Biography
Leandra (she/her/hers), a member of the Diné Nation, is Naaneesht’ezhi Tachii’nii (Charcoal-Streaked Division of the Red Running into the Water) born for Kinlichii’nii (Red House). Her maternal grandfather is Todichii’nii (Bitter Water), and her paternal grandfather is Yoo’i Diné Tachii’nii (Bead People of the Red Running into Water).
Leandra joined the Center in July of 2024 as a Research Program Coordinator with the +Language Is Medicine program. Leandra graduated in May 2021 with a Masters in Speech Language Pathology from the University of New Mexico. As a novice in the field, she is in the early stages of applying her clinical training in real-world settings. During her education, she developed a keen interest in the intersection of speech-language pathology and Indigenous health, particularly as it relates to the preservation of Native languages and the provision of culturally competent care.
Leandra has nearly 30 years’ experience as a Registered Nurse, serving the Native population in Gallup, NM. She enjoys camping, fishing, and word/logic puzzles.