WPP Trustees and Officers

Joseph (“Joe”) Bia Jr.

President of the Board of Trustees & Founder

Joe Bia Jr. (Diné) is Bit’ahnii (Under his Cover People), Tódích’íi’nii (The Bitter Water People) is his father’s clan, Naakaii Dine’é (The Mexican People) is his maternal grandfather’s clan, Tłááshchí’í (The Red Cheeks People) is his paternal grandfather’s clan. Joe grew up on the Navajo Nation in Many Farms, AZ. Raised on a farm with no running water and no electricity, he would experience a common hardship that many Navajo families face today. After his father began work at Peabody Coal Joe moved to Kayenta, AZ where he would graduate from Monument Valley High School.

Joe would go on to attend Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, NH; Harvard Medical School’s Four Directions Research Program in Boston, MA; Harvey Mudd College of Engineering in Claremont, CA and finally Northern Arizona University’s Franke College of Business Finance program. Joe worked in banking for over 18 years and lived in the Arctic Circle in Northern Alaska where he would live with the Inupiaq (Eskimo) people. After living in the Arctic for 8 years and seeing similar social and economic problems as “lower 48” Native American communities, Joe would return to Arizona focused on learning how to make change. By working and learning from other grassroots organizations such as Save Our Schools, Joe would develop a strong interest and passion for advocacy work, community organizing and leadership. Inspired by the Change Labs Indigenous Business Incubator Program , Joe began development on the new nonprofit organization, Water Peak Partners, aimed at providing clean water access to underserved communities across Indian Land, the US and Mexico.

Zach Stevenson

Board of Trustee, Vice-President

Mr. Stevenson has 23 years of experience leading $10.95 million in conservation and sustainable development projects in Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, and the Northeastern U.S. He recently worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Anchorage, ensuring compliance with the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act.

Mr. Stevenson coordinated the Northwest Arctic Borough Subsistence Mapping Project, a five-year initiative producing a printed atlas and web-based tool documenting ecological and subsistence use areas in seven Iñuit villages. These maps support natural resource conservation, economic development, and emergency response.

He chaired the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Arctic Landscape Conservation Cooperative, advised the Spatial Tools for Arctic Mapping and Planning project, and contributed to the Pacific Arctic Marine Regional Synthesis. In 2013, he participated in a National Science Foundation-funded workshop on local research participation in Northwest Alaska.

Mr. Stevenson holds a BA in Environmental Studies from Eckerd College with a concentration in environmental policy and marine science.

Mirkalice Gore. Board of Trustee, Secretary

Born in Puerto Rico, my first language is Spanish, which will be valuable for interactions with individuals and organizations in Mexico.

I worked for twelve years as a legal secretary in New York, Florida, and California in real estate, corporate, criminal, divorce, worker’s compensation, and personal injury law.

When my Canadian husband was seeking U.S. entry and couldn't work, I started a successful car dealership in Washington State, catering to apple orchard laborers. After moving back to Florida, I acquired a real estate license and sold HUD properties.

In 2000, my husband and I started The Charities’ Vehicle Auction in Las Vegas. I managed property acquisition, permits, licensing, hiring, bookkeeping, and oversight. The business was successful, raising $14 million for charities before closing in 2016 due to my husband's health.

In 1987, I became an ordained minister and taught classes at various churches. In 1995, I founded a non-denominational church in Las Vegas, A Place for Miracles, dedicated to the teachings of Jesus. Inspired by physicist Erwin Schrodinger's idea that "the total number of minds in the universe is one," I believe in the interconnectedness of all life and have dedicated my life to serving others, especially the marginalized. I am here to help in any way I can.

Dr. Margaret (“Peggy”) Brady. Board of Trustee, Treasurer

Dr. Peggy Brady is a cultural anthropologist focused on individual, familial, and community well-being. Born and raised in Alaska and now residing in Seattle, she has lived in India, the UK, Japan, and France, which shape her diverse worldview.

She holds a Ph.D. in Social Anthropology and Ethnology from EHESS in Paris, an M.A. in Anthropology, and a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Alaska Anchorage. Her doctoral research examined the transnational community of a Japanese new religion in Paris, while her master’s thesis explored Hmong gardening in Anchorage and its impact on health and cultural continuity.

Peggy has extensive experience in ethnographic research and presenting findings. She has also taught as a substitute teacher in Alaska, an ESL teacher for Tibetan refugees in India and France, and in American Citizenship classes in Alaska. Her inclusive perspective makes her an effective liaison and bridge-builder.

Trustee Helen Bia. Board of Trustee

Helen, a member of the Navajo Tribe from Many Farms, AZ, belongs to the Tl’ogi, Tl’aashchi’i, Ashiihi, and Kinyaa’aanii clans. Her childhood home in To’dahsikoni’ still lacks piped water, driving her passion to bring clean water to rural Navajo areas.

Helen plans to return once water is established in her community. She holds a BA in Education from the University of Arizona and a Master's from Northern Arizona University. Helen worked 37 years with the Chinle Unified School District, developing the CUSD Family Involvement Program and advising the Chinle High School youth leadership organization, taking students to UNITY conferences in Washington, D.C.

Juanita Contreras. Board of Trustee

From Many Farms, AZ, Juanita is a lifelong educator and fluent Navajo speaker who began her teaching career in 1973. She started as an educational assistant and has held various K-8 positions, including special education, tutor, facilitator, and school board member.

Juanita holds an Associate of Arts in Elementary Education, a Bachelor’s in Special Education/Elementary Education from the University of Arizona, and a Master’s in Guidance Counseling from Western New Mexico University. She has additional endorsements in Structured English and Early Childhood from the University of Phoenix, and Multi-Age class from Northern Arizona University.

Her community involvement includes serving on the NCA Visiting Team to Schools, as an EEO Counselor, Indian Educators Federation Representative, Parent Advisory Council President, Wellness Center Board member, Azee’Bee Nahagha of Dine Nation member, and Many Farms Community School Board member.

Mary Jane Francis. Board of Trustee

I am of the maternal clan of Klaaschii'ii and paternal clan of Naakai Dine'e.

I was born on the Navajo (Dine') Reservation over 70 years ago.

About the age of seven (7) I was purposely abducted by the BIA for the boarding school. Later I graduated from the local public high school .

In 1968, I entered Northern Arizona University as a freshman. I graduated with a BA in Secondary Education from the

University of Arizona in 1973; a MA in Applied Anthropology in 1979.

Mike Holt. Board of Trustee

Mike spent 25 years in federal environmental and historic preservation service, and program management w/ The Departments of Agriculture and Interior. Mike successfully navigated complex issues and assignments ranging the full spectrum of land uses and issues, including water rights monitoring and legal bases, climate change impacts, Native American Trust responsibilities, land use planning, and permitting for the gambit of federal undertakings. Mike demonstrated a history of success for grant preparation, identifying issues and issuing relevant studies, fostering and developing vital partnerships, professional coaching, and facilitating solutions to often contentious and complex issues with an eye toward inclusivity while engineering a shared vision.

I am thankful for the invitation to participate in this vital issue surrounding the issues of water and underserved communities.

Devin Del Palacio. Board of Trustee

Devin Del Palacio, a lifelong Arizona resident, overcame financial challenges to excel academically. In 2012, he registered 34,000 minority voters in South and West Phoenix. In 2014, he became the first African American elected to the Tolleson Union High School District Governing Board, serving as Vice President and President.

Devin has been recognized by the Greater Phoenix Urban League, Cesar Chavez Foundation, NASA-JPL, and others for his work in creating equitable schools and safe neighborhoods. He also serves as a Solar System Ambassador and is training for suborbital space flight with the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences.

Currently, Devin is Chairman of the National Black Council of School Board Members and was appointed to the Arizona State House of Representatives in 2022. His dedication and leadership continue to inspire his community.

Dr. Andrea Singer. Board of Trustee

I am a professor at Southern Utah University, specializing in Educational Leadership, Teaching, and Curriculum. Originally from Kayenta, Arizona, I graduated from Monument Valley High School in 2001 and earned a Bachelor’s and two Master’s degrees from Northern Arizona University. I hold two PhDs, one in Educational Leadership (2019) and another in Teaching and Curriculum (2022).

With 16 years of K-8 teaching experience, my mission is to help future teachers reach their full academic potential. I belong to the Towering House and Many Goats clans, with maternal ties to the Red Streak in the Water and Salt People clans. I believe bilingual education boosts student morale and academic achievement.