Board Members

Marty LaMar, President

Eric Kramer, Vice President

Marty is a retired educator. As president of the NWS board, she feels privileged to know these dedicated and focused young women. It is an exciting and rewarding experience to follow their college years, learn about their successes, and attend their graduations.

Eric Kramer, Vice President

Eric, a retired systems engineer and journalist, lives in Pinetop with his wife, Carol Sletten. Together they wrote a history of northeast Arizona called Story of the American West. He enjoys working with Native Women Scholars because it makes a real difference in the lives of many of our Apache neighbors, helping them get a strong start in life with a good education.

LeRoy Johnson, Treasurer

Eric Kramer, Vice President

LeRoy Johnson, Treasurer

Leroy is an Arizona native. Leroy was the first in his family to go to college and appreciates the importance of higher education. He attended the University of Arizona and received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in accounting. He earned a graduate degree in law and worked both as a CPA and a lawyer. While he was practicing law, he was active in a number of Non-profits in the Valley. Upon retiring he and his wife (who’s grandfather was Native American) settled here in the White Mountains. When the prior Treasurer of NWS left, Leroy was delighted to take the position as it continues to give him the opportunity to give back to his new community.

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Larry Romo, Board Member

Dawnafe Whitesinger, Board Member

LeRoy Johnson, Treasurer

After High School, Mr. Romo attended University of Arizona for 2 years. He then enlisted in Air Force for 4 years. After that, worked in banking and attended Pima Community college, he received 2 Associate degrees, then went to work for the University of Arizona for 11 years. Larry received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration while working full time. He moved to Lakeside. Went to work for Northland Pioneer College and retired in 2012. He is still working for NPC part time. Total of 40 years working full or part time in higher education institutions.

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Kristine R. Jones, Board Member

Dawnafe Whitesinger, Board Member

Dawnafe has a strong love of her community, and has spent the majority of her life working in the field of education to better the lives of children and their families. Dawnafe holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Arizona State University, and a Master of Arts in Curriculum Development from the University of Michigan. Following the completion of her Master’s degree, Dawnafe started as the Curriculum Specialist for the Dishchii’bikoh (Cibecue) Community School, and now serves as the Director of Instruction Programs for that organization.

Through her years of experience in public service, Dawnafe has gained a tremendous amount of knowledge about the community and how her leadership can better serve not only students, but the community as a whole. She formerly served as the Board of Directors Chair of the Sunrise Park Resort (White Mountain Apache owned and operated ski and outdoor recreation area), Vice-Chair of the White Mountain Apache First Things First Regional Council, Chair of the White Mountain Regional Transportation Committee, Board of Directors member of Conservation Legacy (national organization dedicated to supporting locally based conservation service programs); Advisory Board Member of White Mountain Youth Corp, Vice Chair of Board of Directors for Books for Kids AZ, and National Association of Counties Human Services and Education Committee member. Dawnafe is married to M. Shane Baca, and have two wonderful boys, Dylan and Sirus.

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Jerry Gloshay, Jr., Board Member

Our Founders

Retired educators, Marty and Ron LaMar, founded Native Women Scholars, Inc. in 2013 because they wanted to make a difference in their community. They felt fortunate to find some young women who not only wanted to make a difference in their own lives but in their community as well.

Ron wrote once wrote: "Marty and I dream of a day when every young Native American woman who has the ability and desire to go to college can afford to do so." NWS began with one scholarship recipient and has since helped 37 women realize their dream of a college education.

From its beginning, Native Women Scholars, Inc. has been dedicated to being more than an organization giving money. The NWS Board and volunteer mentors work toward giving students the feeling that caring and concern comes not only from their families but from others as well. Students receive texts, emails, cards, and CARE packages as a show of support. They are recognized at an annual luncheon and introduced at the fundraiser, An Evening of Apache Culture.

As president of the NWS board, Marty feels privileged to know these dedicated and focused young women. It is an exciting and rewarding experience to follow their college years, learn about their successes, and attend their graduations.