MaryAgnes Talache

Board Chair

MaryAgnes Talache was born February 15, 1981 at the Santa Fe Indian Hospital to Wanda Tafoya of Santa Clara Pueblo, and Reyes Talache of Nambé Pueblo. She grew up in Nambé Pueblo, New Mexico with four older brothers and a younger sister. As a child, her favorite things to do were making mud pies, helping her dad fix cars, hand sewing with her Saya Bessie Talache, creating beadwork and pottery, fishing and camping at Nambé Lake, target shooting, and riding horses. She loved growing up on the reservation. When Mary was twelve, she witnessed a conflict in her community that inspired her outlook and desire to support the wellbeing of her people. To this day, she continues to feel passionate about supporting the health and healing of Nambé Pueblo. She has four children, and feels that it’s very important to be active in the preservation of Pueblo culture and traditions. 

Olivia Roanhorse 

Board Treasure/ Secretary 

She is Diné (Navajo) and from Window Rock, AZ. She has over 15 years of experience in the public health field. She is currently the Director of Native Strong: Healthy Kids, Healthy Futures at the Notah Begay III (NB3) Foundation in Santa Ana Pueblo, NM.  Prior to joining the NB3 Foundation, Olivia worked in the areas of health prevention programming and policy change in Chicago, IL. Olivia received her Master’s in Public Health in Health Policy and Administration from the University of Illinois in Chicago and her BA degree in Environmental Science from Colorado College. 

Emily Haozous
Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N.

Board Member

As a PhD-trained nurse researcher, Dr. Haozous has specific expertise in the research proposed in the grant application, “Breast Cancer Survival Disparities, Treatment Adherence, and Outcomes.” As a minority (American Indian - Chiricahua Fort Sill Apache) nurse researcher who has experience working with breast cancer patients, she brings experience and understanding of the clinical and research issues to the project. Her training includes participation in the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing Center for Innovative Care in Aging 2014 Summer Institute, a PhD from Yale University School of Nursing, and ongoing mentoring as a Mayo Clinic Hampton Faculty Fellow. As an Assistant Professor at the University of New Mexico, she has researched the cultural, institutional, and policy barriers to cancer treatment in American Indians and Alaska Natives, investigated pain and symptom management strategies for American Indians and other vulnerable populations, and explored methodological approaches to presenting research in a culturally congruent. Her program of research strives to create and execute work that honors and respects American Indian cultural values and furthers our understanding of the barriers to healthcare in these communities. 

Jennifer Williams
RN, BSN, CNM, MSN

Board Member

She has been a certified nurse midwife since 2003 and has been involved in birth since 1997. She grew up in the Southwest and is committed to birth justice, ensuring women's autonomy and improving access to quality prenatal care. She lives in Albuquerque with her spouse and four children, who are all enrolled members of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe. Ms. Williams received her undergraduate BSN degree from Point Loma Nazarene University in 1999 and her midwifery education from Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing in 2003. She is a member of the American College of Nurse Midwives and is certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board. Currently Ms. Williams is a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) with Women’s Specialists of New Mexico in Albuquerque.

Nikke Alex
Attorney

Board Member

​She is Diné (Navajo) originally from Dilcon, Arizona (Navajo Nation), USA. She has worked with Indigenous communities internationally to help fight fossil fuel development and with Indigenous youth internationally to develop leadership pathway programs that value and reflect sustainability. Nikke has also worked as a sexual health educator in the Navajo Nation providing Diné youth with comprehensive sexual health education. During her law school career, Nikke investigated the linkage between mineral extraction and violence against Native women and has worked with tribes to implement safeguards to protect Native women and children. Additionally, Nikke externed with the Pueblo of Isleta Tribal Court where she assisted with developing a Juvenile Intervention Program and a Peacemaking Program to promote a non-adversarial forum for resolving disputes where Pueblo tradition and culture are utilized to promote healing. In May 2016, Nikke received her Juris Doctor degree from University of New Mexico School of Law. Recently, Nikke joined the Navajo Nation Department of Justice. Nikke works with the Natural Resources Unit where she will focus on uranium related matters including former mine site cleanups, former mill site cleanups, and remediation. 

Nicolle Gonzales
BSN, RN, MSN, CNM 

Executive Director/ FounderE

She has over 12 years’ experience as a nurse and 5 years as a full-scope Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM).  Nicolle is Dine (Navajo) with her clan being Tl’aashchi’I, Red Bottom clan, born for Tachii’nii, Red Running into the Water clan. Hashk’aa hadzohi, Yucca fruit-strung-out-in-a line clan, and Naasht’ezhi dine’e, Zuni clan.  She has been an active board member for the last 4 years for Dar a La Luz Birth & Health Center in Albuquerque, NM. She was a contributing author to the textbook “American Indian Health and Nursing” in 2015. Nicolle received her BSN and Master’s Degree in Nurse-Midwifery from the University of New Mexico. She is a member of the American College of Nurse Midwives and is certified with the American Midwifery Certification Board. 

Kansas K. Begaye
BSA

Executive Assistant 

She has 10 years of experience working for non-profit organizations serving in the capacity as Executive Director and Assistant Executive Director. Most recently, she worked as the Membership Director for New Mexico Dental Association. As a former Miss Indian World, she is an experienced public speaker and has good relations with tribal communities across the country. Ms. Begaye received her BSA in Native American Studies from UNM in 2011.

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Changing Woman Initiative
460 Saint Michaels Dr. Ste 804,
​Santa Fe, NM 87505
505-930-5641
For More Info Contact:
​
Assistant Executive Director
Kansas K. Begaye
k.begaye@changingwomaninitiative.org 

Executive Director
Nicolle Gonzales
NGonzales@changingwomaninitiative.org

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