OUR TEAM
Meet The Caucus
Mary Ann Andreas
CHAIR
A steadfast advocate for tribal sovereignty and self-reliance, Mary Ann Andreas has served nearly four decades on the Tribal Council for the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, including several terms as the Chair and as Vice Chair.
Joely Proudfit
FIRST VICE-CHAIR
Dr. Joely Proudfit, Ph.D., a Luiseño/Payómkawichum and Tongva scholar, activist, and media maker, is a nationally respected leader in California Indian education, equity, and representation.
Erica Pinto
SECOND VICE-CHAIR
Erica M. Pinto currently serves as Chairwoman of the Jamul Indian Village of California, one of the 13 tribes of the Kumeyaay Nation who trace their roots back 12,000 years in San Diego County, California.
Sylvia Carrillo
COMMUNICATIONS CHAIR
Sylvia Carrillo was born in San Diego, California of Mexican/Aztec ancestry. Fluent in Spanish, Ms. Carrillo is a grandmother to two beautiful granddaughters, and loves tennis.
Daniel Salgado
SECRETARY
Biography coming soon.
Nicole Lim
TREASURER
Nicole Lim is the Executive Director of the California Indian Museum and Cultural Center. She has earned advanced degrees from the University of California at Berkeley and University of San Francisco School of Law.
Mary Ellen Early
PARLIAMENTARIAN
Mary Ellen Early is a DNC Member emerita, having served on the Democratic National Committee for 32 years, from 1988 to 2020. She has attended every Democratic National Convention since 1984, and has been a delegate at each convention since 1992.
Andrew Masiel
AT LARGE OFFICER
Board Officer at Pechanga Development Corporation. Duties: Represent the people of Pechanga Band as an elected official. Responsible for all aspects of business and economic development for the Pechanga Band; oversee all of Pechanga’s businesses.
Faith Morreo
AT LARGE OFFICER
Tribal Citizen of Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians. Served as a tribal elected official for 20 years for TMDCI. Service in various capacities for the tribal government and as a delegate for Health, Wellness, Enrollment, Tribal Employment Rights, Legislative and Tribal Court Systems, etc.
Chad Gordon
AT LARGE OFFICER
Chad Gordon is a trial attorney with a long history of support and advocacy on behalf of Native Nations and Native People. With advanced degrees from U.C. Santa Barbara, UCLA, and the UCLA School of Law, Chad began his legal career as an attorney in a major international law firm practicing Indian Law for many gaming tribes in Southern California and across the country.
Matt Franklin
AT LARGE OFFICER
Biography coming soon.