Team

Karol is Deg Hit’an Athabascan and an enrolled tribal member. She has a BA in economics from the University of Alaska Anchorage, a JD from the University of New Mexico School of Law, and an MPH from Johns Hopkins University. She has also achieved Improvement Advisor status with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. Karol brings significant experience … Read Now

Danica Brown (Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma) serves as KAI’s vice president for behavioral health transformation with more than 29 years of experience supporting all aspects of system and service transformation to improve services and operations for vulnerable youth and family populations. Dr. Brown provides subject matter expertise in social work, public health research, cross-system program … Read Now

Rochelle Hamilton (Ehattesaht First Nation, Tulalip Tribes descendant) is a tribal 988 advisor on KAI’s behavioral health transformation team, bringing over 20 years of experience in inclusive service transformation for vulnerable youth, elders, and families. Rochelle is a trailblazer in 988 and crisis response in Indian Country. She led the design, launch, and implementation of … Read Now

Dr. Chesleigh Keene (Diné/Navajo) serves as vice president for KAI’s research and evaluation team, bringing over a decade of experience advancing health and wellness in American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities and improving health and wellness outcomes through culture-centric research, teaching, and service. Guided by Indigenous values, Dr. Keene integrates cultural and ceremonial elements into … Read Now

Holly Echo-Hawk (Pawnee Nation) serves as KAI’s Senior Behavioral Health Advisor. She has more than 35 years of senior-level experience in supporting all aspects of system and service transformation for vulnerable youth and family populations. She is a former behavioral health director of both tribal and non-tribal programs, where she was responsible for overseeing child … Read Now

Jennifer Gillissen is KAI’s Chief Operating Officer. With over 20 years of experience in the field, she is a certified Project Management Professional, a Certified Meeting Professional, and a Certified Government Meeting Professional, in addition to being Virtual Event & Meeting Management–certified.  This expertise allows Jennifer to manage projects throughout the United States, including events ranging … Read Now

Josephine Keefe is KAI’s vice president of communications. Josephine has over a decade of experience in the creative field, specializing in developing culturally competent, targeted communication products that support outreach to vulnerable populations on public health topics. Her extensive creative background ensures that all of KAI’s clients receive the best products possible and allows her … Read Now

Crystal Tetrick is KAI’s vice president for systems and policy. She has more than 20 years of experience supporting health equity in Indian Country, including working diligently to address the issues of maternal, child, and infant health. Her real-world experience in community health, public health, health care operations, and community strategic planning grounds her subject … Read Now

Jo Ann Kauffman (Nez Perce) has built KAI from a one-woman shop into one of the most well respected and influential Native-advocacy organizations in the country. As president and founder, she remains actively involved in all aspects of KAI operations, where her experience, perspective, and insight ensures high-quality management support. Since founding KAI in 1990, … Read Now

Kevin Ollokot Keefe (Nez Perce) has been the CEO of Kauffman and Associates, Inc. since 2020. Kevin brings more than a decade of experience in strategic planning, operational improvement, and private sector management consulting. He frequently leads strategic planning, operational improvement, and financial forecasting engagements with KAI’s tribal clients. He holds a master’s of economics … Read Now