This Native American Heritage Month, we’re proud to host a special Advocacy Committee Engagement Session (ACES) — a facilitated discussion series created by the WTE Advocacy Committee to spotlight key observance dates and equity issues that shape our lives and work. ACEs are part of WTE’s systems advocacy work, helping our 10,000+ members critically engage with issues of equity, representation, and opportunity through the lens of community-led dialogue.
This session celebrates two accomplished Indigenous leaders whose work is transforming public health, policy, and economic development. From building cross-sector partnerships to advancing systems rooted in sovereignty, stewardship, and equity — this conversation honors Native women at the forefront of innovation.
What You’ll Learn
- The history and significance of Native American Heritage Month — and how it connects to economic empowerment today
- The current landscape for Native-owned businesses, including both systemic barriers and powerful success stories
- The unique contributions Native entrepreneurs bring to fields like tech, public health, sustainability, and community development
- The values—such as stewardship, sovereignty, and intergenerational thinking—that shape Native models of leadership and innovation
- Practical ways that WTE members and organizations can build more meaningful partnerships with Native entrepreneurs and changemakers
- How critical dialogue and collective learning can help all of us become more effective advocates for equity, opportunity, and representation
Meet Our Speakers
Laura Sawney, ᏥᏣᎳ, MPH, CPH, CLSSGB
Citizen of the Cherokee Nation
Founding Pathmaker & Relational Leader, Rising REZilience, LLC
Laura Sawney is a proud Cherokee woman and seasoned public health practitioner committed to restoring balance and wellness in Indigenous communities through policy, research, and systems change. She is the Founding Pathmaker of Rising REZilience, LLC, a movement advancing healing and sovereignty through relational, culturally grounded approaches. With over 20 years of experience, Laura has led national work on Tribal workforce development, Indigenous mental health, and cognitive health—centering Indigenous knowledge systems, data sovereignty, and ceremonial practices as essential tools for change. Currently a doctoral scholar in Indigenous Health at the University of North Dakota, she brings deep expertise in decolonizing public health frameworks and building inclusive partnerships rooted in equity, healing, and visibility.
Francesca Toledo-Alexander
Citizen of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma; Descendant of the Mvskoke Nation of Oklahoma
Senior Program Manager, National Network of Public Health Institutes
Francesca Toledo-Alexander is a public health strategist and grantmaker working at the intersection of Indigenous health, environmental justice, and emergency preparedness. A proud Seminole and Mvskoke citizen and first-generation Mexican American, Francesca serves as a Senior Program Manager at the National Network of Public Health Institutes (NNPHI), where she oversees federally funded programs focused on resilience, response, and workforce development. Her expertise spans data modernization, cross-agency coordination, and Tribal capacity-building, with a focus on aligning policy and practice through culturally informed strategies. Known for her collaborative approach and commitment to health equity, Francesca brings lived experience, traditional knowledge, and a sharp analytical lens to every initiative—helping communities thrive through both cultural preservation and systemic progress.
About Native American Heritage Month
Native American Heritage Month is a time to honor the rich history, enduring presence, and powerful contributions of Native peoples across every facet of society. Officially recognized in 1990, this month is more than a reflection—it’s a recognition of leadership, innovation, and sovereignty.
From science and policy to entrepreneurship and cultural preservation, Native communities continue to shape the future while holding strong to traditions that have sustained generations. At Women in Tech & Entrepreneurship, we celebrate Native women not only for their resilience, but for their visionary leadership, community impact, and the systems-level change they are driving across industries.
This observance invites us to learn from Indigenous models of stewardship, to challenge exclusionary systems, and to build cross-community partnerships rooted in equity, representation, and respect.
About Women in Tech & Entrepreneurship (WTE)
Women in Tech & Entrepreneurship is a dues-free, member-led organization helping women across all industries start, scale, and lead in today’s economy. We provide educational programming, near-peer mentorship, and a thriving community of support for women building bold careers and businesses — on their own terms