Area of Focus
Nadene Hubbard is responsible for conducting outreach to key Tribal governments and Tribal utility authorities in WRA’s region, with a focus on building long-term partnerships, sharing information about grid regionalization efforts – energy markets and transmission expansion – and identifying areas of common interest around transmission planning and siting. This position works closely with WRA’s Indigenous Peoples Engagement Manager and the Clean Energy Program’s Markets & Transmission team to identify areas of alignment and provide opportunities for Tribal perspectives to inform WRA’s advocacy related to energy market and transmission expansion issues.
Background
Nadene is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation and is from Nazlini, Arizona. Growing up on the reservation Nadene experienced the challenges around natural resources and has dedicated her career in environmental sustainability to supporting and contributing to the advancement of natural resource management among tribal communities. Her passion and appreciation for Mother Earth stem from her identity as a Navajo woman. She previously worked for the Arizona Department of Water Resources focused on the areas of outreach and education, and conservation technical assistance. In her time with ADWR, Nadene worked with other programs in the Statewide Planning section to create helpful drought and climate resources for tribal communities. Additionally, she helped create the Department’s Stakeholder Funding Opportunities newsletter, that also features a section dedicated to funding opportunities specific to Tribal nations. Previous to ADWR, Nadene interned with the Friends of the Verde River, where her love for non-profit work and advocacy began.
Education
- Bachelor of Science in Sustainability with an emphasis in ecosystems from Arizona State University with a minor in American Indian Studies.
Favorite thing about the West
As a Diné (Navajo) woman, my identity and heritage are deeply rooted in these lands. I admire the resiliency of Indigenous peoples and find comfort in the starry desert skies, the scent of rain on the earth, and the beauty of red mesas.
