Who We Are

Board of Directors

The AICAF Board of Directors is made up of Native leaders from across the nation. All board members are elected through a nomination process. Board members serve in many professional and volunteer capacities. They are devoted to improving and strengthening Native communities. These individuals bring an impressive set of skills, energy, passion, and connections that help the Foundation further its mission.

Nicole Hallingstad

(Tlinglit)

Chairperson

Tamera Begay

(Navajo)

Vice Chairperson

Frances Tiger

(Muscogee Creek Nation)

Treasurer

Donna Palakiko

(Native Hawaiian)

Secretary

Johnny Nelson

(Navajo)

Board Member

Lilliam Sparks Robinson

(Rosebud Sioux)

Board Member

AICAF Staff

Melissa Buffalo

(Meskwaki)

Chief Executive Officer

Melissa Buffalo

Chief Executive Officer

CoCo Villaluz

(Hidatsa/Assiniboine/Chamorro)

Deputy Director

CoCo Villaluz

Deputy Director

Madison Anderson

 

Research Assistant

Madison Anderson

Research Assistant

Karri Bigboy

(Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa)

Cancer Programs Coalition Specialist

Karri Bigboy

Cancer Programs Coalition Specialist

Samantha Blackhall

 

Office Administrator

Samantha Blackhall

Office Administrator

Emily Bobyock

 

Epidemiologist

Emily Bobyock

Epidemiologist

Jenna Calder

(Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians)

REACH Project Manager

Jenna Calder

REACH Project Manager

Melissa Chapman Skinner

(Húŋkpapȟa (Standing Rock) and Isáŋyathi (Santee) Nations)

Cancer Programs Specialist

Melissa Chapman Skinner

Cancer Programs Specialist

Taryn Evans

(Muscogee Nation (Mvskoke) )

REACH Project Coordinator

Taryn Evans

REACH Project Coordinator

Tina Gerovac-Lavasseur

 

Nurse Project Manager

Tina Gerovac-Lavasseur

Nurse Project Manager

Faith Gronda

(Wyandot of Anderdon Nation)

Indigenous Evaluation Specialist

Faith Gronda

Indigenous Evaluation Specialist

Mac Hickey

(Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa)

Research Coordinator

Mac Hickey

Research Coordinator

Mahlea Hunt

(Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina)

Health Equity Program Coordinator

Mahlea Hunt

Health Equity Program Coordinator

Shoshanna Johnson

(Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma)

Communications Project Manager

Shoshanna Johnson

Communications Project Manager

Evie Odden

(Sisseton and Mdewakanton Dakota)

Research Specialist

Evie Odden

Research Specialist

Lindsey Petras

 

Program Director

Lindsey Petras

Program Director

Wyatt Pickner

(Húŋkpati Dakota)

Research Manager

Wyatt Pickner

Research Manager

Jen Rico

 

Operations and Human Resources Manager

Jen Rico

Operations and Human Resources Manager

Marie Smith

 

Finance Manager

Marie Smith

Finance Manager

Nora Vonnegut

 

Prevention & Policy Project Manager

Nora Vonnegut

Prevention & Policy Project Manager

<p>Nora joined AICAF in 2023. Prior to that, she worked at Open Arms of Minnesota, in their client services department. In her role as AICAF’s Prevention & Policy Specialist, works directly with tribal communities, providing support, along with developing resources and trainings. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from St. Catherine University and both a Master of Public Health and Master of Public Policy from the University of Minnesota. In her free time, Nora enjoys spending time with family, and fostering dogs that are training to become assistance dogs. </p>
<p>Marie joined AICAF in 2021. Prior to that, she held various accounting and finance positions with Strategic Education, Inc., Teenwise Minnesota, and Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities. In her role as Finance Manager, Marie is responsible for ensuring that AICAF’s financial records comply with generally accepted accounting principles, practices, and systems. She is a graduate of Grinnell College where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Russian. In her free time, Marie enjoys swimming and spending time with her friends and family.</p>
<p>Jen joined AICAF in 2022. Prior to that, she held positions with the State of Minnesota, the University of Minnesota, and also as an independent Project Manager. In her role as Operations and Human Resources Manager, Jen oversees AICAF’s daily operations and manages employee recruitment, onboarding, and performance management processes. She is dedicated to cultivating a positive work culture and supporting the professional growth of our team members. Jen holds a Master of Arts in Organizational Policy, Leadership, and Development from the University of Minnesota and a Bachelor of Science in Social Studies and History from the University of Wisconsin. In her free time, Jen enjoys traveling, cooking, and tackling home renovation projects. </p>
<p>Wyatt joined AICAF in 2020. Prior to that, he held positions at the Urban Indian Health Institute Sanford Health and was a fellow at the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board. In his role as the Research Manager, Wyatt provides oversight and guidance to the research team and provides support on some evaluation projects. He holds both a Bachelor of Science in Health Studies and Bachelor of Arts in Native Studies from the University of South Dakota, and also a Master of Public Health in community-oriented public health practice from the University of Washington. Wyatt is Húŋkpati Dakota from Crow Creek, South Dakota. In his free time, Wyatt enjoys spending time with family and friends.</p>
<p>Lindsey joined AICAF in 2020 as the Cancer Programs Manager. Before that, she was in the Public Health Department for the Bad River Tribe. In 2024, Lindsey was promoted to Program Director. In her role as Program Director, Lindsey is responsible for ensuring that current programming complies with goals, objectives, and deadlines, assisting with grant writing and providing visionary guidance for expanding future programming initiatives. She is a Western Governors University graduate with a Master of Science in Nursing with a focus on Education and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Western Governors University. She also has an associate’s degree as a Registered Nurse from Gogebic Community College. In her free time, Lindsey enjoys spending time with her husband and children and exploring the local lakes and forests. </p>
<p>Evie joined AICAF in 2023. Before that, she worked at a nonprofit consulting firm and held research assistant positions at Carleton College and the University of Minnesota studying educational and urban housing disparities. In her role as a Research Specialist, Evie supports all aspects of several research and evaluation projects, including planning, data collection, analysis, and dissemination. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Women’s and Gender Studies from Carleton College. Evie is a Sisseton and Mdewakanton Dakota descendant. In her free time, she enjoys knitting, spending time around the lakes in Minneapolis, and volunteering with horses at an equine-assisted occupational therapy facility.</p>
<p>Shoshanna joined AICAF in 2023. Prior to that she held positions with the Absentee Shawnee Tribal Health System and the Southern Plains Tribal Health Board. In her role as Communications Project Manager, Shoshanna plays a vital role in developing and executing strategic communications initiatives to promote AICAF’s mission, engage our stakeholders, and drive positive change. She holds a bachelor’s degree in strategic communications from the University of Central Oklahoma. Shoshanna is an enrolled tribal member of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma. In her free time, she enjoys learning new hobbies, traveling, and spending time with her friends and family. </p>
<p>Mahlea joined AICAF in 2023. Prior to that, she completed internships with Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, and the Office of Health Equity at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. Additionally, she served as a Lumbee Ambassador. for 12 years. Mahlea holds a Bachelor of Science in Health and Exercise Science and Health Policy Administration from Wake Forest University. She is an enrolled tribal member of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, and her native name is Kutchin Hitu (Songbird). In her free time, Mahlea enjoys reading, spending quality time with family and friends, and traveling. </p>
<p>McKinley (Mac) joined AICAF in 2021. In his role as Research Coordinator, Mac collaborates with other AICAF staff to coordinate community-based research projects including gathering data, developing IRB applications, and analyzing study results. Mac holds a bachelor’s degree in health and human physiology from the University of Iowa. Mac is from the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. In his free time, he enjoys volunteering, outdoor activities, game nights with friends, and watching sports with family.</p>
<p>Faith joined AICAF in 2023. Prior to that she held several roles at Dream of Wild Health and served as an AmeriCorps fellow working to advance Indigenous Health Equity. In her role as Indigenous Evaluation Specialist, Faith supports the work of all teams and programs by leading the development of evaluation plans and logic models to document relationships among resources, activities, outputs, outcomes, and the impact of AICAF efforts. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the College of Saint Benedict in Biology and Peace Studies with a concentration in Indigenous Health Equity. Faith is a member of the Wyandot of Anderdon Nation. In her free time, Faith enjoys dancing, beading, bouldering, outdoor activities, and time with family and friends.</p>
<p>Tina joined AICAF in 2023. Prior to that, she worked for the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. In her role as Nurse Project Manager, Tina is responsible for working with the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP). She is a Walden University graduate where she received her Doctor of Nursing Practice with a focus in research in 2019, her Master of Science in Nursing with a leadership and management focus in 2011, her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2009, and her Associate degree in Nursing in 2006. In her free time, Tina enjoys spending time with her children, traveling, gardening, reading, and being near the water.</p>
<p>Taryn joined AICAF in 2024. Prior to that, she served as the Tribal Initiatives Communications Specialist at the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, a Research Assistant at the University of Oklahoma, the University of Minnesota – Duluth and at the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium. In her role as the REACH Coalition Coordinator, Taryn works to build a coalition within Oklahoma for the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) Program. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Native American Studies as well as a Bachelor of Science in Human Health & Biology with a minor in Public & Community Health from the University of Oklahoma. Taryn is a descendant of the Muscogee Nation (Mvskoke) located in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. In her free time, Taryn enjoys cooking, photography and most importantly loves being with her ena-hvmke (family).</p>
<p>Melissa joined AICAF in 2023. Prior to that, she worked for Presentation College in various roles. In her role as Cancer Program Specialist, Melissa is responsible for working with the Minnesota Department of Health programs. She holds her master’s in legal studies – Indigenous Peoples Law from the University of Oklahoma as well as her Bachelor’s and Associate’s in Human Services degrees from Sitting Bull College. Melissa is a member of the Húŋkpapȟa (Standing Rock) and Isáŋyathi (Santee) Nations. In her free time, Melissa loves to spend time with her family and friends, travel and work on various beadwork projects.</p>
<p>Jenna joined AICAF in May 2023, Prior to that she worked for a non-profit as an Associate Program Manager. In her role as Project Manager, Jenna works with the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) Program. Jenna holds a Master of Science in Business Administration from Central Michigan University and a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Lake Superior State University. Jenna is an enrolled tribal member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, hiking, and spending time with her friends and family.</p>
<p>Emily joined AICAF in 2023. Prior to that, she held positions at the University of Arizona Cancer Center and the Philadelphia Fire Department and Philadelphia Department of Public Health. In her role at AICAF, she provides data support to the Cancer Programs team for various projects and uses data to set appropriate goals and measure progress on grant activities. Emily holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Drexel University and a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from the University of Pittsburgh. In her free time, she enjoys going to the beach, spending time with friends and family, and trying out new restaurants. </p>
<p>Sam joined AICAF in 2019. Prior to that, she held various roles in finance, administration, and project management. In her role as Office Administrator, Sam is responsible for providing administrative, finance and clerical support to teams and managers. She is a graduate of Northern Michigan University where she earned an associate degree in business. In her free time, Sam enjoys spending time with her family, being outdoors and cooking.</p>
<p>Karri is a member of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. In 2023, Karri joined the AICAF team. Prior to that, she worked as a Medical Benefits Specialist, Well Women Coordinator, and registration supervisor at the Bad River Health and Wellness Center in<br /> Wisconsin, as well as serving her community in different capacities. In her role as Coalition Coordinator, Karri facilitates the Indigenous Cancer Solution Coalition, which shares a common goal to reduce the burden of cancer among Indigenous peoples throughout Indian country with a particular focus on Texas. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University. In her free time, she manages a baking business and relaxes with friends by participating in a dart league.</p>
<p>Madison joined AICAF in 2018. Prior to joining AICAF she interned at Unity Health Care and currently also provides services as a Tribal Public Health System Consultant to the Minnesota Department of Health. In her role as a Research Assistant, Madison assists with study design and collecting, analyzing, and disseminating research about the behavioral risk factors of cancer in American Indians. Madison holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Epidemiology from the University of Minnesota as well as a Master of Public Health in Community Orientated Primary Care from George Washington University. </p>
<p>CoCo joined AICAF in 2021 as the Health Equity Manager. In 2024, she was promoted to Deputy Director. Prior to that she held positions at ClearWay Minnesota and her home tribal community focusing on policy change and education around traditional tobacco. As Deputy Director, CoCo provides oversight and support to all AICAF programming. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Metropolitan State University and an Associate of Arts in Human Services from Fort Peck Community College. In her free time, CoCo loves spending time with her family.</p>
<p>Melissa was appointed CEO in 2021. Prior to that, she served AICAF in several positions that included Interim CEO, Deputy Director, and Cancer Equity Manager. Prior to joining AICAF, she held positions at Sanford Health, Volunteers of America, the Administration for Native Americans in Washington, D.C. Melissa holds a Bachelor of Arts in Child Psychology and American Indian Studies from the University of Minnesota and a Master of Science in Human Development from South Dakota State University. Originally from South Dakota, Melissa is an enrolled member of the Meskwaki Nation in Iowa and Dakota from the Crow Creek and Lower Brule Sioux Tribes. </p>
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Elnora Thompson

Breast Cancer

The first thing Elnora Thompson thought when she was diagnosed with breast cancer was, “Let’s get in there and get it out.” Elnora is a member of the of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and resides in Cherokee, North Carolina. Health screenings, including mammograms and paps, were always stressed by Elnora’s mother. There was a history of breast cancer in her family, two of her mother’s sisters had been diagnosed. 

Elnora knew her breast cancer risk and made healthy changes in her life: she quit smoking in 2000, started running, and always got an annual mammogram. 

In 2011, at the age of 64, Elnora had a suspicious mammogram that required follow-up with a biopsy. The results were negative but required another mammogram in 6 months; this time, the next mammogram and biopsy came back cancerous. She was diagnosed with Invasive Duct Carcinoma Stage 1. “I didn’t have time for breast cancer”, Elnora declared. Although she was optimistic about her diagnosis, she still didn’t tell anyone. The IHS Women’s Wellness Program reached out to Elnora and encouraged her to tell her son. In doing so, he became her biggest support system. The breast cancer diagnosis led to a PET scan, which found 2 other primary cancer sites in her thyroid and lungs, that showed no symptoms. Elnora endured three different cancer surgeries in one year. 

Elnora’s running club, Cherokee Runners, offered support and walked with Elnora in her first Relay for Life. The Cherokee Cancer Support Group was also a strong support system that reached out to Elnora and offered financial support during treatment and emotional support that contributed to her healing. Today, Elnora is cancer-free and volunteers with the Cherokee Cancer Support Group. The advice she shares with other American Indian and Alaskan Native Women is, “Get your screenings, my cancer was found early because I did screenings on time. I am also thankful for breast cancer because it helped find other cancers in my body.” 

Thank you, Elnora Thompson, for sharing your breast cancer survivor story to encourage others to get screened.

Joni Buffalo

Cervical Cancer

Joni Buffalohead (Bdewakanton Dakota of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate) has been getting regular Pap tests since she was a teenager. Following her second pregnancy at 30 years old, she received an abnormal Pap result. She returned to the doctor for follow-up care after giving birth to twin boys where she received the devastating news that she would need to have a full hysterectomy. 

Joni shared with us a lot of the thoughts and feelings she had 20 years ago when she had her surgery. 

Choosing to have her uterus removed was a difficult decision, especially since Joni and her husband had not yet decided if they were finished having children. Although the procedure would prevent future pregnancies, Joni elected to have the hysterectomy since she had already birthed a daughter and twin boys. Being unable to have children brought up a lot of difficult emotions for her. In the years since the procedure, Joni has found out that she may have had other options at the time. 

Joni encourages other women to develop a strong relationship with their provider and have an active voice in their cervical cancer treatments. One regret that she has is that she did not educate herself more about cervical cancer treatments. Now that she has three adult children, she wishes that she would have had the opportunity to have more kids. 

Joni’s diagnosis occurred during a time where not much was known about the links between HPV and cervical cancer. At first, Joni questioned who had first contracted HPV and spread it to whom. Questions of infidelity crept into her mind until she learned that HPV is extremely common in men and women and that HPV incidence might have occurred years prior to her marriage. In fact, 80-90% of people come into contact with HPV at some point in their life. Instead of unfairly blaming her husband, she made steps to protect their future generations from HPV-related cancers. She had honest conversations with her children about the importance of caring for your body: “I’ve been open with my children since early on. I taught my daughter to go to the OB-GYN regularly and my sons and daughter made the choice to get the HPV vaccine themselves.” 

At the start of her cervical cancer journey, Joni made a promise to herself: “if I survive this, I will lead a more courageous life.” Today, she sings lead in a Native blues band Bluedog. Bluedog’s music gives voice to the struggles of Native people and celebrates the resilience of our people. With the knowledge that Native women experience higher rates of cervical cancer than white women, Joni now uses her voice to advocate for cervical cancer education and regular screening. She urges other women to get screened regularly and to use your voice for those who have gone through a cervical cancer journey: “if you go through it, please be an advocate. With your support, another woman might not have to.” 

Thank you, Joni Buffalohead for sharing your story.

Lugene Flores

Cervical Cancer

Lugene Flores (Oglala Lakota) is a fierce advocate for Pap tests after ignoring results had a huge impact on her life. After the birth of her son at 24 years old, she received an abnormal Pap test result at a routine care appointment. Instead of following up with her doctor, she switched from clinic to clinic for ten years, scared of what the abnormal result might mean. She didn’t face it until frequent heavy, painful periods started in her mid-30s. 

With steady encouragement and support from her husband, Lugene made the decision to address the decade long history of abnormal Pap results. She went to the doctor for a biopsy and found stage 2 cervical cancer in her uterus. Lugene initially went in for surgery to remove her cervix and uterus, but they found that cancer had rapidly spread. They needed to remove her ovaries and fallopian tubes as well. Today, Lugene is healthy and works as a patient advocate, educating young Native women on the importance of Pap tests. 

“I was just too scared,” Lugene recalls, “I never thought there was a possibility that I could have cancer. I thought maybe it could have been an STD and I was too embarrassed to find out if that’s why it was abnormal.” 

Lugene is sharing her story with the American Indian Cancer Foundation to reach other women out there who have had abnormal Pap results and are afraid. She says that for women who are scared, it’s important to talk about the possibilities with their healthcare provider. Otherwise, circumstances can get worse. She cautions: “Just because you ignore an abnormal test result, it doesn’t mean it’s not there. I ignored it for 11 years and it was still there – getting worse. It’s best to catch it early. The earlier you catch any disease, the better you are to fight it.” 

Lugene feels she wouldn’t have been afraid to follow up on her abnormal result if she had had the right education beforehand. She advocates for stronger cervical cancer screening education for women. “It’s important for these young ladies to know how essential Pap tests are. It can save their lives. If they get an abnormal result, they need to have the education in place, in advance.” 

For women to be more knowledgeable about their Pap test experience, she advises, “They need to connect with their healthcare provider and ask what’s next, what does that mean, and what is that test? You will find out that the test result is really nothing scary by asking about it. Ask your doctor, ‘How long does it take me to get the results of this test? What does abnormal mean? What are some reasonings that paps come back abnormal?’” Lugene encourages women to be their own advocate if the doctor is not being proactive or supportive enough. 

Lugene has seen how the cancer burden has affected American Indians and urges men and women of all ages to prioritize screening. “In our Native communities, cancer runs pretty high. I watched a good friend’s mother die from cancer. I watched her waste away and I don’t want to see people die like that. I hope our people start listening and stop being scared of the unknown. We have to remember that we have to be here for our younger generations.” 

Thank you, Lugene Flores for sharing your story.