The Chinle Planting Hope Leadership Team:

Janice Dunn  
​President & Executive Director

The three words that describe me are caring, compassionate and creative.  I am from the Del Muerto community and am the the mother of two beautiful kids.  I joined Chinle Planting Hope in 2016 and love volunteering and giving back to the community.  I really like the saying “Think globally, act locally.” I currently work at John Hopkins Center for Native American Health and am looking forward to helping run the HOPE thrift store! 

​Bessie K. Tso 
​Treasurer

Ya'at'eeh!  My name is Bessie Tso and I am a social worker at the Chinle IHS Hospital.  As part of my work I run different support groups and try to help people heal and grow after difficult situations.  I am the mother to three grown children and two precious grandchildren.  I volunteered for a stay in school program in Chinle for many years and then joined CPH.  Some things I enjoy are sewing, basket weaving, accounting and mentoring younger leaders. 

Amber Drinen  
Program Coordinator 

My husband Paul and I have had the privilege to live in and work on the Navajo Nation for 17 years and to raise our two children in Chinle.  I am constantly learning and growing from living in the Diné community.  The amazing women on the CPH team challenge me and we laugh a lot together.  It is an honor to serve in Chinle and I'm so thankful for all of the support for CPH locally and from around the country.  

Kathy Mitchell  
CPH Team Member & Bookmobile Director

​Ya'at'eeh.  I am humbled and honored to be part of Chinle Planting Hope, a grassroots non-profit that inspires community solutions and action.  As a lifelong resident of Chinle, I have been in the teaching profession for 20+ years, and my love for teaching has been enhanced by students who inspire me every day.  I have three grown children and enjoy hiking, traveling, reading and spending time with my family, and I am grateful for my faith in God's love for where I am today.  Thank you for visiting our website, and sharing in the blessing of our organization, community, and nation.

Phillicia Yazzie  
​CPH Team ​Member 

I enjoy spending time with my family doing things like nature walks, cooking and bike riding.  I also really enjoy crafting and being creative.  Being able to make shirts, personalized cups and home decor kept me occupied during the pandemic.  I started being a part of CPH through the Community Volunteer Team and working at our local elementary school.  Being a part of Chinle Planting Hope has been awesome!  Working together, planning and making things happen for our community is a joyful ride. 

​Carmen Thompson  
​CPH Team Member  

I am Carmen “Ms Cat” Thompson, originally from Brooklyn, New York. I’ve lived in many places, including Chicago,  Flagstaff, Las Vegas, and Costa Rica. I’ve been an English teacher at Chinle Junior High and High Schools for almost 20 years and have grown to love the land, people and culture of the Navajo Nation. Several years ago, Chinle Planting Hope (CPH) gave me the opportunity to “give back” to the community through random good deeds, food distribution and other good works. As I retire this year, I look forward to continuing to grow in a spirit of love through my service with CPH.