Communications Coordinator/Executive Assistant
(Kaibab Paiute)

Alaina Archuleta-Dean’s professional career has been devoted to American Indian nonprofit organizations. Alaina finds the nonprofit sector intriguing and challenging, especially with the specialized services provided to Indian Country.  She believes that nonprofit work is rewarding and beneficial to those in need.

Alaina has had various responsibilities in nonprofit organizations. While at Interactive Management, Inc. (IMI) she administered a local nonprofit association and a national nonprofit association. Prior to IMI, Alaina contracted with the Council of Energy Resource Tribes to assist the Osage Nation of Oklahoma to develop and implement a 25-year strategic plan.

While in Washington, D.C., Alaina was the casino and industry relations liaison at the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA), which allowed her to work with staff at tribally-owned casinos across the nation. She also worked with Congressional and NIGA members. After she left NIGA, she worked at the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) as the events manager and coordinated all areas of the annual convention. Alaina also worked for the American Indian College Fund (the Fund), and she played a vital role in the resource development department.  Along with assisting the senior director at the Fund, she coordinated special events and served as a donor liaison.

Alaina is also a graduate of First Nations Development Institute’s Leadership & Entrepreneurial Apprenticeship Development (LEAD) Program. She also volunteered with the Colorado Nonprofit Association (CNA), where she worked closely with the vice president and the events manager. Alaina’s volunteer status was classified as professional development, and it was her pleasure to work on various projects to support the mission of CNA.

Alaina earned her bachelor’s degree in communications at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC). She is a founding member and was the first president of the first American Indian student organization established at UNC. Alaina is an enrolled member of the Kaibab Paiute Tribe, and was born and raised in Denver, Colorado.