JoAnn K. Chase is a citizen of the Mandan, Hidatsa & Arikara Indian Nation, and was born and raised in the community of Twin Buttes, North Dakota. She currently serves in the Biden/Harris administration as the Director of the American Indian Environmental Office, Office of International and Tribal Affairs. She is a social justice advocate and innovative strategist committed to building a more inclusive democracy. After serving as the Executive Director of the National Congress of American Indians, this country’s oldest and largest organization representing tribal governments, JoAnn moved to New York City to launch her own consulting company, The Chase Group. She joined the Harlem Stage board in 2016 and served as chair of the Harlem Stage Spring Gala that year. She served as Board President from 2019 to 2021.