Staff Spotlight: Meet Tribal Outreach Liaison Kinsel-Begay!
This week’s Staff Spotlight features our Tribal Outreach Liaison Geraldine “Geri” Kinsel-Begay!
Name: Geraldine “Geri” Kinsel-Begay
Role at ADVS: Tribal Outreach Liaison with the Public & Intergovernmental Affairs Department
When did you start at ADVS: March 13, 2023
Did you serve in the military: No
Did anyone in your family serve: Yes, my grandfather John Kinsel Sr., was a USMC Navajo Code Talker with the 3rd Marine Division.
What do you do at ADVS: As the outreach liaison, I provide advocacy to service members, Veterans and their families within the 22 Tribes of Arizona. I provide a variety of direct services to the Veteran community and other statewide programs designed to aid Veterans. As Tribal Outreach Liaison, I also travel to rural and remote Tribal communities within the state of Arizona to set up at events, pop-up events, meet and greets as well as attend community events such as Commanders Meetings to introduce ADVS services and connect Veterans to the best services and resources.
Why did you decide to join ADVS: I joined ADVS because I wanted to provide the best practices for tribal outreach to service members, Veterans and their families in the Native communities and provide services so that even that one veteran who lives in the most remote and rural areas with a lack can get help.
Why is your job important to helping Arizona Veterans: Because I can be that bridge of communication for Veterans who are in the most rural and remote areas of their communities to provide services that endorse one Veteran at a time.
What do you enjoy about working at ADVS: I love making one on one connections with each Veteran and vibrantly letting each Veteran know that there are resources available to them even if they live in the most remote and rural areas. I get to be a good listener, as each Veteran has a historical language of experience that they express through their storytelling abilities and that is something that is very rewarding for not only me but also for the Veteran.
Outside of ADVS, what do you enjoy doing: I enjoy hiking, traveling, exploring new adventures, listening to music and being a part of my Native Traditional culture that entails a richness of culture.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be: My superpower would be the ability to put a smile on every individual’s face!
The ADVS Staff Spotlight series will be published every second and fourth Friday of the month on the ADVS social media pages and website with tidbits and fun facts about our employees. The Staff Spotlight will highlight staff from all of our departments within ADVS including our Executive staff, Veterans Services Division, Arizona Veterans’ Memorial Cemeteries, Arizona State Veteran Homes and more!