Crystal Echo Hawk

Crystal Echo Hawk (Pawnee) is the founder and CEO of IllumiNative, the first and only national Native-led organization dedicated to increasing the visibility of -- and changing the narrative about -- Native American peoples on a mass scale. Founded in 2018, IllumiNative has been instrumental in changing the narrative and representation of contemporary Native peoples in key sectors of entertainment, pop culture, media, and politics.

Under her leadership, IllumiNative has called for sports teams to end using Native-themed mascots -- a big win came in 2022 when Washington D.C.’s football team rebranded as the Commanders -- and in 2023, successfully campaigned for the Supreme Court to vote in favor of the Indian Child Welfare Act.

Hawk is known nationally as a thought leader, innovator, acclaimed speaker, and skilled executive who builds meaningful collaborations. In her role as CEO, she has led partnership building with industry leaders such as Nielsen, Netflix, NBC Universal, Amazon, Disney, Marvel, and others. She also serves as a member of Nielsen’s External Advisory Council and the Comcast Diversity Council.

Hawk was featured in People Magazine as one of the 2021 Women Changing the World; was profiled in Lifetime’s "Women Making History" television special hosted by Vice President Kamala Harris in 2021; and was a Forbes 50 Over 50 honoree in 2024.