Meet Our Team
Nadine Groenig
Laguna Pueblo
Owner & CEO
Federal Education Funding
After more than 18 years in K-12 education and 11 years in the non-profit business sector, Nadine started SunClan Consulting in 2020. An expert in federal funding benefitting Indigenous students, their parents, and their educators, she has developed an outstanding team of professionals to lead new concepts and develop programs in Indigenous Education.
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Teri Fraizer
Laguna-Hopi Pueblos/Ojibwe
Native Education, Culture, History, Art
With an impressive resume that includes grants management, curriculum writing, parent engagement, cultural programs, philanthropy, Native American history, and more. Teri retired from Gallup-McKinley County Schools in New Mexico in 2020. She joined SunClan and had an immediate positive impact on our team.
Tim McGowan
Building Healthy Social Networks
An educator for thirty-two years, Tim McGowan was a science teacher, school counselor, and program advisor in Rapid City, SD. For the past decade, Tim has worked with schools around the U.S. to develop prevention strategies that proactively strengthen healthy social bonds and reduce suicide. For the past three years, he has been a trainer for the University of Rochester, NY on a research project addressing military suicides. The result: Zero suicides since the project began!
William Brown
Youth Leadership Development
Strategic Planning
William Brown has extensive experience in the business world. He retired from Proctor and Gamble after 27 years to focus on community engagement activities, supporting disadvantaged youth and people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and cancer. Through SunClan Consulting, he provides leadership training to young tribal members throughout Arizona.
Dr. Elizabeth Johnson
Higher Education
Professional Development
"Dr. J" is a Distinguished Professor at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Her expertise lies in Instructional Design, Professional Development, and Educational Leadership. Her passion is equity for all students. Dr. J has worked extensively with Native American populations, including the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona and recently contributed to the success of our Native American Youth Leadership Academy in Holbrook.
Esther Nystrom
Dine (Navajo)
Program & Curriculum Development
STEAM
Esther Nystrom is a K-12 educator who led the Native American Education Program for Mesa Public Schools, the largest school district in Arizona. While there, she implemented a Navajo language program and developed the 3rd Grade Native American Social Studies curriculum. Her STEAM workshops include cultural arts blended with mathematical concepts.
Jon Lansa
Professional Development
Jon has worked as a teacher, coach, and principal in public schools for over 20 years at both the elementary and high school levels. He currently oversees the federal funding and school improvement processes for over 80 schools in Tucson. Jon is Hopi, from the Sun Forehead Clan on Shungopavi. He is dedicated to using his experience to open up educational opportunities and understanding for Native students, families, and educators.
About Us
A Social Impact Venture
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Providing Effective Solutions for Achieving Indigenous Potential
SunClan's mission is to greatly reduce suicide, significantly increase academic achievement, deepen self-worth and cultural identity, and improve health and wellness among Indigenous students and their communities.
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​SunClan's vision is for every Indigenous American to reach their academic potential, know their purpose, be self-sufficient contributors to society, and thrive in every way.
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SunClan Consulting offers multiple professional development and training opportunities for all stakeholders in K-12 Indian Education, including Native American students and families.
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Our programs are customized to the needs of our clients based on research, experience, and knowledge of what works. SunClan's providers have expertise in federal education funding, dropout prevention, equity, suicide prevention, social-emotional learning, historical trauma and resiliency, leadership development, civic engagement, culture, data evaluation and analysis, and more!
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Except for youth leadership programs, our services are provided virtually and on-site.