Diana "Dede" Yazzie Devine is an Arizona-based nonprofit professional. She led the nonprofit Native American Connections for over forty years.

Diana Yazzie Devine
Diana Yazzie Devine speaking with attendees at the grand opening of Homebase hosted by Native American Connections in Surprise, Arizona.
Born
EducationUniversity of Wisconsin
Years active1975-2023
EmployerNative American Connections
Children3
FatherDan Devine

Biography

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Devine was born in Lansing, Michigan. As a child, she moved frequently due to her father, Dan Devine's, career as a football coach.[1][2] She was the middle of seven children.[1]

Devine attended the University of Wisconsin, where she interned on the Ojibwe reservation. She lived and worked there for five years, during which time the Indian-Self Determination Act was enacted. Witnessing the changes that the act gave Devine an understanding of tribal sovereignty and government.[1]

As a part of her work, Devine traveled multiple times to Arizona. In 1979, Devine was introduced to a new residential treatment facility, Indian Rehabilitation. She agreed to help it until a leader could be hired.[3] Under Devine's leadership, Indian Rehabilitation transformed into the nonprofit Native American Connections.[1] As the organization's president and CEO, she greatly grew the organization to support Phoenix's homeless population.[1][4] She was also active in the founding of the Native American Community Service Center and other services like housing programs. One of the housing communities is named after Devine.[1]

Under Devine's leadership, Native American Connections developed 1,000 affordable Phoenix residences and opened twenty-three Valley projects to provide aid and social services. Greg Stanton noted that "No one has changed as many minds about affordable housing ... in Arizona."[5]

Devine was also influential in transforming the Phoenix Indian School Visitor Center. This former American Indian boarding school became a place for Native Americans from many tribes to come together.[5]

To support her work, Devine earned her MBA from Arizona State University in 1999.[1][6] She attended the school while running the Native American Connections.[6]

Devine retired in 2023.[7]

Personal life

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Devine raised three children as a single mother.[1]

Awards

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  • 2003: Valley Leadership Woman of the Year[8]
  • 2006: ONE (Organization for Nonprofit Executives) Executive Director of the Year[9]
  • 2008: YWCA's Tribute to Women - Business Leader Award[9]
  • 2010: Foothills Magazine's Women Who Move the Valley[9]
  • 2012: Arizona’s 48 Most Intriguing Women[1]
  • 2012: Phoenix Business Journal's 25 Most Admired CEOs[9]
  • 2016: Community Service Golden Rule Honoree, Arizona Interfaith Movement[10]
  • 2019: Morrison Institute's Distinguished Fellows[11]
  • 2023: USA Today Women of the Year[12]
  • 2023: Local Initiatives Support Corporation Phoenix Special Honoree[1][7]
  • 2023: Arizona Women's Hall of Fame[13]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "DIANA YAZZIE DEVINE CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT/SOCIAL CHANGE" (PDF). 48 ARIZONA WOMEN ARIZONA’S MOST INTRIGUING WOMEN. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  2. ^ "'Dede' pioneered services for Native Americans – published in the Republic – Arizona Interfaith Movement". October 21, 2017. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  3. ^ Plough, Alonzo L. (April 7, 2020), "Incorporating "Culture" Within a Culture of Health", Culture of Health in Practice, Oxford University Press, pp. 7–22, doi:10.1093/oso/9780190071400.003.0002, ISBN 978-0-19-007140-0, retrieved April 18, 2024
  4. ^ Dean, Jesse (February 23, 2023). "CSH Appoints Phoenix Leader of Native American Connections, Diana Yazzie Devine, to its National Board of Directors". CSH. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Dede Devine reflects on more than 4 decades helping Phoenix-area residents in need". www.azcentral.com. March 19, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  6. ^ a b AZFoothills.com. "Women Who Move the Valley 2010". AZFoothills.com. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  7. ^ a b Dokes, Jennifer (October 10, 2023). "2023 Special Honoree: Dede Devine puts a face on the term 'lasting legacy'".
  8. ^ "PAST MAN & WOMAN OF THE YEAR HONOREES" (PDF). Valley Leadership. April 17, 2023. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  9. ^ a b c d "Devine to keynote college convocation | Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions". publicservice.asu.edu. May 1, 2017. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  10. ^ Diana Yazzie Devine - Golden Rule Community Award 2016. Retrieved April 18, 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
  11. ^ "Distinguished Fellows | Morrison Institute for Public Policy". morrisoninstitute.asu.edu. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  12. ^ NETWORK, Staff USA TODAY (March 17, 2023). "Meet USA TODAY's Women of the Year". www.usatoday.com. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  13. ^ "Diana (DeDe) Yazzie Devine". AWHF. Retrieved April 18, 2024.