Stephanie Conduff is the Associate Deputy Director of Post-Secondary Education and a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. She passionately champions initiatives that empower Native students in education while playing a vital role in supporting Tribal Colleges and Universities across 17 states. These institutions foster education that cultivates a 21st-century workforce while strengthening the sovereignty of Tribal Nations. Conduff works to establish partnerships for Indigenous Foods, International Student Exchanges and Cultural Lifeways to empower Native students. In her federal career, Stephanie has served as the Acting Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, a Senior Advisor, Chief of Staff, Management Analyst, Project Manager and a Senior Counselor to the Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs.
Before her federal role, Conduff launched her entrepreneurial venture while navigating the challenges of motherhood and law school at the University of Oklahoma. Demonstrating her tenacity and innovative spirit, she self-funded her startup through pitch contest winnings and revenue. A proud winner of Project Entrepreneur, Conduff was part of an inspiring cohort of female founders who participated in a competitive accelerator in New York City. Her groundbreaking work has garnered attention from major media outlets, including Good Morning America, Forbes, and Entrepreneur, as well as features in Cheddar, Inc., Tulsa People, Native Business, and BuzzFeed.
With a rich background encompassing law, policy development and business, Conduff has earned prestigious accolades, including 40 Under 40 awards and a “Woman of the Year” award for her dedication to community service. Her experience with her tribal government involved pioneering efforts to diversify industries and create job opportunities for tribal citizens across Indian Country. With more than two decades of experience working and living in indigenous communities in North America and internationally, Conduff brings a global perspective to her work in public policy. Her written contributions have been featured in notable publications such as the Boston Globe, Tulsa World, and the Associated Press. She has also served as a Congressional advocate in Washington, D.C., focusing on key public policy issues affecting tribes.
She also enjoys creating traditional feather capes and shaking shells at ceremonial grounds.
