40 Under 40 (profile)

Yurok member recognized nationally

CRESCENT CITY -- Wild Rivers Community Foundation Executive Director Geneva Wiki has been selected as a recipient of the national “Native American 40 Under 40” recognition award by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development.

This award and honor recognizes 40 Native American leaders nationally between the ages of 18 to 39 who have demonstrated leadership, initiative and dedication to achieve significant contributions in business, communities and Indian country.

Wiki is a member of the Yurok Tribe and has served as Wild Rivers Community Foundation's executive director since 2009. With her leadership, the foundation has been selected to serve as the backbone organization to Del Norte and Adjacent Tribal Land's “Building Healthy Communities Initiative,” funded by The California Endowment. In that capacity she serves as the Building Healthy Communities hub manager.

”We're extremely proud of this achievement not only for Geneva personally, but because it validates that the work we are doing locally also resonates nationally,” said foundation Board Chair Dr. Kevin Caldwell.

The Native American 40 Under 40 awards will be presented at the 37th annual “Indian Progress in Business” awards gala Nov. 14 and 15 at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Tulsa, Okla.

Wild Rivers Community Foundation's mission is to inspire people and communities by facilitating dialogue and encouraging charitable giving to support the region now and forever. It is an affiliate of the Humboldt Area Foundation and serves Del Norte County and Curry County, Ore. For more information, visit www.wildriverscf.org or call 465-1238 or (541) 412-6277.