Judith Youvella
Polacca
Summary
Dynamic administrative professional with over 30 years of experience in receptionist, clerical, secretarial, and administrative management roles. Recognized for excellence in public relations, marketing, human resources, and procedural management, including receiving an award for Outstanding Transit Program on behalf of the Hopi Tribe. Proven ability to facilitate financial and business decisions for public transportation initiatives while managing executive schedules and streamlining office operations to enhance efficiency. Proficient in MS Word with a typing speed of 70 wpm; committed to fostering team collaboration and adaptability to meet evolving organizational needs.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Executive Secretary
Hopi Tribe
Kykotsmovi Village, AZ
12.2024 - 01.2026
- Managed executive communications and scheduling to ensure efficient office operations.
- Coordinated meetings and prepared comprehensive agendas for tribal leadership discussions.
- Maintained accurate records of tribal documents and correspondence.
- Streamlined filing systems, improving document organization and access within the office.
- Assisted in budget preparation and tracking expenditures for departmental projects.
- Handled confidential information in professional manner.
- Responded to emails and other correspondence to facilitate communication and enhance business processes.
- Handled scheduling for executive's calendar and prepared meeting agenda and materials.
- Demonstrated flexibility adapting quickly when new tasks or responsibilities arose, maintaining a high level of performance under pressure.
- Collated and distributed agendas and minutes for all executive meetings.
- Coordinated travel arrangements and bookings for executive staff.
- Took notes and dictation at meetings.
- Filed paperwork and organized computer-based information.
Tribal Secretary
Hopi Tribe
Kykotsmovi Village, AZ
03.2021 - 07.2024
- Managed scheduling and correspondence for the legislative branch and the Hopi Tribal Council, ensuring efficient communication flow.
- Organized meetings and events, coordinating logistics and resources effectively.
- Maintained accurate records and files, enhancing data retrieval processes.
- Handled sensitive information discreetly, maintaining confidentiality when managing personnel files or financial data.
- Prepared professional correspondence, including memos, letters, and emails, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
- Maintained electronic filing systems and categorized documents.
- Provided clerical support to employees by copying, faxing, and filing documents.
- Managed executive calendars, scheduling appointments and meetings to optimize time management.
- Provided exceptional customer service by promptly addressing inquiries and resolving issues professionally.
- Promoted a positive image of the organization through clear communication both internally with colleagues and externally with clients.
- Assisted in event planning and execution such as conferences, workshops, or social gatherings.
- Coordinated travel arrangements for Tribal leadership, ensuring smooth business trips with minimal disruptions.
- Streamlined communication processes, resulting in faster response times to internal queries.
- Facilitated inter-departmental communication to ensure all parties were informed of key updates.
- Managed sensitive and confidential information with discretion, upholding integrity of executive communications.
- Enhanced meeting efficiency by preparing agendas and minutes, ensuring all participants were well-informed.
- Assisted coworkers and staff members with special tasks on daily basis.
Office Manager
Hopi Tribe - Department of Education
Kykotsmovi Village, AZ
02.2017 - 03.2020
- Managed daily operations to ensure efficient workflow and service delivery.
- Coordinated scheduling and logistics.
- Oversaw budget management, ensuring accurate allocation of resources for departmental needs.
- Provided exceptional customer service when addressing inquiries or concerns via phone calls or email correspondence.
- Supported department heads in accomplishing their goals through diligent administrative assistance such as report generation and data entry.
- Oversaw office budget, ensuring all expenditures were within allocated funds and identifying cost-saving opportunities.
- Managed scheduling and coordination of all office meetings to ensure smooth operations and minimal conflicts.
- Oversaw appointment scheduling and itinerary coordination for board members and personnel.
Transit Administrator
Hopi Senom Transit
Kykotsmovi, Arizona
04.2002 - 10.2013
- Managed the public transportation program on the Hopi reservation consisting of three (3) routes on the Hopi and Navajo reservations and Flagstaff.
- Performed daily oversight and supervision of the administrative and operations staff.
- Developed 10 annual funding applications to the Arizona Department of Transportation, Rural Public Transportation program for the Hopi Tribe successfully funded to continue public transportation services.
- Assisted in establishing a Hopi Transportation Coordination Committee to solicit local, private and federally funded transportation providers to participate in improving mobility needs on the Hopi reservation.
Education
High School -
Sherman Indian High School
Riverside, California05.1979
Vocational Program - undefined
American College
Mesa, ArizonaGeneral Courses - undefined
Northland Pioneer College
Holbrook, ArizonaSkills
- Advanced multitasking
- Document preparation
- Meeting coordination
- Minute taking
- Exceptional organization
- Business correspondence writing and management
- Honest and dependable
- Team leadership
- Decision-making
- Critical thinking
- Strong decision-making
- Master calender management
Accomplishments
Successful grant writing for 11 years to continue the administrative and operations of the Hopi Tribe's public transportation services.
Timeline
Executive Secretary
Hopi Tribe
12.2024 - 01.2026
Tribal Secretary
Hopi Tribe
03.2021 - 07.2024
Office Manager
Hopi Tribe - Department of Education
02.2017 - 03.2020
Transit Administrator
Hopi Senom Transit
04.2002 - 10.2013
Vocational Program - undefined
American College
General Courses - undefined
Northland Pioneer College
High School -
Sherman Indian High School
Experience
- Management
- Recruited, hired, interviewed and trained personnel.
- Managed public relations and marketing of a public transportation service.
- Developed cooperative working relationships with local and private businesses
- Ability to develop well written funding proposals.
- Secretarial/Administrative Assistant
- Ability to develop various correspondences, proposals and reports.
- Generate and prepare financial reports, budgets and expense records.
- Maintain a general financial cuff account of program funds.