ICT Staff
The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition announced the appointment of Nikki Santos as its new chief executive officer on Wednesday.
Santos, Coeur d’Alene Tribe, brings nearly two decades of leadership experience advancing the priorities of Native American communities through federal policy, philanthropy, strategic development, fundraising, and community-based organizing.
As CEO, she will lead the organization in its mission to heal from the ongoing impacts of the U.S. Indian boarding school system through truth, justice, and Indigenous-led healing.
“I am deeply honored to join the Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition at such a pivotal moment,” Santos stated in a news release. “The work of truth-telling, justice, and healing belongs to all of us. I look forward to working alongside survivors, descendants, Tribal Nations, and partners to ensure that the stories of those impacted by the federal Indian boarding school system are honored, preserved, and transformed into meaningful action for future generations.”
Deborah Parker, Tulalip, was the chief executive officer of the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition, known as NABS. She poses for a photo following the Interior Department’s press conference on its federal boarding school investigation in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. Parker stepped down as CEO in April 2026. (Jourdan Bennett-Begaye/ICT)
Santos replaces former CEO Deborah Parker, Tulalip Tribes, who stepped down from the role in April. Parker led the organization for four years.
Throughout Santos’ career she has championed initiatives that strengthen Indigenous communities and cultivate Native leadership. Before joining NABS, she helped launch the Sam McCracken Youth Project, supported tribal data sovereignty, and served as a philanthropic advisor supporting Native-led organizations and initiatives.
Santos was appointed by the Biden-Harris administration to serve as a senior advisor at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and is an Obama Foundation USA Leader. She previously served as executive director of the Center for Native American Youth at the Aspen Institute, held several leadership positions with the American Indian Higher Education Consortium, and began her career with the Indian Gaming Association.
“Nikki’s vision, integrity, and lifelong commitment to Native communities make her the ideal leader for this next chapter of NABS,” said NABS Board President Benjamin Barnes, Shawnee, in a news release. “Her extensive experience building partnerships, shaping policy, and advancing Indigenous priorities will strengthen our work as we continue our work to advocate on behalf of Native peoples impacted by US Indian boarding school policies.”
Santos draws inspiration from the strength of those who came before her, her daughter, and the generations yet to come, according to the news release. She lives in Washington, D.C., with her daughter, partner, and two dogs.
Under Santos’ leadership, the organization will continue expanding its efforts to document the history and ongoing impacts of the federal Indian boarding school system, advocate for truth and accountability, support community-driven healing initiatives, and ensure future generations understand this history.
The post New CEO announced for National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition appeared first on ICT.
From ICT via This RSS Feed.