Fundraisers' Forum

Elena Higgins has cultivated a dynamic career touring with her wife, Tash Terry (Diné), as part of the award-winning musical duo Indigie Femme. Together, they have garnered numerous international and national accolades for their powerful performances. Beyond her musical achievements, Elena is the co-founder and executive director ofIndigenousWays, a nonprofit organization devoted to fostering balance and unity through music, arts, outreach, and events. IndigenousWays serves as a bridge for cultural exchange, supporting Native American, Indigenous, 2SLGBTQIA+, andDeaf and Hard of Hearing communities with accessible programs and festivals.Through this work, the organization amplifies underrepresented voices, strengthens cultural resilience, and promotes holistic healing on a global scale.

Elena's dedication to community and cultural preservation is deeply rooted in her heritage. Born inAotearoa (New Zealand), she was raised in a Pākehā (white) foster family, while maintaining close ties with her Samoan matrilineal aiga (family) and Māoriwhānau (family). These connections have instilled in her a profound commitment to honoring cultural traditions and building meaningful community connections.

Marisa Page is an enrolled citizen of the Pawnee Nation ofOklahoma and descends from the Ponca and Comanche Nation. Marisa was born and raised in Albuquerque, NM and currently resides in Rio Rancho, NM with her family. Ms. Page’s education includes - Master of Legal Studies with a focus inIndigenous Peoples Law from the University of Oklahoma, Bachelor of Arts inAnthropology with a minor in Psychology from the University of New Mexico, and two Associates of Arts from Central New Mexico Community College. She is a current candidate for 2024 cohort for the Native American Studies, PhD. program at the University of New Mexico. For more than 20 years, Marisa has worked and advocated for Indigenous peoples throughout the world. She has been a fundraiser working with major gifts, planned giving, and grant writing; managed a pre-college education department; guest lectured at various universities; and participated in community organizing. BIPOC-led organizations she has worked for include - First Nations Development Institute, New Mexico Environmental LawCenter, Native Community Development Associates, Americans for IndianOpportunity, Campo Band of Kumeyaay, and the American Indian Science andEngineering Society. Ms. Page is currently the Executive Director for thePawnee Evening Star Fund, a tribal 501c3.

Drew Tulchin has over 30 years of professional experience with mission-driven organizations. He has helped raise more than $400 million and counting with nonprofits, for-profits, foundations, and governments in Indian Country, in New Mexico, throughout the US, and internationally. For more information on Drew and Upspring, check out www.upspringassociates.com.

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Angel Charley is a New Mexico State Senator, strategist, and facilitator whose work centers on community-centered leadership, systems change, and relationship-building. In addition to her legislative work, she leads Desert Rain Strategies, a consulting practice focused on communications, facilitation, and organizational strategy at the intersection of culture, policy, and community impact.

Angel brings extensive experience working with nonprofit organizations, advocacy groups, Tribal communities, and public sector partners across New Mexico. Her facilitation style is interactive, grounded, and action-oriented, helping groups move from reflection and relationship-building into practical implementation.

Her fundraising training approach reframes fundraising as trust-building, storytelling, and long-term community engagement rather than transactional “asking.” Participants leave with practical tools, clearer messaging, and actionable strategies they can immediately apply within their organizations.

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Linley Daly is the Founder and CEO of Daly Impact Strategies, where she helps mission-driven leaders and organizations navigate complexity, growth, and transformation with clarity, courage, and conviction. With more than 30 years of experience across the nonprofit, corporate, and public sectors, she is known for helping leaders cut through noise, align strategy with values, and build cultures people actually want to be part of.

A Professional Certified Coach (PCC), strategist, facilitator, and governance expert, Linley works at the intersection of nonprofit soul and for-profit sharpness—blending strategic planning, leadership development, emotional intelligence, and organizational culture. Her work challenges leaders to move beyond burnout, over-functioning, and reactive leadership toward sustainable leadership that builds both capacity and impact.

Linley has helped organizations raise millions, guided executive teams and boards through transformational change, and facilitated high-stakes conversations that reshape how leaders lead, serve, and create influence. Known for her bold presence, grounded wisdom, and no-fluff approach, she brings equal parts strategic insight, humanity, and truth-telling to every engagement.

A native New Mexican and former Division I scholarship athlete, Linley believes leadership is not about carrying everything alone. It is about building people, cultures, and systems strong enough to thrive without leaders becoming the emotional and operational shock absorbers for broken systems.