Esther Lucero. Photo from Seattle Indian Health Board
The Seattle Indian Health Board in Washington has a new chief executive officer for the first time in 25 years. Esther Lucero, who is Navajo and Latina, will officially join the organization on November 9. She previously worked for the California Consortium for Urban Indian Health. "The board was extremely impressed by Esther’s experience, leadership and vision," board chairman Chris Stearns, also Navajo, said in a press release. "We look forward to welcoming her to the Seattle Indian Health Board family and our community." Lucero follows in the footsteps of Ralph Forquera, a member of the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians who retired after serving as SIHB's top executive for more than two decades. The pair met when Lucero participated in one of the organization's summer education programs. "He shook [my] hand and said, ‘When you are finished with school, come work for us!’" Lucero recalled of Forquera. "Ten years later I am blessed to have the opportunity to carry on the legacy built by the dynamic team at SIHB." The non-profit Seattle Indian Health Board is recognized by the Indian Health Service as a Title V Urban Indian Health Organization.
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