Native Americans in Philanthropy is thrilled to welcome Kelsey Woody (Navajo) to its team as their Event & Meeting Manager.  

Kelsey Woody is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation and grew up in Gallup, NM. He has spent his professional career supporting the missions of Native-led non-profit organizations.   

“We are so pleased and excited that Kelsey has joined us,” said Dawn Knickerbocker, Vice President of Development & External Engagement. “We’re in an exciting time where we’re able to responsibly and safely meet with our partners and colleagues in person and having someone of Kelsey’s caliber to execute those gatherings at the highest standard only magnifies that excitement.” 

Prior to joining Native Americans in Philanthropy (NAP), Kelsey coordinated and managed conferences for Education for Parents of Indian Children with Special Needs (EPICS) and the New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED). He worked as an advocate for American Indian / Alaska Native (AI/AN) children with disabilities in New Mexico, bridging the gap between Native families, the NMPED, and the New Mexico Departments of Health (NMDOH). He also provided technical assistance to a network of Parent Training and Information Centers funded by the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) around cultural sensitivity and cultural appropriateness when working with AI/AN families who have children with disabilities and special health care needs.   

Most recently, Kelsey worked as the Event and Meeting Manager for the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) where he managed conferences and meetings that supported the improvement of health outcomes for the 574+ Tribes across Indian Country by bringing together Tribal leaders, legislators, and policymakers. 

Native Americans in Philanthropy is proud to expand its team, which will increase its capacity to engage Native-led organizations and increase their funding, support Native professionals in philanthropy, and further influence the philanthropic sector to be in alignment with an Indigenous worldview.