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From First Gen Grad to Teacher to Leader in Departments of Energy and Education to Successful Business Owner: Meet Vicki Vasques, GlobalMindED Inclusive Leader Award Winner for Government
Vicki Vasques is the owner and Chairwoman of Tribal Tech, an American Indian and woman-owned small business that serves federal, state, tribal, and corporate clients and was on the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Company list for seven consecutive years. She formerly served as the Assistant Deputy Secretary of the Office of Indian Education and the Director of Indian Affairs at the U.S. Department of Energy.
What is your personal story? How did you find your purpose and your passion?
My father, Ronald Maese Peralta, instilled in me the value and importance of an education. He served as Tribal Chairman for the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians for almost twenty years and started the first education program on the reservation (long before gaming and casinos). Thanks to my father, I saw first-hand the value education brought to our community. This led me to follow my passion and study to become a teacher and a first-generation college graduate.
From second grade on, I had always wanted to be a teacher. However, after four years of teaching, I found myself in Washington, D.C. in the early 1980s, beginning my career in public service. I worked for the federal government in the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Energy for almost 25 years. One of my first positions was at the Department of Education as the Assistant Deputy Secretary of the Office of Indian Education.
Now, over 40 years later, I am running my own business—Tribal Tech, a Native American woman-owned company providing government services. With my background in education, founding Tribal Tech was a natural progression. I knew how education would impact our tribal communities and how a company like Tribal Tech could amplify this positive effect. I saw significant opportunities to continue serving the federal government with their work, especially in education, health, and wellness, serving our American Indian and Alaska Native communities, and respecting the government-to-government relationship.
In 2019, I wanted to add something new to our portfolio and acquired Cowan & Associates, Inc. (now a subsidiary of Tribal Tech), a successful veteran-owned management consulting firm founded in 2000. Over the years, this allowed us to expand our reach into the National Security and Defense sectors.
I am proud to continue advocating and supporting educational initiatives and health and wellness for all people, especially our Native youth. My father also taught me the importance of giving back and investing in our communities, which led me to establish The RMP Foundation in his memory. The foundation provides educational and health opportunities and grants supporting our local and Native communities.
What led you to the leadership role for which you are being recognized? Who was instrumental on your path to success?
Watching my father serve as Tribal Chairman, being self-sufficient and fiscally conservative, inspired me to see what I was capable of and what kind of leader I could be. I’d have to say I got my tenacity and spirit from my mother. They both instilled the value of education and philanthropy within me, which launched me to pursue my journey to Washington, D.C., where I felt I could positively impact Native communities.
What does inclusive leadership mean to you and what would you like others to know and do as inclusive leaders?
When I think about inclusive leadership, I think of my staff and their passion for our mission. I advocate and follow the guiding principles of Tribal Tech – “People, Performance and Partnership.” These three principles have become our roadmap for all that we do. Our people have dedicated themselves to our work, providing excellent performance for those we serve and aligning our personal and professional partnerships to continue making a positive impact.
As a leader, it’s important to stay true to your values. Mine, for example, are at the core of my personal and professional life—to be kind, respectful, trustworthy, and forgiving. Lastly, I have found patience to be a characteristic that will take you far as a leader.
How can the GlobalMindED Inclusive Success Network inform, advance and/or multiply your mission and goals?
The Network could help create a community for Native peoples, especially Native youth, as they navigate the world and seek new opportunities. They could partner with agencies such as the Bureau of Indian Education to help its students find work, mentors, or internships. Native students would benefit from talking to other successful Native professionals. One person’s story could make all the difference in inspiring action from youth. All students from underserved communities would greatly benefit from a mentor giving them the space to talk about their passion and hope for their future while supporting them and showing them the way forward.
I always advocate for young adults to find their passion, value what they do, and not be afraid to take that next step in their careers. Reflecting on my career, I only wish I had started Tribal Tech sooner.
What legacy would you most like to leave the world?
I would like my legacy to be the work I have done throughout the federal government and in Indian Country, serving communities in suicide prevention, behavioral health and wellness, economic development, and more to build resilience. I hope that the impact of that work will endure for many generations and inspire others to find their key moment and pursue their passion!
You can meet Vicki Vasques and the 14 other Honorees at the Inclusive Leader Awards Dinner on June 16th in Denver. Please read our newsletter each day as we continue to announce the 2025 Inclusive Leader Award Winners through January.
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