Chief of Staff
Vahan Setyan serves as Chief of Staff to the Scott Shields for Governor campaign. He is a healthcare policy advisor, author, and government relations executive whose work spans healthcare innovation, veterans’ health, tribal governance, economic development, and international engagement. His career has involved building end-of-life care, hospice, and palliative care systems in underserved and Indigenous communities, and addressing the structural challenges facing serious illness and aging populations.
Setyan is the President and Founder of Dovin Advisors, an advisory firm established in 2015 that provides counsel on healthcare, economic development, and government relations to tribal, domestic, and international partners. Through this platform he has advised tribal governments, healthcare organizations, and private sector partners on healthcare infrastructure, regulatory matters, and cross-jurisdictional economic development initiatives.
His professional experience includes work with hospice, home health, adult day health care, chronic disease management, and initiatives serving veterans and Indigenous elders.
In 2018, he played a central role in establishing the first official hospice and palliative care program within a tribal government in the United States through a formal agreement with the Navajo Nation. In 2020, Setyan helped establish the firsthand only community-based hospice inpatient facility in Maricopa County, Arizona, generating more than $5 million in initial capital to support end-of-life care for veterans and community members in need of palliative services.
In 2023, he provided testimony before the United States Congress on Native American and veteran healthcare. In February 2026, he also provided testimony before the Arizona House of Representatives Human and Health Services Committee on proposed legislation addressing the U.S. physician shortage and the integration of internationally trained physicians into the American healthcare workforce.
His work frequently involves coordination across federal, state, tribal, and international institutions, particularly in areas where healthcare delivery, workforce policy, economic development, and sovereign governance intersect.
In 2025, he participated in a diplomatic visit to Armenia focused on healthcare development, serious illness care, and economic cooperation between sovereign tribal governments and a sovereign nation.
Beyond healthcare policy, Setyan has also advised initiatives involving economic development, wellness infrastructure, and hospitality development projects connected to tribal governments and international partners.
Professional Identity:
Healthcare policy advisor
Focus on veterans, Indigenous communities, underserved populations
Healthcare systems, end-of-life care, hospice, palliative care
Government relations and diplomacy
Economic development and intergovernmental work
International engagement
Research and authorship in history, linguistics, and cultural preservation
Intergovernmental coordination across tribal, state, federal, and international institutions
Credentials and Experience:
President & Founder of Dovin Advisors (since 2015)
Chief of Staff to the Scott Shields for Governor campaign
Director of Tribal and Sovereign Affairs, Veterans Affinity
Work with tribal governments and sovereign entities
Work with healthcare operations (hospice, home health, adult day health, disease management)
Experience structuring systems under real-world constraints
Testified before U.S. Congress on Native American and veteran healthcare (2023)
Testified before the Arizona House of Representatives Human and Health Services Committee on international physicians and the U.S. healthcare workforce shortage (February 2026)
Participated in first-ever tribal government hospice/palliative program (Navajo Nation, 2018) Established a community-based hospice inpatient facility in Maricopa County, Arizona (2020) Directed diplomatic engagement with Armenia on healthcare development and economic cooperation (2025)
Work with humanitarian and public safety issues (children, elders, families)
Recognition & Institutional Affiliations:
Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters awarded by the Original Oceti Sakowin Treaty Government of the Sioux Nation of Indians (2021)
Member, Association of Former Intelligence Officers
Member, OSS Society
Involved with Asian American National Committee
Role in Sioux Treaty Government (Authorized Representative & Ambassador roles)
Board service: International Chamber of Commerce of Nevada
Board service: International Economic Cooperation and Business Forum
Board service: Nevada POLST Program
Public-Facing Credibility:
Interviewed at Hollywood Christmas Parade (Montel Williams interview)
Certificate of Appreciation from U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots
Publications appearing in policy and academic platforms
Author of research and manuscripts exploring history, linguistics, cultural preservation, and ancient civilizations
National and international recognition for leadership in healthcare and economic development initiatives
Sovereign / Tribal / Government Engagement:
Authorized Representative & Ambassador to Sioux Nation treaty government
Represented tribal governments in healthcare, economic development, and diplomacy
Authorized Agent for Navajo Nation initiatives (healthcare, pharmacy, gaming/hospitality, agriculture)
Engagement with federal agencies, state governments, tribal governments, and international partners
Ongoing engagement with federal regulatory bodies including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on healthcare policy, regulatory matters, and cross-border public health and trade issues
Intergovernmental coordination involving tribal nations, state governments, federal agencies, and international partners
Key Differentiators:
Real-world system building
Track record in policy, operations, and diplomacy
Bridging sovereign tribal governance with U.S. institutions and international systems
Focus on dignity, responsibility, veterans, Indigenous sovereignty, and institutional accountability
Educational:
Undergraduate degree in Business Administration (finance/economics)
Graduate and doctoral work in organizational and industrial development and psychology
Honor society recognition (Psi Chi)
Values:
Patriotism and respect for service Institutional responsibility
Healthcare dignity and care for veterans and elders
Belief in accountability and system design rather than ceremony
