Terrelene is a citizen of the Navajo Nation. She is born to the Tangle Clan and born for the Towering House Clan. Her maternal grandfather is of the Rock Gap Clan, and her paternal grandfather is Salt Water Clan. She is originally from Pinon, AZ on the Navajo Nation. Terrelene resides in Rio Rancho, NM.

Terrelene has policy, legal and programmatic experience. She is a licensed attorney and considers herself to be policy guru, specializing in Native American law. Terrelene holds a Juris Doctor from the University of New Mexico School of Law, and a Master of Public Affairs from the University of Texas at Austin.

Terrelene is currently serving as the Executive Director of the Southwest Women’s Law Center. She previously served as the Executive Director of the Navajo Nation Division of Social Services. Terrelene also practiced law as an attorney with Johnson Barnhouse & Keegan, LLP, and the New Mexico Legal Aid, Inc.