AISES is pleased to announce the newest members of the organization’s Board of Directors. We are excited to welcome Paula Starr (Cherokee Nation) and Sunny Myers (Lumbee and Sapponi) as incoming members of the 2026-2029 board, as well as Dr. Kenneth Bowen (Lumbee and Pee Dee) who will serve his second consecutive 3-year term.
Paula Starr, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and Chief Information Officer for the Cherokee Nation, is a nationally recognized technology leader known for advancing Indigenous-centered innovation, cybersecurity, and culturally grounded approaches to AI governance and digital transformation. She joins the AISES Board of Directors bringing expertise in strategic governance, ethical technology policy, and partnership development. She is committed to expanding opportunities for Native people in STEM while ensuring innovation remains aligned with sovereignty, community well-being, and cultural resilience.
Sunny Myers, a member of the Lumbee and Sappony tribes of North Carolina, joins the AISES Board of Directors. She is an engineer, technology leader, and dedicated AISES volunteer who has advanced Indigenous representation in STEM through mentorship, advocacy, speaking engagements, and initiatives such as the AUNTIE Tech Collective. As Senior Manager of Employee Experience & Belonging at Fastly and a nonprofit board leader, she brings expertise in strategy, governance, partnerships, and community building, while championing opportunities for Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit, and non-binary people in technology.
Dr. Kenneth L. Bowen, an educator, researcher, and Assistant Professor at North Carolina A&T State University, is an enrolled member of the Lumbee Tribe with ancestral ties to the Pee Dee Tribe. Since joining the AISES Board of Directors in 2023, he has provided leadership across multiple committees, championing initiatives that support Indigenous student success, emerging technologies, professional development, and the AISES mission of increasing Indigenous representation.
The all-volunteer AISES Board of Directors provides essential strategic direction, policy establishment, budget approval, and financial oversight for the organization. Each member brings considerable experience and a strong commitment to advancing Indigenous people in STEM fields and promoting workforce development for Indigenous communities.
The newly elected Board members will begin serving a three-year term at the close of the December Board meeting. Outgoing Board members will be honored at the closing ceremony at the 2026 AISES National Conference, held in Portland, Oregon October 15–17. AISES extends its heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Rober Dube (Turtle Clan from the Abenaki Nation) and Makalika Naholowa’a (Native Hawaiian) for their leadership and years of dedicated service on the Board. Their contributions have made a lasting impact, and we look forward to their continued support.
We would like to thank our members for their participation in this year’s Board of Directors election. Your vote is important in guiding the direction of our organization for generations to come. For a complete list of Board members, visit https://aises.org/board-of-directors/.