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\u201cWe have to show up and we have to apply for things outside [Indian Country]. There is no one better than us to than to represent at the national level.\u201d

Chelsea Wilson (Cherokee Nation) works at All Native Group, a division of Ho-Chunk Inc. She is active in the DC chapter of the New Leaders Council a member of the executive committee and is a previous fellow with the organization. If a full-time job and a one organization was not enough, Chelsea Wilson also chairs the Frontrunners Committee of the organization She Should Run.

Chelsea Wilson describes herself as a giver, and if you cannot tell, she puts that into practice through the work she does personally and professionally. That character trait pays dividends back to Chelsea through the mentorships she\u2019s developed over the years. And each mentorship helped Chelsea develop and find new ways to give back. It\u2019s a classic story about how hard work, mentorship, and networks come together to provide opportunities to grow personally and professionally.

Chelsea worked for the Cherokee Nation where her boss mentored her and gave her projects to stretch her development. Eventually that led her to DC. I knew Chelsea\u2019s boss at Cherokee Nation and she mentioned to me Chelsea\u2019s interest in moving to DC. When I ran into her at a reception, that a \u201cpushy friend\u201d forced her to attend, I mentioned that I was looking to hire someone for my team.

After living in DC, Chelsea found her path through NLC and She Should Run. It\u2019s refreshing to have someone that can articulate that their interest to serve in public office comes from a genuine place of giving. Many people say it, and for many people it\u2019s true. But with Chelsea, you can feel her desire to serve.

In this conversation we discuss finding finding mentors the right way, growing professionally, and being willing to fail by trying. Chelsea Wilson combined each of these into her current work and others are starting to take notice.