Emblem with a Native American man wearing a feathered headdress, surrounded by the text 'Iowa Tribe' and 'Kansas-Nebraska,' with a circular black border and four feathers hanging below.

Hán! Chelsie Baldwin emáčiyapi. Báxoje mą́thąje waŋ, Dakhóta oyáte kiŋ ekta waúŋ. Wówačhiŋ, wówaš’ake, na wówičakhe waúŋspe kiŋ ed wíyaka.

Hello! My name is Chelsie Baldwin. I am a Báxoje (Ioway) Pigeon Clan woman, and I am Dakota. I come from the Báxoje people, and I stand with the Dakota Nation. I carry commitment, strength, and truth in what I share.

Meet Chelsie, a nonprofit leader, entrepreneur, speaker, and activist passionate about social good.

Chelsie Baldwin is a powerhouse in nonprofit leadership, tribal advocacy, and humanitarian innovation. An enrolled member of the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska and descendant of the Lakota Sioux (Flandreau Santee Sioux), Chelsie has spent over 20 years designing and delivering high-impact programs that transform communities. Her work spans grassroots organizing, federal grant acquisition, and sustainable program models that merge tradition with modern strategy. Drawing from her upbringing in North-Central Oklahoma’s Indian Country and her deep cultural roots, she approaches every project with a fierce dedication to justice, empowerment, and long-term change.

Chelsie’s leadership is forged from both heritage and hard-won experience. A visionary strategist, she has built and directed groundbreaking initiatives — from piloting the first Tribal Advanced Coordinated Community Response Team to establishing Oklahoma’s first-ever Inter-Tribal Alliance. Her track record includes millions secured in funding for human rights, economic development, and cultural preservation. She has addressed lawmakers at the Oklahoma State Capitol, developed international youth programs in Riga, Latvia, and served in key roles for nonprofits, ministries, and tribal governments. Every endeavor is rooted in her ability to blend cultural knowledge with operational excellence, turning bold visions into measurable outcomes.

Chelsie’s expertise is matched by her relentless drive to serve. Certified as a Tribal Lay Legal Advocate and honored as a Native American 40 Under 40 awardee by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development, she is a sought-after trainer in best practice strategic planning and logic model development. Her consulting firm, founded in 2021, channels her skill in grant writing, tribal research, and program development to help organizations grow with integrity and sustainability. Whether guiding tribal nations through complex federal systems or mentoring leaders in strategic spiritual warfare, she builds capacity with precision, vision, and compassion.

At her core, Chelsie is a bridge-builder — between past and future, tradition and innovation, community and opportunity. Influenced by the legacy of her family: her educator mother, her Vietnam War veteran father, and the elders who poured wisdom into her life, she has carried that fire into every space she serves. From local tribal councils to international humanitarian fields, Chelsie leads with the conviction that leadership is service, and service is sacrifice. Her life’s work is to ignite those first embers in others, sparking movements that heal, empower, and endure for generations.

A Legacy of Healing and Wisdom

My heritage is deeply rooted in the traditions, stories, and resilience passed down through generations. One of the most cherished in my family is that of my great-great-great-grandmother, Lizzie Barada (maiden: Elizabeth Robidoux-Kihega), a full-blooded Lakota Sioux woman and revered medicine woman.

In the heart of the prairie, Lizzie gathered roots and herbs from the land, drying and preparing them to create powerful medicines that healed the sick. Her knowledge of the natural world—passed down from generations before her—made her a trusted healer, respected across many reservations. She traveled far and wide, offering remedies, sharing her gifts, and bringing comfort to Native people wherever she went.

This legacy of healing continued through my family. My grandmother Lena Kihega’s father was Chief of the Ioway Pigeon Clan, a 4/4 Ioway man. Lena’s life carried the stories and traditions of the Ioway people, as well as the guidance of ÑíKógrin Mi: Translucent Water Woman (Ellen Kent-Washburn, Beaver Clan, 4/4 Ioway), who raised her during her childhood on the Wolf River.

My life has been shaped by those who raised and mentored me. My mother, a passionate school teacher, worked in the only elementary school in town that accepted Native children bused from the Ponca reservation. Located on the edge of a part of town then called “Dixie,” the historically Black neighborhoods, this school also served Latino families. It was here that I learned firsthand the power of inclusion, cultural understanding, and resilience. I grew up on a mission field - My father, an extraordinary Vietnam War veteran and Purple Heart recipient, and my mother devoted their lives to service, teaching me that true leadership begins with sacrifice.

Growing up in North-Central Oklahoma among the Ponca people, I was embraced by my adopted Indian grandmother, Nellie Roughface, whose wisdom and encouragement gave me the courage to fully embrace my identity and to lead with excellence.

For nearly a decade, I immersed myself in researching Pawnee traditions in preparation for opening a traditional healing center to help the community heal from trauma. Elder Catherine Moore shared teachings from her family and the Pawnee Way, guiding me into a deeper connection with the community I served.

Every chapter of my life—every ancestor, elder, and teacher—has shaped the woman I am today: a bridge between cultures, a keeper of tradition, and a servant-leader committed to healing and hope.

wagígun dhe: teach several things to

Professional Praise

“Chelsie always brings first-class ideas and problem solving skills to the table. I look forward to seeing her future accomplishments!”

Rick Lovall, President of United Pentecostal Church Stewardship Group
“Coppertop Consulting provided outstanding tribal nonprofit consulting services for our organization. Her professionalism, communication, and commitment to deadlines consistently went above expectations. Every deliverable was well-researched, clearly written, and aligned with our mission and goals. Chelsie’s dedication to our success was clear in every part of the process. Her efforts helped us secure nearly every grant we applied for.”

Katie Northbird, Founder of Red Lake Nation Youth Shelter
"When you have the opportunity to work with Chelsie, it truly elevates your goals. You can count on Chelsie to move you closer to your program and nonprofit aspirations. She has a unique ability to help others to see the big picture and break down the tactical skills to get there. In addition to the technical skills Chelsie offers, she is driven by a passion for each mission she partners with and brings integrity and transparency to work."

Meg Hagan, Post Award Grant Specialist at Corner Alliance
"Chelsie has a great handle on the strategic planning process, including understanding how multiple processes flow into the larger organizational picture. Her action plan design was immaculate.”

Kevin Brennenstuhl, Project Coordinator at National Criminal Justice Training Center
“Chelsie has a very strong grasp of technical writing skills. She knew our people inside and out and helped relay technical information to community partnerships, clients, and funding agencies in an accessible way. She explained our program services clearly to clients, funders, and partners and made the most of grant writing to gain new leads and customize her proposals to funding agencies.”

Angela Thompson, Pawnee Nation Business Council Treasurer
“Ms. Baldwin is an individual who comes to you with my highest regard and respect, both in business and in her lifestyle choices. Chelsie is a highly motivated woman who passionately believes in her inner strength to overcome challenges and to see the world changed through her valiant efforts.”

Rick Hughes, CEO of Kingdom Advance Consulting
“I thoroughly enjoyed my time working with Chelsie and came to know her as a truly valuable asset to absolutely any team. She is honest, dependable, and incredibly hard-working. Beyond that, Chelsie is an impressive public speaker, advocate, and coordinator who is always ready to strive ahead and make strides to a better future. She was a key player in moving the domestic and sexual assault movement forward.”

Dawn Stover, Executive Director of Alliance of Tribal Coalitions To End Violence
“As a colleague of Chelsie Baldwin, I have seen that she takes great pride in her work. She takes the time to listen to what needs to be done and ensures that it is completed accurately. She is creative, considerate, and intelligent. I would trust Chelsie’s feedback or insight into any professional project I might be working on.”

Raven Word, Communications Director at Alliance of Tribal Coalitions to End Violence
"For the past few years, I've worked with Chelsie Baldwin as a partner consultant and can’t say enough about her professionalism and expertise. She is incredibly skilled at managing projects, collaborating seamlessly with partners, and always delivering results that exceed expectations. She is highly strategic in her work with nonprofits - helping organizations clarify their goals, strengthen their plans, and raise critical funds through well-crafted grants. Her insight and guidance make a real difference in helping nonprofits grow and thrive."

Maureen Miller, Financial Management Strategist & Educator
"Chelsie has been an essential partner to our Boys & Girls Club for more than six years. Her expertise in organizational development, grant strategy, and youth-focused program design has directly strengthened our capacity and impact. She helped us launch a $2.5M emergency youth shelter, secured millions in grants for the club, supported multiple community needs assessments, and prepared presentations that moved our Tribal Council to action. Chelsie is dependable, skilled, and deeply committed to tribal communities."

Thomas Barrett, Jr, Tribal Councilman of Red Lake Nation and ED of Red Lake Boys & Girls Club

Funding Secured

15,000,000+

Tribes Served

16+

Community Leadership

21+ yrs

Certifications & Education

GALLUP CliftonStrengths : ibrín xe

Input
Strategic
Responsibility
Futuristic
Learner

Fun Facts:

I’m an extroverted introvert. I’m ridiculously productive and sometimes seem to work backward just because my brain is odd, but it works well in grant writing. I sometimes ask for clarification in several ways because I analyze information from all angles. As a creative professional, thinking differently is a good thing! When my brain is working its magic, I am an idea-generating powerhouse. My team and I can lead well-organized and productive meetings, manage complex projects like chess champions, and are Google masters.
I’m an intensely passionate person. When I get behind a cause, I will be just as geeky about your mission as you are. My mission is to change the world one non-profit, ministry, or community at a time. I love getting behind missions that will make a difference for generations! I’m a healthy Type 8 Enneagram (confident, truthful, decisive, inspiring, energetic, resilient, empowering, direct, protective, and emotionally authentic). I am a master at focusing on a specific set of skills that can be layered with expertise in a subject and use those skills to fill information gaps.
I can analyze the details, take actionable steps with you, and see your organization's greatest days as a visionary. I see potential, yet I know how to get there and see all the details on this massive map. I dream big, then I scale back from the future to reality to get the project going. I am not limited by constraints (thinking outside the proverbial box) and I am relentlessly curious and dive deep into researching new topics.