Diana "Dede" Yazzie Devine is an Arizona-based nonprofit professional. She led the nonprofit Native American Connections for over forty years.
Diana Yazzie Devine | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Diana Yazzie Devine speaking with attendees at the grand opening of Homebase hosted by Native American Connections in Surprise, Arizona. | |
| Born | |
| Education | University of Wisconsin |
| Years active | 1975-2023 |
| Employer | Native American Connections |
| Children | 3 |
| Father | Dan Devine |
Biography
editDevine was born in Lansing, Michigan. As a child, she moved frequently due to her father, Dan Devine's, career as a football coach.[1][2] She was the middle of seven children.[1]
Devine attended the University of Wisconsin, where she interned on the Ojibwe reservation. She lived and worked there for five years, during which time the Indian-Self Determination Act was enacted. Witnessing the changes that the act gave Devine an understanding of tribal sovereignty and government.[1]
As a part of her work, Devine traveled multiple times to Arizona. In 1979, Devine was introduced to a new residential treatment facility, Indian Rehabilitation. She agreed to help it until a leader could be hired.[3] Under Devine's leadership, Indian Rehabilitation transformed into the nonprofit Native American Connections.[1] As the organization's president and CEO, she greatly grew the organization to support Phoenix's homeless population.[1][4] She was also active in the founding of the Native American Community Service Center and other services like housing programs. One of the housing communities is named after Devine.[1]
Under Devine's leadership, Native American Connections developed 1,000 affordable Phoenix residences and opened twenty-three Valley projects to provide aid and social services. Greg Stanton noted that "No one has changed as many minds about affordable housing ... in Arizona."[5]
Devine was also influential in transforming the Phoenix Indian School Visitor Center. This former American Indian boarding school became a place for Native Americans from many tribes to come together.[5]
To support her work, Devine earned her MBA from Arizona State University in 1999.[1][6] She attended the school while running the Native American Connections.[6]
Devine retired in 2023.[7]
Personal life
editDevine raised three children as a single mother.[1]
Awards
edit- 2003: Valley Leadership Woman of the Year[8]
- 2006: ONE (Organization for Nonprofit Executives) Executive Director of the Year[9]
- 2008: YWCA's Tribute to Women - Business Leader Award[9]
- 2010: Foothills Magazine's Women Who Move the Valley[9]
- 2012: Arizona’s 48 Most Intriguing Women[1]
- 2012: Phoenix Business Journal's 25 Most Admired CEOs[9]
- 2016: Community Service Golden Rule Honoree, Arizona Interfaith Movement[10]
- 2019: Morrison Institute's Distinguished Fellows[11]
- 2023: USA Today Women of the Year[12]
- 2023: Local Initiatives Support Corporation Phoenix Special Honoree[1][7]
- 2023: Arizona Women's Hall of Fame[13]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "DIANA YAZZIE DEVINE CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT/SOCIAL CHANGE" (PDF). 48 ARIZONA WOMEN ARIZONA’S MOST INTRIGUING WOMEN. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
- ^ "'Dede' pioneered services for Native Americans – published in the Republic – Arizona Interfaith Movement". October 21, 2017. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
- ^ Plough, Alonzo L. (April 7, 2020), "Incorporating "Culture" Within a Culture of Health", Culture of Health in Practice, Oxford University Press, pp. 7–22, doi:10.1093/oso/9780190071400.003.0002, ISBN 978-0-19-007140-0, retrieved April 18, 2024
- ^ Dean, Jesse (February 23, 2023). "CSH Appoints Phoenix Leader of Native American Connections, Diana Yazzie Devine, to its National Board of Directors". CSH. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
- ^ a b "Dede Devine reflects on more than 4 decades helping Phoenix-area residents in need". www.azcentral.com. March 19, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
- ^ a b AZFoothills.com. "Women Who Move the Valley 2010". AZFoothills.com. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
- ^ a b Dokes, Jennifer (October 10, 2023). "2023 Special Honoree: Dede Devine puts a face on the term 'lasting legacy'".
- ^ "PAST MAN & WOMAN OF THE YEAR HONOREES" (PDF). Valley Leadership. April 17, 2023. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Devine to keynote college convocation | Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions". publicservice.asu.edu. May 1, 2017. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
- ^ Diana Yazzie Devine - Golden Rule Community Award 2016. Retrieved April 18, 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ "Distinguished Fellows | Morrison Institute for Public Policy". morrisoninstitute.asu.edu. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
- ^ NETWORK, Staff USA TODAY (March 17, 2023). "Meet USA TODAY's Women of the Year". www.usatoday.com. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
- ^ "Diana (DeDe) Yazzie Devine". AWHF. Retrieved April 18, 2024.