NACA Governing Council
NACA’s governing council members offer several areas of expertise, knowledge and skills. They are committed to NACA and our vision for learning and student success in all aspects of their lives. Our governing board members also serve as role models for our students and believe in giving back to the community.
Amber Hillis
Amber Hillis is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation; she is of the Towering House People born for The One Who Walks Around. She is an alumni of Fort Lewis College where she double majored in Accounting and Finance. Amber is a license CPA in the state of New Mexico and has worked in different capacities as an auditor, controller and most recently, a business manager of charter schools.
Tiffany Lee
Tiffany S. Lee is Dibé Łizhiní from Crystal, NM and Oglala Lakota from Pine Ridge, SD. Dr. Lee is a Professor of Native American Studies at the University of New Mexico. Her research examines educational and culturally-based outcomes of Indigenous language immersion schools, Native youth perspectives on language reclamation, and socio-culturally centered education. She is the former President of the Navajo Studies Conference, Inc and a former high school social studies and language arts teacher at schools on the Navajo Nation and at Santa Fe Indian School. She is also a former member of the New Mexico Indian Education Advisory Council for the Office of Indian Education, NM Public Education Department.
Michael Mora
Michael Mora is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation. School experience includes receiving his Bachelor's and Master's degree in Accounting from New Mexico State University. He has been a Governing Council member since 2018 and currently serves as the Treasurer. Work experience includes working as an internal auditor, external auditor, and consultant. Michael has served several industries including oil and gas, higher education, healthcare, manufacturing and state and local governments. He specializes in financial accounting and reporting for tribal governments and entities. His work experience has provided familiarity in assessment of internal controls, risk identification and assessment, supervision of audits including audit program determination, account reconciliations, financial statement preparation, and presentations to Boards and Committees.
Andrew Quintana
Bio coming shortly...
Justin Solimon
Justin Solimon is a member of the Pueblo of Laguna and practices law in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He holds a JD degree and a Certificate in Indian Law from the University of New Mexico School of Law, and a BA in Diplomacy and World Affairs from Occidental College. As an attorney, he specializes in representing American Indian tribes and tribally owned entities in litigation and transactional matters. He has also served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of New Mexico School of Law and is a former high school teacher and coach.
Ayn Whyte
Ayn lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She is currently the Executive Director of the Albuquerque Area Indian Health Board (AAIHB). She served as the Project Director of the SAMHSA Capacity Building Initiative for Substance Use and HIV Prevention Services for at-risk racial/ethinic minority youth and young adults . She also serves as the Principal Investigator for the Office of Minority Health for the Health Equity Initiative. She holds a Master’s degree in Community Health Education from the University of New Mexico.
Emmet Yepa
Emmet Yepa is an enrolled tribal member from the Pueblo of Jemez. Emmet is a NACA alumus and Gates Millennium Scholar, who graduated as part of the inaugural class of 2012. He has since graduated from UNM with a BA in Native American Studies. Emmet currently works in Albuquerque and supports his family with plans of returning to higher education. He is also an Award Winning Singer who returns back to NACA to contribute song and drumming at school cultural events.
Governing Council Bylaws
--Bylaws of the NACA Governing Council
Meetings and Agendas
NACA's Governing Council normally meets once a month on the third Thursday at 4:30pm at our CNM campus
940 University Blvd. Se, Albuquerque NM
Next Meeting: August 26, 2021 @4:30-6PM Via Zoom
Previous School Years Governing Council Dates, Agendas, Minutes.
Please View Below:
Previous Agendas/Minutes
Please visit the link below to view the official transparency and accountability portal for NM State Government.