PRIDE LEADERSHIP
Board of Directors
ALRAY NELSON
Executive Director
Alray Nelson is a movement builder & innovator of change from the Navajo Nation. With 18 years of community organizing and campaign management experience, he was a senior advisor for two Navajo Nation Presidents and served as the Native American Vote Organizer for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. He then was appointed as the Native American Outreach Director that worked with 23 Tribal Nations for the gubernatorial campaign that elected New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.
​
Alray recently served as the Director of Communications and Spokesperson for the 24th Navajo Nation Council and Speaker Seth Damon. Last year, his term ended as the Urban Representative to the New Mexico Indian Education Advisory Council, a government-appointed group of tribal leaders that strive to provide every Native American student with an equitable education. Recognizing his decades of service to Indian Country, the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED) honored him as a Top 40 Native American Leader Under 40.
​
A nationally renowned leader for Indigenous human rights, Alray is serving his fourth year as the Executive Director of Navajo Nation Pride. Since 2017, he has led Equality New Mexico (EQNM) as Board Chairman, the state’s leading LGBTQ+ advocacy and civil rights organization. As the founder and lead organizer for Diné Equality, Alray is a recipient of the prestigious Nááts'íilid Rainbow Champion Award. In 2021, the Advocate Magazine recognized him as a Champion of Pride, acknowledging his work as an LGBTQ+ trailblazer creating community change.
​
Alray completed the Native American Political Leadership Program at George Washington University and received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of New Mexico. He resides in the southwest with his partner of 12 years, Brennen Yonnie.
Pronouns: HE, HIS, HIM
CURTIS BERRY
Operations Director
Curtis is a respected community advocate & formally served as an advisor for the 24th Navajo Nation Council. This is his 5th year overseeing the operations & creative direction of Diné Pride.
​
Pronouns: HE, HIS, HIM
BRENNEN YONNIE
Finance Director
Brennen is a professional in the social work field and the co-founder of Diné Equality - the largest Indigenous LGBTQ+ advocacy organization in the country. As a national advocate for marriage equality, his story alongside his partner Alray Nelson has been featured in Detail Men's Magazine, GQ Magazine, the New York Times, Los Angles Times, National Public Radio, Indian County Today, Native America Calling, and many other publications. This is his 5th year on the board overseeing our financial direction.
​
Pronouns: HE, HIS, HIM
JOSIE RAPHELITO
Program Director
Josie is a nationally recognized human rights advocate & LGBTQ+ youth mentor. She volunteers her time for local & tribal charitable causes alongside her wife Karla. In addition to previously serving as the Senior Program Manager for the Center for Native American Youth at the Aspen Institute in Washington, DC., Josie is in her 3rd year on the board overseeing our community engagement programs.
​
Pronouns: SHE, HER, HERS
RAYMONA UENTILLIE
Sales Director
Raymona is a respected professional in the social work field & a community leader. This is her 3rd year being a volunteer & leader for the board.
​
Pronouns: SHE, HER, HERS
GERONIMO LOUIE
Youth Director
Geronimo is an LGBTQIA+ youth leader & founder of the first Gay-Straight Alliance at Miyamura High School in Gallup, New Mexico. He is a fashion trendsetter, Two-Spirit advocate, & social media influencer. This is his 3rd year as a youth leader for Pride.
​
Pronouns: HE, HIS, HIM
NICOLE JOHNNY
Academic Director
Nicole is a real estate & property advisor at Tamaya Ventures, where she researches & analyzes business development & investments. She is a graduate of Pepperdine University, with an MBA in finance & an undergraduate degree in finance & economics. Her background includes experience working in capital markets & tribal land valuation. Nicole is a member of the Navajo Nation with her clans as Kiyaa'áanii born for Tsi'naajinii, her chei is TábÄ…Ä…há and her nali is Naashaashi Dine'é. She counts reading, hiking, & constant curiosity about the world around us as her myriad of interests. This is her 2nd year on the board overseeing our academic programs.
​
Pronouns: SHE, HER, HERS
JESSICA SHUTIVA
Community Outreach Director
Biography forthcoming.
​
Pronouns: SHE, HER, HERS
SHANIA SKYY
Entertainment Director
Shaina's been performing in the Phoenix area since 2013 and has completed twice at Miss Gay USofA Newcomer twice. She is also a former Miss National Capitol Cities Plus. She is a member of the Gila River Indian Community and is Akimel O'odam, Pee Posh, Thono O'odam and Yaqui. She has helped Diné Pride over the years raise funds through various benefit shows in the Phoenix area with The Excuse Our Beauty Revue.
​
Pronouns: SHE, HER, HERS
LESLIE NASH
Showcase Director
Leslie Nash better known as Leslie Lewinsky is a certified cosmetologist from San Carlos, Arizona. He is a proud Apache ally & has used his talents through the art of drag to advocate for the Indigenous LGBTQ2+ community on & off our Sovereign Nations. This is his 2nd year on the board.
​
Pronouns: HE, HIM, HIS