Board of Directors - Native Health Initiative

Circle of Healing Council (Board) Members

Skylynn Olvera

Secretary

Skylynn, a proud member of the Navajo Nation, was born and raised in Gallup, New Mexico. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Population Health from the University of New Mexico in 2022 and currently serves as the Oasis Manager for the Cobell Scholarship.

In her role, Skylynn is dedicated to fostering student success through financial aid guidance, outreach initiatives, and ongoing engagement with scholars and institutional partners. Her work reflects her deep commitment to empowering Native students and supporting their academic and personal growth.

As a board member, Skylynn is committed to advancing the mission of the Native Health Initiative, strengthening partnerships, and creating lasting, positive impacts within the communities it serves.

Anthony Fleg

President

Anthony Fleg is a healer who believes in the power of art and word to heal. Originally from Baltimore, Anthony grounds his healing work in antiracism, decolonization, movement, and a focus on strengths and holistic health.

He is a co-founder of the Native Health Initiative (NHI), and served as the Co-Partnership Director 2005-2022. In addition, he has dedicated much of his career to improving health in Indigenous communities.

He is a proud father of 4 children, an avid runner, and recently wrote his first book, Writing to Heal – A Pandemic Journey to Healing.

Shannon Fleg

Secretary/Treasurer

Yá’át’eeh shik’éí.Shíéí Naadáá Łigai Naasht’ézhi Tábaahi nishłí, Kinyaa’áanii báshishchíín, Naakai Dine’é dashicheii, dóó Tsi’naajini eí dashinalí. Akot’êgo Diné asdzáán nizhłi. Greetings of well-being my relatives. I am Diné of the White Corn Zuni-Edgewater Clan born for Towering House Clan, Mexican Clan are my maternal grandfathers, and Blackstreak wood are my paternal grandfathers. I reside in Albuquerque, New Mexico and am originally from Moenave, Arizona (near Tuba City, Arizona). I am a mother to four beautiful growing children, and wife to an amazing, supportive husband. I love family time, running, exploring Mother Earth, writing, reading, gardening, and supporting others with Indigenous traditional ways.

For the past 20 years, I have been involved in grassroots, community, and non-profit organization work. I love working with, for, and at the guidance of the community. I have been a public health educator, facilitator, program planner, and cultural specialist working in the areas of health equity, health disparities, and issues/concerns of the Native American Indian/Indigenous populations.

About 18 years ago, I co-founded the Native Health Initiative, a love-grounded organization that is rooted in loving service (human-to-human element of wanting to serve others) to bring about health equity, meaningful health partnerships, honoring and respecting the traditional ways of Native/Indigenous individuals, families, and communities. As a former co-partnership director, I created health opportunities for youth, elders, health professions students, and families with scholarship, youth health programs, tobacco prevention with a cultural perspective, and community asset mapping.

I am honored to be a co-founder of the Native Health Initiative, now serving as a Circle of Healing Council (Board) Treasurer. I also serve as health consultant to support and advance health diversity, equity, and inclusion with an emphasis on understanding Indigenous/Native
American Indian perspective. Currently, I work with the Changing Woman Initiative as their Community Engagement Director.