Our Team

The people who work here at the Alliance have some things in common.  We’re a group of humans who don’t think of our jobs as work. We share the values of the tribal communities we come from and those we serve. We believe that clean energy has the literal and figurative power to sustain the vitality and vibrance of our communities while, at the same time, protecting and preserving the earth for the generations that come after us.  And we all believe in the premise of Etuaptmumk – a Mi’kmaw word meaning “two-eyed seeing”.  

Our founder’s ancestors knew that their survival was dependent on developing symbiotic relationships with colonists.  In that same spirit, we believe that a just transition is only possible if we work together as human beings, applying the best of Indigenous knowledge with Western technology to mitigate poverty, diminish climate change, and develop sustainable economies with the regenerative power of clean energy.

Executive Team

Chéri Smith

Chéri Smith

Mi'kmaq Descendant
President & CEO, Founder
Cynthia "Sofy" Pacheco

Cynthia "Sofy" Pacheco

Taino Descendant
Chief Financial and Compliance Officer
Onna LeBeau

Onna LeBeau

UmoNhoN Tribe of Nebraska
Chief Impact Officer & Managing Director of the Indigenous Power & Light Fund for Energy Sovereignty
Dr Ramon Sanchez PhD

Dr Ramon Sanchez PhD

Mayo, Yaqui​
Chief Knowledge & Innovation Officer

Administration & Organizational Development

Sierra Flanigan

Sierra Flanigan

Director of Organizational Development
Constanza "Connie" Jeldes

Constanza "Connie" Jeldes

People Empowerment Partner
Nabeela Jalill

Nabeela Jalill

Zulu, Xhosa
Executive Assistant
Adrianna Vargas

Adrianna Vargas

Navajo, Huastec, Chicimecas
Executive Assistant
Marisette Pomales

Marisette Pomales

Taíno Descendant
Executive Assistant
Taryn Reynolds, THRP II

Taryn Reynolds, THRP II

Osage Nation
Human Resources Advisor
Maha Malik

Maha Malik

Staff Accountant

Tribal Engagement

Matt Dannenberg

Matt Dannenberg

Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
Head of Tribal Affairs
Ramon Marquez

Ramon Marquez

Kickapoo, Kumiai/Paipai, Mexican/Xicano
Director of Tribal Engagement
Celeste Kimimila Terry

Celeste Kimimila Terry

Oglala Lakota
Preferred Provider Program Coordinator & Tribal Liaison
Leigha Bradford

Leigha Bradford

Little Shell Band of Chippewa Indians
Tribal Community Resource Engagement Specialist

Technical Assistance & Project Development

Shaun Tsabetsaye

Shaun Tsabetsaye

Zuni Pueblo
Head of Tribal Technical Assistance and Project Development
Bill Saporito

Bill Saporito

Director of Tribal Utility Development
David Karabelnikoff

David Karabelnikoff

Knik Tribe, Aleut and Athabaskan
Alaska Program Manager
Warren Hammond

Warren Hammond

Senior Advisor for Project Development
Brendon Heyn

Brendon Heyn

Project Manager

Policy & Government Relations

Wendolyn Holland

Wendolyn Holland

Sr. Advisor, Policy, Tax & Government Relations
Crystal Miller

Crystal Miller

Walker River Paiute Tribe
Deputy to Senior Advisory of Policy, Tax & Federal Government Relations
Caleb Seeling

Caleb Seeling

Tribal Grants Program Manager
Claudio Kamaalewa Winchester Clini

Claudio Kamaalewa Winchester Clini

Kanaka Māoli
Policy Analyst
Stephen Lezak

Stephen Lezak

Remington (Remey) Schneider

Remington Schneider

Policy Analyst

Tribal Clean Energy Finance​

Todd Halvorsen

Todd Halvorsen

Sr. Advisor, Energy Finance & Structuring
Landon Jennings

Landon Jennings

Financial Analyst

Education & Workforce Development

Angela Lucas

Angela Lucas

Miami Nation Descendant
Program Manager, Tribal Energy Leadership Fellowship

Events & Information Resources​

Nicole Lourette

Nicole Lourette

Director of Events & Programming
Mona Thiasz

Mona Thiasz

Cherokee Nation
Coordinator, Events & Programming
Jessica Langlois

Jessica Langlois

Mi'kmaq Descendant
Director of Information Resources

Philanthropic Development​

Caliopy Glaros

Caliopy Glaros

Indigenous Ikarian
Director of Development
Gwen Torres

Gwen Torres

Pangasinense, Ilokano, and Tagalog
Development Associate

Communications & Storytelling​

Kathleen Van Gorden

Kathleen Van Gorden

Sr. Advisor, Communications
Paul Lynch

Paul Lynch

Filmmaker/ Producer

Board of
Directors

David Lent​

David Lent​

Bishop Paiute
Indian Dispute Resolution Services​
Robin Hammond

Robin Hammond

Navajo Nation, Diné
Director, EPIXC Institute, Arizona State University
Chéri Smith

Chéri Smith

Mi'kmaq Descendant
President & CEO, Founder

Advisory
Council

Under Construction

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