From Berkeley Law to Winning the Cobell Case to U.S. Ambassador: Meet the 2024 Inclusive Leader for Government, Keith Harper
What is your personal story?
I was born and raised in San Francisco, CA to a Cherokee father and a Macanese mother. We did not have means. But I also grew up around an extraordinary extended family filled with love and caring. My Grandmother, Elsa, was the matriarch of that extended family and while she was serious about behaving and doing the right thing, she showered me and my siblings with love. While we didn’t have a lot materially, I recognize the extraordinary blessing of growing up in such a nurturing environment. I credit attending a college prep high school, St. Ignatius, largely on aid and scholarship, as a turning point. Not because I was a great student there, but because I was surrounded by people who presumed that they had higher callings and more impactful destinies. SI as we called it showed me the possibilities. And led me to Cal Berkeley and law school on the Root-Tilden scholarship to NYU. I distinctly recall a critical decision point directly after law school. I clerked for Federal Judge Lawrence Pierce on the Second Circuit and after I could either go back to Davis, Polk, a Wall St. law firm or start practicing Indian law at the Native American Rights Fund or NARF. I chose NARF – even though it was a financially challenging decision at the time – because I supposed then that if I wanted to represent tribes, I needed to get started on that. That decision made all the difference.
How did you find your purpose and your passion?
I graduated from law school with two things that really interested me – working to empower Indian Country and international affairs and national security. I couldn’t do both so I chose Indian law with international affairs and National Security always in the back of my mind. My work passions have evolved over time. Early on, I was focused on righting the many wrongs that tribal communities have faced. Over time, I have become far more interested and focused – whether for Indigenous communities or otherwise, on how to we build a safer, more secure, more rights observing and prosperous world for all – especially those traditionally marginalized for one reason or another.
What led you to the leadership role for which you are being recognized? Who was instrumental on your path to success?
There was not one thing that led me to the roles in which I have been fortunate enough to make some contributions. A mentor told me years ago that you never know when an opportunity presents itself, so your job is to do all you can so that when it does, you can capitalize on it. And so, I tried to become a good lawyer, a good advocate, a student of the law. And then the Cobell came along and it was an opportunity to achieve what I wanted to – improving the lives and conditions of Native people and righting a wrong of longstanding. Then in 2007, a friend, Pete Rouse asked that I advise then-Senator Barrack Obama on Native American policy as he commenced his run for President. I already liked Obama and readily agreed to do so. And so after the re-elect in 2012, after the settling of the Cobell case in 2009 for $3.4 billion for our clients, came an opportunity to fully embrace my other interests – international, affairs, national security, and human rights. I was honored that President Obama, a leader I greatly admired and believed in, and still do, asked that I serve as Ambassador to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland. Here was the opportunity to lead in promoting human rights throughout the globe.
What does Inclusive Leadership mean to you and what would you like others to know and do as inclusive leaders?
I believe in diversity, not as a slogan, but as a real benefit to achieving greatness. I firmly believe that one of the things that makes this Nation great is our diversity and I’ve seen it in action. So inclusive leadership to me is recognizing that diversity is an advantage – often a decisive advantage – and making sure that no matter the background of a person, you recognize the contributions they can make and set the foundation for them to achieve to the fullest. Great leaders empower others and must do so in an inclusive way if they want to achieve the kind of success that is possible.
How can the GlobalMindED Inclusive Success Network inform, advance and/or multiply your mission and goals?
I think the best way is to do two things. First, to show young emerging leaders the possibilities – that was decisive in my own life. Help young talented people see the many ways they can contribute so they can elect a path right for them. Second, to ensure there is a network of those who have achieved success. I used to be surprised, but not now, at how many successful people are willing to give their time and energy to aid others in their path. Take advantage of that.
What is the legacy that you would most like to leave the world?
That I left it better than it would have been had I not been blessed by this life.
