Meet Your Leadership Team

Jana Pfeiffer (Diné) is originally from Cahone Mesa, Utah, and is a citizen of the Navajo Nation. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Native American Studies with a minor in Women’s Studies from the University of New Mexico. Jana previously served as the Task Force Coordinator for the New Mexico Office of the Attorney General – Human Trafficking Unit, where she developed a deeper understanding of law enforcement responses to human trafficking cases. 

In 2020, she was appointed by the Mayor of Albuquerque to serve on the Environmental Planning Commission, where she reviewed and voted on city development and zoning applications. In 2018, she was selected by her tribal community to represent Cahone Mesa, Utah, in articulating and processing public land use within the Bears Ears National Monument. Jana has previously completed her work as a federal contractor with the Department of Justice – Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), where she partnered with Tribal Nations to develop and implement victim service programs that meet the needs of at-risk community members. She is deeply passionate about social justice issues affecting New Mexico’s tribal communities, with a particular focus on public safety for Native American women and children, environmental justice, and advocacy through education. 

In 2021, Jana served on the New Mexico Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Task Force, established by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s executive order to address the epidemic of cold and missing persons cases involving Native American women. 

In April 2025, she was selected by the Native Leadership Collective and Albuquerque community members to serve as Board Chair for the newly formed Albuquerque Urban Indigenous Resource Center. She is dedicated to community-led initiatives and increasing access to resources for Native relatives residing in the City of Albuquerque. She brings a unique and informed perspective on Native American history in New Mexico and offers valuable insight into Tribal Nations’ positions on environmental policies. 

Outside of work, Jana is a proud mother of two beautiful children and is married to a supportive husband. One of her favorite outdoor adventures was backpacking the South Rim of Yosemite National Park in California.

Laurie Weahkee is a powerful voice and respected leader in Native advocacy, community organizing, and voter engagement. A seasoned strategist, Laurie served as the longtime Executive Director of the Native American Voters Alliance and NM Native Vote, where she led transformative issue-based and electoral campaigns across Native communities for more than 25 years. Her tireless efforts to protect sacred sites and uphold tribal sovereignty earned her the Cultural Preservation Award from the New Mexico Department of Indian Affairs. 

Laurie’s leadership has also extended into key advisory roles, including service on the All Pueblo Council of Governors (APCG) Legislative Committee, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s Statewide Complete Count Committee, and the NM Secretary of State’s Native American Vote Task Force. Proudly Diné, Cochiti, and Zuni Pueblo, Laurie brings deep cultural insight, political acumen, and heartfelt dedication to every space she enters. She is also a devoted mother to one son.

As your Secretary, I am eager to work alongside our membership to strengthen engagement, transparency, and unity. As an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation and of Taos Pueblo descent, I continue to increase my knowledge and understanding of the diverse needs of our Indigenous communities.  

My career in higher education, healthcare, behavioral health, and social services has also been dedicated to advancing opportunities for Native peoples. 

The volunteer experience— as a former NADCNM Chair, a Bernalillo County and Navajo Nation Voter Registrar, and now Precinct Chair for Bernalillo County Precinct 547—has reinforced the importance of collaboration and representation in ensuring our voices are heard. As your Secretary, I will make sure the Native Caucus will hold consistent general meetings, accurate meeting documentation, accessible caucus processes, and expanding membership growth across the state would be prioritized. 

As we strengthen the foundations of the caucus we will also become better positioned to join our allies to fight for the programs and services that are being drastically decimated by the callous actions of the Trump administration. I would be grateful for your support.

Tammie Touchine is a graduate from Arizona State University where she received her Bachelors of Science degree in Sociology and also holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration at the University of Phoenix. 

Tammie has worked primarily with Non-Profit organizations that assist and support Native American people. Her work has included development and fundraising for arts, youth and sports, health and wellness and community revitalization. 

She is a mother of 3 children, Raven, Imani and Adan and is from a small community on the Navajo reservation called Iyanbito, NM. Her most favorite things to do are spend time with her family, talk with friends, make art, play basketball, read and cook.