Who we are

Founded by CEO & Co-Founder Danielle Forward, a tribal member of the Cloverdale Rancheria Pomo Indians, Natives Rising started in 2016 as a community organization focused on economic empowerment for the most impoverished group in the US: Indigenous people. Inspired by her own story of achieving economic freedom through a successful technology career at Meta, Forward created Natives Rising to help more Indigenous people get access and awareness to this promising career pathway.

What started as a grassroots initiative has since blossomed into a 501c3 nonprofit leading a powerful, holistic movement supporting economic and emotional wellness for Indigenous women and their families, uniting Native and non-Native allies to address systemic inequities and create opportunities for Indigenous success. Through education, advocacy, and community-led programs, Natives Rising honors the rich heritage of Native peoples while laying the groundwork for the next generation of leaders to thrive.