LANL Foundation  /  About  /  Kathryn Harris Tijerina

Kathryn Harris Tijerina

Chair

Kathryn is an enrolled citizen of the Comanche Nation. Born and raised in Comanche country in southwestern Oklahoma, she earned her BA from Harvard, graduating Magna cum Laude. She earned her Juris Doctorate from Stanford Law School and is a retired member of the Bar Association of Washington DC.

She was the College President of the Institute of American Indian Arts, directed the Indian Resource Development (IRD) program for the State of New Mexico’s colleges and universities, has worked for the Chief Justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court, directed natural resources for the State of New Mexico as the Deputy Secretary of the Department, served on the Albuquerque Mayor’s Cabinet as Director for Cultural and Recreational Services, represented the University of Phoenix, and was the Executive Director of the Railyard Stewards.

Currently in her retirement, she is a member of the Board of Trustees for Southwestern College, member of the Santa Fe Indian Center, on the Santa Fe Council for the Uncertain Human Future, Past-President of the Rotary del Sur Club, and a national advisor for the Americans for Indian Opportunity’s Ambassador Program.

Kathryn is married to her law school sweetheart, Manuel. She loves teaching and enjoys movies, reading, and gardening.