Sarah EchoHawk, an enrolled member of the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma, has been the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) since May 2013. A national American Indian non-profit organization founded in 1977, AISES’ mission is to substantially increase the representation of American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, First Nations, and other indigenous peoples of North America in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) studies and careers.
Prior to joining AISES, Sarah spent six years with First Nations Development Institute (First Nations), a national American Indian economic development organization. During her initial tenure there, she served as the Director of Development and Communications; and as Executive Vice President in her last four years with the organization. Sarah also served as the interim CEO for the organization’s subsidiary, First Nations Oweesta Corporation, during 2010.
Sarah is currently a member of the board of directors for Native Americans in Philanthropy and serves as Chair of the Board for the Native Ways Federation and Red Feather Development Group. She is also former board member for the Oregon Native American Business and Entrepreneurial Network (ONABEN). Sarah currently serves as an Ambassador for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Minorities in Energy Initiative and previously served on the President’s Community Cabinet for Metro State University of Denver for six years.
Sarah has a Master of Nonprofit Management (MNM) degree from Regis University and an undergraduate degree in Political Science and Native American Studies from Metro State University of Denver. She attended law school at the University of Colorado and completed additional graduate coursework in applied communications at the University of Denver.
