fbpx
facebook app symbol  twitter  linkedin  instagram 1
 

The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development announced this year’s class of  Native American 40 Under 40 Award honorees. This is the award’s sixteenth year.

Awardees, who are nominated by their peers, are chosen based on their leadership, initiative, and dedication and have made significant contributions to their professions and communities. The 2025 40 Under 40 Awardees will be honored at this year’s Reservation Economic Summit (RES) taking place at Caesars Palace Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, NV from March 10–13, 2025. 

Screenshot 2025 11 28 102949

“Each of these remarkable individuals has shown a commitment to going beyond boundaries to build a bright future for Indian Country,” Chris James (Cherokee), president and CEO of The National Center. “They join more than 600 past honorees in what has been an increasingly tight-knit and collaborative group. I’m excited to celebrate the 2025 class’s achievements at RES 2025 and follow their success in the years ahead.” 

2025 Honorees Are: 

Stephen Bell, Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina; Greensboro, NC

Jackie Boyd, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma; Durant, OK

Colin Bradley, Navajo Nation; Phoenix, AZ

Patrick Burtt, Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California; Gardnerville, NV

Allen Cadreau, Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians; Anaheim Hills, CA

Jacob Crane, Tsuu'tina First Nation; Midvale, UT

Lindsey Dollman, Pechanga Band of Indians; Temecula, CA

Jarred-Michael Erickson, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation; Nespelem, WA

Steven Estrada, Santa Rosa Band of Cahuilla Indians; San Jacinto, CA

Meghan Francis, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation; Nespelem, WA

Christopher Franklin, Miwok; Elk Grove, CA

Candace French, Wichita and Affiliated Tribes/Navajo Nation; Scottsdale, AZ

Bryce Fugate, Osage Nation; Denver, CO

Vivian Garcia, Cherokee Nation; Los Angeles, CA

Sabrina Grubitz, Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska; Juneau, AK

Zechariah Harjo, Muscogee (Creek) Nation; Norman, OK

Dustin Harjo, Seminole Nation of Oklahoma; Muskogee, OK

Chelsea Healy, Kainai (Blood Tribe) First Nation; Santa Monica, CA

Steven Hollabaugh, Cherokee Nation; Broken Arrow, OK

Sean Lawrence, Lummi Nation; Bellingham, WA

Jacob Marcellay, Spokane Tribe of Indians; Wellpinit, WA

John Morseau, Pokagon Band of Potawatomi; Minneapolis, MN

Travis Owens, Cherokee Nation; Catoosa, OK

Alena Pastores, Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe; Riverside, CA

Rose Petoskey, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians; Washington, DC

Adrian Standing-Elk Pinnecoose, Navajo Nation/Southern Ute; Albuquerque, NM

Ryan Pulvermacher, Ho-Chunk Nation; Madison, WI

Taryn Reynolds, Osage Nation; Pawhuska, OK

Joshua Riley, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma; Durant, OK

Jessica Roberts, Cherokee Nation; Seattle, WA

Kameron Runnels, Santee Sioux Nation; Niobrara, NE

Savana Saubel, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians; Palm Springs, CA

Jude Schimmel, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation; Pendleton, OR

Jeremy Takala, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation; Toppenish, WA

Tyler Thomas, Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina; Pembroke, NC

Brian Wadsworth, Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe; Nixon, NV

Madeline Walker, Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation; Orlando, FL

Lawrence Wheeler, Cherokee Nation; Marlow, OK

Sarah White, Oglala Lakota; Black Hawk, SD

Nicholas Woodruff, Cherokee Nation; Houston, TX

More Stories Like This

Native News Weekly (August 25, 2024): D.C. Briefs
US Presidents in Their Own Words Concerning American Indians
Star-Studded Livestream to Boost Native News Online’s Year-End Campaign
Monday Morning (December 8, 2025): Articles You May Have Missed This Past Weekend
Native News Weekly (December 7, 2025): D.C. Briefs

Help us defend tribal sovereignty. 

At Native News Online, our mission is rooted in telling the stories that strengthen sovereignty and uplift Indigenous voices — not just at year’s end, but every single day.

Because of your generosity last year, we were able to keep our reporters on the ground in tribal communities, at national gatherings and in the halls of Congress — covering the issues that matter most to Indian Country: sovereignty, culture, education, health and economic opportunity.

That support sustained us through a tough year in 2025. Now, as we look to the year ahead, we need your help right now to ensure warrior journalism remains strong — reporting that defends tribal sovereignty, amplifies Native truth, and holds power accountable.

Levi headshotThe stakes couldn't be higher. Your support keeps Native voices heard, Native stories told and Native sovereignty defended.

Stand with Warrior Journalism today.

Levi Rickert (Potawatomi), Editor & Publisher

 
About The Author
Neely Bardwell
Author: Neely BardwellEmail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Neely Bardwell (descendant of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indian) is a staff reporter for Native News Online covering politics, policy and environmental issues. Bardwell graduated from Michigan State University where she majored in policy and minored in Native American studies.