NDN Collective Leadership

Gaby Strong (she/her), NDN Foundation Managing Director, is an enrolled citizen of the Sisseton-Wahpeton/Mdewakanton Dakota Oyate. She brings over 35 years of experience in the tribal, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectors. Her professional work includes serving as a program officer for the Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies in the Arts & Cultures domain, serving as technical assistance specialist with the Education Development Center, advising tribes, schools, and communities with federal funding streams, serving as tribal administrator for Lower Sioux Indian Community, and as program officer with the Grotto Foundation, where she administered key initiatives, including the Native Language Revitalization Initiative and American Indian Family Empowerment Program.

Gaby holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, Education minor from Macalester College and a Masters of Social Work, Human Service Management from the University of Minnesota. She is a graduate of The Red School House, one of the original American Indian Movement (AIM) Survival Schools. Gaby is also a recipient of the Flying Eagle Woman Award, Native Americans in Philanthropy.

She is an Honorary Board member for the Ain Dah Yung (Our Home) Center, the Board Chair for Dakota Wicohan, and also serves as a Board Member for the Grantmakers in the Arts.

Gaby’s community and professional experience has centered on Indian education, Indian child welfare, Native history, language and lifeways, leadership, and community development. She is committed to perpetuating and sharing Native cultural knowledge, particularly Native songs, dance, and horse traditions.