Chris James

President & CEO @The National Center For American Indian Enterprise Development

Mesa, AZ, US

Leading NCAIED, the largest Native American economic development organization in the U.S, I focus on empowering Native communities through strategic growth and robust advocacy.Key Achievements:Fundraising and Expansion: Raised approximately $45 million, fueling a 655% revenue increase and expanding our reach across the U.S. and Canada.Operational Leadership: Transformed the organization\'s operational framework, resulting in a increase in annual client services since 2017.Conference Management: Grew the Reservation Economic Summit (RES) into the world’s largest Native economic development conference, significantly increasing attendance and impact.Strategic Partnerships: Forged lasting collaborations with Fortune 500 companies, enhancing organizational influence and capabilities.Legislative Advocacy: Instrumental in advocating for and passing key legislation, such as the Native American Business Incubators Program Act and the Indian Community Economic Enhancement Act of 2020, directly impacting policy to support economic development in Native communities.My role involves driving impactful change, fostering economic sovereignty, and enhancing the capacity of Native Americans through strategic leadership and comprehensive community engagement.

University of North Carolina Wilmington

BA

Western Carolina University

Master's degree

Western Carolina University

Master's degree

Harvard University

Nonprofit Managment