Mary Louise Santacaterina

Seasoned Director with background in strategic planning, team leadership, and performance optimization. Known for driving company growth by developing efficient operational strategies and fostering professional relationships. Demonstrated abilities in problem solving, decision making, and communication skills to influence key stakeholders. Proven record of delivering innovative solutions and achieving organizational goals.

Board Member | Restoring Ancestral Winds
2024 – Present

• Actively contribute to the organization’s mission of restoring and preserving Native American cultural and environmental practices, with a focus on empowering indigenous communities.
• Provide strategic guidance on programmatic decisions, ensuring alignment with the organization’s goals of cultural restoration, environmental justice, and sustainability.
• Collaborate with a diverse group of stakeholders, including tribal leaders, environmental advocates, and community members, to drive initiatives that support environmental stewardship and native land protection.
• Assist in fundraising efforts, including securing grants and building partnerships to advance the organization’s mission.
• Advocate for policies and initiatives that respect and honor Native American sovereignty and traditional ecological knowledge.

Participant in Tribal Leadership Meetings
2021 – Present

• Regularly attend and contribute to high-level tribal leadership meetings, providing insight and support on key issues related to land stewardship, cultural preservation, and policy advocacy.
• Collaborate with tribal councils, elders, and other key leaders to discuss strategies for protecting sacred lands, managing natural resources, and advancing the social and economic well-being of tribal communities.
• Provide expertise in grant management, program development, and fundraising to ensure the sustainability of environmental and cultural programs within the tribe.
• Foster partnerships between tribal communities, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations to promote environmental and cultural advocacy, with an emphasis on collaborative decision-making and shared leadership.