BOARD OF DIRECTORS

LESLIE JONAS

Board President

Leslie Jonas is an eel clan member of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe who has served as an NLC board officer since the founding of the organization in 2012. She is socially, culturally, and politically engaged in her tribe and has served formerly as Tribal Administrator and Powwow Director. As a former student of the Wôpanâak Language Reclamation Project, and graduate of the 5 yr curriculum, Leslie participates in the ongoing work of our tribal language. Leslie is an avid gardener, and lives a "green" life daily, utilizing solar power, driving a hybrid vehicle, and reducing water waste. She became passionate about land conservation and the health and wellness of the environment as a teenager when she worked for the New Alchemy Institute in Falmouth. More recently Leslie has been researching and focusing on Climate Change from the Indigenous Perspective. She serves on the Advisory Board of the Conservation Law Foundation for the state of MA and is co- teaching and co-advising indigenous environmental planning courses in social/environmental justice at MIT. Leslie currently works as the Sea Grant Fiscal Officer for the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and lives in Falmouth, MA.

SHARMAN BROWN

Clerk

Wunee Keesuq, Nutus8wees 8nôusuwee anâhs. Nutômas Mâseepeeut, kah nutây Mâseepeeut. Good day, my name is Sharman Brown, I am Mashpee Wampanoag from the unceded Wampanoag territory. I also live and work in Mashpee as a primary lead teacher at the Tribe’s Weetumuw School. I am a certified Child Development Associate in Early Childhood Education and a graduate of the Montessori Early Childhood Education Program from the North American Montessori Center. Before working in education, I was a video producer and a development officer in fundraising. I look forward to serving on the  board of Wampanoag Nation Singers and Dancers!
 

STEPHEN BETZ

Treasurer

Steve Betz started his career in the culinary arts participating in a 2-year apprenticeship program and trained in classical French cooking. He still enjoys cooking and baking, experimenting with flavors.
He eventually transitioned into finance starting at State Street Bank and Trust in 1999 as a fund accountant and has worked in several different departments through the years. He is currently working as an officer in operations for International Fund Services North America, servicing a diverse set of clients.

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KITTY HENDRICKS-MILLER

Director

MICHELLE ST. JOHN

Director