The National Indian Council on Aging (NICOA) staff is comprised of a passionate, distinguished and highly committed leadership team working to collectively improve health, social services and economic well-being for all American Indian and Alaska Native elders.
Each staff member plays a complementary role to NICOA and each one is committed to operating with the utmost integrity, accountability and responsibility to NICOA’s stakeholders.
NICOA is proud to have leaders who are field experts with proven experience in advocacy, support, technical assistance and training. Together, this group guides the collective efforts of the National Indian Council on Aging.
Executive and Administrative Staff
Billie Tohee (Otoe-Missouria Tribe), Executive Director
Jaidan Apodaca (Comanche Nation in Oklahoma), Assistant to the Executive Director
Finance
Vacant, Finance/HR Director
Vacant, Payroll Specialist
Health Programs
Desiree Lapahie, Health Program Director
Vacant, Community Engagement Specialist
Alan Ramirez, IT Specialist
Senior Community Service Employment Program
SCSEP Headquarters Office:
Leslie Maly, SCSEP Director
Jose Troncoso, Compliance/Records Manager
Marissa Lott, Compliance Specialist
Central Region (MN, OK, WI):
Lakeshia Cade, SCSEP Central Region Program Manager
Edward Irby, Job Developer
Carolyn Sims (Cherokee Nation), Employment Specialist
Great Plains Region (ND, SD):
Lynn Wise, North Dakota Program Manager
Cindy Haderlie, North Dakota Employment Training Coordinator
Bonnie Davis (Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians), North Dakota Employment Training Coordinator
Patrick Enwerem, North Dakota Job Developer
Cherie Schumacher, Participant Assistant Trainee
Veronica Crawford, Participant Assistant Trainee
Gaylene Martin, Participant Assistant Trainee
Mamissa Evans, South Dakota Program Manager
LuAnn Pfeifle, South Dakota Job Developer
Makeal Love, South Dakota Employment Training Coordinator
Sharon Birgholtz, Participant Assistant Trainee
Marlyce Miner, Participant Assistant Trainee
Jeffrey Bray, Participant Assistant Trainee
Southwest Region (AZ, NM):
Vacant, SCSEP Southwest Region Program Manager
Calinda Yazzie, Employment Specialist
Richard Gertler, Participant Assistant Trainee
