We empower organizations and communities to grow with intention, integrity, and cultural awareness. Our work centers on strengthening leadership, expanding capacity, and fostering environments where meaningful, sustainable change can take root.
We envision communities where leaders are equipped with the knowledge, confidence, and support to shape a thriving future. Through collaboration, strategic insight, and cultural competency, we strive to build systems that uplift people, honor community identities, and drive long-term impact.
Authenticitiy: We ground our work in honesty, truth, and respect for each community’s unique context.
Collaboration: Transformative change happens when diverse voices lead together.
Cultural integrity: We honor traditions, histories, and identities as essential components of leadership and decision-making.
Impact: Our strategies are designed to create measurable, sustainable outcomes.
Growth: We cultivate spaces for continuous learning, reflection, and innovation.
Jonathan Nez is the former President and Vice President of the Navajo Nation. His public service began at the local level as Shonto Chapter Vice President and expanded to include roles on the Navajo Nation Council and the Navajo County Board of Supervisors.
As Navajo Nation President from 2019 to 2023, Nez led the Nation through the COVID-19 crisis, when it had the highest per capita infection rate in the U.S.—surpassing even New York City. Under his leadership, and with guidance from public health experts, the Nation implemented aggressive safety protocols and vaccination efforts that resulted in the highest vaccination rate in the country. Nez credited the strength and unity of the Navajo people for that success.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and a Master of Public Administration, both from Northern Arizona University.
Phefelia Nez, former First Lady of the Navajo Nation, was raised on Hopi Partition Land in Big Mountain, Arizona. With more than 15 years of volunteer service, she continues to serve on numerous boards and councils, including the First Things First Navajo Nation Regional Partnership Council, Coconino Community College Foundation Board, and the Best Friends Animal Society Board. She is also a graduate of Arizona State University’s Lodestar Center Nonprofit Executive Leadership Academy.
During her tenure as First Lady, Phefelia Nez championed education, family strengthening, volunteerism, faith-based initiatives, financial literacy, animal welfare, and the preservation of Navajo language and culture.
She completed Bachelor of Science degrees in Political Science and Criminal Justice and graduate studies in Public Administration, also at Northern Arizona University.
Together, Jonathan and Phefelia Nez were awarded honorary Doctorates of Humane Letters by NAU in recognition of their leadership during the pandemic—a defining chapter in Navajo history that, to them, reflects the unbreakable resilience of their people.
They now lead Nez Consulting, LLC, a firm providing strategic planning, organizational development, facilitation, advisement, speaking engagements, and white paper drafting on issues including health, education, energy, and tribal governance.