The Christensen Fund to Welcome Two New Directors for Global and U.S. Strategies
Casey Box and Shawn Watts to join Christensen as it implements its Indigenous Rights strategy
The Christensen Fund is pleased to announce Casey Box and Shawn Watts as its newest team members to lead its global and U.S. grantmaking portfolios. “I am thrilled to welcome Casey and Shawn to The Christensen Fund team,” said Carla Fredericks, Chief Executive Officer of The Christensen Fund. “These two leaders will make it possible for us to advance our strategy to support Indigenous Peoples' inherent rights and self determination across the communities we partner with in the U.S. and globally. We are excited and honored to add their experiences and expertise to our team.”
Casey Box will join the organization as Director of Global Strategy on October 18, 2021. Casey brings considerable experience leading philanthropic causes to preserve and advance the rights of Indigenous Peoples around the world. For eight years, Casey served as the Executive Director for Land is Life, where he built an inspiring and enduring legacy focused on the advancement of Indigenous Peoples’ rights. He has worked to address issues, including the security of Indigenous peoples and their lands and territories; free, prior and informed consent; and protecting peoples living in voluntary isolation and initial contact. In this new role with The Christensen Fund, Casey will focus on supporting international organizations, leaders and movements in recognizing the inherent rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Shawn Watts will join as Director of U.S. Strategy on January 5, 2022. Shawn’s career has focused on Native American law. He joins The Christensen Fund after having most recently served as Director of the Tribal Law & Government Center, Tribal Judicial Support Clinic and Mediation Clinic at Kansas University. Prior to KU Law, Shawn taught at Columbia Law School in New York City where he was the Associate Director of the Mediation Program and also taught an Advanced Mediation Clinic and a Native American Peacemaking Clinic. A citizen of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, Shawn is also a district court judge for the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation.
Caring for our Partners and Communities
Dear Partners and Friends,
We know that COVID-19 is at the center of everyone’s mind. At Christensen, we have been closely following global developments, listening deeply to emerging recommendations from authorities and strategizing together on how best to support and care for our team, our families and communities, and you, our colleagues and partners. We want you to know that everyone’s health and safety is our top concern. We recognize that each of you holds many essential roles and that collectively caring for ourselves is caring for our communities and our movements.
We know that the rapidly changing environment may impact grant activities including travel, conferences, gatherings and other dimensions of work. We are here to be flexible and to work collaboratively with you. If you anticipate major impacts or changes to planned activities or outcomes, please contact your Program Team lead. We are ready to think together on strategies forward.
We don’t anticipate any impact on grant payments or responsiveness. We have plans in place to make sure our core business isn’t interrupted.
Our physical participation in events over the next few months will be limited. Internally, we are giving our team flexibility to work remotely, and our San Francisco office is closed until April 7 as part of a city-wide ordinance. We are cancelling all travel through April. We look forward to continuing to connect with you but for the time being, all meetings will be virtual.
Please be in contact should you have any questions or concerns.
Wishing safety and good health to you and your families.
In Solidarity,
The Christensen Fund
Cuidando a nuestros socios y nuestras comunidades
Estimadas y estimados compañeros,
Sabemos que COVID-19 está en el centro de la mente de todas y todos. En El Fondo Christensen, hemos estado siguiendo de cerca el desarrollo global de los acontecimientos, escuchando profundamente las recomendaciones emergentes y elaborando estrategias conjuntas sobre la mejor manera de apoyar y cuidar a nuestro equipo, a nuestras familias y comunidades, y a ustedes, nuestros colegas. Queremos que sepan que la salud y la seguridad de toda/os es nuestra principal preocupación. Reconocemos que cada una/o de ustedes tiene muchos roles esenciales y que cuidarnos colectivamente es cuidar a nuestras comunidades y a nuestros movimientos.
Sabemos que el entorno rápidamente cambiante puede afectar las actividades de subvención, incluidos viajes, conferencias, reuniones y otras dimensiones de su trabajo. Estamos aquí para ser flexibles y trabajar en colaboración con ustedes. Si anticipa grandes impactos o cambios en las actividades o resultados planificados, comuníquese con su contacto del programa. Estamos listos para pensar juntos en las estrategias a seguir.
No anticipamos ningún impacto en los pagos de subvenciones o la capacidad de respuesta. Tenemos planes establecidos para asegurarnos de que nuestra actividad principal no se interrumpa.
Nuestra participación física en eventos durante los próximos meses será limitada. Internamente, estamos dando flexibilidad a nuestro equipo para trabajar de forma remota y nuestra oficina de San Francisco está cerrada hasta el 7 de abril como parte de una ordenanza oficial de toda la ciudad. Estamos limitando todos los viajes hasta abril. Esperamos seguir conectando con usted, pero por el momento, las reuniones serán virtuales.
Póngase en contacto si tiene alguna otra pregunta o inquietud.
Deseando seguridad y buena salud para usted y sus familias.
En solidaridad,
El Fundo Christensen