She Breaks Barriers: Indigenous Women in the Business of Tech, Defense, and Logistics

Release Date:
05.22.2024

Hoporenkv Native American Podcast:
In honor of National Small Business Month- “She Breaks Barriers: Indigenous Women in the Business of Tech, Defense, and Logistics”

Special Guests:
Louisa Brown, CEO
(Enrolled member of the Comanche Nation)
Natuv, Inc.
Board Chair of Directors
Natuv Way Foundation

Sonya Nevaquaya
(Comanche/Choctaw/Chickasaw)
Tribal Liaison Representative
Natuv, Inc.

Episode Description:
On this week’s episode, we sit down for an inspirational conversation with two trailblazing Indigenous women in business. We are joined by Louisa Brown, CEO, and Sonya Nevaquaya, Tribal Liaison Representative, of Natuv, Inc., a technology company bringing advancement through defense and logistics.

Join us as they discuss the exciting services, products, and partnerships happening with Natuv, Inc., as well as how Natuv, Inc. came to be. Louisa and Sonya teach us the importance of fostering innovation and opportunity within Tribal Communities and how their company is helping to support this vision. We learn of the unique challenges and opportunities facing Indigenous women in business, the perspective their Native heritages bring to the business, and their advice for aspiring Native American entrepreneurs.

This episode is an exploration of resilience, innovation, and the changing face of leadership. Tune in and be empowered!

Resources for Today’s Episode:
https://www.natuv.com/
https://www.natuvway.org/

Guest Speakers Bios:
Louisa Brown:
Haa Maruawee nʉ nahnia tsa Louisa, an enrolled member of the Comanche Nation, Nʉmʉnʉʉ. Currently, I serve as the C.E.O. of Natuv Inc., which focuses on Technology, Defense, and Logistics in the Federal, State, and Tribal procurement space located in Oklahoma, Washington, and Hawaii. I am also a non-local voting member of the Comanche Academy Culture Committee in Lawton, OK, the Board Chair of Directors of the Natuv Way Foundation in Washington State and Minnesota, the Vice President of the American Businesswomen’s Chapter in Norman, Oklahoma, and a member of the Fundraising Committee of the National Board of Gamma Delta Pi Sorority.
With my background in service and education, I hold an associate degree from Rose State College in Oklahoma, a bachelor's from Fort Lewis College in Colorado, and a Master of Legal Studies degree from the Oklahoma University College of Law focused on Indigenous Peoples Law.
My vision is to empower diverse opportunities for the communities we serve by working smarter and not harder. I aspire to bridge the gap between paper/pencil infrastructures and technology to implement the best solutions. My ultimate goal is to continually create better solutions to any opportunity in situations we are privileged to seek out solutions.

Sonya Nevaquaya:
She is a proud enrolled member of the Comanche Nation. She has two sons and is blessed to have two granddaughters.
Sonya has recently joined Natuv Inc. as the Tribal Liaison Representative; she is to facilitate communications and collaborate between departments, teams or organizations. She serves as a bridge, connecting and coordinating efforts to ensure smooth operations and efficient decision making. Sonya manages information flow, resolving conflicts, and maintaining strong relationships.
Sonya has been involved in Tribal Gaming for over 23 years; her passion for Tribal Gaming has given her personal experience in the different gaming areas. She has also worked in Tribal Housing and as an Administrator for Property & Procurement, but most of her experience is in Tribal gaming. Over the years Sonya has gained knowledge, experience, and excels in different capacities in Indian Country. As a former Tribal leader for the Comanche Nation 2012-2016 she gained knowledge in various Tribal government programs and businesses. Throughout Sonya’s career she has built many relationships with various tribal leaders, business vendors, and business owners which is key to her current position with Natuv Inc.
She attended Southwestern Oklahoma State University where she studied Business Administration of Management. Sonya has served on many different Boards in different capacities in her career where it has given her great leadership experience and the ability to network with various tribes, companies, and vendors.

Sonya is very compassionate about helping others to succeed; she is especially supportive of women in Indian Country. From her career experience she hopes her story can help and relate to other women in their current careers to succeed and approach their endeavors with a positive compassionate outlook. Her goal is giving support to others and create possibilities by helping to set new goals for women in Indian Country and beyond.