About Us
Mission
Kenah Consulting supports communities across Indian Country to increase capacity, economic opportunity, and sovereignty. Our work aids tribal communities in enhancing and protecting land and natural resource rights and preserving valued cultural resources. We work with Federal Institutions to help them better engage with tribes.
Approach
We take a holistic approach that combines a deep understanding of federal laws and regulations pertaining to Indian Country and expertise in history, politics, economics, and anthropology. Our work is collaborative, and our goal is to provide services that aid tribes to fulfill their objectives.
Who We Work With
Indian Tribes
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Tribal Organizations
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Museums
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Educational Institutions
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State Agencies
Meet Our Team
Michelle Lea Kiel, PhD
Senior Executive Director
Dr. Kiel leads Kenah’s strategic direction and works alongside tribal nations to strengthen sovereignty through federal acknowledgment, governance, community development, administrative capacity building, and land and natural resource initiatives. With more than two decades of experience, she provides firm-wide leadership while serving as a senior advisor on complex tribal initiatives.
Ashley Atkins Spivey, PhD
Executive Director
Dr. Spivey provides leadership across Kenah’s cultural heritage, tribal historic preservation, and capacity-building initiatives. Drawing on extensive experience in archaeology, ethnographic research, museum management, and program development, she helps guide both organizational strategy and project implementation in partnership with tribal communities.
Stephanie Rose Hasselbacher, PhD
Principal Associate
Dr. Hasselbacher specializes in language reclamation, tribal engagement, strategic planning, program development, and administrative capacity building. She works collaboratively with tribal communities to develop sustainable programs that strengthen community priorities while supporting tribal sovereignty and self-determination.
Catherine Hill, MA
Senior Associate
Ms. Hill is a cultural heritage professional whose work spans program development, strategic planning, museum and collections stewardship, tribal engagement, grant development, and historic preservation. She specializes in helping organizations translate community priorities into actionable programs, plans, and collaborative partnerships.
Katie Gibson, MA
Senior Associate
Ms. Gibson is a historian and researcher specializing in archival research, genealogy, federal acknowledgment, historic preservation, and data management. She supports tribal initiatives through historical research, program development, community engagement, and the development of documentation that advances tribal priorities and sovereignty goals.
Olivia Garcia
Associate
Ms. Garcia supports Kenah’s work through genealogical research, enrollment services, archival research, records management, and administrative coordination. Her work helps strengthen organizational systems while supporting community-based research and programs serving tribal nations.