Sandra Coveny

Grants Manager

Sandra joined NACF as the Grants Manager in 2022 with over 25 years of experience in fundraising, non-profit management, for-profit consulting, community organizing, and freelance writing in Washington and Oregon. She holds an M.S. from the University of New Hampshire in restoration ecology and creative writing. Her bachelor’s studies were in art history, botany and prose writing. As a volunteer founder (1994) and first president of the International Society for Conservation GIS, Sandra has worked in a multi-cultural and international setting for most of her career. Born in Buffalo NY into a large Eastern European family of immigrants, she lives in Portland, and has two adult children living at-large in the world.

Robert Franklin

Media and Communications Specialist
Diné (Navajo Nation)

Robert started at NACF in 2022 and supports the communications team with a range of experience in storytelling, graphic design, photography, videography, podcasting, streaming, branding, advertising, and marketing. Previously, Robert served as the Manager of the Native American Student and Community Center at Portland State University. He earned his BFA in Visual Communications, cum laude, with an emphasis in Graphic Design from Northern Arizona University. He is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation (Hashk’aa Hadzohí | Táchii’nii).

Katy Hilton

Director of Development

Katy Hilton joined NACF in 2022 and is responsible for leading and implementing all fundraising initiatives for the organization. Katy recently served in development leadership roles at Inner-City Arts and Center Theatre Group, and previously managed the state-wide Investing in Artists grants program and the L.A. County-based ARC grants program at the Center for Cultural Innovation. She has engaged in multiple, community-wide advocacy projects in the arts in both the Bay Area and Los Angeles, and brings two decades of arts non-profit experience and service to the team.

Laura (Cales) Matalka

Program Manager
Chickasaw Nation

Laura joined NACF in late 2016, and is responsible for developing, coordinating, and managing several aspects of the foundation’s grantmaking programs, special projects, convenings, and visibility opportunities. She has over ten years of experience working in the nonprofit arts sector, and earned her MA in Art History from the University of Colorado at Boulder, and BA in Art History from Wright State University. She is an enrolled citizen of the Chickasaw Nation and also of European-American heritage, including Bohemian, Dutch, English, German, Irish, and Slovenian. Laura lives in Portland, OR with her husband and dog, and enjoys hiking, camping, cooking, and exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest.

Reuben Tomás Roqueñi

Director, Transformative Change Programs
Yaqui/Mayo/Chicanx Descent

Mick Rose

Community Engagement and Events Manager
Diné/Omaha/Pawnee

Yá’át’ééh, Shí éi Mick Rose Yinishyé, Hoogan łani Nishli dóó Naaki Diné’e Báshishíín, White Buffalo Omaha dashináli dóó Bilagaana dashichei. My name is Mick Rose. I am from the Diné Nation, Omaha Nation, and Pawnee Nation.  I grew up in my ancestral lands, Dinétah, in a large very close family. I spent my childhood playing with my cousins along the Tóta’, along the mesas, or reading in the library.

I have worked in the Portland Metro Native American/Alaskan Native community for many years as a community organizer, visioning and building programming and events with and for our community.  I am so happy to be with the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation, where I will be dedicated to bringing community-centered events to the new Center for Native Arts and Cultures building.

Beckett Royce

Facilities Manager

Beckett joined NACF in 2022 and is responsible for building systems and maintenance, as well as coordinating and supporting events and rentals, in the exciting new Center for Native Arts and Cultures. With a background in theater and construction, she brings more than 25 years experience in building trades to her role.

Annie Silver

Fundraising Systems Coordinator

Annie joined NACF in 2020 as Fundraising Systems Coordinator, responsible for building, maintaining and utilizing the organization’s fundraising systems. With a background in arts and education nonprofits, she brings more than five years of fundraising experience to her role. Annie received her BA in International Affairs and Anthropology from Northeastern University and lives in Portland with her husband and three cats.

Gabriella Tagliacozzo

Director of Operations

Kevin Washington

Director of Finance