NHA hires Maureen Curley as Chief Executive Officer, professional experience includes work in Tribal and private governments

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – The Navajo Housing Authority Board of Commissioners is pleased to announce the appointment of Maureen Curley as its Chief Executive Officer.

“As newly appointed Board members we have the honor of selecting a CEO to take us into the future,” said NHA Board Chair David N. Sloan on behalf of the Board. “With an unprecedented amount of funding coming into the Navajo Nation through the American Rescue Plan, CARES, Infrastructure Bill and our own Indian Housing Block Grant allocation, it is extremely important that this Board stand behind its leadership and show confidence in its CEO. We are extremely privileged that Curley will join the NHA as she brings great work experience to the table that will allow the organization to thrive and meet its goals.”

Curley’s experience and impressive career background includes professional work in both Tribal and private governments where she held various upper management positions with her most recent assignment as Chief Operation Officer for the Quileute Tribe in Washington. There she helped spearhead the development and expansion of the tribe’s economic growth through improved procurement process and restructuring of Human Resources policies.

In 2015, she worked with the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs in Oregon as the Executive Administrative Officer where she provided strategic planning and evaluation of all economic development efforts for six Tribal Enterprises with over 150 employees.

From June 2015 to March 2016, Curley assisted with the Pauma Band of Mission Indians of California as the Chief Administrative Officer where she supervised directors and several Tribal Gaming Commission staff which were responsible for spending an overall budget of $350 million.

Apart from her leadership roles, Curley also has a strong knowledge of procurement and processing processes. In February 2019, she worked with the Prairie Band of Potawatomi Nation Mayetta as a Senior Procurement Specialist where she successfully facilitated the improvement of the tribe’s procurement department by establishing procedures and streamlining supply chains. Other experiences in procurement include employment as a Senior Procurement Specialist for the State of Arizona (April 2017 – Feb. 2018) as well as an Executive Director (Procurement) for the Gila River Indian Community (March 2016 – April 2017).

Besides her professional career experience, Curley also exemplifies the understanding of working at a governing board level. From September 2005 to August 2014, Curley was a member on the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise Board of Directors. During her tenure, the NNGE Board was responsible for the oversight of the gaming operations, which at the time employed 2000 tribal members and generated over $350 million in annual revenues. Notable accomplishments included the successful completion and opening of four Navajo gaming and lodging facilities.

“Curley is a graduate of Western International University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 2007 than earned a Master’s in Public Administration in Business /Justice Administration in 2016 from the same institution.”

On Nov. 19, during a Regular Called Meeting, the NHA Board confirmed by a vote of 3 – 0, the hiring of Curley as the new CEO for a period of one-year. Curley is expected to begin on Jan. 3, 2022. The NHA Board of Commissioners currently are comprised three members: David Sloan, Board Chairperson as well as Kerrie Begaye, Secretary/Treasurer and Tammy Yazzie, member. Two seats currently remain vacant until new appointees are approved by the Naa’bik’iyati’ Committee.