Indian Affairs Executive and Leadership Team

Steve Bates, the Chief Executive Officer at Indian Affairs, directs the overarching strategy and federal government-to-government relationships with federally recognized tribes. Bates ensures the division's comprehensive services, including federal education programs and economic development initiatives, align with the goal of promoting safe living environments and individual rights for millions of American Indian and Alaska Natives. Overseeing the organization's mission, Bates drives efforts to enhance the prosperity and well-being of tribal communities across the nation. This leadership role involves facilitating essential grants, contracts, and direct services to meet diverse tribal needs. By championing tribal governance and self-determination, Steve Bates solidifies the division's commitment to supporting tribal communities' long-term success and autonomy.

James Schock, the Chief Financial Officer at Indian Affairs, manages all financial operations and fiscal strategy for the division. Schock oversees the allocation of resources for federal education programs, law enforcement support, and economic development initiatives, ensuring fiscal responsibility and maximizing impact for millions of American Indian and Alaska Natives. This role is critical in managing grants and contracts, directly supporting tribal governance and self-determination efforts. Schock's financial oversight ensures the division can effectively provide services that enhance the prosperity and well-being of tribal communities. By maintaining robust financial controls, James Schock enables Indian Affairs to uphold its commitment to government-to-government relationships and the effective delivery of essential resources to tribal nations.

Brian Burns, the Chief Information Officer at Indian Affairs, architects and executes the division's technology strategy, ensuring robust digital infrastructure supports critical services for millions of American Indian and Alaska Natives. Burns oversees the implementation of information systems that enhance federal education programs, law enforcement support, and economic development initiatives. This leadership ensures secure and efficient data management, vital for facilitating government-to-government relationships and supporting tribal governance. Burns's focus on technological advancement directly contributes to promoting safe living environments and enhancing the prosperity and well-being of tribal communities. By driving innovation in IT, Brian Burns empowers Indian Affairs to deliver its services more effectively and uphold its commitment to tribal self-determination.

Vanessa Snider, the Chief of Staff at Indian Affairs, provides strategic support and operational coordination across all division functions, ensuring seamless execution of services for millions of American Indian and Alaska Natives. Snider facilitates communication and alignment between departments, optimizing the delivery of federal education programs, law enforcement support, and economic development initiatives. This role is pivotal in advancing tribal governance and self-determination by streamlining internal processes and supporting leadership directives. Snider's efforts directly contribute to promoting safe living environments and enhancing the prosperity and well-being of tribal communities. By managing key initiatives and ensuring operational efficiency, Vanessa Snider enables Indian Affairs to strengthen government-to-government relationships and effectively meet tribal needs.

Helga Plympton, the Chief Information Officer & Manager, Northern Zone at Indian Affairs, directs both the division's information technology infrastructure and the operational execution of services within the Northern Zone. Plympton ensures that technology systems effectively support federal education programs, law enforcement, and economic development initiatives for tribal communities in the region. This dual role involves managing regional operations to promote safe living environments and enhance prosperity, while also overseeing IT strategy to facilitate government-to-government relationships. Plympton's leadership is crucial for advancing tribal governance and self-determination across the Northern Zone. By integrating technological solutions with regional management, Helga Plympton drives the division's mission to support the well-being of American Indian and Alaska Natives.