Kim Kanuho
Kim Kanuho is the President and Planner of Fourth World Design Group LLC (FWDG.) Mrs. Kanuho is Diné from the Tábąąhí (Water’s Edge People) born for the Tódích'íinii (Bitter Water People) clan and originally from Fort Defiance, AZ. Her expertise is community land use planning, master planning, and economic planning on Tribal lands, which includes an understanding of Tribal sovereignty, land processes, geographical locations and cultural values. She has over fifteen years of direct experience working on various projects with Tribal Nations in the planning, architecture and construction field. Kim is passionate about applying her education, professional experience and cultural knowledge to promote positive community and economic planning strategies toward the future growth, development and well-being of Tribal Nations. Mrs. Kanuho is an alumna of Arizona State University’s College of Architecture and Design where she received a Bachelor of Science in Urban Planning and a Master of Urban and Environmental Planning. Kim actively serves on boards and organizations that advances Indigenous planning, communities and economies in Indian Country.
Professional Affiliations
American Planning Association - Indigenous Division, American Planning Association - Arizona Chapter, Construction in Indian Country Advisory Executive Board, and the Phoenix Indian Center Board.
Awards
2019 Small Business of the Year, American Indian Chamber of Commerce of AZ
2017 Emerging Leaders, US Small Business Administration
2012 Construction in Indian Country Appreciation Award
Rio Lopez
Rio Lopez is an Intern Architect at Fourth World Design Group. He is a member of the Gila River Indian Community south of Phoenix in Sacaton, AZ. Rio was born and raised in Eugene, Oregon. He graduated his undergrad with a degree in Global Business. He recently obtained his master’s in Architecture from the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc). Rio continues to invest and learn more about Indigenous groups’ traditions and cultures, especially his own; Akimel O’odham. As an architecture graduate, he looks forward to better understanding how to build, design, and plan in a Native mentality.
Rio is bridging his Global Business degree and years of business experience into the design world. He is working on diversifying his skill sets to better serve clients and community members. He hopes to utilize his experience and education to a more well-rounded viewpoint for more encompassing solutions and designs.
Samantha Zah
Samantha Zah is an Intern Planner at Fourth Word Design Group LLC. She is a member of the Navajo Nation from Phoenix, AZ. Mrs. Zah is from the Honágháahnii (One Who Walks Around) clan born for the Kiinya’áanii (Towering House) clan. She supports planning projects and business development while utilizing her experience, education, and expertise in working alongside tribal and frontline communities in solving intersecting sustainability and social justice issues. Previously, Samantha worked for Local First Arizona supporting rural and tribal entrepreneurs and non-profits in capacity-building and sustainability projects. Prior to that, Samantha researched and developed a unique sustainability framework for the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise’s Board of Directors. She is a graduate of Arizona State University’s School of Sustainability where she earned a Master’s in Sustainability Solutions (MSUS) and Northern Arizona University where she earned a Bachelor of University Studies in Cultural Geography and Studio Arts. Samantha enjoys learning about the unique perspectives of tribal communities and empowering them to design equitable strategies that create more sustainable communities for the future.
Professional Affiliations
Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure