STAFF & CAREERS

Juan Amador, FASAE, CAE, is the executive director for the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) and responsible for leading the country’s largest multicultural and multidisciplinary STEM diversity organization.

Juan is adept at developing strategic partnerships and collaborations and championing strategic efforts within broader organizational goals and priorities, and his expertise and passion for association management focus on building the capacity of organizations to better serve communities that are historically underrepresented and underserved.

He also enjoys traveling with his family, watching tennis, and cheering his daughter at swim meets.

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Elizabeth provides vision and oversees all of SACNAS’ programs, including those in the Student Programs, Native Initiatives and Professional & Leadership Programs Departments. Elizabeth also directly oversees and serves as a facilitator for the Postdoc Leadership Institute (PLI) and the Linton-Poodry SACNAS Leadership Institute (LPSLI).

Elizabeth is a longtime SACNISTA, having attended her first SACNAS conference as an undergraduate in 2011, to presenting her undergraduate and graduate research at NDiSTEM through the years, to recruiting in the exhibit hall, to serving in officer roles at her institutions' SACNAS chapter - she feels she has come full circle by continuing to support the SACNAS mission as a member of the SACNAS staff.

Outside of work, Elizabeth enjoys spending time with her husband and two german shepherds, board games, puzzles, all things true crime, and grilling traditional carne asada when the weather permits.

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Patricia supports the planning and execution of events including program events, initiatives, and the annual NDiSTEM conference which is central to the organization’s mission.  She is a management professional with nearly 20 years of experience in the meetings and events industry.  

Patricia graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi and received the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation in 2005.  She served on the Board of Directors of the Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter of Meeting Professionals International as the Director of Member Care.  In this role, she was instrumental in reinstating the Chapter’s mentoring program and encouraging professional growth among the members. 

Since Patricia (and her husband) are now “empty nesters,” she enjoys early morning walks and sipping coffee on the patio while perusing articles about the latest home decorating trends. 

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Priya oversees SACNAS' Operations, providing leadership and oversight on all aspects of the employee life cycle.

With undergraduate degrees in Communication and International Relations from UC Davis along with a Master's in Organizational Leadership & Development from USF, Priya has a passion for helping others organizations and individuals thrive. She is very honored to be working with such an amazing team.

In her spare time, Priya enjoys spending time with her family, exploring the outdoors, interior decorating and traveling.

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Alexandra (AJ) Holder, BS is the current Programs Assistant for Mission Programs and Native Initiatives at SACNAS. She helps with our TCU students and different programing for our students throughout the year as well as helping with our Indigenous events at the annual conference. AJ is enrolled in the Winnebago tribe of Nebraska but she is also Oglala Lakota, Wichita, Northern Cheyenne and Sauk & Fox. She graduated from Haskell Indian Nations University in 2023 where she obtained her Bachelors Degree of Environmental Science.

Prior to joining the SACNAS staff she was a student member for four years where she got to learn the true meaning of what being a Sacnista is. AJ has a deep passion for serving her community and helping our youth in any way that she is capable of which is why she loves working for SACNAS. Outside of her work at SACNAS she spends her time sewing, beading, dancing in powwows, and participating in community events. 

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Alex supports multiple projects across all departments, focusing on strengthening operational efficiency and impact. She is proud to join the SACNAS team in supporting the new generation and the positive impacts they will make in their communities.

Alex enjoys attempting new recipes, roller skating, and hiking with her dog.

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Angel is the point of contact for the National SACNAS Chapter network and helps to provide logistical support for the Chapter and Member Services department. Having pursued a Business degree as a minority in college, Angel is honored to serve historically undeserved groups and be part of a historical change in this next generation. In his spare time, Angel likes to go thrift shopping, playing/watching soccer, listening to music, explore new coffee shops and going out for spontaneous adventures!

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Ashanti currently serves as the Giving Manager here at SACNAS! Prior to joining our SACNAS team, she worked for Positive Childhood Alliance NC where she served as the Annual Giving Manager. Ashanti received her bachelors from Winston Salem State University where she studied political science and began her 13 year career in Development!

In her spare time, Ashanti enjoys making fun memories with her 6-year-old son, curating content for her balloon styling business, POPPD, and traveling to new places!

Ashanti is very excited to be on the team! 

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As Manager, Exhibits Sales & Logistics, Dawn seeks creative ways to connect SACNAS students and postdocs to opportunities for college and career advancement with our partners from educational institutions, corporations, and government agency partners.

Dawn was hooked after the first SACNAS conference she was part of. The enthusiasm and gratitude of the students in attendance continue to fuel Dawn’s commitment to the mission of SACNAS.

Family and friends are the focus of Dawn’s free time, from spending time together at the beach to sharing a cup of coffee at a café, to (most importantly) watching her grandkids grow.

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As the grants administration manager, Desiree supports efforts to secure grant resources and implement programs to fidelity, including maintaining impeccable data systems and records and developing high-quality reports. She also supports effective use and reporting on federal grants and other grant-funded projects, programs, and initiatives central to the SACNAS’ mission. She has spent her entire career working in the non-profit sector, with her last ten years at community health centers. 

Desiree spends as much time as possible at baseball games or exploring with her pup, Lucy. 

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Tribal Affiliation: Navajo/Diné

Elisabeth serves as the Native Initiatives Coordinator for SACNAS to develop and enhance Indigenous programming to promote Natives in STEM. As a member of the Navajo Nation and a first-generation Indigenous college student, Elisabeth hopes to help others in obtaining an advanced degree, holding leadership positions in STEM fields, and giving back to their communities. Elisabeth has three years of experience working with Indigenous students ranging from high school, college, and professionals in both the higher education and nonprofit sectors. Within these three years she has gained skills in program retention and recruitment, and digital outreach. Elisabeth has a master’s degree in the science of health care delivery and a bachelor’s in forensic science from Arizona State University where she also graduated from Barrett, the Honors College.  In her free time, she spends time with her 2 cats and dog, drinks coffee, and plays mariachi violin with her husband.

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Emily coordinates various student-focused programs and applications and acts as the primary point of contact for current and prospective members interested in SACNAS student programs & services. After earning her Bachelor’s degree in English, Emily began working directly with students in various phases of their academic careers, and is honored to continue working to increase accessibility for students and equity within educational opportunities developed.

In her spare time, Emily enjoys getting outdoors with her family, eating sushi, reading, and making resin art.  

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Liliane provides support for the National Diversity in STEM (NDiSTEM) Conference and logistics coordination for year-round events. Raised in an international and humanitarian environment, Liliane has always been passionate about social justice and leaving this world better than she found it. Outside work, you can find Liliane enjoying concerts or marveling at Southern California’s natural beauty.

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Marilú supports the ED in all administrative responsibilities and serves as Board Liaison providing support to the SACNAS Board of Directors, executive officers, and all standing committees. Being the first one in her family to attend college, and having pursued a Biology degree in her undergraduate education, Marilu is proud, and grateful to be part of a movement that is opening paths to science, education, and leadership to Hispanics/Chicanos and Native Americans in STEM. In her spare time, Marilu enjoys cooking for her family, playing soccer, singing at church, reading (whenever there's time), and going for walks in nature.

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Natalie Strauss, Coordinator of Marketing & Communications at SACNAS, manages the organization's social media channels and graphic designs. A Communications graduate of Columbia Basin College and Western Washington University, Natalie excels in crafting engaging content and enhancing brand outreach. In her free time, she enjoys hiking with her husband and husky, reading, knitting, and baking bread.

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Through the foundation of fostering a collaborative environment within the SACNAS team, Saryne develops and implements strategies to achieve fiscal stability, growth, longevity, and connection to the mission.

Saryne has dedicated the last 15 years to non-profits who support and uplift our underserved, SACNAS is the perfect place to bring together her heritage as a member of the Leech Lake band of Ojibwe and her passion to serve.

Having grown up in Lake Tahoe, Saryne takes any chance to be in nature from hiking in Thailand, to stand-up paddle-boarding with her family.

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