Turner is a gerontologist with her PhD from UMass-Boston. For the past 20 years, her research has focused on American Indian and Alaska Native aging-related issues, including diabetes, mental health, physical functioning, caregiving, and social support. She most enjoys collaborative projects with tribal communities that address their identified priorities with respect to elder health and well-being.

Brett Treadway is an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians and grew up just off the Qualla Boundary in Bryson City, NC. He now resides in Boulder, CO and currently serves as a Program Associate for First Nations Development Institute, a National Tribal lead non-profit focused on strengthening tribal economies and communities through technical assistance, training, policy, and awarding grants. Specifically, Brett works under the Stewarding Native Lands Program, where he helps manage multiple projects focused on climate, environmental justice, community pathways, and ecological stewardship.

He received his bachelor’s degree in Sustainability Studies from the University of Florida, along with a minor in American Indian and Indigenous Studies and Organic and Sustainable Crop Production. While completing his degree, Brett was active across multiple campus organizations focused on sustainability, climate activism, and environmental outreach.

Brett has been able to work across Indian Country and is dedicated to strengthening and uplifting Native communities within his career. He is passionate about sustainability and environmental protection, and their relationship to Tribes and Native cultures.

A current resident of the Big Y community, Manuel Holds has dedicated 15+ years with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: Public Health & Human Services (EBCI:PHHS) in different capacities. Manuel currently serves as a Training Coordinator at the EBCI: PHHS Regulatory & Compliance department where he is tasked with workforce development, professional development and orients new employees on the culture of PHHS and Cherokee health disparities.  He is a member of the Patient Family Advisory Council at the Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority (CIHA) were he advocates for community input on policies, administration recommendations and building better relations with family and care teams.

Kilyne recently joined the Center for Native Health team as the Digital Media Coordinator. Having grown up in the Birdtown community, she now resides in Asheville, is a senior at UNC Asheville studying New Media, and is set to graduate in May of 2023.

Chelsea Rangel is a tribal member of the Navajo people from the Four Corners area of Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado. Chelsea has had the privilege to be a part of many Native American programs geared towards the betterment of young native people, as well as volunteering for children’s programs and drug addiction recovery programs. She has most recently worked with tribal programs aimed at higher education for Native students. She is currently a Student Success Advisor at Western Carolina University in the School of Nursing, and has been with the Center for Native Health since June 2023. She obtained a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Antelope Valley in California, and a degree in Health System’s Management from the University of Baltimore in Maryland.