A Grassroots Leader Balancing Community, Responsibility, and the Work of Building Native Power.

People often imagine an Executive Director’s day as a neat row of meetings, emails, and polished strategy sessions. The reality—especially in grassroots, Native-led work—is far messier, more human, and far more meaningful.

For me, the day doesn’t start with a boardroom. It begins with responsibility.

Morning: Getting Grounded Before the Grind

Most mornings begin early, before emails and phone calls take over. I take a few moments to ground myself in silence, sometimes with prayer, sometimes just sitting still, reminding myself who this work is for (the people) and that others have done this before to make it a little easier for the next generation, and I’m a part of that.

Overall… Community comes first, always.

By the time I check my phone, open my laptop, or get to my computer, messages are already waiting: staff checking in, partners coordinating, community members seeking guidance in a system that often wasn’t built with them in mind. I scan for urgency, working through the list from pressing issues to deadlines that aren’t due for a while. In grassroots leadership, triage comes before the first sip of water.

Mid-Morning: Wearing All the Hats

As an Executive Director of a grassroots organization, I don’t just lead—I do. On any given morning, I might be:

  • Reviewing grant reports and budgets
  • Jumping on a call with national partners
  • Supporting staff through problem-solving or burnout
  • Coordinating building operations
  • Responding to media inquiries
  • Helping a community member access civic resources

Titles don’t protect you from rolling up your sleeves. In grassroots work, leadership means being willing to sweep the floor if that’s what the moment calls for.

Midday: Community Is the Work

By midday, I’m often in conversation with staff, communities, or partner organizations. These are my favorite moments. Community conversations are where strategy meets lived experience. They remind me why policy matters, why civic engagement matters, and why Native voices must lead their own movements.

Grassroots leadership requires listening deeply and acting responsibly. It’s not about being the loudest voice in the room—it’s about making sure the right voices are heard so the story is told.

Lunch is usually quick and often interrupted. But even then, I try to check in with the staff. How are they really doing? What support do they need? Sustaining movements means sustaining people, because BURN OUT IS REAL!

Afternoon: Systems, Strategy, and Advocacy

Afternoons are often reserved for the heavy lifts—strategic planning, financial oversight, compliance, and checking on Keaton, who does our advocacy.

This is where my academic background meets lived experience. Theory matters, but it has to serve real people. I constantly ask: Does this decision move our community closer to self-determination? Does it build power? How is this going to help our future people?

There are days when the weight of responsibility feels heavy—when funding challenges, political barriers, or systemic inequities press hard. But those are also the moments when clarity sharpens.

This work is not optional. It’s necessary, and it should be all our responsibility.

Evening: Reflection and Preparation

As the day winds down, the work doesn’t really stop. Evenings are often spent preparing for the next day—reading, writing, planning, or responding to one last email that couldn’t wait. On top of that, I dedicate time to my PhD in Leadership Studies program, balancing coursework, research, and reflection with the demands of leading a grassroots organization.

Before closing the laptop, I reflect. What did we move forward with today? Who did we serve? Where can we do better tomorrow? Leadership is iterative. You learn, you adjust, you keep going. Pursuing this doctorate deepens my understanding of leadership, but it also reminds me that the real classroom is the community itself, and every day brings new lessons.

The Truth About Grassroots Leadership

Being a grassroots Executive Director isn’t glamorous. It’s demanding, emotional, and deeply personal.

You carry the trust of your community, the responsibility of your staff, and the long arc of history on your shoulders.

But it’s also powerful.

Every day, I get to witness the strength of our people. I get to help build systems that honor Native sovereignty, civic participation, and community strength. I get to work alongside people who believe that change is possible.

And at the end of the day, that’s what keeps me showing up—again and again, because grassroots leadership isn’t just a job.

It’s a commitment.
It’s a responsibility.
It’s a way of life.