Karen Diver is currently serving as the inaugural Senior Advisor to the President for Native American Affairs at the University of Minnesota.
In addition to previous roles in higher education, Karen was also an appointee of President Obama as the Special Assistant to the President for Native American Affairs. As part of the Domestic Policy Council from November 2015 until the end of the Administration.
Karen served as Chairwoman of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa from 2007 – 2015, and Executive Director of the YWCA of Duluth from 1992-2003.
Her current service includes the Great Lakes Fishery Commission as a US Commissioner, and member of the Climate Related Financial Risk Advisory Committee of the Financial Stability Oversight Council at the Department of Treasury.
She has a Bachelors in Economics from the University of Minnesota, Duluth, and a Masters in Public Administration from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
In this compelling episode, we welcome Karen Diver. Karen speaks on her rich background in leadership and advocacy work. We discuss some of her goals and the work she’s already done at the University of Minnesota, such as implementing tuition and fee waivers, housing scholarships, and enhancing a nation-wide online library resource for students that highlights the work of Indigenous scholars. She shares her insight on leveraging the unique strengths of tribal nations within higher education.
The conversation dives into Karen’s transition into her groundbreaking role at the UofM, the challenges and triumphs of being the first person to hold this position, and the best practices she’s developed. Karen also reflects on her tenure in the Obama administration, what ignited her passion for her work, and what continues to drive her dedication to American Indian affairs and education. Tune in to hear Karen’s inspiring story and her vision for the future.
Subscribe to Native Lights wherever you get your podcasts
More from Native Lights
- Gold, Linoleum, and Fire: Inside the Mind of Gordon Coons
In this episode of Native Lights, we sit down with Gordon Coons, a talented painter, print maker and fumage artist who is an enrolled member of the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribe in northern Wisconsin. Gordon, who now resides in Minnesota, shares his inspiring journey of becoming an artist, detailing the pivotal moments throughout the eras … - Art, Identity, and Alternate Worlds: A Conversation with Pono Asuncion
In today’s episode, we speak with Pono Asuncion, an interdisciplinary artist, storyteller, illustrator, and culture bearer. Drawing inspiration from childhood memories and ancestral roots, Pono’s art explores themes of alternate worlds, the extension of family lineage beyond this sphere, and the significance of recovering and honoring one’s history and identity. Pulling on inspiration from systemic … - Empowering Educators: The Midwest Indigenous Immersion Network
In this episode, we welcome Gimiwan Dustin Burnette, the Executive Director of the Midwest Indigenous Immersion Network, a dynamic nonprofit organization, dedicated to enhancing collaboration and curriculum development among Ojibwe educators. Gimiwan discusses the critical work of the network, which enables Ojibwe language instructors and administrators to informally share resources, fostering a stronger and more …
Indian Center Re-Opens for the Community