Ariella Apodaca is a descendant of the Navajo Nation. She joined AISES in June 2024 and works closely with both the President of AISES and VP of Business Development. She has achieved her associates and bachelor’s degree in Cellular/Molecular Biology with minors in Chemistry and Business at Adams State University. She also completed her master’s degree in business administration with a concentration in Marketing at Post University in December 2024. Ariella brings first-hand experience and passion to the AISES mission of increasing the representation of Indigenous people in STEM studies and careers. While earning her degrees from Adams State University in Alamosa, Colorado, Ariella played collegiate softball while also working in the athletics department.

The Executive Assistant provides high-quality administrative assistance to the President and Vice President of Business Development (VP) of AISES. The Executive Assistant serves as the primary point of contact for external constituencies on all matters pertaining to the VP and President. This position also coordinates executive outreach and external relations efforts. The Executive Assistant must be creative and enjoy working within an entrepreneurial environment that is mission and results-driven, and community oriented. The ideal individual will have the ability to exercise good judgment in a variety of situations, with strong written and verbal communication, administrative, and organizational skills, and the ability to maintain a realistic balance among multiple priorities.

As a proud member of the LGBTQ community her diverse identities are the core of her passions and motivation. Some of her experience includes marketing, hospitality, and administrative work. She was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. Her family has been in the Mid-West since before statehood. Ariella comes from a family of bold and independent women who are her biggest supporters. She is a small business owner and head coach of a high school softball team. In her spare time, Ariella loves to spend time with loved ones, travel and learn new things.