Deidra Mitchell – President & Chief Executive Officer
Deidra Mitchell serves as President and CEO of Waséyabek, a 100% Tribally-owned economic development entity of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi (NHBP). Since joining Waséyabek in April 2016 and opening the Grand Rapids, Michigan office, Deidra has aligned resources, gained consensus from stakeholders, orchestrated the acquisition of eight real estate properties, four commercial businesses, and four passive investments. She has also grown the Waséyabek Federal Group, which is now composed of three operating companies and six active joint ventures with more than 15 active Federal contracts. Her efforts have resulted in a more robust internal and external business infrastructure, increased revenue, Waséyabek brand recognition, Tribal Member career development opportunities, and an increase in assets under management.
Deidra, a Kent State University graduate, built an early name for herself in environmental remediation project and program management. She went on to start 10 businesses and successfully hold executive-level positions in Indian Country, including Executive Vice President of Business Development and CEO. Private owners, corporations, Native American companies, and Alaska Native Corporations have benefited from her efforts by gaining new business ventures that were researched, formed, and launched under her direction.
Waséyabek and its subsidiaries have grown dramatically under Deidra’s leadership. Waséyabek has grown from three employees to over 650; from three entities to 32; and from one location in West Michigan to coast-to-coast business entities. Waséyabek’s portfolio consists of a mixture of 100%-owned, majority-owned, and shared investments including commercial real estate, and operating businesses in the industrial and federal contracting sectors. Waséyabek companies are engaged in business consulting, engineering, manufacturing, electronics, trucking and transportation, IT, environmental remediation/consulting, cancer treatment, food distribution and manufacturing, facilities support, professional services, property management, and much more.
Deidra is a recognized leader in Indian Country, developing and implementing Tribal economic diversification initiatives utilizing best practices in strategic planning, due diligence, and operational controls that work within the unique governance structures of Tribes. In 2019, Deidra organized nine of the 12 Federally-recognized tribes in Michigan to complete a study on Tribal non-gaming economic impacts in the state. She has served as a panelist and speaker at numerous local and national conferences and co-hosts Tribal Economic Development, a podcast focused on sharing economic development expertise with those working and operating in Indian Country. Deidra has also provided guest lectures at Harvard-Kennedy School to discuss Waséyabek’s successful implementation of the business practices consistent with the Harvard Project on Indigenous Governance and Development (“The Harvard Project”).
Deidra serves on the Board of Directors for the Literacy Center of West Michigan and is also a Member of the West Michigan CEO Council through the Grand Rapids Chamber and a Member of the CEO Coalition for Change. In 2022, Deidra was named Investor Dealmaker of the Year by MiBiz. Crain’s Business Grand Rapids has repeatedly named Deidra as one of the Top 50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan and Top 200 Most Influential Business Leaders in West Michigan.
Life outside of work includes nature, hiking, mosaic art, traveling, pets, fishing, writing, reading, and spending time with family and friends.
Deidra Mitchell serves as President and CEO of Waséyabek, a 100% Tribally-owned economic development entity of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi (NHBP). Since joining Waséyabek in April 2016 and opening the Grand Rapids, Michigan office, Deidra has aligned resources, gained consensus from stakeholders, orchestrated the acquisition of eight real estate properties, four commercial businesses, and four passive investments. She has also grown the Waséyabek Federal Group, which is now composed of three operating companies and six active joint ventures with more than 15 active Federal contracts. Her efforts have resulted in a more robust internal and external business infrastructure, increased revenue, Waséyabek brand recognition, Tribal Member career development opportunities, and an increase in assets under management.
Deidra, a Kent State University graduate, built an early name for herself in environmental remediation project and program management. She went on to start 10 businesses and successfully hold executive-level positions in Indian Country, including Executive Vice President of Business Development and CEO. Private owners, corporations, Native American companies, and Alaska Native Corporations have benefited from her efforts by gaining new business ventures that were researched, formed, and launched under her direction.
Waséyabek and its subsidiaries have grown dramatically under Deidra’s leadership. Waséyabek has grown from three employees to over 650; from three entities to 32; and from one location in West Michigan to coast-to-coast business entities. Waséyabek’s portfolio consists of a mixture of 100%-owned, majority-owned, and shared investments including commercial real estate, and operating businesses in the industrial and federal contracting sectors. Waséyabek companies are engaged in business consulting, engineering, manufacturing, electronics, trucking and transportation, IT, environmental remediation/consulting, cancer treatment, food distribution and manufacturing, facilities support, professional services, property management, and much more.
Deidra is a recognized leader in Indian Country, developing and implementing Tribal economic diversification initiatives utilizing best practices in strategic planning, due diligence, and operational controls that work within the unique governance structures of Tribes. In 2019, Deidra organized nine of the 12 Federally-recognized tribes in Michigan to complete a study on Tribal non-gaming economic impacts in the state. She has served as a panelist and speaker at numerous local and national conferences and co-hosts Tribal Economic Development, a podcast focused on sharing economic development expertise with those working and operating in Indian Country. Deidra has also provided guest lectures at Harvard-Kennedy School to discuss Waséyabek’s successful implementation of the business practices consistent with the Harvard Project on Indigenous Governance and Development (“The Harvard Project”).
Deidra serves on the Board of Directors for the Literacy Center of West Michigan and is also a Member of the West Michigan CEO Council through the Grand Rapids Chamber and a Member of the CEO Coalition for Change. In 2022, Deidra was named Investor Dealmaker of the Year by MiBiz. Crain’s Business Grand Rapids has repeatedly named Deidra as one of the Top 50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan and Top 200 Most Influential Business Leaders in West Michigan.
Life outside of work includes nature, hiking, mosaic art, traveling, pets, fishing, writing, reading, and spending time with family and friends.