Reimagining Native America
Change Labs is a Native-led and Native-controlled 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based on the Navajo and Hopi nations.
We foster the creation of successful Native American small businesses that provide a social benefit to tribal communities.
Tribal America has no deficit of challenges: a lack of infrastructure, rampant and persistent poverty, and under-performing public schools. Despite our sovereignty, we remain dependent on outside forces to address these problems by providing needed jobs, sustaining our governance, and driving our economies. Change Labs was created to empower Native-owned small businesses operating within our communities, so we can begin to take steps toward economic self-sustainability.
We invite you to learn more about our programs, our team, and make a contribution to support Native entrepreneurs today.
About the Navajo Nation
According to the Small Business Administration, America’s small businesses – some 25 million strong – are the strength of the U.S. economy. They create between 60% and 80% of net new jobs and are 13 to 14 times more innovative per employee as large firms. Yet the growth rate of Navajo small businesses is less than half the growth rate for the U.S.
Reasons for stagnant growth of the small business sector on the Navajo Nation include the lack of infrastructure, limited small business financing, lack of support networks and mentors, and a history of exclusion from national and global economies.
As a result, the Navajo and Hopi nations continue to struggle economically, despite possessing resource-rich land and a young workforce. With increased support and training for entrepreneurs and small businesses, the Navajo Nation can make steady improvements that will enable healthier, more diverse economies and the prosperity of local communities.
43%
of Navajo residents live below the poverty line
Census data
$219M
in sales tax revenue is lost to border town spending
Navajo Economic Data Bulletin
365 days
length of time required to lease land on the Navajo Nation
We compared the state of doing business on the Navajo Nation to 190 countries.
Our Team
Jessica Stago
Jessica's extensive background in business counseling and starting businesses on the Navajo Nation makes her a powerful ally for Navajo startups. Jessica is a co-founder of Change Labs and leads our effort to launch a venture fund for Navajo entrepreneurs. Jessica is Diné/Apache and is Bitahnii clan.
Heather Fleming
Heather's background is in design and innovation consulting. She started her career in Silicon Valley and transitioned to public sector innovation when she founded Catapult Design in San Francisco in 2008. In addition to her international work, Heather led Catapult Design’s initiatives on the Navajo Nation. Heather is a Change Labs co-founder and serves as executive director. Heather is Diné and is Bitahnii clan.
Marsha Greyeyes
Marsha is interested in developing successful and viable infrastructure on Native lands. As an MBA graduate from Grand Canyon University, working at the community level and with Change Labs brings together her belief in advancing the quality of life on the Navajo and Hopi Nations. Marsha is the Finance Director for Change Labs. She is Diné from Kaibeto, AZ.
Kristine Laughter
Kristine has many years of banking experience on the Navajo Nation and in Arizona and is part of our Kinship Lending team. She was part of the team that opened up the Navajo Tech Innovation Center-Navajo Technical University's Business Incubator in 2016, where she was responsible for providing assistance to entrepreneurs who utilized the space. Kristine is Naakai dine' born for Nooda'i dine' Tachii'nii. Kristine is from Kayenta, AZ.
Holly Patterson
Holly received her B.A. from Dartmouth College and is part of our team developing entrepreneurship support training and tools. Holly is very passionate about education and developing resources that focus on shortening the disparities between indigenous communities, individuals, and opportunities. She also enjoys volunteering in her local community and exploring weekend markets. She is an avid runner and sports spectator. Holly is Diné and is Ashiihii.
Joe-Elliot Nez
Joe (Diné) owns and operates a technology company that services customers in IT and Design. He serves as a contracted business coach for our community and enjoys learning new things and sharing that knowledge with others. He has degrees in General Business – Information Technology and Business Administration in Management of Information Systems from the UNM Main Campus and its Gallup Branch. Joe is from the Bitter Water Clan (Todich’ii’nii) and lives in Gallup, NM.
Tim Deel
Tim’s expertise lies in the residential and commercial lending industry. He serves as a contracted business coach for our community and is devoted to working on financing projects on tribal trust lands. Today, Tim works as a lending broker and marketer for renewable energy programs for tribes throughout North America in addition to counseling Native American startups with Change Labs. Tim is Diné from Tuba City, AZ.
Racquel Black
Racquel (Diné) has a background in client service and several years of involvement with local Navajo community projects and events, including the Arts & Music "Rock the Canyon" Festival in Shonto. Racquel is part of our team providing critically needed workspace for entrepreneurs on the reservation. She is passionate about uplifting Indigenous communities and helping small business owners achieve success and excellence. Racquel is Kinyaa'áanii, born for Tsenjíkiní and lives in Pinon, AZ.
Amber McCrary
Amber is the founder of Abalone Mountain Press, an Indigenous feminist friendly press creating books for Native people by Native people. Amber supports daily operations at the Tuba City E-ship Hub and is also a Diné poet an zinester. She is Red House Clan born for Mexican people. In her spare time, she likes to foster rez dogs.
Apryl Joe
Apryl supports daily operations at the Tuba City E-ship Hub. Prior to her contract work with Change Labs, Apryl worked for Diné College and various Indigenous nonprofits and consulting firms. She is passionate about rebuilding Native nations, (re)Indigenizing spaces, social justice, and healing historical and intergenerational trauma. Apryl is Áshįįhí born for Táchii’nii. She recently returned to her birthplace in Tuba City, AZ.
Duane Allen Humeyestewa
Duane Allen Humeyestewa (Hopi) is a branded content producer, multi-media technologist, storyteller, filmmaker, and entrepreneur. He serves as a contracted business coach and mentors with passion, guiding clients to effectively strengthen and elevate their leadership vision to new heights. He is especially inspired to help aspiring entrepreneurs take their careers – and their craft – to unprecedented levels. Duane is from the Village of Mishongnovi.
Swarvoski Little
Swarvoski (Diné) has many years of banking experience and specializes in working with entrepreneurs looking to start to grow their business. He is part of our Kinship Lending team, supporting entrepreneurs with securing loans to finance their ideas. His area of expertise lies in SBA, USDA, and non-profit lending. Swarvoski is Bit'ahnii clan and originally from Aneth, UT.
Board of Directors
Miriam Jorgensen
Miriam is the Research Director of the Native Nations Institute at the University of Arizona and its sister organization, the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development. Her international work has addressed a wide range of issues including, natural resources, cultural stewardship, enterprise management, and financial education. She is co-founder of the UofA Indigenous Governance program and is an author and editor of numerous articles and books, including Rebuilding Native Nations: Strategies for Governance and Development and Creating Private Sector Economies in Native America: Sustainable Development through Entrepreneurship.
Allarice “Baya” Meehan
Baya (Diné) was born and raised in Coppermine, Navajo Nation where she launched the highly successful Glamping Hotel, Shash Diné EcoRetreat from the ground up. As a business owner on the Navajo Nation, Baya understands the unique position business owners operating on tribal lands are in and brings the working perspective of that dynamic position. She is also a world traveler, U.S. Navy veteran, mother, entrepreneur and raises Navajo Churro sheep and Navajo Angora goats. Baya is Tsinajinnie, KłiziŁani, Kinyaani and Nakai Diné.
Brett Isaac
Board Chair
Brett (Diné) is the Co-CEO and Founder of Navajo Power. He is a member of the Navajo Nation and has worked with local chapters in the Nation to execute on numerous community development initiatives. Brett collaborated with the Navajo Community of Shonto in the development of Community Owned enterprises leading to the creation of a solar company on the Nation called Shonto Energy. Brett’s company has deployed over 200 off-grid solar systems to serve households without grid electricity.
Jackson Brossy
Jackson (Diné) has more than 10 years of experience in management, federal advocacy, non-profits, and private consulting. He knows firsthand the need for access to capital for Native entrepreneurs and has devoted much of his professional life to advancing opportunities for Native American economic development. He serves as Executive Director for the Native CDFI Network, a national membership organization of CDFIs. He previously headed federal affairs and relations for the Navajo Nation in Washington, DC. He is from the To’aheedliinii clan.