The Goldbelt Heritage Foundation (GHF) is pleased to announce that Neilg̱áa Koogéi Taija Revels has been selected as its new Executive Director.
Neilg̱áa Koogéi brings to GHF more than 20 years of professional experience working with tribal organizations. Preceding her appointment to GHF she worked at the Central Council of Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska as a Special Projects Manager to the Chief Operating Officer, where she was responsible for providing cross-departmental project management. Additionally, she has held positions with the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Furthermore, Neilg̱áa Koogéi has more than 10 years of experience serving on the board of several organizations across Alaska and the United States, including on the Goldbelt Heritage Foundation’s board of directors. She has served on the National Native American AIDS Prevention Center, Alaska Public Health Association, NMAC Youth Council, and currently serves on the boards for the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council and the Kiks.ádi Point House Revitalization.
“We are thrilled that Neilg̱áa Koogéi has been appointed to the position of Executive Director,” said Board Chair Jacqueline Pata. “Neilg̱áa Koogéi brings to Goldbelt Heritage a deep connection to the Lingít community, as well as a dedication to language learning and a strong commitment to living her culture, all of which we are confident will make a positive impact on the organization and community.”
Neilg̱áa Koogéi hold a master’s degree in public health from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health as well as a Bachelor of Science in Women’s Studies from Portland State University. Currently, she is working towards the completion of a Certificate in Lingít language from the University of Alaska Southeast.
“I am so honored to join the Goldbelt Heritage Foundation’s team of talented and dedicated employees and continue their incredible work of culturally responsive education and preservation of the Tlingit heritage and language,” said Neilg̱áa Koogéi Taija Revels. “I look forward to contributing to the continued success and growth of Goldbelt Heritage.”
Photo courtesy of Bethany Sonsini Goodrich.
