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Erik Stegman Joins the NRF Advisory Council
NRF is pleased to announce Erik Stegman as the newest member of our Advisory Council. Mr. Stegman is the CEO of Native Americans in Philanthropy, an organization dedicated to strengthening and deepening connections between the philanthropic sector and tribal communities in the U.S. His mother’s family is from the Carry the Kettle First Nation and he has served as the Majority Staff Council for the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and as a policy advisor at the Department of Education under the Obama Administration. Mr. Stegman holds both a J.D. and an M.A. in Indian Studies from UCLA.
Mr. Stegman’s policy expertise and his leadership in Indigenous philanthropy will be invaluable to NRF as we seek to deepen our impact in Indigenous communities through partnerships and grantmaking. NRF trustee Martin LeBlanc reflected on the value of Mr. Stegman’s perspective for NRF’s work saying, “I am excited and grateful Erik Stegman is joining the National Recreation Foundation as a Special Advisor. Erik has shown incredible vision as a leader, has trusted relationships, and strives to build community through the respect of Indigenous rights and sovereignty.”
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Mr. Stegman understands the importance of time in nature in living a happy and fulfilling life. He heads outdoors to relieve stress and especially enjoys hiking because it allows him to slow down and focus on the details of nature that often go unnoticed. One landscape that is especially meaningful for Mr. Stegman is the desert. In reflecting on his childhood memories in the desert he says, “Although I grew up in Seattle and think it’s one of the most beautiful places in the world, I spent a lot of time with my grandparents in Palm Desert. The desert cities in Southern California are a very special place because they bring back some of the fondest memories I had with my grandparents. I used to sit on their patio and watch roadrunners go by and was constantly out exploring.” It is critical that all kids have access to positive experiences with nature like these early on in their lives since they set the stage for connection to nature in adulthood.
With such an impressive array of knowledge, skills, and experience, Mr. Stegman is an important addition to the NRF team as we work to make outdoor and nature-based experiences more accessible for kids across the country. NRF’s new strategic plan includes a focus on supporting organizations that serve Indigenous youth. Currently, Indigenous groups in the U.S. receive only a small portion of national funding for youth programs. As we work to close this funding gap, we are grateful for Mr. Stegman’s expertise in navigating the philanthropic sector while collaborating with tribal communities. We are excited to have him join our team and look forward to learning and working together.