CITC Leadership

Gloria O’Neill

A visionary leader transforming Native communities, Gloria O’Neill has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Cook Inlet Tribal Council (CITC) since 1998. Under her leadership, CITC has evolved into one of the nation’s most respected Indigenous social service organizations, serving more than 10,000 people annually through over 50 essential programs. Known for her strategic vision, Ms. O’Neill has expanded CITC’s impact through key initiatives including the Alaska Native Justice Center, the Clare Swan Early Learning Center with Yup’ik language immersion, and the Get Out the Native Vote program. Her commitment to measurable outcomes has established CITC as a national model for effective service delivery in Native communities. Ms. O’Neill’s entrepreneurial leadership created CITC Enterprises Inc. (CEI), developing innovative approaches to sustainability. Under her guidance, CEI founded Upper One Games, releasing the internationally acclaimed “Never Alone (Kisima Inŋitchuŋa)” in 2014—the first Indigenous video game company, and formed Tuyan, LLC with Ninilchik Traditional Council in 2020 to further diversify CITC’s business portfolio. As President and CEO of CEI, she also serves as Executive Chair of E-Line Ventures, LLC. Her leadership extends beyond CITC: Ms. O’Neill served on the University of Alaska Board of Regents (2012-2020) and former Chair of the National Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children. She serves as a director for the Alaska Native Justice Center and chairs the Nudlaghi Leadership Institute board. Ms. O’Neill is also a Fellow of the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Children and Family Fellowship Program. Ms. O’Neill holds an MBA from Alaska Pacific University. Originally from Soldotna, she is of Yup’ik, Sámi, and Irish descent.

Dr. Tina Woods

Chief Clinical Officer

Dr. Tina Woods is Chief Clinical Officer at Cook Inlet Tribal Council, Inc. (CITC). Unangax (Aleut) from Saint Paul Island, Alaska, and Chamorro from the Island of Guam, she was adopted Lingit, Kaagwaantan, given the name Náakw Laatseení, meaning “Strong Medicine.” Dr. Woods holds a Ph.D. in Clinical-Community Psychology with a Rural Indigenous Emphasis from the University of Alaska Anchorage and Fairbanks. With over 20 years of expertise in behavioral health, she is recognized for creating culturally responsive care for Alaska Native and American Indian communities, blending Western science with Indigenous practices rooted in Elder teachings. She serves on multiple boards, including the Alaska Pacific University Board of Trustees, and received the 2023 Healing Hands Foundation Health Provider of the Year Award.

Kyan Olanna

Chief Legal Officer

Kyan Olanna is Chief Legal Officer at Cook Inlet Tribal Council, Inc. (CITC). Inupiaq and raised in Shishmaref, Alaska, Kyan has dedicated her career to meeting the legal needs of Alaska Native corporations and tribal organizations. After earning her law degree from Yale Law School, she clerked for former Chief Justice Bryner and went on to practice at Sonosky, Chambers, Sachse, Miller and Munson and at Perkins Coie. She has served as General Counsel at Norton Sound Health Corporation and Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation, and as Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer at the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium prior to joining CITC. She currently serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Planned Parenthood Great Northwest Hawai’i Alaska Indiana and Kentucky.

Michelle Pattison

Chief Administrative Officer

Michelle Pattison is Chief Administrative Officer at Cook Inlet Tribal Council, Inc. (CITC). Turtle Mountain Chippewa and originally from Anchorage, Alaska, she brings a personal and professional commitment to the growth, leadership, and self-determination of Alaska Native and American Indian people alongside more than 25 years of transformational leadership experience in human resources, compliance, organizational development, and customer experience — including a decade of leadership at the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium. In her current role, she oversees Human Resources, Facilities Operations, Information Technology, and Yagheli-da — CITC’s Welcome Center — partnering across the executive team and with the President & CEO to align operations with CITC’s ThriveAbility strategy. Michelle is recognized for driving lasting change across Human Resources and for reimagining the Generative Leadership program, a framework of competencies rooted in Tribal Wisdom. She is a recipient of ANTHC’s President’s Service Award, holds a Master of Business Management, and is a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).

Dana Diehl

Vice President of Strategy & Development

Dana Diehl is Vice President of Strategy & Development at Cook Inlet Tribal Council, Inc. (CITC). Originally from Aniak in western Alaska, Dana is Yupik and Dena’ina, and brings a deep personal commitment to Alaska Native communities alongside more than 20 years of experience in public health. In her current role, she guides organizational efforts across Development, Communications, Culture, Policy, and Executive Administration & Tribal Partnerships. Prior to CITC, she served as Wellness and Prevention Director at the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, driving statewide efforts to prevent chronic disease and substance misuse. Dana serves as Board Chair for the Kuskokwim Educational Foundation and is a recipient of The Kuskokwim Corporation’s Health Award and ANTHC’s Presidential Service Award. She holds a master’s degree in Rural Development from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and a graduate certificate in Alaska Native Executive Leadership from Alaska Pacific University.