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Mesa, AZ 85204
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40 Under 40

40 Under 40 Awards

2026 Winners Announced!

Logo for Native American 40 Under 40 award with "NCAIED," "LEADERSHIP," "INITIATIVE," "DEDICATION," and "EST. 2009."

Recognizing Native American citizens for outstanding leadership and community contributions annually.

Nominated by their peers, 40 Under 40 honorees exemplify leadership, initiative, and dedication and have made significant contributions to their professions and communities. The 40 Under 40 awards are now in their 17th year.

"The 2026 honorees embody the spirit of rising together, achieving excellence while lifting up others and creating opportunities for their communities to thrive," said Chris James, President and CEO of The National Center. "Their accomplishments remind us that progress is the result of collaboration, innovation, and shared visions. I'm thrilled to celebrate the 2026 class at RES and continue to follow their success in the years ahead."

40 Under 40 Awards Photo Gallery
  • Table of glass awards for 40 Under 40 award winners.
    40 Under 40 Awards
  • Two people shaking hands on stage, a man in a black suit and a woman in a black dress holding an award.
    Award Winner
  • Woman on stage holding up a glass award, with applauding and smiling people in the background.
    Award Winner
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2026 Native American 40 Under 40 Honorees

  • Dr. Valeriah Big Eagle, Yankton Sioux Tribe
  • Jade Blankenship, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation
  • Robert Burkybile, Modoc Nation
  • E. Skye Byrd, Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana
  • Michael Charles, Dine/Navajo Nation
  • Trish Chee, Dine/Navajo Nation
  • Erin Casey, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
  • Heath Clayton, Chickasaw Nation
  • Raymond Crow Eagle, Rosebud Sioux Tribe
  • Joshua Emerson, Dine/Navajo Nation
  • Robby Deere, Muscogee (Creek) Nation
  • Maximillian T. Frye, Wichita and Affiliated Tribes
  • Tanya Gibbs, Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians
  • Loretta Grey Cloud, Crow Creek Sioux Tribe
  • Lauren Good Day, Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara (MHA) Nation
  • Natasha Hacker, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community
  • Cante Heart, Rosebud Sioux Tribe
  • Jonas Hill, Oneida Nation
  • Michael-Corey Hinton, Passamaquoddy Tribe
  • Josh Jackson, Cherokee Nation
  • Nicole Johnny, Dine/Navajo Nation
  • Souksavanh Keovorabouth, Dine/Navajo Nation
  • Dr. Theo Latta, Cherokee Nation
  • Dakota Louis, Northern Cheyenne Tribe
  • Jordann Lankford, The Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana
  • Alexandria McCorkle, Forest County Potawatomi Community
  • Anita Mitchell, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe
  • Alli Moran, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe
  • Kristian Poncho, Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana
  • John Preckwinkle III, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians
  • Keith Ray, Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians
  • Dr. Crystal Miller, Walker River Paiute Tribe
  • Dr. Desi Small-Rodriguez, Northern Cheyenne Tribe
  • Rochelle Stockwell, Suquamish Tribe
  • Silas Tikaan Galbreath, Mentasta Tribe
  • Tyler Thomas, Cherokee Nation
  • Dr. Lois Stevens, Oneida Nation
  • Jameson Wilson, Oneida Nation
  • Jordan Zickermann, Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians
  • Steven Orihuela, Bishop Paiute Tribe

Learn More about 40 Under 40 Honorees

TRANSCRIPT OF RES 2025 40 UNDER 40 RECAP

TRANSCRIPT OF 40 UNDER 40 CLASS OF 2023 VIDEO

TRANSCRIPT OF NCAIED 40 UNDER 40 AWARD WINNERS | 2022 VIDEO

TRANSCRIPT OF NCAIED 40 UNDER 40 AWARD WINNERS | 2020 VIDEO

Past Honorees of Native American 40 Under 40 Award

The National Center for American Enterprise Development (NCAIED) is pleased to announce this prestigious award bestowed upon individuals under the age of 40, nominated by members of their communities, who have demonstrated leadership, initiative, and dedication and made significant contributions in business and their community.

Native American 40 Under 40 Award Past Recipients
  • The group of 2017 40 Under 40 award winners dressed in formal attire stand on a stage.
    2017 Recipients
  • The group of 2018 40 Under 40 award winners dressed in formal attire stand on a stage, some holding 40 Under 40 awards.
    2018 Recipients
  • The group of 2021 40 Under 40 award winners dressed in formal attire stand on a stage, some holding 40 Under 40 awards.
    2021 Recipients
  • The 2023 40 Under 40 awards winners celebrating and holding small awards on stage.
    2023 Recipients
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Our Impact This Year

  • Contracts Awarded

    $840M

  • Attendees at RES

    4,600

  • Current Clients

    1,516

  • States Traveled

    23

  • Crystal Williams * Vice-Chair of the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana
    Crystal Williams * Vice-Chair of the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana

    The Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana is a proud supporter of The National Center. We believe in its mission and have experienced first-hand the value of an organization focused solely to advancing tribal economies across the United States. Indian Country continues to benefit from the skill, dedication, and tireless work of The National Center and its team.

National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED)
953 E Juanita Ave
Mesa, AZ 85204
Phone 888-962-2433
Contact
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