Our Board
United by our vision, IFIP board and staff members are dedicated to building an inclusive philanthropic ecosystem where Indigenous Peoples are self-determined, equitably funded and resourced.
Alejandra Garduño Martínez
Alejandra Garduño Martínez
Alejandra Garduño is a seasoned professional with over 17 years of experience leading complex multi-stakeholder initiatives in Latin America and southeastern Mexico. She develops and executes strategies that add value and contribute to achieving goals in philanthropy, non-profit organizations, and economic and social development projects. She has accompanied and advised groups, organizations, and other actors to reach their community and social justice goals. Alejandra Garduño served at the W.K Kellogg Foundation as Director for Latin America and the Caribbean programs. In this position, she led and oversaw the foundation’s investments in Mexico, Haiti, Latin America, and the Caribbean to help create conditions supporting thriving children, working families, and equitable communities. She also implemented a regional strategy in Mexico in Chiapas and the Yucatan Peninsula. She has been a contributing author to non-profit and international development publications, including Alliance Magazine for Global Philanthropy. In 2019, she was selected for Career Pathways, the Council on Foundations’ flagship leadership development program to strengthen executive talent in philanthropy.
Salote Soqo
Salote Soqo
Salote Soqo is the Director of Advocacy, Global Displacement at the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC), where she leads the advocacy framework to advance rights-protection in national and international policies, laws, and practices to defend and protect human rights globally. With over two decades of community-based organizing, environmental management and climate justice experience, Salote has led initiatives addressing climate justice, grantmaking, strategy development and social justice activism, Salote has led disaster relief aid, the human right to water, civil and political rights protection in regions spanning the Pacific Islands, the United States, and the Caribbean.
Sofia Arroyo
Sofia Arroyo
Sofia is a Mexican filmmaker, activist and social justice philanthropy professional who has been a passionate advocate for systemic change, Indigenous rights and new narratives. After working for many years in the film & advertising industry, Sofia spent over a decade in the philanthropic and social justice field, playing many roles, most recently as EDGE Funders Alliance’s Executive Director. A recipient of Open Society Foundation’s New Executive’s Fund grant, Sofia currently works as an independent consultant and serves on the boards of International Funders for Indigenous Peoples, Kindle Project and JASS (Just Associates). Sofia has been striving to effect social change by raising awareness about the values and perspectives rooted in ancestral traditions and by upholding and advancing a vision for a just and interconnected world.
Alice Phinizy
Alice Phinizy
Alice Phinizy, is an accomplished nonprofit finance and operations leader. She is currently the Director of Finance for Project HOPE – Health Affairs, a leading health policy journal, and was previously the Director of Finance & Operations at the Disability Rights Fund, an international grantmaker that provides finance and technical resources to organizations of persons with disabilities to advocate for equal rights and full participation in society. In her free time, Alice enjoys watching soccer as a Liverpool supporter. Alice holds an MBA in International Business and Organizational Management from Bentley University.
Tricia Stevens
Tricia Stevens
Tricia Stevens brings over two decades of expertise in driving grassroots movements for social and environmental justice and animal rights advocacy. As Director of Strategic Partnerships at Kahani Pictures, she collaborates with diverse community voices to create impactful film and media, fostering movement building and changing narrative landscapes. Previously, as Charitable Giving and Ethical Campaigns Manager for Lush North America, Tricia spearheaded grant programs for grassroots organizations and indigenous communities worldwide.
Naomi Lanoi Leleto (Maasai)
Naomi Lanoi Leleto (Maasai)
Naomi Lenoi Leleto brings extensive expertise in promoting Indigenous rights and environmental advocacy through grantmaking initiatives. As the Coordinator for Global Indigenous Grantmaking at Global Greengrants Fund, she shares collective learning and contributes to inclusive grantmaking strategies that support Indigenous Peoples’ self-determination and environmental work. With a background in legal studies from the Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy Program at the University of Arizona, Naomi has a deep understanding of the complexities surrounding Indigenous land rights and advocacy efforts.
Hester Dillon (Cherokee Nation)
Hester Dillon (Cherokee Nation)
Hester Dillon brings a depth of expertise in championing Indigenous community empowerment through her leadership roles at the 11th Hour Project and NoVo Foundation. With a background in grant writing and legal advocacy, including pivotal work on the Keepseagle v. Vilsack settlement, Hester is dedicated to advancing the rights and interests of Indigenous Peoples.
Chelsea Grootveld
Chelsea Grootveld
Dr Chelsea Grootveld has ancestral ties to the Ngāi Tai, Ngāti Porou, Whānau a Apanui, Whakatōhea, and Te Arawa tribes of New Zealand. Chelsea is the current Chair of JR McKenzie Trust, a small family philanthropic trust created in 1940. Prior to becoming Chair, she led Te Kāwai Toro, the indigenous development committee responsible for supporting indigenous led organisations and movements. Chelsea’s public policy background combined with her doctoral studies in inidgenous education from Te Herenga Waka, Victoria University of Wellington, underscores her commitment to advocating for indigenous led approaches to solving complex social justice challenges and issues. In 2013, she created an indigenous research and evaluation consultancy focused on working with government and non-government organisations. Chelsea’s other governance portfolios include being a director on the High Performance Sport New Zealand board, Trustee on Tātahi Aho Rau – CORE Education Limited and Deputy-Chair – Iti Kōpara Trust. She is proud mother to Kahuroa and Mihi-Terina, and wife to Timoti.
Teresa Zapeta (Maya K’iche’)
Teresa Zapeta (Maya K’iche’)
Teresa Zapeta is a seasoned advocate with over 25 years of experience in championing the rights of women and Indigenous Peoples. With a Master’s in Public Administration, she has held influential roles within NGOs, government agencies, and international organizations. Notably, Teresa served as an official in the Government of Guatemala, advocating for Indigenous Women, and spent 5 years leading the Indigenous Women Program for Central America and Mexico at UNIFEM and UN Women. She currently serves as the Executive Director of the International Indigenous Women’s Forum (FIMI).
Adrian Appo (Gooreng Gooreng)
Adrian Appo (Gooreng Gooreng)
Adrian Appo serves as the First Nations Lead at a prominent foundation in Australia. Recognized as a social entrepreneur, Adrian brings extensive expertise in Indigenous affairs and launching innovative ventures. Notable achievements include his founding roles in Ganbina, First Australians Capital, Children’s Ground, and Australian Centre for Rural Entrepreneurship. Adrian’s directorships span various impactful organizations, including The Salvation Army Australian Territory Board and Impact Investing Australia Advisory Board. His leadership is underpinned by a commitment to driving positive change and championing Indigenous empowerment.
Our Advisors
Esohe Evbuomwan
Esohe Evbuomwan
Esohe has over five years of international development finance and management experience with many years of continuous experience on complex and large international development and humanitarian projects. Before joining DRF/DRAF, Esohe worked with organizations that managed projects funded by multiple donors like FCDO, USAid, WHO, and World Bank.
In 2021, she completed a twelve-month humanitarian mission in Sierra Leone with Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors without Borders) as a Project Management Manager. While at Medecins Sans Frontieres, she successfully implemented mobile money as part of the financial process, eliminating overreliance on cash at the project level. In previous roles, Esohe ensured the overall financial health of the organization, supported management of organizational operations, donor requirements, and team members on related financial administration.
Steven Heim
Steven Heim
Steven Heim serves as Managing Director and Director of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Research at Boston Common Asset Management. With over 25 years of experience, he is recognized for his expertise in promoting corporate transparency, accountability, and sustainability at companies like ConocoPhillips and Repsol through direct engagement with Indigenous Peoples. As a Board Member of IFIP, Steven’s advocacy efforts extend to global investor engagements on projects such as the Dakota Access Pipeline, advocating for the revision of Equator Principles to uphold Indigenous