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Message REPORTA N N U A L 2024-2025

PRAIRIE BLOUNTFort Peck SiouxEXECUTIVE DIRECTORWELCOMEAt the heart of AIBL’s work is a deep belief: when Nativestudents lead with a strong sense of identity, they lead withpower, purpose, and resilience. Through every challenge theyface, our students draw strength from who they are and wherethey come from. They carry forward the traditions, values, andentrepreneurial spirit of their ancestors — not just surviving, butthriving, and reimagining what’s possible for our tribal nations.In a world that too often overlooks Indigenous voices, ouryoung leaders are rising — grounded in culture, fueled bypurpose, and resilient in the face of adversity. Their stories are proof that identity is not a barrier but a foundation fortransformational leadership. Their success is our collective strength.To our current partners: your support has helped shape ageneration of Native changemakers who are not only buildingcareers, but reclaiming space, honoring their roots, andcreating futures that reflect the brilliance of our communities.We are deeply grateful for your belief in them — and in us.As we move forward, we welcome new partners to join us inthis work. Your investment goes far beyond a single program —it helps cultivate bold, Indigenous leadership that is culturallygrounded and unshakably resilient. Together, we can continueto elevate Native voices and build self-determined, self-sustaining tribal nations for generations to come.AIBL 2024-25ANNUAL REPORT2

MISSIONIncrease the representation of American Indians andAlaska Natives in business and entrepreneurialventures through education and leadershipdevelopment opportunities.Salish Kootenai CollegeWinning 1 place at the Business Plan Competition at AIBL’sNational Business & Leadership Student Conferences t

Empowering the Indigenousspirit through businessleadership in the areas of:CULTUREEXPERIENCELEADERSHIPEDUCATION4AIBL helped me gain insight intobusiness ventures, accompanied bybeing able to see that my goals arepossible. -AIBL StudentAIBL 2024-25ANNUAL REPORT2

OUR STUDENTSAIBL CHAPTERSAIBL Chapters are designed to help facilitate the overall goals of AIBL.Chapters are student groups at high schools, tribal colleges (TCUs), anduniversities, providing leadership development, career and college guidance,and networking through educational activities, community service projects,and social activities. Chapters are a support system to help studentsfacilitate the transition of being away from home while attending school. Each Chapter is led by an AIBL advisor who works closely with members tohelp organize, recruit, mentor, and lead Chapter meetings and activities.

In 2024/2025, we supported400+ students, 47+ tribes, 46 chapters, in 18 states.AIBL 2024-25ANNUAL REPORT2

I’m deeply grateful to AIBL for opening doors I never imagined possible. As an Indigenousgraduate student, I came to AIBL seeking guidance on how to bring my education into boththe corporate world and my community. What I found was more than professionaldevelopment; I found healing, confidence, and direction. Through AIBL’s mentorship andconferences, I secured a year-long internship with Sony Music Entertainment, connecting mewith mentors in NYC who continue to support and inspire me.One of the greatest gifts AIBL gave me is the community, a powerful network of other rez kidswith similar challenges, dreams, and goals. I found people who understand me deeply, becausethey come from stories like mine. We share similar traumas, hopes, and determination.Before AIBL, I was a first-gen rez kid just trying to figure out how to lead when you're the first inyour family to do so, and how to succeed despite limited resources and generationalchallenges. AIBL gave me the tools to grow, both professionally and personally.Today, I work with the Navajo Nation Division of EconomicDevelopment, where I help plan and carry out large-scaleprojects, including our Nation’s economic summit. Thetools I gained from AIBL show up in my daily work andpersonal life, and they continue to shape how I serve thepeople around me.To the AIBL staff and donors, ahéhee’, fa’afetai, thank you.Your investment in me changed my life and will echo forgenerations.ALUMNI SPOTLIGHTKEONANavajo & Samoan

Let me share with you how the American Indigenous Business Leaders (AIBL) mentorshipprogram has impacted my life. Coming from a girl who grew up on the reservation, survivalmode was all I knew. Entering college and trying to navigate the world beyond that reality wasnot just difficult, it was isolating. As an Indigenous person, society often writes your story beforeyou even begin, expecting you to fail. And for a long time, I believed that narrative. Even in the midst of that struggle, I felt a deeper purpose, a calling to create change for mypeople. The American Indigenous Business Leaders (AIBL) mentorship program helped meturn that calling into action. Through mentorship, professional development, and a powerfulnetwork of support, I gained the tools, confidence, peers, and vision to lead with purpose. Forthe first time, I felt seen and not just as a student, but as a future leader. ALUMNI SPOTLIGHTDENMIOglala Lakota and Southern Cheyenne AIBL 2024-25ANNUAL REPORT2I entered AIBL as an intimidated rez girl with adream. I left as a young woman empowered—nowan educated government employee, content creator,business owner, fashion model, and a proudadvocate for Indigenous communities. AIBL didn’tjust support my journey. It helped define it. For that,I’m forever grateful.

Funded through the Administration for Native Americans (ANA), the MentoringProgram 1.0 provides training, mentoring, and networking opportunities–empoweringIndigenous youth with business leadership skills and experience to lead economicendeavors within their communities. The program strengthens professional skill setsand personal resilience by incorporating a holistic and culturally responsive approachto business leadership. Over a period of three months, students meet virtually with a business professionalmentor, AIBL mentor, and participate in a two-day in-person leadership retreat,covering 30 leadership skills and concepts in the areas of career building, professionalexcellence, and personal resilience. Students receive a new laptop, business backpack,and completion stipend. PROGRAMINGMENTORING PROGRAM 1.0Since participating in the program I am more confident in business skills. I enjoyed working with mymentor, and I feel as if a lot of those skillswere polished with her. I was also able toapply what I learned to a job interview thatwas very successful. -AIBL Student

25%22%21%CAREER BUILDINGincrease in soft skills that are critical indicatorsof success in professional careers.PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCEincrease in behaviors and traits toelevate professional development. PERSONAL RESILIENCEincrease in mind, body, and spiritual balancingto healing and cultivating a growth mindset. In three months, students increased overallproficiency in leadershipskills and concepts by22%AIBL 2024-25ANNUAL REPORT2

At AIBL’s National Business & Leadership Student Conference, school-basedAIBL Chapter members link their traditional school coursework with businessand entrepreneurship education in a way that expands their skill set beyondtraditional academic methods, while serving as a valuable networkingopportunity for emerging business leaders and established professionalsthrough our partnership with the Reservation Economic Summit (RES) andpresenting sponsors, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community.Students had opportunities to participate and watch Chapter of the Year,Business Plan, and Elevator Pitch competitions, winning prize money to furthersupport Chapter activities. Ten students were incorporated into the conferenceexperience to gain and strengthen valuable leadership, presentation, andproject management skills in the areas of MC, stage manager, event assistant,social media, registration, and setup. EVENTSNATIONAL CONFERENCE

79%AIBL CHAPTERSREGISTERED178BUSINESS LEADERSIMPACTED86%OF ATTENDEESIDENTIFIED AS NATIVE27CHAPTERS IN ATTENDANCE61%NEW CONFERENCEATTENDEES79% GAVE 10/10 HIGHLY RECOMMEND RATINGI learned how to be a better leader, networking skills, and the resourcesthat are available to us. -AIBL StudentAIBL 2024-25ANNUAL REPORT2

The 4th Fort Peck Tribal Youth Summit is a collaborative effort betweenAIBL board member Sam McCracken, and Nike N7, providing a platformfor Native youth to explore their cultural identity, develop leadershipskills, and envision a future of prosperity for themselves and theircommunities. Through a series of workshops, activities, and discussions, the summitempowers Native youth to embrace their cultural heritage, prioritizemental and physical health, and become leaders in their communities.I loved the Fort Peck Youth Summit! It was really fun and made me think aboutwhat I want to do when I grow up. I set some goals for myself, like going tocollege and helping my community. I didn’t think about that stuff before, sonow I feel excited about my future. -Youth ParticipantEVENTSFORT PECK YOUTH SUMMIT

210TRIBAL YOUTH SUMMIT PARTICIPANTS27BUSINESS & ATHLETEPROFESSIONAL SPEAKERS65BASKETBALL CLINICYOUTH PARTICIPANTSAIBL 2024-25ANNUAL REPORT2

I am incredibly grateful for this scholarship fromYuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation. Your support eases myfinancial burdens and allows me to fully focus on my studiesin Business Administration and preparing for my LSAT.Thank you for investing in my future success and supportingthe academic endeavors of Indigenous students.SCHOLARSHIPSACADEMIC FINANCIAL SUPPORTHigher education is highly valued within Indigenous communities andAIBL is stepping in to support the academic needs of students.The 2nd AIBL Charity Golf Classic raised $20,000 this year and combined with its first-year contribution, AIBL is ready to scholarship$40,000 between two AIBL students in the academic degree areas ofbusiness and hospitality management.Beyond golf, our partner, Synchrony Financial, teamed up with AIBL to provide $1,000 summer scholarships, covering book and tuition costs for 12 AIBL students.$22KDISTRIBUTED IN ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS

AIBL 2024-25ANNUAL REPORT2

Thanks to our generous sponsors for yourcontributions in supporting AIBL students.PARTNERAPPRECIATION

AIBL 2023-24ANNUAL REPORT26

REPORTA N N U A L 2024-2025A I B L . O R G