Meet Our Senior Directors

Dani Hayward was born and raised in Redding, CA and is a Redding Rancheria Tribal Member of Wintu descent. She earned her bachelor’s degree from UCLA in 2017 and her master’s degree in Business Administration from California State University, Chico in 2025. Dani has worked for Redding Rancheria since 2017 and began her role as the Sr. Director of Human Resources in 2021.

Dani enjoys spending time with her two children, running, camping, and traveling the world. She takes pride in working for her tribe, ensuring that employees feel valued and supported while providing services to our community.

Glen Hayward was born and raised in Redding, CA and is a Redding Rancheria Tribal Member of Pit-River & Wintu descent. Glen attended Shasta College for his RN license and worked in the Emergency room for 11 years. Prior to coming to Redding Rancheria, Glen was the VP of Emergency Services at Shasta Regional Medical Center.

Glen earned his Bachelors of Science in Nursing from Jacksonville University, a Masters of Science in Disaster Medicine from Philadelphia University and his Masters of Science in Nursing and Family Nurse Practitioner from Samuel Merritt University.

Jason Hart is the son of Karen Hart, grandson of Art Hayward, and proud father to Darrah Hart. He started working for the tribe in 2008 as Public Works Director. He has always enjoyed working in the construction world. He received his contractor’s license in 2004 and since then he has been able to own and operate his own concrete business.

Over the years he has held the title of Tribal Chairman, Vice Chairman, and serving over 15 years on Redding Rancheria’s Tribal Council. He sits on the 273 Vision board. He is passionate about making big decisions for future generations of the Tribe. In his down time, he loves vacationing, fast toys and chasing around his two grandsons.

Maria was born and raised in Anderson, California. She is a proud member of the Ajumawi Band of the Pit River Nation. Maria began her education at Shasta College and later earned a Bachelor of Science in Management from the University of Phoenix.

With over 30 years of dedicated service to the Redding Rancheria, she has played a vital role in its growth and community outreach. Maria is passionate about her family and loves being a grandma.

Michael is a member Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and was born and raised in Santa Barbara County, California. He attended Arizona State University as an undergraduate and earned his bachelor’s degree in engineering with a special emphasis on construction management. After working several years in the Arizona commercial construction industry as a project engineer, Michael turned his attention and focus towards law school. He enrolled at Michigan State University College of Law and, ultimately, graduated summa cum laude with an Indigenous Law and Policy Certificate.

Michael subsequently moved back to California and passed the California bar exam. He is currently licensed and in good standing with the State Bar of California and has been happily employed with the Tribe since September of 2017. In his free time, Michael enjoys sporting activities and exploring the great outdoors with his amazing wife, four children, and two dogs.

Miranda Edwards Favorite was raised in Redding and is a Redding Rancheria Tribal Member of Pit River descent. She received her BA in Psychology from Stanford University. Before going back to school to pursue a master’s degree, she worked in a research lab focused on the impact of early life stressors on depression and anxiety in adolescents. She then received her MA in Human Rights Education from the University of San Francisco writing her thesis entitled, “Colonial Gender Roles and the Impact on Violence Against Indigenous Women in the US.”

She studied and worked in the Bay Area for seven years before moving back home to work for her Tribe. Her background in mental health and human rights has shaped her approach to community advocacy and education about Tribal sovereignty and government. She is passionate about investing in her community and preserving Tribal culture to empower future generations.

Nicole Wilkes is the proud daughter of Hope and Ronald Wilkes. She raises her two cousins Marcus, Jr. and Lyn Wilkes. She is a Redding Rancheria Tribal Member and is Wintu, Pit River, and Yana.

Throughout the last 10 years Nicole has worked as the Community Services Coordinator, the Education Director, and has recently transitioned to the role of the Senior Director of Program Services. Her lifelong mission is to serve her tribal family and community. When Nicole isn’t working she enjoys spending time with her family.