Sarah EchoHawk Departing First Nations for AISES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sarah EchoHawk Departing First Nations Development Institute to Become CEO of AISES

LONGMONT, Colorado (April 3, 2013) – Sarah EchoHawk, executive vice president of First Nations Development Institute (First Nations), will become chief executive officer of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) on May 1, 2013.

EchoHawk has been with First Nations for six years, joining the organization in 2007 as director of development and communications, and eventually assuming the position of executive vice president. She is an enrolled member of the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma.

“While Sarah’s departure is a loss for our organization, we are delighted to see her take the leadership reins at AISES,” said Michael E. Roberts, president of First Nations. “She has contributed a great deal to advancing First Nations’ work and effectiveness, and she will be missed. We are fully confident her contribution to AISES will be just as significant as it was to us.”

Prior to joining First Nations, EchoHawk was an independent consultant offering training and services to American Indian and nonprofit organizations. As a consultant, she focused primarily in the areas of organizational development, board management and fundraising. From 1997 through 2003, EchoHawk worked for the American Indian College Fund raising support for tribal colleges. During her tenure there, she served in many areas, including program management, communications, foundation relations and individual giving. Since 2004, she also has served as an adjunct professor of Native American Studies at Metropolitan State University of Denver.

About First Nations Development Institute
For more than 30 years, using a three-pronged strategy of educating grassroots practitioners, advocating for systemic change, and capitalizing Indian communities, First Nations has been working to restore Native American control and culturally-compatible stewardship of the assets they own – be they land, human potential, cultural heritage or natural resources – and to establish new assets for ensuring the long-term vitality of Native American communities.  First Nations serves Native American communities throughout the United States. For more information, visit www.firstnations.org.

CONTACT:
Randy Blauvelt, First Nations Senior Communications Officer
(303) 774-7836
rblauvelt@firstnations.org