Tashina Etter is member of the Diné or Navajo Nation. She is of the Bitter Water people and her father is of German and Scottish descent. Her maternal grandfather is of the Meadow People and Zia Pueblo people. Her paternal grandfather is of German and Scottish descent.

Original Community:Little Water, NM

Employment: Tashina works as Grant Writer and Researcher for the American Indian College Fund (the Fund) located in Denver. The Fund is a national, not-for-profit organization and is the largest provider of private scholarships for American Indian students.

She has also worked as an Account Associate for Denali Advisors, LLC, the nation's largest Native American-owned Asset Management Firm, located in San Diego.

Education:Stanford University, Stanford, CA - BA Public Policy; Gallup High School, Gallup, NM - Honor Graduate; Cambridge Rindge and Latin School, Cambridge MA

Awards and Affiliations:MBA Diversity Fellow, Management Leadership for Tomorrow Fellow, Bill and Melinda Gates Millennium Scholar, Former Chief Manuelito Scholar of the Navajo Nation, Wal-Mart Scholar, Stanford Undergraduate Research Grant Recipient, VIA (Volunteers in Asia) Payson Treat Fellow, Project Dosti (Volunteer in India).

Interest/Hobbies: Traveling, photography, scuba diving, scrapbooking, reading and spending quality time with my family and friends.

Favorite Quotes:"My grandchild, education is the ladder. Tell our children to take it."- Chief Manuelito; "Let us put our minds together and see what life we can make for our children." - Sitting Bull; "To whom much is given, much is required."

Career aspirations: To graduate from business school and work in investment banking or venture capital. I am also interested in the economic development of Native communities while maintaining our values. I would like to remain closely tied to my community and eventually return home to provide financial education in a non-profit capacity. I desire for there to be a greater Native American presence in business, from small business owners to CEOs of large companies, all work-ing together for a bright future for Indian country.

Do you plan to one day start a business on the rez?   Yes, I would like to work in a non-profit capacity in my community providing financial education for Native people of all ages. My role model, Elke Chenevey (Omaha) says, "Native people have always been great resource managers. We have cared for our mother earth and saved resources for future generations." As an example, my great-grand-mother had a reserve of funds and stored foods such as dried corn and meat. She taught us to be prepared for the future.   Our people can continue exercising those same teachings.

Who is your role model: I am inspired by many, strong Native American women. My great-grandmother, Kehasbah Begay, was an incredibly spiritual woman who woke up every morning to pray and thank Creator for her family and blessings. My grandmother, Lucy Yazzie, is the leader of our family. She has raised four children and is an amazing example of perseverance.   My great aunt, Ellen Sloan, never learned to read and she always tells me, "Yeigo iiniltaa" (work hard in school) because she was never afforded the opportunity.

I have been most influenced by my mother, Maxine Etter, who raised my sister and me as a single parent. She instilled within our family the importance of an education and was the first person in our family to earn a college degree. When I was very young, she moved us from the reservation so she could attend college at Brigham Young University.   When I was in high school, my mother was accepted to the Harvard Graduate School of Education. I was so proud of my mother at her graduation.   I greatly respect my step-mother, Lucinda Lewis-Etter, who has taken an active interest in me. She is the first Navajo woman dentist and has worked hard in her educational pursuits.   I also look up to Elke Chenevey, an Omaha woman who works for Merrill Lynch in their Global Private Client Group. She is one of the first Native American women to be involved in business, during a time when there were not many women working on Wall Street.   I also respect and am inspired by Wilma Mankiller, Dr. Lori Arviso Alvrod and Karletta Chief.

Favorite musician: Delphine Tsinajinnie, a Diné singer who has a powerful voice. I also like country music especially the Judds and George Strait!

Favorite book: "Mankiller: A Chief and Her People" by Wilma Mankiller, "The Scalpel and the Silver Bear" by Dr. Lori Arviso Alvrod, "The Autobiography of Malcolm X: As Told to Alex Haley", "Bless Me Ultima" by Rudolfo Anaya and "Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela"

Favorite foods: Mutton Stew, Sushi, Green Chili Blue Corn Chicken Enchiladas, Pueblo Bread

When did you take an interest in business?    Growing up, I was never exposed to business as a career option.   I studied Economics and Political Science in college and applied for a position at Denali Advisors, an American Indian owned Asset Management firm. It was here that I received my first real exposure to business. I was able to attend different conferences and see the need for more Native American professionals with MBAs. I encourage young Native people to consider business as a career path. There are many organizations that can give you an early start!   Some organizations to look at now include: University of Arizona's Native Nation's Institute "Native American Youth Entrepreneur Camps" (http://www.nni.arizona.edu/nayec.htm), MBADiversity (www.mbadiversity.org) and Management Leadership for Tomorrow (www.ml4t.org).

Goals you would like to achieve this year?    I'm studying for the GMAT, the test you take to enter into a Masters in Business Administration program. My goal this year is to score well on the test and to work hard on my applications.   Check out MBADiversity   (www.mbadiversity.org).   This organization provides a scholarship towards a GMAT preparation class for minorities.   Management Leadership for Tomorrow (www.ml4t.org) has opportunities for high school students and helps them define their career goals. They also help college students find internships.

Do you plan on seeking more education?    I think that we are all continually learning each day.   My grandmother, Lucy Yazzie, did not attend college, but she is one of the most intelligent people I know.   As far as formal education, I plan to earn an MBA, but I would like to dedicate my life to continually learning, especially the traditions of my people.

What Indian country leaders would you like to meet?   I would love to meet U.S. Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell (Northern Cheyenne), Carly Kipp (Blackfeet), Dr. Valorie Johnson (Eastern Cherokee, Seneca and Cayuga, and Program Director at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation), Fred Cachola (Native Hawaiian Educator), Sherman Alexie (Spokane/Coeur d'Alene and Writer) and John E. Echohawk (Pawnee and Executive Director of the Native American Rights Fund).

What non-Indian leaders would you like to meet? Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey and Hillary Rodham-Clinton

Last business books read:    "Stocks for the Long Run" by Jeremy J. Siegel; "The Blushing MBA: Secrets from Graduate School" by Feddy Pouideh; "Rich Dad Poor Dad" by Robert Kiyosaki; "The Wall Street Journal Guide to Understanding Money and Investing", "The Wall Street Journal Guide to Planning for Your Financial Retirement" and "Welcome to Your Financial Life: A Guide to Personal Finance in Your 20's and 30's" all by Kenneth and Virginia Morris.

Magazines frequently read:    Fortune, The Economist, The Wall Street Journal, Indian Country Today, the Navajo Times, the Gallup Independent, the Albuquerque Journal and REZ BIZ.  

Do you think our Native leaders are making a difference?   Absolutely! There are many Native leaders across Indian country who are doing amazing work. Tribal college presidents such as Karen Swisher, Ph.D. (Standing Rock Sioux) and Ferlin Clark (Diné), among others, are increasing educational opportunity for thousands of Native people. Native Americans are also becoming increasingly represented in academia, Winona Simms, Ph.D. (Muscogee/Yuchi), David Beaulieu, Ph.D. (Minnesota Chippewa) and Matthew Snipp, Ph.D. (Cherokee), among many others, are bringing the voice of our people into universities.   Manley Begay, Ph.D. (Diné) is working with Native Nations in economic development through the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development and the Native Nations Institute.

What would you like to share with younger, Native people who are thinking about pursuing a career in business?   Dream big and be proud of you who are! You come from a people who are strong. Our people are spiritual, respect our Elders and are tied to our communities. Hold your head up high, and remember who you are wherever you go.   My grandpa from Laguna Pueblo tells me, "We are a people who do not know much so we have to constantly ask the Creator for guidance." I believe his words and know that we never achieve anything based on our own merit.