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STAFF
Jordan Evans
Chief Executive Officer - jevans@inaaf.org
Jordan Evans, originally from Texarkana, Texas, grew up spending summers with her grandparents in the District of GuVo on the Tohono O’odham Reservation. Jordan attributes many of her character traits to her experiences on the reservation, including her sense of curiosity and respect for tradition.
Jordan’s passion for community and helping others served as a catalyst to move from the corporate arena into the world of nonprofit. Having always been proud of her heritage and thankful for how it shaped her as a person, joining NAAF was nothing short of a dream come true.
Selina Jesus
Senior Director of Programs & Tribal Relations - s.jesus@inaaf.org
Selina Jesus is a lifelong resident from the GuVo community / GuVo District on the Tohono O’odham Nation. Selina’s background includes service to the community and GuVo District as a former council member sitting on the Housing, Education, Economic Development, Natural Resource & Domestic Affairs committees.
As Director, Selina oversees NAAF’s educational programs which are: GuVo Community After School Program, GED, Virtual Learning Center, and Summer Adventure Program. Selina earned her Tohono O’odham Language Teacher Certification in October 2017 and teaches the O’odham language in the NAAF After School Program. She is fluent in her language and is a very proud member of the Tohono O’odham Nation. In her spare time, Selina researches and documents the lesser-known Western dialects of the Tohono O’odham language.
Juan Buendia
Director of Special Projects & Strategy - jbuendia@inaaf.org
Born in Phoenix, Arizona and raised in the Sells Community, Sells District, on the Tohono O’odham Nation, Juan Buendia is the middle child of five and father of three, proudly committed to his beautiful children and his family. Juan’s background is extensive, with drive and passion for community self-sustainment, empowerment, and the ability to envision the collaborative possibilities that can be achieved in every community. He worked for several years in telecommunications customer service at Tohono O’odham Utility Authority (TOUA), and with the Tohono O’odham Nation’s Community Development Financial Institution, where he gained valuable training and an understanding of financial diversity, with an emphasis on the needs of the people and a desire for what can and will be sustainable. Most recently, Mr. Buendia has offered his expertise and knowledge in service to his community as a leader in many capacities, including Chair of the Sells Community Land Committee, Sells District Councilman, and Sells District Chairman. Additionally, his participation in the local school board for Baboquivari has given him the opportunity to diversify and develop his engagement with many levels of government.
Robb Schrimshaw
Grants Manager - rschrimshaw@inaaf.org
Originally from Indiana, for nearly twenty-five years Robb has devoted his entire professional life to human services. He holds an undergraduate degree from Indiana University and a graduate degree in Management from Indiana Wesleyan University. Over the last decade, he worked as VP of Operations for a statewide program in Indiana which served as a convener, capacity builder and advocate for older youth aging out of the child welfare system. He then had the privilege of serving as the Chief Operating Officer at one of Indianapolis’ largest community centers before relocating to Tucson in 2020. In Tucson he was able to leverage his many years of grant writing experience into a position with the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation, and is now looking forward to contributing to NAAF’s outstanding record of success.
Christie Manuel
Prevention Specialist - cmanuel@inaaf.org
Christie is from GuVo District on the Tohono O'odham Nation. As Prevention Specialist, she works with community members of all ages to teach language, substance prevention, life skills, and cultural arts. Christie has a professional background in marketing, management, brokerage, work comp, and is a certified nursing assistant. She is culturally educated in basket making, pottery, weaving, and building. In addition, she also speaks the O'odham language fluently. Christie has a heart to serve others, and her personal goal is to plant seeds of hope, honor, and love. Her hobbies include playing the piano and cooking.
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Boy Manuel
Master Gardener
Boy was raised in Gu Vo Community. His love for the outdoors, hunting, camping and ceremony aided in his path to bringing goodness and wellbeing to him and what he does here at NAAF as the Master Gardener, he's grateful to share that life and teaching others. His late Grandmother was Ruth Ortega, which is who our campus garden derived it's name and soul from.
Boy's passion and love for gardening began at the young age of 10 years old, and for the past 3 years he has shown in action how love of your work and the work to establish community gardens, home gardens, workshops, and garden programming for our little ones is so important. The work continues and Boy shared the following quote "All the things I used to do in the past didn't bring any life to anyone, it wasn't positive, and now since being with NAAF I promote life on so many levels."
Malena Ortega
Early Education Coordinator - mortega@inaaf.org
From GuVo community, Malena is a graduate of Tohono O'odham High School and is currently studying Early Childhood Education at Tohono O'odham Community College. She loves working with the little ones, from newborns to five year olds, and enjoys playing Toka in her spare time.
Francine Jose
Early Education Teacher Aide - fjose@inaaf.org
Francine Jose is from the Pisin Mo’o District, but presently resides in GuVo District. She graduated from Baboquivari High School in 2010 and received her Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood in 2014 from Central Arizona College. From a young age, Francine has worked with children, from babysitting, tutoring (15 years and up), and volunteering for the Recreation Center (2006-2010). She served on the Tohono O’odham Nation Youth Council from 2005-2007 and participated in Gathering of O’odham Voices, Get out the Vote Rally, STD workshops with youth, Elders Conferences, Miss Tohono O’odham Nation Pageant, Recreation’s Grand Opening (all centers), Tohono O’odham Nation Cultural Centers Grand Opening, and Pisin Mo’o Districts Days. Francine has taken part in helping Behavioral Health with Youth Suicide Prevention workshops around the Nation. She was also a Camp Counselor for Truck of Love from 2005-2010. She received the Agent of Change award for Arizona Youth Partnership in 2005 for Tohono O’odham Nation and the Stanley Liston Award in 2006 for leadership, academics, and community service from the Tohono O’odham Police Department. From 2015-2020 she was a homecare caregiver. Francine has experience with reception duties, facilities, program activities, coaching- t-ball, girls coach pitch, girls softball and co-ed softball. She has also trained at The Store for the responsibilities of cashier, cook, restocking, and grocery runs. Her hobbies include crafting and painting.
Mazey Ortega
Teacher's Aide
Mazey is from the San Pedro Village, Schuk Toak District and is the reigning Miss Tohono O’odham Nation 2021-2022. She supports NAAF's teachers with creating arts and crafts activities and enjoys making traditional O'odham dresses and shirts. Mazey enrolling in college for the Fall to begin her career working with children.
Ethan Antone
Program Transportation - eantone@inaaf.org
Ethan is from Sells community and graduated from Baboquivari High School. He plays basketball and volunteer coaches for the We R1 Tohono O'odham Basketball team, training youth to participate in regional and national tournaments, like the Native American Basketball Invitational (NABI). Ethan also loves singing and teaching traditional songs.
Doreen Flores
Cook
Doreen Flores is from Ali Chugk and is an active volunteer in her community. She prepares healthy and delicious meals with care. All meals are prepared according to USDA guidelines.
Al Jek Rec Center Staff
Rebecca Ortega - Al Jek Recreation Program Coordinator
May Victor - Al Jek Recreation Office Specialist
Zaniel Manuel - Al Jek Recreation Maintenance Technician
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