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  • Writer's pictureBrad

How to manage a mature nonprofit with Dede Yazzie Devine

Release date: March 20, 2023


This is the third episode in Talking About Kids’ series using the history of HomeBase Youth Services to examine the lifecycle of nonprofits from founding, through hardships, and into maturity. My guest this episode to discuss managing a large, complex and community-embedded nonprofit is Dede Yazzie Devine. Dede is the CEO of Native American Connections, a position she has held for over 40 years. Some nonprofit administrators embody the mission of an organization. Others are masters of the technical logistics of the work. Somehow, Dede is both. More information about Dede, Native American Connections, and HomeBase Youth Services is below.


Biography of Dede Yazzie Devine


Diana "Dede" Yazzie Devine, Native American Connections President/CEO has been working with Native American urban and tribal entities since 1972 and has been employed as the CEO of Native American Connections (NAC) since 1979 – for over 40 years. NAC is a 501 (c) 3 Native American operated nonprofit corporation that provides comprehensive behavioral health & integrated medical services, affordable housing, and community based economic development opportunities. With Native Americans as a priority population, NAC offers innovative research-based health services integrated with Native cultural and traditional healing practices. In addition, NAC developed, owns and operates over 1,000 units of affordable housing for working families and permanent supportive housing for homeless individuals along the light-rail in Central Phoenix. NAC is also a leader in multi-family housing LEED platinum certified building. In 2017 NAC, in partnership with the City of Phoenix and the Phoenix Indian Center, renovated and reopened the Phoenix Indian School “Visitor Center” in order to tell the 99-year story and history of the school (1891-1990).


Ms. Devine has an MBA from Arizona State University and was inducted into the ASU WP Carey School of Business Hall of Fame (2012). And, Ms. Devine is a State licensed substance use counselor. In addition, she dedicates her time to local, state and national boards/committees including: Board member Native Home Capital; Maricopa Association of Governments HUD Continuum of Care; Maricopa Integrated Health System Audit and Compliance; City of Mesa Housing; Phoenix Community Development & Investment Corp PCDIC; Arizona State University Lodestar Center for Philanthropy & Nonprofit Innovation; Federal Home Loan Bank - Affordable Housing Advisory Board; (Past) St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center; St. Mary’s High School Board President; and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation National Mentor for Developing Leadership.


Ms. Devine’s dedication and leadership have been recognized within the community with the following honors: Valley Leadership’s Woman of the Year (2003); YWCA’s Business Leader Award (2008); Arizona’s Centennial Legacy Project – Arizona’s 48 Most Intriguing Women (2012); Phoenix Business Journal’s 25 Most Admired CEOs (2012); Phoenix Community Alliance Center City Starr Award (2015); Arizona Interfaith Movement Golden Rule Award (2016); and in May 2017 presented the Convocation speech for Arizona State University College of Public Service and Community Solutions. In June 2019, Devine celebrated her 40 years of service with Native American Connections.



Links


Native American Connections


HomeBase Youth Services

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