Celebrate Indigenous excellence at the 2025 AISES National Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota as we recognize outstanding individuals who epitomize brilliance within Indigenous communities and institutionally in their workplaces.
AISES professional honorees go beyond personal achievements, extending their commitment to excellence to co-workers, family, community youth, and Tribal and First Nations. Their narratives, intricately woven with resilience, hard work, dedication, and discovery, form the core of AISES stories.
AISES Professional Awardees are perpetual learners and visionaries, driven by a fervor for fostering high-quality collective thinking. As builders, they craft platforms that empower their organizations and communities. Whether embracing formal science later in life or creatively infusing Indigenous values into their work, these trailblazers produce innovation and inspiration.
Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
Kanaka ʻŌiwi (Native Hawaiian)
Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe
Citizen Potawatomi Nation
Diné/Navajo Nation
Dry Creek Band of Pomo Indians
Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
Dr. Karina Walters, PhD, has been a national leader and scholar in Native American wellness and health research across a 30-year career. She currently directs the Tribal Health Research Office at the National Institutes of Health, leading efforts to advance tribally informed research and tribal consultation efforts. A key project involves developing a comprehensive federal policy on tribal data sovereignty. The Choctaw Nation citizen previously founded the Indigenous Wellness Research Institute, based at the University of Washington in Seattle. Dr. Walters conceived the groundbreaking “Indigenist Stress-Coping Model,” which has revolutionized understanding of how historical trauma and contemporary discrimination impact Native health outcomes. She has roots working in Urban Indian health, after attending University of California Los Angeles as a varsity tennis athlete.
The AISES Professional of the Year Award is presented for overall leadership and technical achievement. Because this individual is selected from among the top candidates submitted in all categories, individual nominations for this award are not accepted.
2024: Paula Starr (Cherokee)
2023: Joseph “Joey” Owle (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians)
2022: Deneen Hernandez
2021: Dr. Crystal Tulley-Cordova
2020: Kathleen Jolivette
2019: Dr. Wendy F. Smythe
2018: Naomi Lee, Ph.D.
2017: William Tiger
2016: Karletta Chief, Ph.D.
2015: Pat Gwin
2014: Dr. A. D. Cropper (Kalinago Carib)
2013: Randall McKee (Cherokee)
2012: Jeff Kinneeveauk (Inupiat Eskimo)
2011: Jerry R. Roberson, D.V.M., Ph.D. (Cherokee)
2010: David Daniel (Cherokee)
2009: Kimberley Oldham (Musgogee Nation)
2008: Jason Cummings, Ph.D. (Lumbee/Coharie)
2007: Lorena Hegdal (Inupiaq Eskimo)
2006: Frank Martinez (Navajo)
2005: Nancy Jackson, Ph.D. (Seneca Nation of New York)
2004: Richard Kevin “Savik” Glenn (Inupiaq Eskimo)
Kanaka ʻŌiwi (Native Hawaiian)
Dr. Kelsea Kanoho Hosoda, PhD, has dedicated her career to integrating Indigenous knowledge systems into educational pathways. She currently is assistant professor and director of the Native Hawaiian Center of Excellence at the University of Hawaii’s John A. Burns School of Medicine, working with faculty to facilitate the journey of 100 medical and pre-med students in science and medicine. Dr. Hosoda previously was a founding teacher at the Mālama Honua Public Charter School, developing K-8 STEM curriculum to align with Kanaka ʻŌiwi (Native Hawaiian) culture and such concepts as ocean-voyaging canoes. Dr. Hosoda is a leader creating innovative frameworks that harmoniously integrate professional and cultural identities to reimagine education and drive systemic change.
The Blazing Flame Award is presented to an individual who “blazes” a path for Indigenous people in STEM careers. This award recognizes individuals with 10 or more years of professional experience with significant accomplishments in advancing STEM education and careers.
2024: Sunny Myers (Lumbee/Sappony)
2023: Heather Heckler (Brothertown Indian Nation)
2022: Rachel Yellowhair
2021: Leona Anderson
2020: Frances Dupris
2019: Sheila Lopez
2018: Deanna Burgart
2017: Brandon Polingyumptewa
2016: Marie Capitan
The Blazing Flame Award recognizes an Indigenous advocate who promotes STEM education and/or career advancement for Indigenous people within their organization or community. Nominees should have 10 or more years of professional experience. Nominees will be evaluated on the following criteria:
The following items are required for the nomination package:
FEB – Nominations Open
APRIL – Nominations Close
JUNE – Awardees Notified
OCTOBER – Awards presented at the National Conference
Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe
Robert Turner has been a leader in the international banking and payments industry at multiple levels – corporate, consumer, government, and system. He currently is Senior Vice President and General Manager of U.S. Financial Services at Kyndryl, an information technology infrastructure company which spun off from IBM. Over 30 years, Turner has held senior leadership roles at such prominent institutions as Capital One Financial Services, Dollar Financial Group, The Clearing House, MUFG Americas, and the Federal Reserve. Throughout his career, Turner has been recognized for driving innovation in payment systems, particularly through the strategic use of cloud technologies. Among numerous advisory roles, he serves on the tribal council of his Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe.
The Executive Excellence award is presented to an Indigenous senior executive who is in upper-level management or is an experienced engineer, scientist, professional, or academician with extensive knowledge in budget concept, management practice, technical achievement, and contributions to business.
2024: Dr. Joseph Bull (Delaware Tribe of Indians)
2023: John Desjarlais (Nehinaw Metis)
2022: Christian O’Gorman
2021: Tobin Beal
2020: Brendan Kinkade
2018: Christopher Payne
2017: Gary Burnette
2016: Richard Johnson
2015: Mel Yawakie
2014: Mike Laverdure (Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa)
2013: Robbie E. Hood (Cherokee)
2012: Linda Benson Kusumoto (Tsimshian Nation, Annette Island Metlakatla)
2011: Terry-Lee Braun (Seneca Nation)
2010: Not awarded
2009: Olav Kjono (Mohawk)
2008: CAPT. Jeffrey Trussler (Cherokee)
2007: Gary Bishop (White Earth Ojibway)
2006: Ray Hanes, Ph.D. (Cherokee)
2005: Johnpaul Jones (Choctaw/Cherokee)
2004: Richard Stephens (Pala Band of Mission Indians)
This award acknowledges an Indigenous professional or academic serving as an executive leader within their organization or institution. The nominee must be an experienced upper-level manager or a well-established engineer, scientist, professional, or academic who has significant department and budget responsibilities. Nominees will be evaluated on the following criteria:
The following items are required for the nomination package:
FEB – Nominations Open
APRIL – Nominations Close
JUNE – Awardees Notified
OCTOBER – Awards presented at the National Conference
Citizen Potawatomi Nation
Jennifer Randell is co-founder and director of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Eagle Aviary near Shawnee, OK, one of the first Native-run aviary facilities in the United States. Tribal leaders created the aviary in order to provide special care for a bird which holds such significance in Potawatomi culture and the national fabric. For 17 years, Randell, or Kno Kwe (Eagle Woman), has served as chief caretaker and advocate, leading work in animal care, wildlife rehabilitation, and telemetry research. This has involved extensive coordination with federal agencies, as well as with tribal and cultural authorities. Randell is a tireless role model for how Indigenous values can shape environmental stewardship and scientific practice.
The Indigenous Excellence Award acknowledges an individual who has done substantial work for 10 or more years to advance programs and opportunities for Indigenous students and professionals within their Indigenous community and/or in support of Indigenous people at the national level.
2024: Alice Sanchez (Pomo/Choctaw/Native Hawaiian)
2023: Ashley Lomboy (Waccamaw Siouan)
2022: Dr. Sonia Ibarra
2021: Deborah Tewa
2020: Sandra Begay
2019: Yona Wade
The Indigenous Excellence award is to acknowledge individuals who exhibit excellence in furthering, uplifting, and engaging in Indigenous STEM knowledge through their scholarly work and career. Indigenous professionals with 10 or more years of experience with a majority of their work within or on behalf of tribal/Indigenous communities or incorporating Indigenous knowledge will be considered. Nominees will be evaluated on the following criteria:
The following items are required for the nomination package:
FEB – Nominations Open
APRIL – Nominations Close
JUNE – Awardees Notified
OCTOBER – Awards presented at the National Conference
Diné/Navajo Nation
Dr. Cherie De Vore, PhD, is the first Native American professor in the history of the University of Arizona’s School of Engineering. As assistant professor of chemical and environmental engineering, she is principal investigator of the Níhí Biogeochemistry Environmental Engineering Laboratory. The lab bridges engineering, environmental science, and Indigenous knowledge systems. The Diné citizen is a trailblazer who is passionate about paving the way for younger researchers. Her own scholarship is redefining engineering’s role in addressing such challenges as climate resilience, wildfire recovery, and metal contamination—particularly in Indigenous communities.
The Most Promising Engineer or Scientist recognizes a professional engineer or scientist with less than five years of workforce experience after earning a professional degree with early technical contributions indicating a promising career.
2024: Dr. Jesse Peltier (Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa and Nakota from White Bear First Nations)
2023: Aurora White (Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians)
2022: Angela Teeple
2021: Dr. Josiah Hester
2020: Dr. Serra Hoagland
2019: Dylan Moriarty
2018: Joshua John
2017: Thomas Reed
2016: Michael Dockry, Ph.D.
2015: Franklin Dollar
2014: Mitchell Martin, Cherokee
2013: Kristina Halona, Navajo
2012: Lauren M. Wolf, Choctaw Tribe of Oklahoma
2011: Benjamin Mar, Cherokee
2010: Karletta Chief, Ph.D., Navajo
2009: Not awarded
2008: Nathaniel Todea, Navajo
2007: Tara Astigarraga, Choctaw
2006: Bevan Baas, Ph.D., Navajo
2005: John DeBassige, Ojibwe
2004: Aaron Thomas, Ph.D., Navajo
To acknowledge an early career professional, AISES established the Most Promising Engineer or Scientist award. The nominees must be a STEM professional or academic with less than five years’ experience after earning their last degree. The candidates’ early technical contributions should already indicate a promising career. Nominees will be evaluated on the following criteria:
The following items are required for the nomination package:
FEB – Nominations Open
APRIL – Nominations Close
JUNE – Awardees Notified
OCTOBER – Awards presented at the National Conference
Dry Creek Band of Pomo Indians
Professor Franklin Dollar, PhD, is a global expert in high-field physics and quantum electrodynamics, which uses high-intensity lasers to learn how subatomic particles behave. Dr. Dollar is professor in the School of Physical Sciences as well as the School of Physics and Astronomy at University of California, Irvine. He also serves as associate dean of graduate studies. With more than 80 publications, Dr. Dollar’s research focuses on the fundamental and applied aspects of high-energy density science, and he serves extensively on numerous professional associations and governmental bodies. While he shapes the future of laser science, the Dry Creek Band of Pomo Indians citizen received the AISES Most Promising Scientist award in 2015.
The Technical Excellence awardee has made a significant contribution to science, engineering, or technology by having designed, developed, managed, or assisted in the development of a product, service, system, or intellectual property.
2024: Dr. Mary Jo Ondrechen (Mohawk Nation)
2023: Keith Parker (Yurok)
2022: James Leatham
2021: Aaron Yazzie
2020: Laura Smith-Velazquez
2019: Dr. Otakuye Conroy-Ben
2018: Nedlaya Francisco
2017: Ginger Hernandez
2016: Tara Astigarraga
2015: Sarah Lauff
2014: Joe Connolly (Haudenosaunee of the Onondaga Nation-Wolf Clan from Six Nations Reserve of the Grand River)
2013: Lawrence Short Bull (Rosebud Sioux)
2012: Christopher “Scott” Nordahl Ph.D., Doyon Limited (Alleut Alaskan Native)
2011: Tony Ferguson (Citizen Band of Potowatomi)
2010: Karen McDaniel (Navajo)
2009: Robert Harper, Ph.D. (Mississippi Choctaw)
2008: Jacklin Adams (Wyandot)
2007: Stanley Atcitty, Ph.D. (Navajo)
2006: Chris J. Cornelius, Ph.D. (Oneida)
2005: Mark Hakey, Abanaki tribe (St. Francis-Sokoki Band)
2004: Not awarded
The Technical Excellence award is designated for an individual who has made a significant contribution to their STEM field/industry through research, design, development, or strategy. Nominees will be evaluated on the following criteria:
The following items are required for the nomination package:
FEB – Nominations Open
APRIL – Nominations Close
JUNE – Awardees Notified
OCTOBER – Awards presented at the National Conference
