Equity partners
Rickey “Deekon” Jones
Rickey “Deekon” Jones is the founder of CDI as well as New Developed Nations (NDN), a non-profit program for drug and alcohol prevention, intervention, and aftercare that utilizes music, sports, and video to connect with clients. Deekon was one of 15 nominated as national finalists for President Obama’s Native Youth Challenge and won NIATx’s Revolutionary Innovation Award in 2012.
Tracy Kieffer
Tracy Kieffer is the Tribal Lead of the #NativeSBA team. She reaches out to build and grow relationships with tribal governments, organizations, and communities in the regions where Sister Sky Inc. presents their Empowerment Workshops to recruit attendees and find partners. Tracy’s understanding of how Native-owned small businesses help Indian Country grow has helped her educate tribal government partners on the benefits of Native entrepreneurship for reservations and regional economies throughout her career.
Mariah McKay
Mariah McKay, SIMBA’s founder, is passionate about everything local. She co-created Haystack Heights, Spokane’s first co-housing community in the Perry District, and is the Community Manager for her housing company, Our Natural Homes, LLC.
Sanya Ala
Sanya Ala is AHANA’s Contract Technical Advisor and a business executive with over 25 years of leadership experience. Sanya’s immense experience with business development, client relations, sales, and strategic marketing has established him as a reputable and innovative marketing strategist.
Neighborhood partners
Julie Shepard-Hall
Julie Shepard-Hall wears many different hats. She is the President of the Garland Business District, President of the Eastern Washington Association of Health Underwriters, a North Hill Neighborhood Council Board member, and the owner of Integrity Insurance Solutions & ZipperZ Inc.
industry partners
Melissa Huggins
Melissa Huggins is the Executive Director of Spokane Arts. Melissa has spent over a decade marketing and promoting authors and artists. She also consults on book promotion, media training, artist statements, and more.
THANK YOU!
