Board of Directors Election 2026
Candidate Bios
Stanley cruz
Stanley Cruz lives in the community of Pisinemo in the Pisinemo District and has been living on the Nation most of his life with the brief exception of attending Sherman Indian High School in Riverside California. After high school he volunteered in the Pisinemo community working with youth, helping out with community celebrations and volunteering with various boards on the Nation such as the Solid Waste and Museum Committees. His first job was in 1995 working for the Tohono O'odham Youth Services and in 1999 he was elected as District Chairman. After four years as the District Chairman his term ended and he went back to the Nation to work under the Child Welfare Division as a Family Preservation Specialist. After four years with the Nation he was re-elected as District Chairman in 2003 and is currently in his fifth term of office. He is interested in learning and sharing what he has learned during his lifetime. He has been married for 21 years and has four children, one foster child and nine grandchildren. He is a fluent speaker of the O'odham Language, can read some of the written O'odham language and sings songs in O'odham. He would like to continue serving on the ISDA Board.
Dr. Nelida barajas acosta
Dr. Nelida Barajas Acosta is a passionate and committed conservationist, mother of three wonderful people, with a degree in biology from UNAM, a Master of Science from CIMAV, and Doctorate in philosophy from UACH. Her professional experience includes research, regulatory management, environmental education, political science interface and complex systems. She has directed numerous national and international projects with WWF, TNC, CFE, GIZ, and advised international cooperators and as a public servant in the Federal Government. She participated in the coordination of substantive issues of COP-13 of the CBD; She was a Specialist in the United Nations system; and Coordinator of the First IUCN Mexican Forum with the Mexican Committee.
Her commitment is to work every day on global challenges to build a world where people respect and protect biodiversity, and recognize that the environmental goods and services that they provide us are fundamental to living in harmony with nature and building equitable societies. She has worked with ISDA on a number of convenings since 2020, including on the Tri-National Sonoran Desert Symposium. She would like to continue on the ISDA Board.
Aaron Flores
For years Aaron has worked with ISDA on convenings and cultural exchanges in Sonoyta (Plutarco Elias Calles), Sonora, Mexico through the Mayor’s Office and Casa de la Cultura. He is a trained EMT and currently serves as the director of civil protection for Sonoyta. He also works to support the Centro de Esperanza, a resource center for migrants and refugees in Sonoyta. he would like to continue on the board of directors.
Cathy hutton
Cathy Hutton lives in Ajo where she grew up. She owned and managed Ajo Transportation Company, serving the transportation needs of Ajo for decades. She has served on ISDA’s Board of Directors for 21 years during which time she has held every office. She is a dynamic member of the Ajo business community and has served on multiple boards including the Ajo District Chamber of Commerce Board in a variety of roles. She is an active volunteer and past Exalted Ruler with the Ajo Elks. She would like to continue serving on ISDA’s Board of Directors.