Ep.28 | National Center Board Vice Chair Lillian Sparks Robinson

We're back in DC for Episode 28, where Chris chats with National Center Board Vice Chair Lillian Sparks Robinson. Chris and Lillian have known each other since they were both officials in the Obama Administration and continue to work together to move The National Center forward.

Lillian had a fascinating career before becoming the Commissioner for the Administration for Native Americans - Miss Indian World, Georgetown Law, NCAI, ED of the National Indian Education Association, and volunteer on the Obama campaign and transition team. 

After the Administration, she fulfilled a lifelong dream of starting her own business, Wopila Consulting, LLC - named after the word for gratitude in Lakota. Lillian is also a Native American 40 Under 40 recipient and she remains heavily involved in the program. She is also one of the founders of the Indigenous Fashion Collective, which has its annual gala coming up in October (find out more in the link at the bottom).

We hope you enjoy this episode. Make sure to check it our on your YouTube page - and tell your friends to listen and download!

Wopila Consulting, LLC |
https://www.wopilallc.com/

Lillian's Bio on Our Board of Directors Page |
https://ncaied.org/who-we-are/board.html

The Indigenous Fashion Collective |
https://indigenousfashioncollective.org/

Chapters

• 1:02 Intro
• 4:39 Meet Lillian
• 7:07 From Electrical Engineering to Law School
• 9:38 Miss Indian World
• 13:41 NCAI Post-Law School
• 18:48 ED at NIEA
• 21:44 Learning from Others
• 23:12 Inspiration from a "Young Man from Chicago"
• 24:26 The Senate Confirmation Process
• 28:54 Commissioner for ANA
• 32:51 A Different Washington
• 36:49 Life after Obama
• 38:54 Journey as an Entrepreneur
• 40:54 Importance of Maintaining Relationships
• 46:47 Board Work
• 51:49 What's Next for Lillian + Indigenous Fashion Collective
• 54:51 Work Life Balance
• 58:01 Wrap Up