EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP

Gary “Litefoot” Davis brings an unparalleled combination of Tribal policy expertise, national advocacy experience, and Indigenous entrepreneurial leadership to his role as Executive Director of the Native American Financial Services Association (NAFSA). A citizen of the Cherokee Nation, Davis has spent more than three decades advancing Tribal economic sovereignty—building platforms at the intersection of finance, commerce, media, and innovation.

His previous tenure as President & CEO of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED) gave him national visibility and influence in advocating for Tribal business development and economic self-determination. He has twice testified before the U.S. Senate, and has held national leadership roles across Tribal gaming, enterprise development, and energy equity. His federal appointments include serving on the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Council on Underserved Communities, and as an Ambassador to both the Department of Energy’s “Equity in Energy” and “Minorities in Energy” initiatives.

As founder of Davis Strategy Group, he has advised Fortune 500 companies and Tribal governments alike, helping build public-private partnerships rooted in mutual respect and Tribal sovereignty. His understanding of both emerging digital finance and federal policy frameworks gives NAFSA a strategic advantage as it navigates new regulatory frontiers—from blockchain and stablecoins to digital lending and sovereign fintech infrastructure.

Davis’s national platform as a speaker, creator, and entrepreneur reinforces NAFSA’s mission to elevate Tribal voices in financial policy, while ensuring member Tribes are equipped to lead in the 21st-century economy.