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, 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. 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 2023, he provided testimony before the United States Congress on Native American and veteran healthcare. 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.

His affiliations include the Association of Former Intelligence Officers, the OSS Society, and leadership roles within the Sioux Nation treaty government, where he has represented treaty governments in healthcare, humanitarian engagement, and international relations. He also serves on the boards of the International Chamber of Commerce of Nevada, the International Economic Cooperation and Business Forum, and the Nevada Provider Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) program.

Setyan has been recognized nationally and internationally for work in healthcare, cultural preservation, and economic development. He holds a degree in business administration with concentrations in finance and economics, along with graduate and doctoral-level training in organizational development and psychology.

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

Credentials and experience:

• President & Founder of Dovin Advisors (since 2015)

• 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)

• Participated in first-ever tribal government hospice/palliative program (Navajo Nation, 2018)

• Directed diplomatic engagement with Armenia on healthcare development (2025)

• Work with humanitarian and public safety issues (children, elders, families)

Recognition & institutional affiliations:

• Member: Association of Former Intelligence Officers

• Member: OSS Society

• Involved with Asian American National Committee

• Role in Sioux Treaty Government (Authorized Representative & Ambassador roles)

• Served on boards:

– International Chamber of Commerce of Nevada

– International Economic Cooperation and Business Forum

– Nevada POLST program Board

Public-facing credibility:

• Interviewed at Hollywood Christmas Parade (Montel Williams interview)

• Certificate of Appreciation from US Marine Corps Toys for Tots

• Publications appear in policy/academic platforms

• International and national recognition for leadership

Sovereign/tribal/government engagement:

• Authorized Representative & Ambassador to Sioux Nation treaty government

• Represented tribal governments in healthcare, economic development & diplomacy

• Authorized Agent for Navajo Nation (healthcare; pharmacy; gaming/hospitality; agriculture; farming)

Key differentiators:

• Real-world system building

• Track record in policy + operations + 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 Admin (finance/economics)

• Graduate/doctoral work in organizational and industrial development and psychology

• Honor society recognition (Psi Chi)

Value:

• Patriotism and respect for service

• Institutional responsibility

• Healthcare dignity and care for veterans and elders

• Belief in accountability and system design rather than ceremony