First Native American woman to lead SWAIA » Albuquerque Journal
First Native American woman to lead SWAIA » Albuquerque Journal
First Native American woman to lead SWAIA
Santa Fe-born Kim Peone, was named as SWAIA’s new executive director.
Copyright © 2020 Albuquerque Journal
The Southwestern Association for Indian Arts has named Santa Fe-born Kim Peone executive director.
An enrolled member of the Colville Confederated Tribes of Washington and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Peone is the first Native American woman in SWAIA’s 99-year history to helm the organization.
The announcement comes in the shadow of the cancellation of the Santa Fe Indian Market due to the coronavirus and amid serious financial problems within its umbrella group.
Peone last served as the CEO/CFO of the Colville Confederated Tribes. She possesses dual degrees in accounting and marketing.
“I’ve been working in Indian Country for 30 years,” Peone said in a telephone interview from North Carolina, where she was visiting her children.
In Washington, Peone moved from serving as a board member of the Colville Confederated Tribes to its leadership position.
“It was a natural fit,” she said. “I grew our cash distribution by $32 million.”
Before moving to Washington, Peone worked as the CFO for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians for seven years.
“On the first day I took over, cash flow was $600,000. When I left, it was $6 million.
“I was able to really look at efficiencies; I was able to look at promotion.”
She also oversaw a $700 million trust fund and a $350 million operating budget.
Peone is aware of the challenges awaiting her. Board members have said the Santa Fe Indian Market, the most prestigious of its kind in the world, could come to an end without more sponsorships. The annual event draws about 115,000 summer visitors with an $165 million economic impact on northern New Mexico. For many of its approximately 1,000 artists, it generates half their annual income. For the past several years, its leadership has resembled a revolving door.
“Well, you know, that’s Indian Country,” Peone said, referring to the latter. “There are good leaders and there are bad leaders. You have to have a skill set beyond just a title.
“I feel like they made a bold decision to hire an executive director during a crisis like this. I come at it with optimism. I come at it as a businesswoman. The pandemic has created a ripple effect of dire need. We’re going to be strategic; we’re going to look at our options.”
Peone lived in Santa Fe until she was 8 years old; her parents met at the Institute of American Indian Arts.
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