Layla Creppel (Oglala Sioux/Lumbee/Tuscarora) serves as the Program and Operations Specialist for SouthWings, Inc. She hails from the tobacco and cotton fields of Robeson County, North Carolina. Her multi-disciplinary background, combined with a strong passion for serving tribal communities throughout Indian Country has led to her involvement in the work surrounding diversity and inclusion, justice, BIPOC, environmental awareness, disaster relief, and movement-building. She earned her undergraduate degree in Environmental Science from The University of North Carolina at Pembroke and is currently obtaining her Master of Professional Science in Environmental Science at Oregon State University. With over a decade of experience in community outreach and tribal affairs, her roles have varied in numerous capacities, ranging from project research, Phase 1 ESA and NEPA environmental compliance, data analysis, and project management, to name a few. In tying tradition and science together, Layla feels that representation in her field is an asset, especially as an Indigenous woman. She holds matrilineal societies as sacred, as they are of extreme importance to Native culture in general. These women have shaped a history of long-standing resiliency through struggles and sacrifice, all while being closely tied to their families and communities. Indigenous people are taught to have integrity and respect, and to show reciprocity by giving back. Layla understands that in order to address the needs of the collective, it’s vital to ethically, effectively, and efficiently utilize resources and share strategies to continue to promote and nurture equity among diverse cultural communities in the best way possible.
