Staff

TAHLIA NATACHU

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Tahlia Natachu is from Zuni Pueblo and her clans are dakkya:kwe (frog) deyan yadokkya:kwe awan cha’le (child of the sun). After receiving her Masters in Education from Portland State University, she returned to her hometown of Zuni to teach 7th grade language arts. She loved the youth and the classroom but knew there were foundational needs beyond academics. The opportunity to work for Zuni Youth Enrichment Project has allowed Tahlia to foster the growth, resilience, and holistic wellness of Zuni youth through engaging programs that are rooted in the strengths of Zuni culture. Being a ZYEP summer camp counselor when she was in high school, Tahlia feels honored to work for the organization that supported her to strive for her goals as she grew up. She feels a deep sense of responsibility to continue the ZYEP tradition of providing high quality activities and caring mentors to youth. Tahlia would not be able to do this work if it weren’t for her son, partner, family, ZYEP team, her mentors, and the Zuni community.

ANDREA PEPIN

OPERATIONS MANAGER

Andrea moved to Zuni in 2014 and joined Zuni Youth Enrichment Project in the winter of 2016 as the Program Manager. With a Masters in Kinesiology, she is excited to share her passion of improving the health of others through physical activity and nutrition with children and families.

SHELLEY EDAAKIE

OFFICE COORDINATOR

Shelley was born and raised in Zuni. She joined the Zuni Youth Enrichment Project in the summer of 2016. With a Bachelors of Fine Art in Photography and Graphic Design, as well as a background in Zuni pottery, she is excited to share her knowledge of the Zuni culture and art.

JOSH KUDRNA

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY COORDINATOR

Josh joined the ZYEP team in fall of 2018. He received his Bachelors in Sport and Exercise Psychology from West Virginia University and brings his background of working in outdoor adventure-based programming. Josh is excited to play a part in helping youth find lifelong enjoyment in different physical activities.

JESSICA QUINLAN

FOOD SOVEREIGNTY COORDINATOR

Jessica came to Zuni in 2008 to serve as the Registered Dietitian at Zuni’s Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. Since then, Jessica has collaborated with ZYEP on several garden projects, and offered garden-based nutrition education at ZYEP summer camps. After getting her Master’s in Public Health from the University of Arizona, Jessica officially joined ZYEP in August 2018 as the part-time Nutrition Coordinator. She is excited to support ZYEP’s misson of building resilience and enriching the lives of Zuni youth and families.

ENRIC TSALATE

BUILT ENVIRONMENT COORDINATOR

Enric is from Zuni and joined ZYEP in January 2020. His goal is to develop and use his skills to properly maintain a safe, clean, and engaging environment within the ZYEP facilities and other ZYEP sponsored sites. With a passion for learning and sharing the values of the Zuni culture, Enric also intends to share his knowledge of Zuni agriculture with youth to help revitalize community gardening. Working with ZYEP enables him to give back to the community.

ZUNI YOUTH ENRICHMENT PROJECT