Arizona Business Magazine has named Yavapai-Apache Nation Chairwoman Jane Russell-Winiecki one of the 2017 Most Influential Women in Arizona Business. The magazine will publish a special edition featuring the winners in July and host an award ceremony in August.
Winiecki was elected chairwoman of the Yavapai-Apache Nation in 2016. Previously she served as chairperson of the tribe’s Economic Development Authority, chairperson of Cliff Castle Casino Board of Directors, chairperson of the CDFI, member of the Camp Verde Chamber of Commerce board of directors and member of the Clarkdale Town Council.
Winiecki and her husband also started the Wild Apache Internet Services in the Verde Valley in 1996 to provide residential and commercial internet services to residents of the Verde Valley. In 2008, Winiecki sold Wild Apache Internet to a larger internet provider in Arizona.
In 2008 she also founded Life Vessel Arizona which provides healing and balance services to people from all over the world. ” Throughout the process of developing Life Vessel Arizona, I never forgot my inaugural entrepreneur venture years ago. I am so thrilled that today, women can lead the way in industries that have been dominated by men,” Winiecki said.
Winiecki was elected chairwoman of the Yavapai-Apache Nation in 2016. She was the first woman in more than 40 years to be elected to the tribe’s highest office and only the second woman in the tribe’s history of modern government.
As chairwoman, Winiecki also serves as the treasurer of the Arizonans for Government Gaming and is a member of the Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona, Inter-Tribal Association of Arizona and Arizona Indian Gaming, and serves as the delegate for the Western Caucus with the National Indian Gaming Association.
As chairwoman, Winiecki’s work is focused on the discussion of settlement of the Nation’s federal water rights, completion of economic development and housing projects initiated by the previous Tribal Council and the planning and vision growing of the Nation’s future on housing, healthcare and tribal economy.
Winiecki, whose father served as tribal chairman for many years, said, “Serving as chairwoman is a huge honor for me. I see my role as chairwoman as the facilitator of the tribal government. It is my job to bring our employees and departments together with tribal leaders and our people to make sure that every single decision we make reflects the needs of the people. It has been a challenging job, but I am always up for a challenge and I want to make sure that our nation continues moving forward.”
Regarding the Arizona Business Magazine honor, Winiecki stated, “For me, this is really about being Yavapai-Apache and a privilege to accept such a huge honor and accept it on behalf of our ancestors, our elders, our children and future generations.”
