Carmirae Holguin

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CO-FOUNDER

Projects: The Sweat Equity Homes Project

Born and raised on Navajo Nation, Carmi is passionate about learning her people’s stories, culture, and kinship. She is a member of the Towering House Clan, born for the Red House Clan. Her maternal grandparents are the Salt People Clan and her paternal grandparents are The One Who Walks Around Clan. Carmi grew up in a family of carpenters and community leaders, an experience that shaped her interest in working with her people to build a sustainable, self-sufficient life in hózhó. She leads this work through listening and brings unconditional patience and empathy to the relationships she cultivates with her community.

Carmi joined Nááts'íilid Initiative after partnering with DesignBuildBLUFF on the Dennehotso Chapter Sweat Equity Project. As a community organizer, she draws on her intimate knowledge of working with the Dennehotso, Kayenta, and Chilchinbeto chapters, as well as the Navajo Housing Authority, and the Navajo Nation Land Department. She also brings broad experience in construction and management, having previously worked as a Journeyman Insulation Installer, a Site Interior Wall Forman, a Construction Purchasing Manager, a Procurement and Proposal Manager, a General Office Manager, and a Title Loan Manager. Carmi was selected to be in the 2020-2021 Change Labs Business Incubator Program, which has supported the establishment and growth of Nááts'íilid Initiative as a nonprofit business through funding, advisory services, and professional development resources. As an emerging entrepreneur, she always puts her traditional values first, an ethos she learned from her parents and grandparents.

carmi@naatsiilid.org | LinkedIn