Jaynie Parrish is a citizen of the Navajo Nation, grew up in Window Rock and Kayenta, AZ, and has been dedicated to increasing Indigenous representation all across sectors of our society and governmental structures. Jaynie currently leads Arizona Native Vote, a newly founded non-profit organization dedicated to building political power in rural and tribal communities.
In 2020, Jaynie was called home by her mentor Dr. Peterson Zah to help organize Native voters in northeast Arizona. From 2020 to 2023, Jaynie served as the Executive Director of the Navajo County Democrats and Northeast Arizona Native Democrats. This incredible team of grassroots organizers delivered a significant number of Native votes that helped carry Arizona in the 2020 general election and 2022 midterms.
Jaynie is also very proud of her work with EMILY’s List, Denise Juneau congressional campaign, Hillary Clinton presidential campaign and Rock the Vote. She has taught American Indian Studies and Women and Gender studies at the University of North Dakota, centered Native youth wellness with Intertribal Sports and southern California tribes. From 2004 to 2010, Jaynie worked with Dr. Peterson Zah to help increase Indigenous student enrollment, retention, graduation rates, and faculty recruitment. This effort to create inclusive academic and civic partnerships with tribal nations and communities was one of the first of its kind in the country and today continues to serve as a model nationwide. Jaynie was named a 2011 White House Fellow Finalist, 2023 Munzon-Instituto Fellow, and most recently selected for the 2024-2025 Project Overzero. Jaynie is an alum of Arizona State University and the Harvard Kennedy School.
