Colleen Echohawk

Interim Executive Director, Seattle Indian Services Commission

Colleen Echohawk is a visionary executive leader, entrepreneur, and advocate dedicated to advancing economic equity, generational wealth building, and social justice. An enrolled member of the Kithehaki Band of the Pawnee Nation and a member of the Upper Athabascan people of Mentasta Lake, Echohawk has built a career blending advocacy with innovative leadership.

Colleen is the Principal and Co-Founder of Headwater People Consulting, an organization committed to helping other organizations achieve meaningful, community-centered change. In early 2025, she resigned as CEO of Eighth Generation to devote her energy to launching two new businesses that continue her commitment to Indigenous entrepreneurship and economic mobility. In January 2025 she was appointed Interim Executive Director of the Seattle Indian Services Commission, where she oversees the beginning stages of two capital projects aimed at housing and enhancing services and opportunities for Seattle’s Native community.

As the CEO of Eighth Generation, a business owned by the Snoqualmie Tribe, Echohawk led transformative efforts to expand the company’s influence and support for Indigenous artists. Under her leadership, the company not only increased opportunities for Native artists but also elevated its mission to foster economic independence and celebrate Indigenous culture on a national scale.

Echohawk previously served as the Executive Director of the Chief Seattle Club, where she guided the development of nearly $100 million in new affordable housing projects in Seattle. These efforts provided critical resources for Native people experiencing homelessness and gained national recognition for their innovative approach to housing and wellness.

A recipient of several prestigious awards, Echohawk has been honored with the King County Martin Luther King Jr. Medal of Distinguished Service for her dedication to equity and social justice. She has also been named one of Seattle Magazine’s Most Influential People, recognizing her significant contributions to the city’s cultural and social fabric. Additionally, she received the President’s Award: Tribal Ally from the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska for her transformative work in creating housing opportunities for Native people in Seattle.