Providing Native American Organizations and Individuals with Financial, Administrative and Technical Support to Succeed
At NAHED our core mission is based upon our THRIVE values, to empower Native American communities by expanding their access to services that foster economic growth and dismantle barriers faced by Indigenous peoples. We are dedicated to creating a culturally respectful environment that allows individuals to acquire skills and knowledge in business, healthcare, and technology support, thereby building sustainable futures and strengthening Native communities. We offer the same services as other organizations, but with a greater focus on personalized support to ensure that every tribal member gets the help or resources they need.
Our Mission:
Economic opportunities and healthcare services are severely limited in Native American healthcare communities. We are dedicated to advancing Native Health and Economic Development within Indian Country. Our motto is "thrive," which focuses on Native Americans (American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiians) getting access to services and training for business development, and sustainment and the improvement of tribal healthcare. Training services focus on leadership, one-on-one coaching, workforce development, cyber, and IT skills. Our goal is to provide all services for free to individuals and at a low cost to tribal nations and tribal healthcare facilities.
Our mission is to assist tribal members with business plan development, accounting, tax advice, and business seed money. Thus, tribal nations, tribal members and underserved reservations throughout the United States will thrive through access to support that assists in building stronger technology and business development skills and successful organizations.
Our Values:
T.H.R.I.V.E
Teaching:
Our professional teachers will guide training and provide hands-on, real life applications of how to succeed in different healthcare careers.
Hope:
We hope to help as many Native Americans as possible, advancing their skills and becoming a trusted organization within their communities.
Respect:
We respect every member of each tribe and their willingness to share, learn, and grow.
Investing:
Investing in Native Americans to get rid of barriers and strengthen Indian Country to become more involved in their communities outreach programs.
Vision:
A future where Native Americans thrive through new opportunities and knowledge, so that they can build upon their tribal foundation and adapt to new business methods and healthcare technologies.
Empowering:
We want to empower generations of tribal members to get access to more opportunities to help them advance in society.
Services
The Center for Native American Health and Economic Development is dedicated to advancing Economic Development and Healthcare in Indian Country. All services would be provided at no cost and would be confidential.
Upcoming Events
The Center has monthly webinars on topics which will help your organization grow and succeed. Here are just a few of our upcoming events. Bookmark this page and check frequently for our latest events. All these events will be updated on the first of the month – registration will occur approximately two weeks prior to the event. All events are free of charge and after each event a team of experts will be available to answer any questions you may have.
Upcoming Events
Tue, Jan 13Location is TBDCandidates with these certifications are up to 60% more likely to land roles in healthcare IT, according to industry reports.
Who We Have Worked With
Meet Our Council
The Center for NAHED has organized a council representative of the continental US and Alaska. All council members are focused on developing Indian Country. The leadership Council is supported by additional council members and committed staff that focus on producing positive results and achievements.
Ed Byers
Director, Center for NAHED
Ed is a proud member of the Estom Yumeka Maidu Tribe. Prior to the center, Ed has provided leadership training, business incubator support, and general professional services to such clients as Indian Health Services, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Stanford University, and the NCAIED (“National Center”). Ed also provides specialized healthcare services to rural hospitals and clinics. Prior to NAHED, Ed was a senior partner at Deloitte. At Deloitte he was a leader in the Healthcare Industry serving large clients throughout the US. Ed has his Masters of Science degree in Accounting and Information Systems, and his Bachelor of Science in Finance and Accounting.
Nicole Watson
Technical Assistant Specialist, NCAIED (National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development)
Nicole Watson is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation and Business Specialist for the National Center of American Indian Enterprise Development (“National Center”). At the National Center Nicole works with tribal nations and tribal members to provide economic development, support, training, 1 on 1 coaching, and business incubator guidance. Prior to the National Center, Nicole worked with the Gila River Indian Community for 9 years, where she offered extensive health education and raised community awareness. Nicole is a passionate advocate for social, environmental, and physical change, focusing on community development. Nicole has a Master of Science in Public Health (MPH) and a Bachelor of Science in Health Science.
Jayson Crusenberry
Program Manager, indigenous Economic Development (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)
Jayson is a proud member of the Eastern Bank of Cherokee Indians. Jayson is a strong believer of developing the economies of the Native American communities. As a Program Manager at University of North Carolina, he has served such distinguished clients as the NCAIED (“National Center”), attends the annual RES conference in Las Vegas, and works tirelessly to provide business incubator support to the Native American community. Jayson is passionate about fostering sustainable growth and celebrating Native heritage. Jayson has earned his MBA from the University of North Carolina and also has a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications.
Ruth Wolfe
Rural Center Director
Alaska SBDC
Ruth Wolfe is Alaska Native Yup’ik with family ties to Nightmute and Perryville. Ruth currently serves as the Rural Center Director for the Alaska Small Business Development Center (AK SBDC), where she supports entrepreneurs throughout Alaska’s rural communities. She brings expertise in financial analysis, marketing strategies, business research, and commercial real estate. Ruth has a Master's in Business Administration (MBA) and a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences. She is passionate about rural development, sustainable growth, and creating opportunities for future generations.
Anthony Kim
Partner at Kim & Rosado LLP
Anthony is a partner at Kim & Rosado. Anthony specializes in assisting clients with complex financial, accounting, and tax matters. His prior experience includes over 25 years at the IRS where he was a Senior Counsel within the “Office of Chief Counsel”. During his government career, Tony litigated some of the most complex tax issues on behalf of the IRS. He was also a Director at E&Y where he served large corporations and assisted them with optimizing their finance, accounting, and tax matters.
Robert Zimmerman
Chief Technology Officer at NAHED, Healthcare Services Leader
Robert has assisted Native American and Hawaiian healthcare organizations reduce cybersecurity risk and enhance their technology environment by providing Health IT, cybersecurity and data analytics services. He has also been a leader in developing Health IT, AI, data analytics and change management workforce development curriculum to help fill the growing healthcare technology skills gap in underserved rural and urban communities. Robert is a co-founder of HTAA IT Institute and Health Tech Alley that were created to assist underserved and under-represented communities take advantage of the rapid technology innovation transforming healthcare. He has been an Executive in Residence and Instructor at Howard University, Northwestern University, Purdue University and Howard Community College.
Make a difference
Please consider donating today. The Center for NAHED is an initiative of Health Tech Alley, a 501(c)(3) organization and all contributions are tax deductible. 100% of contributions from individuals will directly benefit Native Americans, i.e., these proceeds will be restricted to providing services to Indian Country and not G&A expenses. Please contact Ed Byers, Director for the Center of Native American Health and Economic Development (ed@nahed.org) for more information. Ed can also be reached at 510.502.3041. Your donation and financial support allow us to continue our Mission.
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