Boozhoo AISES Family,
Giga-Waabamin Miinawaa. Anishinaabe people don’t have a word for goodbye. We say, “’til we meet again.” That’s what this email is about, I am writing to share news about the leadership of AISES as we approach a milestone period for our organization.
After more than 13 years of service, President Sarah EchoHawk has shared her decision to step down. Sarah will conclude her tenure and join Native Americans in Philanthropy as Managing Director in November of this year. She will continue to lead AISES through our National Conference in Portland next month.
When Sarah joined AISES in 2013, she stepped in at a critical moment. Working alongside the Board and staff, she rebuilt the organization’s financial foundation, secured major federal research funding, diversified revenue streams, and expanded the programs and services to carry out our mission. During her tenure, National Conference attendance nearly tripled, Winds of Change came home to AISES, and AISES Canada was established. In recent years she has guided the organization through a changing landscape with resilience and care, making difficult decisions with clear eyes and leaving AISES on solid ground.
AISES is well positioned for its next chapter.
From Sarah EchoHawk:
“Serving AISES over the past 13 years has been one of the greatest honors of my life. Together, we have built a stronger, more resilient organization that continues to create vital pathways for Indigenous students and professionals in STEM. I am now moving into work further upstream that will help move more philanthropic resources to organizations like AISES, so they have what they need to carry their important work forward for generations to come. As we look ahead to our 50th year, I am confident in the strength of our team, our Board, and our community to lead AISES into a bright and sustainable future.”
What Comes Next
Our immediate priority remains ensuring a smooth transition and executing a successful National Conference in Portland. The AISES Board of Directors will convene a special meeting in the coming days to discuss our leadership succession plan, outline next steps, and establish a framework for our path forward. We will share further details and updates with our community as those plans are finalized.
Please join me in honoring Sarah’s tenure and thanking her for all she has given to AISES.
Miigwech,
Mike Laverdure
Board Chair, AISES