Regional Event in New Mexico

New Mexico: Native American Women Entrepreneurs in New Mexico: Breaking Barriers, Lifting Communities

We had a panel discussion with a powerful group of Native American women entrepreneur-leaders who have tackled the racial and gender barriers head on to create inspirational pathways of business success uniquely woven with cultural identity and community values. We invited these remarkable, resilient business and community leaders to share their personal journeys and reflect on what it would take to fully harness the power of Native American women entrepreneurs and shift the past narrative of negative bias, trauma, and wealth disparities to one of lifting the communities with entrepreneurship, self-determination, capacity, and network of supportive relationships.

We also invited perspectives of philanthropy on why this matters especially in New Mexico and what authentic partnership should look like to ensure success and long-term change. A short report from the inaugural Native Women’s Business Summit attended by over 200 Native American women in business (held in April 2018 in Albuquerque, NM) was provided as foundational context for a rich panel discussion followed by Q&A and networking.

The Panel was the second in webinar/speaker series of the New Mexico Asset Funder Network and hosted by the Santa Fe Community Foundation.

Speakers included

  • Vanessa Roanhorse, Founder and CEO – Roanhorse Consulting LLC, Co-Founder of Native Women’s Business Summit

  • Heather Fleming, Principal at Catapult Design, Co-Founder of Change Labs

  • Monica Jojola, President, Montech Inc.

  • Joohee Rand, VP for Community Investment and Strategy, Santa Fe Community Foundation (Moderator/Host)