NATIVE GOVERNANCE CENTER - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Director of Organizational Effectiveness and Operations
- Director of Organizational Effectiveness and Operations Lower Sioux Indian Community
- Member of the Lower Sioux Community
Anne O'Keefe-Jackson is an enrolled member of the Lower Sioux Community and a former Native Nation Rebuilder in cohort 8. Anne has years of experience with non-profit work and Human Resources. She received her undergraduate Bachelor of Arts in American Indian Studies and Marketing from Augsburg University and her Master's in Business and Leadership from Augsburg University as well. Anne resides on the Lower Sioux Reservation with her family and is currently on the native advisory board of the Memory Keepers at University of Minnesota Duluth and serves on the Department of Transformation Board in Granite Falls, MN.
Job Titles:
- Program Coordinator - Tribal Governance Support
- Program Coordinator - Tribal Governance Support Red Lake Nation
Ashleigh is dedicated to Native nation rebuilding, a passion sparked during her undergraduate studies at the University of Minnesota-Morris. There, she earned degrees in American Indian Studies, Anthropology, English, and Multicultural Studies, deepening her knowledge of Indigenous histories, cultures, and contemporary issues. She was actively involved on campus, serving in leadership roles with the American Indian Science and Engineering Society and Circle of Nations Indigenous Association, competing on the cross-country and track teams, and volunteering at the local library.
Ashleigh continued her academic journey at the University of Arizona, earning a master's degree in Anthropology with a focus on Indigenous archaeology. In graduate school, she strengthened her collaborative research skills by working with Native nations in Montana and Arizona, conducting archaeological fieldwork and oral history interviews. She also gained valuable experience teaching Anthropology and American Indian Studies courses at the undergraduate level.
Before joining Native Governance Center, Ashleigh served as Director of Tribal Collaboration at an archaeology nonprofit in Tucson, where she worked closely with Native nations to protect cultural sites and heritage. Now part of the Tribal Governance Support team at Native Governance Center, she supports Native nations in their sovereignty efforts through technical assistance, leadership development facilitation, and customized Tribal services.
Ashleigh currently lives on Tohono O'odham and Pascua Yaqui land (Tucson, Arizona). In her free time, she enjoys trail running, mountain biking, and rock climbing with her dog, friends, and partner. She is guided by her love for family, the natural world, and Anishinaabe teachings, striving always to be a good relative to all.
Cree continued this work professionally after graduating in a role with Undergraduate Admissions, where she built lasting relationships with Native staff, students, and local Tribes. As co-chair of the Native Advisory Group, she championed scholarship opportunities, played a role in Oregon's Native tuition program passing, and worked to strengthen campus resources. Her advocacy extended to data sovereignty, ensuring that we were collecting accurate and specific data about incoming Native students and using this data to better meet student and institutional needs.
At Native Governance Center, Cree is part of the Community Engagement team, where she blends her love of education and outreach to create meaningful resources and programming. With experience working alongside Native nations and urban Native communities, she brings a deep commitment to uplifting Indigenous voices and fostering understanding between Native and non-Native partners.
Job Titles:
- Treasurer
- President and CEO of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development
Chris James is the President and CEO of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development, the largest business development and technical assistance training organization in the country for American Indian and Alaska Native-owned businesses. He's also a former Associate Administrator at the US Small Business Administration and a US Treasury official.
Job Titles:
- Program Manager - Community Engagement
- Program Manager - Community Engagement Chippewa Cree Tribe
Job Titles:
- Director of the American Indian Center at the University of North Carolina
Danielle Hiraldo (Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina) is the Director of the American Indian Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Hiraldo received her Ph.D. in American Indian Studies with a minor in public administration at the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona. She holds a M.P.A. and a B.A. in Political Science with a concentration in Pre-Law from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke.
Before joining the American Indian Center, Dr. Hiraldo served as a researcher for the Native Nations Institute (NNI) situated in the Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy at the University of Arizona where she remains an affiliate researcher. Her research explores governance under state recognition, tribal-state relationships (specifically in the Southeast), federal Indian law/policy, and Native Nation governance structures and practices.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director
- Executive Director Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe
- Instructor at Metropolitan State University
- NGC 's Executive Director
Dr. Amber Annis is a citizen of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and a member of NGC's Native Nations Rebuilder program for Cohort 11. She has a long history as a public historian, educator, tribal nation liaison, collaborator, and community engagement specialist.
As NGC's Executive Director, Amber works daily to ensure that resilient and positive representation of American Indian people are shown through the lens of sovereignty, culture, and contemporary issues.
Prior to joining NGC, Dr. Annis was the Associate Vice President of Tribal Nation Relations and Native American Initiatives at the Minnesota Historical Society where she worked across MNHS to ensure that Native representation and content were developed accurately and appropriately. She also worked on outreach to Native nations in Minnesota and beyond to strengthen the Historical Societies' relationships with Tribal nations and communities.
During her time at MNHS, Amber played leadership roles in many initiatives, including the expansion of their highly successful Native American Undergraduate Museum Fellowship program. Dr. Annis served as a core member of the Historic Fort Snelling project team helping to ensure Native perspective is represented throughout the revitalization of Historic Fort Snelling and especially the Many Voices, Many Stories, One Place exhibit. She also worked in NAGPRA compliance, Repatriation, and partnerships with many Tribal Historic Preservation Officers.
Amber is an instructor at Metropolitan State University and the University of Minnesota, teaching themes such as cultural awareness, contemporary Native identity, environmental justice and United States politics. She has also worked with the Honoring Nations program, which seeks to highlight examples of Native success across Indian Country. Amber also sits on the board of directors for the Tiwahe Foundation.
As a Native professional she is always looking for unique ways to strengthen her knowledge of Indigenous self-governance and expressions of sovereignty. She is privileged to work directly with a pretty amazing team and organization driven by Indigenous values of honoring sovereignty, embracing humility, being a good relative, and most importantly, centering our brilliance as Native people.
Amber is passionate about being a part of the nation rebuilding movement that is developing grassroots Native changemakers across Indian Country!
Job Titles:
- Program Manager - Leadership Development
- Program Manager - Leadership Development Bois Forte Band of Chippewa
Jessica is passionate about positive Indigenous identity and representation - Native American people are still here and thriving. She employs her core values of dbaadendiziwin, aakwa'ode'ewin, and nbwaakaawin (humility, bravery, and wisdom) in her work to ensure Indigenous ways of knowing are passed on for the next 7 generations. Jessica brings to NGC her experience in business management, marketing, and education, with a desire for advocacy and policy work within the Native American community. She believes strongly in the power of education, reclaiming traditional ways, and protecting Indigenous lands and sovereignty.
Job Titles:
- Program Manager - Tribal Finance
- Program Manager - Tribal Finance Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation
Kathryn began her journey into tribal finance and accounting in 2007 working as a Controller at a tribally owned casino. She now has more than 17 years of tribal finance experience working in government, enterprises or on a board of directors. Kathryn has always tried to be transparent in her operations while teaching others around her how decisions are being made and building capacity at the local level. Now at NGC, Kathryn is excited about the opportunity to bring tribal finance professionals together to learn from one another and strengthen financial systems and processes to build capacity on a bigger scale.
Job Titles:
- Secretary
- Member of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe
Katrina Phillips, an enrolled member of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe, serves on the Macalester College faculty as an Assistant Professor of American Indian History. She spent two years as a Consortium for Faculty Diversity fellow at Macalester before moving to the tenure-track.
She earned her BA and Ph.D. in History from the University of Minnesota, where she served as a co-chair for the University's interdisciplinary American Indian and Indigenous Studies Workshop. She is a past recipient of the U of M's prestigious Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship as well as the Graduate Research Partnership Program grant. Professor Phillips teaches courses on American Indian and American history.
Her current research focuses on the role of American Indian historical pageants in the development of regional tourist economies in the 20th and 21st century.
Levi is a Cohort 9 graduate of the Native Nation Rebuilders program, which helped him develop a civics course for the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. (With Levi's assistance, NGC built on this course to develop our Tribal Civics program.) As the Director of Tribal Affairs at the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), his office strengthens Tribal Government to State Government relations by developing agreements and partnerships, directing and implementing policy, and providing the knowledge and ability to work effectively in Indian Country. Since 2012, Levi has also contributed to the Tribal State Relationship Training Program that helps develop collaboration and understanding between tribes and Minnesota state departments. Levi has broad experience working with tribal nations, including roles working with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Environmental Protection Agency and American Council. He is a citizen of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and a lifelong resident of the Leech Lake Indian reservation. He is active in his community and often represents the tribe with rights of way, permits, tribal lands and tribal sovereignty issues.
Levi Rickert is the founder, publisher and editor of Native News Online. Levi won a 2021 National Native Media Award from the Native American Journalists Association for Best Column in the print/online category. He also serves on the advisory board of the Multicultural Media Correspondents Association.
Job Titles:
- Data & Systems Specialist
Lisa is intent on making sure the team has the necessary tools to efficiently promote and support vibrant, sovereign Indigenous communities. Skilled in research, problem-solving, asking unspoken questions, Lisa places high value on humor, compassion, and things that just work. She is passionate about inherent rights for all people and believes that the work of Native Governance Center contributes to a better world.
Job Titles:
- Communications & Advancement Specialist
- Communications & Advancement Specialist Otoe - Missouria Tribe
Madonna was raised in Rapid City, South Dakota, and is an enrolled member of the Otoe-Missouria Tribe. She believes storytelling is more than communication-it's a way to connect, inspire, and spark change. Known for blending cultural fluency with creative strategy, Madonna builds communications that are as impactful as they are authentic. Her work champions Native voices, strengthens community visibility, and ensures every message honors the people and stories it represents.
In her role as Communications & Advancement Specialist, Madonna thrives on big ideas and bold execution-whether she's developing a campaign, designing visuals, or exploring innovative tools like augmented reality to bring stories to life. She's also no stranger to challenges, whether that means mastering a new skill, hitting a new personal best in powerlifting, or leading a creative project under pressure.
When she's not working, you'll likely find her sketching, rolling dice in a game of Dungeons & Dragons, lifting heavy in the gym, or chasing the next challenge that sparks her curiosity.
Melanie Benjamin was the Chief Executive/Tribal Chairwoman of Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Indians where she was responsible for conducting external relations on the Band's behalf with all other governments. She was first elected to this position in 2000 and was re-elected for five consecutive terms. Benjamin led the tribe through rapid changes and challenges, and ushering in an era of prosperity for the next generation of Ojibwe.
Former Chief Benjamin earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Bemidji State University and her Master's Degree in Education from the University of Minnesota Duluth.
Mike is a registered architect, a partner at DSGW Architects, and is president of the Indigenous-owned firm, First American Design Studio. Mike is the past President of the American Indian Council of Architects and Engineers and is also Chairman of the board member and Sequoyah Fellow of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society. Mike is also a Cohort 10 graduate of NGC's Rebuilders program.
Job Titles:
- Program Director
- Program Director Lower Brule Lakota Sioux
Michaela Madrid is passionate about combining traditional cultural values and governance strategies. She's interested in exploring ways to shape policy and institutions to improve the everyday lives of Indigenous people. Michaela values honesty, compassion, humor, sustainability, and community-building. She has a background in project management, policy analysis, and intergovernmental relations; her diverse set of experiences working with federal, intertribal, university, and grassroots stakeholders informs her work. Michaela enjoys working with Native nations to learn about their unique histories, traditions, and treaty rights. She is always dreaming of innovative ways for nations to assert Tribal sovereignty and make decisions that will benefit them for the next seven generations.
Job Titles:
- Program Manager - Tribal Governance
- Program Manager - Tribal Governance Bay Mills Indian Community
Michelle is passionate about connecting leaders to the wisdom and resources they need to better serve their Native nations. She is inspired by the strength and healing power of traditional Indigenous knowledge systems and practices. Michelle works to apply these values and ideas to policies and institutions to create positive change for future generations. She values Anishinaabe gikendaasowin (knowing), izhichigewin (doing), enawendiwin (relating), and gidakiiminaan (connecting to the land). Michelle brings experience working across the educational spectrum-in positions from the Head Start to the Tribal college level-to her role as program coordinator. These experiences have shown her the powerful impact that Tribal sovereignty can have on Native nations. She also leverages her experiences in social work, grant writing, and community organizing in her work to envision an unapologetically Indigenous future.
3 Things to Know About Me
I have completed six marathons and seven half-marathons. Running is my favorite form of self-care!
I love to read-I always keep a book with me just in case.
My three children are my favorite teachers and remind me to laugh and play every day.
Job Titles:
- Program Coordinator - Leadership Development Oglala Lakota
- Program Coordinator for Leadership Development
Nathaniel Ruleaux (Oglala Lakota) is the Program Coordinator for Leadership Development at the Native Governance Center. With a passion for uplifting Indigenous voices, Nathaniel brings years of experience in community-based projects that connect history, art, and culture. As an artist and advocate, his work often explores themes of resilience, identity, and collective storytelling. Nathaniel is thrilled to support Native leaders and their communities through this role.
When not working, Nathaniel enjoys creating art, spending time with family, gardening, and exploring Ȟe Sápa.
Job Titles:
- Program Coordinator for Leadership Development
Job Titles:
- Director, Honoring Nations Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development
Megan Minoka Hill is from the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin. She currently serves as the Program Director of the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development and the Director of Honoring Nations at the Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard University. Through applied research and service, the Harvard Project works to understand and foster the conditions under which sustained, self-determined social and economic development is achieved and sustained. Hill brings her leadership working with tribal nations to celebrate and disseminate governance successes and innovations to the Native Governance Board.
Job Titles:
- Founder / Publisher / Editor Native News Online
Levi Rickert is the founder, publisher and editor of Native News Online. Levi won a 2021 National Native Media Award from the Native American Journalists Association for Best Column in the print/online category. He also serves on the advisory board of the Multicultural Media Correspondents Association.
Job Titles:
- Program Coordinator - Community Engagement
- Program Coordinator - Community Engagement Penobscot Nation
Sage was raised in Wabanaki Territory with the understanding that education and knowledge are powerful tools that guide her community forward. As such, she has dedicated the majority of her time to learning about and advocating for equitable solutions for access to higher education for future generations. Based on her experiences as a Native student, Sage is determined to provide the next generation of Indigenous students with opportunities for practicing culture and achieving success. She is a strong believer that Indigenous sovereignty begins with education for our communities and their allies and brings this perspective to her role with the Community Engagement Program. In her free time, you can find her enjoying the outdoors via running, skiing, or a long walk, or FaceTiming her family dogs Summit and Timber, who reside back home.
Job Titles:
- Program Coordinator - Tribal Finance
- Program Coordinator - Tribal Finance Bois Forte Band of Chippewa
Sasha is driven by a deep commitment to empower Native nations through financial literacy and sustainable growth strategies. From a young age, she has been fascinated by financial systems and their potential to enhance community well-being. Her dedication stems from a belief in the transformative power of financial education and inclusive economic development. Sasha looks forward to gaining insights from Native nations and embraces continuous personal and professional growth. Driven by a passion for education, she cherishes opportunities to expand her knowledge. Sasha is passionate about fostering resilience and prosperity within Indigenous communities, striving to create lasting positive impacts for current and future generations.
Job Titles:
- Solicitor General Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe
Caleb is an NGC Rebuilder (Cohort 9), and previously served as legal counsel to the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation. Mr. Dogeagle serves on the Minnesota Commission on Judicial Selection and the board of the Rural Renewable Energy Alliance. He earned a B.A. from Montana State University in Bozeman, MT. He also earned his J.D. and LL. M from the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law in Tucson, AZ, focusing within the Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy Program.