By: McKenna Green, Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior
Gavin Holzworth, citizen of the Cherokee Nation, was involved with the Native American Office at Oklahoma State University during his MBA program. Holzworth learned about the program from his MBA director and decided to apply for the 2022 NAFOA Fall Fellowship. The fellowship provided the opportunity for graduate-level students to attend NAFOA’s Fall Finance and Tribal Economies Conference in 2022. As a fellow, he had the opportunity to hear from economists on inflation, and deflation and learned how complex tribal funding can be. After the positive Fall conference experience, Holzworth applied to the 2023 NAFOA Leadership Summit
The 2023 Leadership Summit took place this Spring in Washington D.C., where the Summit fellows participated in a full day of presentations by professionals in the industry. While this was his second experience at a NAFOA event, Holzworth said his understanding of tribal economics and funding was expanded to a “macro level.” The complexity of tribal funding is vast, and he noted that he learned that the federal government should be “empowering tribes” to apply for federal funding.
The “experiences and connections made at NAFOA conferences and events are invaluable”, says Holzworth, who still keeps in contact with professionals in the industry he met last Spring. It is “valuable to meet other tribes, make connections” and be able to “leverage those connections for future jobs or deals,” says Holzworth, who gained a larger perspective of tribal economics and business at NAFOA. He has narrowed down his career path to data analytics in banking with hopes of creating change in Indian Country.
Holzworth explained the challenges that impact young Native professionals and how NAFOA can help. He has seen imposter syndrome be a common theme among young Native professionals due to the lack of opportunities and representation. Imposter syndrome, the belief that one’s accomplishments are never earned or deserved, can impact Native young professionals, especially in industries that lack representation, like finance, and economics. Holzworth believes NAFOA provides networking with tribes, tribal leaders, and sponsors that will help young professionals in their careers. The program, he says, can also assist in overcoming the feeling that young Native professionals experience often, which is that they do not feel like they belong in professional spaces. The advice Holzworth gives to young Native professionals is to “not limit yourself,” be open to new opportunities and challenges and continuously try new things.
