The Next Generation of Tribal Financial Leaders
The NAFOA Leadership Summit is a unique opportunity for Native American young professionals ages 22-28 to enhance their leadership skills, engage with industry experts, and build a network of like-minded peers. This immersive program empowers emerging leaders interested in Tribal governance, economic development, and the business and finance sectors. Young professionals ages 22-28 years old participating in Career Basics are invited to apply for the NAFOA Leadership Summit.
Summit attendees engage directly with Tribal leaders and business professionals during a comprehensive day of programming. The agenda includes panel discussions covering diverse topics such as graduate school opportunities, career advancement strategies, as well as discussions on business and Tribal economic development.
After the Summit, participants will attend the NAFOA Annual Conference. The two-day conference provides networking opportunities and facilitates important dialogues about tribal finance and economic issues impacting tribal economies.
Program Highlights
Learn Directly from Tribal Leaders & Professionals
Summit attendees will spend a full day exploring career paths, graduate school options, professional development, and key topics in business, finance, and Tribal economic development.
Exclusive Networking Invites
Leadership Summit attendees will also join the NAFOA Conference, with exclusive access to events like the Member Tribe Meeting & Reception, sponsor gatherings, and the Awards Luncheon.
Find Career Leads and Opportunities
As the youngest at the NAFOA Conference, Summit attendees gain unique access to speakers, sponsors, and Tribal leaders—often resulting in internships, job offers, and mentorships.
Fully Funded Experience
Leadership Summit funding covers participation and includes a $250 clothing stipend, helping attendees build a business-formal wardrobe to make a strong impression at the Summit and Conference.
2025 Program Details
Application Extended Deadline:
Sunday, July 6 at 11:59 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time
Program Dates and Location:
The Leadership Summit will be held on Sunday, September 21, 2025 in Portland, OR at the Hilton Portland Downtown.
Following the Summit, attendees will also attend the 2025 NAFOA Fall Finance & Tribal Economies Conference on September 22-23.
Attendees are required to arrive on Saturday, September 20, and can schedule departures for Wednesday, September 24.
Application Process
Coursework within Career Basics is designed to prepare participants for the NAFOA Leadership Summit.
Youth ages 22-28 years old participating in Career Basics are invited to apply for the NAFOA Leadership Summit. Interested applicants must be registered and making active progress in the current Career Basics session.
If you have participated and completed Career Basics within the past two years, you may use that to fulfill the requirement. Participants who registered for a past Career Basics but did not complete the program must re-register and participate for the current year. Please email education@nafoa.org to verify your Career Basics completion.
NOMINATIONS FROM MEMBER TRIBES, ALUMNI, AND PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS
Alternatively, NAFOA invites NAFOA Member Tribes, Summit alumni and eligible partner organizations to nominate individuals for the Leadership Summit. NAFOA will contact you if you have been nominated by a partner organization. We encourage nominees to register for Career Basics, but this requirement will be waived.
Nominated individuals must still submit a full application to be considered for the Leadership Summit. Please note, nominations are not a guarantee that you will be accepted into the program.
The Leadership Summit is designed to benefit:
- Undergraduate students studying business, finance, economics, or related topics;
- MBA graduates or students interested in pursuing an MBA;
- Young professionals interested in pursuing a career in finance, accounting, business, or related fields;
- Young professionals interested in tribal governance, finance, and/or administration.
To apply for the Leadership Summit, applicants must:
- Be a tribally enrolled citizen or descendant of an enrolled citizen with American Indian, Alaska Native, and/or Native Hawaiian ancestry;
- Be between the ages of 22-28 years old at the time of the Leadership Summit;
- Be located within the United States at the time of application and during the program dates;
- Be enrolled in the current session of Career Basics and making active progress/have completed a past Career Basics within the last 2 years, or be nominated by an alumnus or eligible NAFOA partner organization; and
- Demonstrate a strong interest in learning more about the importance of tribal economies and the policies that impact tribal finance.
The application form will ask you to provide the following:
- Provide a clear and personal response to the following essay questions in 250 (min) -500 words (max)
- “Why is tribal economic development important? Provide your ideas and/or observations of tribal economic development and its impact on your community.”
- “How do you expect attendance at the NAFOA Leadership Summit to benefit you on both a professional and a personal level? What are your networking goals for the program?”
- Provide a recent transcript and/or list any relevant coursework in business, finance and/or economics;
- Current resume, preferably highlighting paid or volunteer experience in finance, accounting, business tribal administration, and related fields;
- Letter of recommendation (optional, but highly suggested)
REMINDER: To be considered a complete application, you must be enrolled and participate in the current active session of Career Basics, have completed a past Career Basics session within the last 2 years, or be nominated by a Summit alumnus or NAFOA partner organization.
Applicants will be scored based on:
- Strength of essay responses in the submitted application;
- Academic performance and professional and/or extracurricular experiences, especially related to business, finance, and related fields;
- Community involvement;
- Participation in the NAFOA Career Basics program or nomination status; and
- If provided, the quality of the letter of recommendation.
Selected Leadership Summit applicants will be notified via email and/or phone by mid-July to confirm their acceptance and attendance.
Participant Stories
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact education@nafoa.org.
I was nominated by an organization/alum. Do I still have to apply?
Yes. Nominations from alumni and NAFOA partner organizations allow applicants to skip the Career Basics requirements. However, nominees must still complete the application form.
Nominations are not a guarantee that you will be accepted into the program.
I am younger than 22 or older than 28, can I still apply for the Summit?
Unfortunately, no. The Summit is designed specifically for early career professionals between the ages of 22 and 28. We encourage you to explore other programs offered through the NAFOA Institute to find the right fit for your career stage.
Do I need to be enrolled in a Member Tribe to apply?
No, you do not need to be enrolled in a NAFOA Member Tribe to apply.
Member Tribes are eligible to submit a nomination for the Leadership Summit. If you represent a Member Tribe and are interested in nominating a candidate, please contact education@nafoa.org for more information.
Do I need to complete Career Basics to apply?
Applicants must either be enrolled and be actively participating in Career Basics to apply.
Alternatively, NAFOA invites alumni, partner organizations, and Member Tribes to nominate 1-2 young professionals. Those nominated do not have to complete Career Basics but are encouraged to do so.
I completed Career Basics a year ago. Do I have to go through the curriculum again to apply for the Leadership Summit?
If you completed Career Basics within the past 2 years, you may count that towards your current application. Please check with education@nafoa.org for your completion status.
If you registered but did not finish a past session of Career Basics, you will need to register for the current active session.
However, please note, you will not be able to apply for the Leadership Summit.
How do I nominate someone?
Nominations may only be submitted by NAFOA Member Tribes, Summit alumni, and verified partner organizations. NAFOA contacts partner organizations directly for nominations. If your organization supports workforce development for Native students, please email education@nafoa.org for more information.
What is the program schedule like?
The Summit schedule begins at 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. All program sessions are mandatory. Attendees must also attend the Member Tribe Reception from 5:00-7:00 p.m.
During the Conference days, Leadership Summit attendees are expected to attend all events from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Additional dinners and receptions may also be added to the schedule.
Schedules are subject to change, and attendees are generally expected to be available and in attendance from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday.
I’m worried about getting time off from school/work to attend. Can NAFOA help?
If accepted into the program, NAFOA understands the importance of addressing concerns with your employer or school. We can assist by providing a justification letter explaining the program’s value, curriculum, and the professional growth it offers. This letter can serve as a resource to help communicate the significance of your selection in the NAFOA.
Will travel be covered?
Yes. NAFOA will handle and coordinate travel arrangements for air, bus, or train transportation to and from the program.
Expenses for ground transportation or driving will be reimbursed.
If you have any concerns about this process, please contact education@nafoa.org.
Do I have to share a hotel room with other attendees?
No, you are not required to share a hotel room with other attendees. Each Leadership Summit participant will have their own hotel room provided for them. NAFOA will coordinate the booking of hotel rooms and cover the expenses.
Thank You to Our Donors
The NAFOA Institute’s Leadership Summit, the virtual Career Basics program, and webinars are generously supported by philanthropic donations and individual donors.
To learn more about giving to the NAFOA Institute, email Cody Harjo, Institute Director, at cody@nafoa.org.
