Navajo from Navajo Leads in Finance and Community: Meet the 2024 Inclusive Leader for Banking & Finance, Derrick Watchman
Derrick Watchman is an experienced executive with over 35 years of commercial and tribal business experience in gaming and banking. Among several directorships, he is a member of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development Board of Directors, a Director for the Native American Bancorporation, and a member of the Dineh Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Watchman holds an MBA from the University of California, Berkeley, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona.
What is your personal story?
As I tell people often, I am Navajo from Navajo. That’s right, I was raised in the small town of Navajo, New Mexico on the Navajo Indian Reservation. I have worked both within and outside of my tribe for much of my professional life, and for more than a decade I’ve served on the board of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development, including ten years as the Chairman.
My background is in banking and finance, in particular, working with tribes or their tribal economic enterprises. I am the former CEO and CFO of the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise, and I’ve also worked for the Dine Power Authority and as the Tax Director for the Navajo. In addition, I held the Tribal Affairs Director post at the U.S. Department of Energy.
In the private sector, I was Vice President and Senior Relationship Manager at JPMorgan Chase Bank's Native American Banking Group. I also worked for Wells Fargo Bank managing Native American banking, and with Prudential Capital Corporation as a private placement banker.
Currently, I am the President/Owner of Sagebrush Hill Group LLC (a Navajo Priority #1 company and SBA HUBZone Certified small business) that provides gaming, banking, finance, and economic development services. My life’s work has been helping tribes and tribal entities access the capital to get projects off the ground. Sagebrush allows me to serve both my tribe and other Native entities.
How did you find your purpose and your passion?
Growing up in a family with business and leadership backgrounds, coupled with living on the Navajo Indian reservation, my purpose and passion have been to use my education, skills, and knowledge to improve our economy and business environment. This comes from my parents and grandparents, who always pushed education, helping the community, and hard work.
Also, a big part of my passion is enabling and implementing the power of investment in tribal communities. There are so many great ideas for businesses and economic development ventures that never get realized simply because they don’t have the resources to get their projects off the ground. If I can help even a few of them navigate the complicated world of tribal finance, I know I’ve made a difference.
What led you to the leadership role for which you are being recognized? Who was instrumental on your path to success?
I am excited to be recognized for and receive the 2024 GlobalMindED Inclusive Leader Award in Banking & Finance. During my career, I have moved into leadership positions pushing the envelope to make conditions positive. As a banker for a large national bank, I worked diligently to reach as many tribes as possible to provide financial services. As the leader of my tribe’s gaming operation, I facilitated the financing to make gaming possible and this led to over 1,700 new jobs, new business opportunities, and resources for the tribal government.
As for who is instrumental in my path to success, that would be my parents and grandparents for the most part. My parents started and owned a small gas station on the reservation and my grandparents were food concessioners, serving many tribal members who, in those days, had limited means and transportation.
What does Inclusive Leadership mean to you and what would you like others to know and do as inclusive leaders?
Inclusive leadership means respecting, empowering, and trusting your colleagues, customers, clients, and those you conduct business with.
How can the GlobalMindED Inclusive Success Network inform, advance and/or multiply your mission and goals?
GlobalMindED, with its broad reach, can raise awareness that tribal economies are in great need of talent – Native talent.
What is the legacy that you would most like to leave the world?
I was able to improve access to capital for Indian Country to dramatically change the landscape of tribal economies.
