachii’nii (The Oriabi Clan) da shicheii, and Todichchiinii (The Bitter Water People) da shi nali. Alia is currently a Junior and pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Public Health at Diné College. Her decision to major in Public Health reflects her interest in learning what could be done to improve health on the Navajo Nation.

  • Mia Wilson

    INTERN IN PUBLIC HEALTH

    Yá’át’ééh shi ei Mia Wilson yinishye. Tá’chii’nii (Red Running into the Water clan) nishłį, Tódíchinii (Bitter Water clan) bashishchíín, Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle clan) dashicheii, Honágháahnii (One Who Walks Around clan) dashinalí. I am from Shiprock, NM.

    I am a senior at Dine College, and will be graduating with my Bachelor’s degree in Public Health. As an intern with the Navajo Maternal and Child Health Project, I have greatly enjoyed working with the team and broadening my perspective on maternal and child health. My next step in my public health journey is to pursue a Master’s degree and provide back to the Navajo MCH community.  

  • Shannon Begay

    INTERN IN PUBLIC HEALTH

    Shannon Begay is from Rock Point, AZ. A senior at Diné College pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Science in public health. With a passion for healthcare and community well-being, she have gained valuable knowledge in various healthcare roles. Shannon has worked in contact tracing, as a public health tech, nursing assistant, creating social media posts, and is lactation trainee. Shannon is currently interning with the Navajo Maternal and child health program at Diné College. 

  • Charmayne Gene

    INTERN IN PUBLIC HEALTH

    Charmayne Gene focused on Public Health at Diné College. She also interned for Northern Arizona University’s Summer Bridge program, tracking progress in malnourished patients and conducting health education. She completed her internship with Diné College’s Summer Research Enhancement Program. Her research project was with the Diné College Maternal and Child Health project.

  • Shermaine Nelson

    INTERN IN PUBLIC HEALTH

    Shermaine, from Ganado, AZ, graduated from Northern Arizona University in 2021, earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health. Working as an intern at Diné College, she assisted with the Healthy Navajo K’é podcasts.

  • Ella Haas

    INTERN IN PUBLIC HEALTH

    Ella graduated from Northern Arizona University in May 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences. She worked with the MCH team with the Healthy Navajo K'e podcast, editing, transcribing, interviewing, and collecting data for podcasts. She envisions a fulfilling career dedicated to supporting children and families.

  • Brooke Nez

    INTERN IN PUBLIC HEALTH

    Brooke is originally from Tocito, New Mexico. She is now attending Carthage College pursuing a nursing degree.

  • Alexandrea Ingram

    INTERN IN PUBLIC HEALTH

    Alexandria is from Phoenix, Arizona and completed her undergraduate degree in health sciences at Northern Arizona university. Working as an intern at Diné College in the Maternal and Child Health project provided an opportunity to expand her knowledge of maternal and children’s health topics and to share her research with community members and other health educators on the Healthy Navajo K’é podcasts.

  • Alyssa Baca

    INTERN IN PUBLIC HEALTH

    Alyssa Baca is from Phoenix, Arizona, and recently graduated from Northern Arizona University with her Bachelors in Public Health. I plan to take a small break to travel. She hopes to continue her career in the field of maternal health. While interning at Diné College, she assisted in the production of the Podcast series Healthy Navajo K’é.

  • Chassity Begay

    INTERN IN PUBLIC HEALTH

    Chassity Begay is originally from Whippoorwill Arizona, and is a graduate student in the Masters of Public Health program at Northern Arizona University, focusing on the Maternal and Child Health project at Diné College. She assists with the Health Navajo K’é podcast project.

  • Marissa Tutt

    INTERN IN PUBLIC HEALTH

    Marissa Tutt is a Research Coordinator at the Center for Health Equity Research at Northern Arizona University. She assisted on the qualitative work for the 2020 Navajo Maternal and Child Health Needs Assessment and the listening sessions. She received my Bachelor and Masters Degrees in Public Health from Northern Arizona University.