Native American Government and Business Leader Paves the Way for the Next Generation of Impact Makers: Meet Vicki Vasques, Forbes 50 Over 50
Congratulations to Vicki Vasques, Owner and Chairwoman of Tribal Tech, and Cowan and Associates for making the 2022 Forbes 50 Over 50 list in the entrepreneur category. Vasques, whose ancestors include the Diegueno Mission Indians in California, has turned the organization into a juggernaut; Tribal Tech has landed on the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Company list for seven consecutive years.
Vicki participated at GlobalMindED this year on three panels: "Growing Diverse Entrepreneurs", "Taking Needed Risks That Make Diversity Possible and How to Measure It" on the Foundations/Funders track, and "Equity in Rural/Urban Lands with Native American and Poverty Affected Talent" on the Policy track. See information about GlobalMindED 2023 call for proposals below Vicki's story.
How do you Identify yourself?
My name is Victoria “Vicki” Vasques, Diegueno of the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians and the Owner and Chairwoman, of Tribal Tech and Cowan & Associates, a native woman-owned small business, providing management and technical services to our clients. I received my Bachelor of Science degree from California State University at Fullerton and teaching credentials from the University of California at Irvine. I live in Old Town Alexandria, VA with my husband Fabrice, our dog Cocoa, our cat ShiShi and our daughter Alex, currently lives in NYC.
What key moments defined you as a leader?
From second grade on, I always wanted to be a teacher, however, after only four years of teaching, I found myself in Washington DC in the early 80’s working for the Reagan Administration at the US Department of Education, which began my many years of public service – almost 25 years! And now, as a small business owner, I continue to advocate and support educational initiatives and health & wellness for all people, particularly for our native youth. As a first-generation college graduate, I knew the impact of an education, not only for me, but for our tribal communities and wanted to be a part of that change.
What community-driven projects have you spearheaded/participated in that you are proud of? What did you take away from these experiences?
I am fortunate to serve on various boards for national and local non-profit organizations dedicated to supporting and promoting education and health care. I am most proud to be afforded the opportunity to give back and able to invest in our communities. Several years ago, I founded the Ronald Maese Peralta (RMP) Foundation in memory of my father and the great work that he did serving our native people. The foundation provides educational and health opportunities and grants supporting our local communities, as well as our native communities.
How do you connect with your ancestral roots professionally and personally?
Although I have the tenacity and spirit of my mother, it was my father, who served as tribal chairman of our tribe, who instilled in me the value and importance of an education, and who started the first education program on the reservation (long before casinos were even thought of). I find it’s always important to me, both in my professional and personal life, to be kind, respectful and forgiving. It is also important to have patience, which I continue to work on and practice every day.
As a leader, what motivates you to move forward in adversity? Where do you find your passion?
My passion has always been to serve my community. For me, there’s nothing more rewarding than helping people. Additionally, I advocate and follow the guiding principles of Tribal Tech – “People, Performance and Partnership”. We are reliant on these principles in everything that we do – this is our roadmap! It’s the people – who we are, hardworking and passionate. It’s the performance – who we serve, excellent service and exceeding expectations. It’s the partnerships – who we work with, individually and professionally. I have also learned over the years that it is important to stay focused on the right things and not get ahead of myself. Don’t count those wins until they are won!
What do you see yourself doing in the future?
It’s always been hard for me to predict the future. I look forward to continuing my advocacy for our native people, building a culture of trust and equity, where all of us feel safe, seen, heard and most importantly, respected!
How could GlobalMindED further support the efforts that you are a part of?
I am always amazed how tirelessly Carol and her team at GlobalMindED continue to do the work that they do for all students, especially our native students. Thank you for all your support. It’s our turn to help support you!
