Board Members

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.

Shannon was born and raised in the beautiful White Mountains of Arizona, returning home in 2020 to work for the Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health and to spend more time with her family. She has worked in public health research for over 10 years with a focus on suicide prevention in underserved populations. Shannon holds a dual Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Philosophy from the University of Arizona and a Master of Public Health from the University of Colorado, with plans to begin a Doctor of Public Health program in the fall of 2025. She looks forward to sharing her love of higher education and community service with scholarship recipients. 

Mike is Arizona PBS’s regional outreach coordinator for Navajo Nation, White Mountain Apache Tribe, and Navajo and Apache counties. He is a graduate of Connecticut College (B.A. in Political Science) and obtained a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Maryland, with a concentration in public policy, program management, and community organizing/development. Mike began his professional career as a crew supervisor/youth mentor and coordinator for various youth/conservation/AmeriCorps programs in California, Arizona, and New Mexico. He also served in Peace Corps (Panama 2002-2005) as a health educator in a rural Ngobe community, living with a family and learning much about the rich culture of Panama’s largest indigenous group. Before returning to the Southwest in 2009, Mike worked as a program officer for the Chesapeake Bay Trust, managing several grant programs and heading the organization’s diversity initiatives. He has served on First Things First’s White Mountain Apache Regional Partnership Council and is active in his local community. Mike’s spouse, Emily, also served in Peace Corps (Panama) and is a family nurse practitioner at the Whiteriver Indian Hospital on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. Mike and Emily enjoy living, biking, hiking, skiing and camping in the White Mountains (Lakeside, AZ) with their two children, Michael (16-years old) and Leah (14-years old), and dog, Morty. 

Kristine is a member of the White Mountain Apache Tribe. She was born and raised on the beautiful Fort Apache Indian Reservation, where she currently resides with her 8-year-old daughter. Kristine is currently a 4th grade teacher at Whiteriver Elementary School, where she has proudly served in the district for the past seven years. As a former scholarship recipient, Native Women Scholars, Inc. (NWS) played an important role in the success of her undergraduate degree. Kristine graduated from the University of Arizona Magna Cum Laude with an emphasis in Science, Technology, Health, and Society and three concentrations in (1) Study of the U.S. and American Experience; (2) Science, Technology, Health, and Society; and (3) Social Behavior and Human Understanding. Following the completion of her undergraduate degree, she joined the board to express her gratitude for the profound impact NWS had on both her academic and personal life. Deeply moved by the organization’s vision, she was inspired to give back—not only to NWS, but also to her community. She has since earned her Master’s in Elementary Education from Arizona State University and remains committed to supporting the next generation of Native scholars. 

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.