What is The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development?
Founded in 1969, The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED) has been a driving force for the advancement of Indigenous entrepreneurs and businesses. Through training, programming, and subject-matter expertise, The National Center has become the preeminent non-profit in the United States focused on the American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian economies. It is headquartered in Mesa, Arizona and has offices in eight other locations around the country.
Our Impact
You can learn more about the work and impact of The National Center through our 2024 annual report. Previous annual reports, as well as additional financial information, are available on our Operations page.
View and Download 2024 Annual Report.
Meet our President and CEO, Chris James
Chris James has served as President and CEO of The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development Since 2017. During his tenure, he has doubled The National Center’s revenue, expanded procurement and training programs throughout the country, and significantly expanded the organization’s premier event – the Reservation Economic Summit. He also leads The National Center’s advocacy work, coordinating with allies and tribal governments to advance policy changes that support access to capital and resources for tribes, tribally owned businesses, and Indigenous entrepreneurs.
Prior to his work with The National Center, James served as Associate Administrator at the U.S. Small Business Administration and as an Associate Program Manager at the U.S. Department of the Treasury. He also worked for the Sequoyah Fund, the Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI). Chris grew up in Cherokee, NC, the home of the EBCI.
Download Chris James's Headshot.
Social Media
The National Center is active on social media. We encourage you to follow us and like our pages. Links to our accounts are below.
Multimedia Assets
The National Center has an active presence on YouTube, where you can view event recaps, interviews, podcast episodes, and more. Images from the 2025 Reservation Economic Summit are found here and can be used (images attributable to The National Center).
In addition, The National Center publishes its own magazine, NC Magazine, once a year. It is distributed to a targeted mailing list and at the annual Reservation Economic Summit. In 2024, The National Center launched the Native Edge podcast, which features leaders and changemakers from Indian Country and beyond. The podcast is generally published twice a month.
Recent News
Check out recent articles that feature the perspective of or discuss work by The National Center:
Yahoo News: National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development Receives $500,000 Grant From KeyBank Foundation
Marketplace: How Trump administration policies are playing out in tribal economies
KJZZ: Trump’s ‘chainsaw approach’ for spending cuts threatens jobs, programs across Indian Country
Tribal Business News: Q+A: Chris James on Trump administration policies and their growing impact in Indian Country
The Invisible Hand: “A government shutdown with no end in sight” Trump policies threaten Tribal economies
The Government Connection Podcast: Episode 4 – Bridging Markets: Tribal Enterprise & Partnerships
Other Questions?
Have other questions not answered? Check our FAQ page or explore our website!
