The Potlatch Staff

Dana Arviso, Diné Executive Director dana[at]potlatchfund[dot]org

Dana is committed to improving communities and working for social improvements through education and philanthropy.

Dana Arviso became the Executive Director of Potlatch Fund in June 2011, after working for the organization since July 2007. Inspired by the ask at the 2006 Potlatch Fund Gala, she became a volunteer and then a staff member, working her way from being a Data Administrator to Bookkeeper to Finance and Evaluation Manager. She is a 2008 graduate of First Nations Development Institute’s Seattle LEAD Program and participated in Leadership Tomorrow’s Class of 2011.

While primarily focused on the needs of Native Americans, Dana has dedicated her life to combating the social and economic disparities that affect all communities of color in the Pacific Northwest. Dana has served on the Board of Directors of Social Justice Fund Northwest since August 2010 and was a part of the inaugural Next Generation Giving Project. She recently joined the board of Native Americans in Philanthropy in April 2011. She has also served as a non-voting board member of Longhouse Media since 2009.

Dana grew up on the Bishop Paiute-Shoshone Indian Reservation in California and earned her bachelor's degree from California State University, Sacramento, in Child Development. She previously worked as an early childhood educator within her Tribe's family literacy program before moving to Seattle in 2004 to pursue a graduate degree. She earned her Masters of Education degree in 2006 from the University of Washington with an emphasis on Language, Literacy, and Culture. To keep her life balanced, Dana enjoys cooking, running and bikram yoga, and exploring the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

Heather Miller, Wyandotte Program Coordinator heather[at]potlatchfund[dot]org

Heather is committed to supporting and empowering Native American communities in their desires to strengthen their organizations and leadership skills in culturally appropriate ways.

Heather is an enrolled member of the Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma. She holds a bachelor’s of philosophy from Miami University of Ohio and a Master’s of Native American Studies from Montana State University. Her interests and thesis topics involved Native American representations in Hollywood film.

Before moving to Seattle, Heather worked for a nonprofit organization in Montana that trained Native nonprofit organizations in the areas of board development, native leadership and fund development. Heather is committed to seeing Native nonprofits become successful and sustainable for many generations.

Pah-Tu Pitt, Warm Springs Bookkeeper pah-tu[at]potlatchfund[dot]org

Pah-tu believes in the capacity of Native communities to build upon tradition in order to maintain sustainable futures.

Pah-tu’s Tribal heritage is Wasco, Warm Springs and Pitt River. She holds an Associate of Arts Degree from Portland Community College and Bachelor Degree in Environmental Science from Portland State University. In college, she studied art, film, political science, math and stream ecology.

On the Warm Springs Reservation, Pah-tu worked as the Natural Resources and Museum Intern. She is involved with Tribal canoeing, carving and the arts. Pah-tu is dedicated to the continuance of cultural practices, sustainable economic development and promoting leadership opportunities.

Lawrence Leake Director of Development and Communication lawrence[at]potlatchfund[dot]org

The excitement of our grantees is a vivid indicator that personal empowerment brings to community.

Lawrence has a BA in history from the University of California and a master's degree in education from Seattle University. Before joining Potlatch Fund he spent 10 years in Japan, beginning with a four-year stint in the sales and marketing department of Amita Machines. He was managing director of Overseaz English Academy, in Toyohashi, Japan. Lawrence returned to Seattle with his three children in 2005 and joined Potlatch Fund in march 2006.