Devine to keynote college convocation

Diana "Dede" Yazzie Devine, Native American Connections President/CEO, will be the keynote speaker at the College of Public Service and Community Solutions convocation on May 11. 

Devine has been working with Native American urban and tribal entities since 1972 and has been employed as the CEO of Native American Connections (NAC) since 1979 - for over 30 years. NAC is a 501 (c) 3 Native American operated nonprofit corporation that provides comprehensive behavioral health services, affordable housing, and community-based economic development opportunities. NAC serves all populations with a targeted mission to serve Native Americans living both in the Phoenix urban area and from tribal communities. NAC offers innovative research-based behavioral health counseling and substance abuse treatment that is integrated with Native cultural and traditional healing practices. With an operating budget of over $9 million, NAC develops, owns, and operates 18 service sites with over 350 units of affordable housing to fulfill the mission of promoting family stabilization and community wellness serving over 5,000 individuals and families annually.

In 2005, with Devine's leadership, NAC acted as the developer in the purchase of an 85,000 square foot office building located at 4520 N. Central Avenue at the Campbell and Central light rail station. In partnership with the Phoenix Indian Center and Native Health, NAC owns and manages the "One-Stop" Native American Community Services Center (NACSC) - providing a variety of social, economic, health, educational, and cultural programs and services in one location.

In 2011, NAC opened Devine Legacy on Central, a 65-unit mixed income multi-family affordable housing community that recently won the Arizona Commercial Real Estate RED Award because of its multi-purpose use, LEED platinum certification and "green" strategies, and its Transit Oriented Development (TOD) design elements.

Devine has an MBA from Arizona State University and holds International and State licenses in substance abuse counseling. She dedicates her time to local, state and national boards/committees including: Founding board member Native Home Capital and People of Color Network; (Current advisory boards) St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center; Maricopa Integrated Health System Audit and Compliance; City of Mesa Housing; Arizona State University Lodestar Center for Philanthropy & Nonprofit Innovation; (Past) Federal Home Loan Bank - Affordable Housing Advisory Board; St. Mary's High School Board President; and Robert Wood Johnson National Mentor for Developing Leadership.

Ms. Devine's leadership and dedication have been recognized within the community with the following honors: Valley Leadership's Woman of the Year (2003), ONE (Organization for Nonprofit Executives) Executive Director of the Year (2006), YWCA's Tribute to Women - Business Leader Award (2008); Foothills Magazine's Women Who Move the Valley (2010); Arizona's Centennial Legacy Project - Arizona's 48 Most Intriguing Women (2012); and the Phoenix Business Journal's 25 Most Admired CEOs (2012).