Executive Director

Dr. Julie Thorstenson

Dr. Julie Thorstenson (Lakota) is the Executive Director for the Native American Fish and Wildlife Society.  She grew up on a cattle ranch on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation in Northcentral SD, where a love for the land and the environment was instilled in her.  Dr. Thorstenson earned a B.S., M.S. and PhD in biological sciences from South Dakota State University.  Her research focused on cottonwood site selection using GIS for riparian restoration and incorporating culture into ethics education for scientists and engineers.  Dr. Thorstenson has worked in Indian Country her entire career in various positions, including Wildlife Habitat Biologist and Health Department CEO for her tribe. She currently lives on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation in South Dakota with her husband and three children.

Membership Coordinator, Office Manager

Heidi McCann

Heidi is an enrolled citizen of the Yavapai-Apache Nation. She graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) with a B.A. degree in American studies and a minor in History. She also earned a Master’s in Museum and Field Studies. Prior to joining the staff, she was a Research Faculty member, Associate Scientist II at the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) where she conducted research on the Exchange for Local Observations and Knowledge of the Arctic (ELOKA). Her published research includes articles and a book chapter on stewarding Arctic Indigenous Knowledge data. She has worked diligently on Indigenous culture and language preservation projects with her tribe and conducted research in partnership and collaboration with Arctic Indigenous People. She is a strong advocate for co-production of Indigenous knowledge and the decolonization of  Indigenous Knowledge research.

Her love of the outdoors brought her to Colorado and has steered her career into the environmental field. She is currently working on an administrative and photo collection archiving project at the Native American Fish & Wildlife Society, while also working on increasing and engaging membership.

Education Coordinator

Ashley Mueller

Diné (Navajo) from Tohatchi, NM. Alumni from Colorado State University-B.S. in Fish, Wildlife & Conservation Biology (2017). M.S. in Conservation Leadership (2019) Ashley joined the NAFWS in 2019 and is responsible for Youth programming, Summer Youth Practicum (high school), Mentoring Program (college), Scholarships (college), Internship (college), and Resources (high school & college)

Fish & Wildlife Biologist

Sean Cross

Sean was born and raised on the Flathead Reservation. He attended University of Montana after leaving the Army and has worked for many organizations like , USFS-Powell RD Wildlife,  Fisheries and Hydrology, Nez Perce Fisheries Program in Orofino, Idaho,  Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribe Fisheries Program. Sean was the NWRS-Refuge Manager at Medicine Lake Refuge MT, Modoc Refuge CA.

Deputy Executive Director

Robert Romero

Wildlife Connectivity Coordinator

Shailyn Wiechman

My name is Shailyn Wiechman and I was born and raised in central Montana. I am a member of the Chippewa-Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation, Montana. I graduated from Montana State University-Bozeman in 2019 with a Bachelor’s degree in Fish and Wildlife Ecology & Management.  I moved to Denver, Colorado after graduating and since then have worked seasonally for Colorado Parks & Wildlife, USDA Forest Service and an ecological consulting firm. In my free time, I love to hike, fish, hunt, workout and spend time with my husband and our cat.

Director of Programs

Laurel James

Laurel James is an enrolled member of the Yakama Nation and an Interdisciplinary PhD Candidate at the University of Washington in the School of Environmental & Forest Sciences and the Department of Anthropology. She also holds a MS Degree in Fire Ecology and a BS degree in Wildlife Science. Laurel has worked her entire career in the field of Natural Resources beginning as a wildland firefighter (engine, helitack & hotshot) then mostly in Wildlife Resources (endangered species, timber sales and NEPA assessments).  She was a member of the 2012 Indian Forest Management Assessment Team (IFMAT), as a graduate student observer and was recognized for her work with Tribal Communities in receiving the State of Washington, E3 (Education-Environment-Economy) Green Apple Award for Diversity in Action in 2013. Laurel continues to pursue her Interdisciplinary PhD at the University of Washington and her dissertation focuses on a Forest History for the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes.  As the Director of Programs for NAFWS, Laurel is excited to work with Natural Resource professionals, across the nation!

Senior Tribal Climate Resilience Liaison

Justin Leon

Justin was born and raised in Georgia, where he obtained his B.S. from the University of Georgia in wildlife management. He moved to Alaska after graduating in 2008 and has made Alaska home since then. He obtained his M.S. in fisheries from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, where he focused on Chinook salmon in the Yukon and Kuskokwim rivers. He comes to the Native American Fish & Wildlife Society after spending 10 years as a fishery biologist for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. As a fishery biologist, he worked with crab and salmon research, and wild fisheries stock management in Northwest Alaska, the Alaskan interior, and the Aleutian Islands. He lives in Nome, Alaska with his wife and two children. He enjoys hiking, hunting, fishing, foraging, and spending time with his family in his free time.

Assistant Tribal Climate Resilience Liaison

Kaitlyn Demoski

Kaitlyn is Dena’ina Athabascan born and raised in Alaska, where she built a career on 11 seasons of field work in Forestry, Parks and Outdoor Recreation, and conservation work. Through her work history she has gained valuable skills and experience in natural resource management ranging from stream bank restoration to group facilitation of educational activities. She completed her undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies in southwest Colorado at Fort Lewis College and returned home every summer to work and play under the midnight sun. Through her employment, Kaitlyn has earned her wildland firefighting Red Card and S-212 chainsaw certification; built trails and campgrounds; maintained local, state, and tribal parks; assisted with community outreach; worked on interior Alaska forest inventory projects, participated and led the monitoring and removal of invasive plant species; worked with youth introducing them to the outdoors; and currently sits on the board of her local Citizen Advisory Board for Alaska State Parks. In her spare time, Kaitlyn enjoys hiking, kayaking, reading, beading and spending lots of time with her loved ones.

Fish & Wildlife Biologist

Christine Longjohn

Christine is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation. Her family comes from the Red Mesa area of the Navajo Nation in Utah. She graduated from Utah State University in 2020 with her undergraduate degree in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences with two minors (Hydrology and Geographical Information Systems). She continued into graduate school at Utah State University to complete her degree in a Master’s of Ecological Restoration in 2022. Christine previously worked with Federal and State management agencies in suitability assessments and collection of In-stream or riparian habitat data. She recently worked with The Nature Conservancy to assess the potential restoration sites on the San Juan River, located on the Navajo Nation.
Christine’s passion is working with wetland habitat resiliency. She changed her career, specifically, to work with the tribes and protect our waters. She loves to be outside and you will see her fly fishing or hiking. She is excited to work with many tribes across the Unites States.

Invasive Species Coordinator

Mitzi Reed

Mitzi Reed served as the Director of Choctaw Wildlife and Parks Department for the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians (MBCI), where she also served as the Tribal Biologist. She has worked for 22 years for the MBCI in the Environmental (6 years) and Wildlife Programs (16 years). She received her bachelor and master’s degrees from the University of West Alabama. She is passionate about natural resources conservation and works diligently to ensure the integrity of these resources for future generations. She has served on numerous boards and committees, including the NAFWS Board of Directors over her career. She is a strong advocate of educating youth in the fields of conservation and has coordinated the Choctaw Youth Conservation Corps since 2016. As an amateur wildlife photographer, avid bass fisherman and hunting enthusiast, she has found a niche that fits her interests and love for the outdoors. With her love for snakes, it is not a surprise to find her with a snake in hand while she is talking about conservation.

Public Information Officer

Alma “Rosie” Sanchez

Alma “Rosie” Sanchez (she/her/ella) is a Latina activist with roots in Michoacan, Mexico, and Guatemala City, Guatemala. Her work centers on uplifting and empowering her community through representation in wildlife conservation and outdoor recreation. Rosie has dedicated her personal and professional life to conservation, environmental activism, and community engagement. An Oregon State University graduate with a B.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife Science with a specialization in Conservation Biology, her experience has ranged in focus from public outreach and education, wildlife rehabilitation, to campaign work on the historic reintroduction of wolves in Colorado (Proposition 114). Rosie is actively engaged with her community by playing a leading role as a co-chair for the Next 100 Colorado Coalition, an outings leader with Latino Outdoors Colorado, and Operations Coordinator for All In Ice Fest.

Assistant Tribal Climate Resilience Liaison

Tess Hostetter

Tess (she/her) is an enrolled citizen of the Igiugig Village Tribe. She grew up on the shores of Lake Iliamna—home to her, freshwater seals, and millions of wild salmon. She is an advocate for tribal sovereignty, stewardship, and management and has an emulsion of experiences working for federal, state, and tribal agencies; including various seasonal field positions, working as a domestic violence advocate, and, most recently, assisting in the development and execution of a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) study for the Yakutat Tlingit Tribe. She brings her love and enthusiasm for rural Alaska communities— their diversity, and rich cultures— to provide support to projects tailored to the many and various landscapes and peoples of Alaska.

Fish & Wildlife Biologist

Heather Bartlett

Heather Bartlett was born and raised in Roseburg, Oregon. She is an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe in South Dakota where her maternal grandmother was born on the reservation. In 2010, she graduated from Oregon State University with a Bachelors of Science in Fish and Wildlife. While there she focused her studies on conservation biology, ecology and wildlife management. For the past eleven years, Heather worked for the Cow Creek Umpqua Tribe in Roseburg as their Environmental Specialist. She managed the water resources, wetlands, habitat restoration and climate change programs. In her spare time, you can find her mountain biking, playing tennis, hiking or looking for wildflowers.

Assistant Tribal Climate Resilience Liaison

Jerilyn Kelly

Jerilyn Kelly (she/her) is from Quinhagak, Alaska. She is an enrolled member of the Native Village of Kwinhagak, a shareholder at both Qanirtuuq and Calista corporations. Jerilyn is a mother to four, one son & three daughters. Her lifelong experiences started with the growth of her children. She has been involved with early childhood, elementary education, youth group as well as local government in Quinhagak, regional and statewide levels. Jerilyn currently serves on the Mount Edgecumbe High School Advisory School Board as a Parent Representative and on the Alaska Municipal League Board of Directors – Representing Unit 8. She enjoys reading books, subsisting, and playing cards with family & friends.

CLEO Intern

Trenton Chalmers

Hello all! I am the 2022 CLEO Intern for the NAFWS. I am an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. I am currently in my senior year of my undergraduate degree of Environmental Science and Research at the United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck, North Dakota. I am a servicemember with the North Dakota Army National Guard. My children are the main inspiration for me to continue to be better each and every day.

Alaska Tribal Climate Resilience Intern

Hannah Juliussen

Hannah is the new Tribal Climate Resilience Liaison Intern for the NAFWS. She was born and raised in Alaska and is an enrolled member of the Kenaitze Indian Tribe. She recently obtained her B.S. in Conservation Biology from Union University located in Jackson, Tennessee where she currently resides.