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American Indian College Fund Staff Co-Author Research in Support of Indigenous Women’s Leadership

Denver, Colo., February 17, 2026 — The leadership experiences of Indigenous women is an under-researched topic. Two Native leaders at the American Indian College Fund co-authored a journal article to support Indigenous women in their leadership path to remedy this. College Fund Vice President of Programs, Emily R. White Hat (Sicangu Lakota), and Senior Program Officer for Tribal College and University Programs, Cassandra Harden (Diné) partnered with Gregory B. Tafoya (Santa Clara Pueblo and Sac and Fox descent), and Julie E. Lucero, Associate Professor, University of Utah, to write “Evidence of and Support for Indigenous Women’s Leadership.”

The article is included in Volume 12 of Women, Gender, and Families of Color and analyzes 18 peer-reviewed articles to identify key concepts and available support for Indigenous women’s leadership. The authors hope their findings will be used to inform future practices, programs, and policy.

The authors used a scoping review method of current literature. This method comprehensively summarizes and synthesizes knowledge and is appropriate due to the small body of work on the issue of Indigenous women’s leadership. The team asked what types of evidence and key concepts about Indigenous women’s leadership exist in the peer-reviewed literature and what support or resources Indigenous women leaders need for success across a variety of professional fields.

Key concepts found within the literature included identifying pathways to leadership and leadership approaches and models. Ideas such as a call to service and the importance of collaboration and building relationships were common throughout the materials reviewed and answered the first research question. From the literature, the authors also identified barriers encountered in obtaining or keeping leadership positions. Racial/ethnic identity and gender served as noteworthy barriers to Indigenous women leaders depending on context. This includes work inside or outside of their community, among other factors. A theme emerged in response to the second research question concerning the importance of “knowing ‘who I am.’” This theme allows an individual to define themselves in their own terms, promoting self-assertion. Formal education was also emphasized as a mechanism to achieve the biculturalism often demanded of Indigenous women leaders to walk in two worlds. A solid work ethic, determination, and cultural knowledge also contribute to success as an Indigenous woman leader.

A digital copy of the article may be purchased at https://muse.jhu.edu/article/978931.

American Indian College Fund Vice President of Programs, Emily R. White Hat (Sicangu Lakota).

Emily R. White Hat, J.D., (Nape Waste Win, “Good Hand Woman”) Sicangu Lakota, Aske Gluwipi Tiospaye, is the Vice President of Programs at the American Indian College Fund. She earned a juris doctorate degree and a natural resources law certificate from the University of New Mexico School of Law. White Hat has a bachelor’s degree in forestry with a concentration in fire science and a minor in rangeland ecology from Colorado State University, and an associate of arts degree in Lakota history and culture from Sinte Gleska University. In 2025, Emily participated in the Tribal Leaders Program at the Harvard Business School. Her experiences as a former firefighter, emergency medical technician, policy researcher, and legal background have all been vital to her work in program development and implementation with tribal nations and tribal colleges using a capacity-building approach. In 2015, Emily was recognized by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development as one of the “Native American 40 Under 40” award recipients.

American Indian College Fund Senior Program Officer for TCU Programs, Cassandra Harden (Diné).

Cassandra holds a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from the University of Northern Colorado and an associate’s degree in early childhood education from Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute. Her experience includes teaching children from ages one to five with strengths in classroom management, curriculum planning, and program support. Cassandra currently leads the Indigenous Early Childhood Education and the Indigenous Visionaries: Women’s Leadership programs at the American Indian College Fund. She maintains strong working relationships and communication with tribal college and university partners while maintaining content knowledge in early learning.

About the American Indian College Fund — The American Indian College Fund has been the nation’s largest charity supporting Native higher education for 35 years. The College Fund believes “Education is the answer” and provided more than $23 million in scholarships and other student support for higher education in 2024-25. Since its founding in 1989 the College Fund has provided more than $391 million in scholarships, programs, community, and tribal college support. The College Fund also supports a variety of programs at the nation’s 35 accredited tribal colleges and universities, which are located on or near Indian reservations, ensuring students have the tools to graduate and succeed in their careers. The College Fund consistently receives top ratings from independent charity evaluators. It earned a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, a Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid (formerly Guidestar), and the “Best in America Seal of Excellence” from the Independent Charities of America. The College Fund was also named as one of the nation’s top 100 charities to the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance. For more information about the American Indian College Fund, please visit collegefund.org.

Journalists—The American Indian College Fund does not use the acronym AICF. On second reference, please use the College Fund.