Thanks for being part of

this incredible journey.

Interim Executive Director Vernelle Chase

As we bring the Equality Can’t Wait Challenge to a close—our largest grant to date and the opportunity that helped launch our organization—we are filled with gratitude for how far we’ve come and even more excitement for where we’re headed.

While this chapter with our funders is coming to an end, our work is just beginning. We remain committed to expanding access to capital and building the support systems our diverse communities need to thrive, today and into the future.

Our mission is at the heart of everything we do. To fulfill our mission of revolutionizing systems and inspiring innovation through investment in Native women in business, we must continue to co-create with and convene our community, build coalitions, and honor the culture, creativity, and connections that make our work possible.

The last few years of building have been so important for Native Women Lead as we have continued to expand our reach across Turtle Island through our programs and lending. Partnerships with other business-centered organizations and Tribal or Native Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), in addition to our partnership with New Mexico Community Capital, have been key to teaching business acumen, supporting small businesses beyond the Southwest, and growing our network.

We also celebrated our one-year anniversary at our Albuquerque retreat and headquarters in April, which has become a home base for many, including our Sisters in Finance, as some have weathered unpredictable circumstances shaped by the economy. We hosted our Petals of Wellness in the Workplace programs and trainings here and began hiring permanent staff. We also created a Matriarch Council—an advisory group of elders and seasoned business owners that serves as a sounding board for our programming—and developed the two-part Promoting Lateral Positives program, which addresses pathways and opportunities for collaborative and mutually beneficial relationships.

What we discovered, especially this past year, was one of the biggest lessons through this voyage: A strong business acumen also includes a healthy body, sound mind and spirit, and positive social well-being. A healthy business can only be as strong as the healthy people behind it.

Throughout this, and as we look toward our next chapter and imminent goals, we have learned many lessons and pivoted when needed. We are deeply grateful for the support of our volunteers, supporters, funders, staff, founders and fearless entrepreneurs, who have made this work possible.

There is still so much to be done, and we will continue to grow together.

Thank you for being on this journey with us.