Just months after we published our first news stories in August 2015, we tried something new: we listed and published brief biographies of the state’s 28 Most Influential Black Leaders. People really liked it, shared it on social media, told us who else should have been on that list. Many asked me if we’d do another list the next year; I said yes, we probably would.
We did more than that. That next year, we published another list of the state’s most influential Black leaders, as well as a list of the state’s most influential Latino leaders. Almost immediately, we started hearing an important and very reasonable question: what about the state’s Asian American and Indigenous leaders?
We wanted to do those lists, but we wanted to do them right. It took us some time to build the authentic relationships within those communities, and to gain their trust. I’m glad and proud that we took that time and did that work; it resulted in us publishing those lists for the first time in 2020.
This week we are proud to present the sixth annual edition of Wisconsin’s Most Influential Native American leaders.
Every year, with every list, I’ve intended to highlight the beauty of the diversity across our state. I want kids here in Wisconsin to see role models of people who are succeeding, to know that it’s possible for people of color to achieve great things here.
This week we shine a statewide spotlight on the dedicated leaders of Wisconsin’s Indigenous communities. The people we highlight this week are elected leaders, business leaders and community leaders, doing difficult, important work, often in the face of discrimination and literally generations of oppression.
We are also aware that this list, like every other, is not comprehensive. It’s obvious just from the number of nominations that there are far more than 26 influential Indigenous leaders doing good work in Wisconsin. We hope you will let us know about people in your community who we can include on future lists. For now, though, we just want to introduce you to a few of the people doing the work, often behind the scenes and without the accolades, across Wisconsin.
You might know a few of these names, but there’s a good chance that most of them will be new to you. I urge you to get to know them. Reach out to those living and working in your communities. Learn from them, network, create partnerships. And spread the word — let others in your network know that we have people of all ethnicities living and working across Wisconsin to make sure everyone here can thrive.
Henry Sanders
CEO, 365 Media Foundation
Publisher, Madison365
This is the first of a five-part series.
Kevin Chesnik
Kevin Chesnik is interim executive director of the American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin, an organization that’s supported Native-owned businesses in Wisconsin for more than 30 years. Before taking the helm at AICCW in February, Chesnik served on the organization’s board. He spent most of his career with the state Department of Transportation, retiring as chief engineer. He is currently also vice president of the engineering consulting firm Bloom Companies. He earned a degree in civil engineering from the University of Wisconsin in 1982.
Apache Danforth
Apache Danforth is founder of public relations firm Good Words Consulting and travel agency Good Words Travel, which connects international travelers with Indigenous cultural experiences across Wisconsin. She is also cofounder of She Rises Collective, a group of six Indigenous women business owners dedicated to supporting other women entrepreneurs. She has previously worked as tribal tourism director for Native American Tourism of Wisconsin and public relations specialist for the Oneida Nation. She holds a bachelor’s degree in organizational administration from UW-Milwaukee and a master’s degree in public relations from Kent State.
Ryan Pulvermacher
Ryan Pulvermacher is tribal nations lead and client executive at M3 Insurance. Specializing in property and casualty for tribal nations, public entities and the hospitality industry, Pulvermacher supports the agency’s efforts to secure new business and maintain positive client relationships. He consults with and advises clients about the design, implementation and management of their coverage. Before joining M3 in 2018, he worked in management at Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells. He is currently chair of the First Nations Communty Financial, a community development financial institution, and member of the board of United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Dane County. He was recently honored as a Native American 40 Under 40 by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development. He graduated from UW-Eau Claire in 2012.
Robert VanZile
Robert VanZile is Chairman of the Sokaogon Chippewa Community-Mole Lake Band, a position he assumed in 2021. In 2023, United States Interior Secretary Deb Halaand appointed him to the Advisory Council for Climate Adaptation Science. He also serves on the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council Board of Directors.
Bree Bzdawka
Bree Bzdawka is U.S. Policy Manager at the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, where she focuses on advancing policies related to water resources and indigenous rights. Prior to this role, she was a Research and Policy Analyst and Legislative Assistant for Milwaukee County and served a stint as a Native American Community Organizing Director for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin.
Part 2 coming tomorrow!
