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Matthew J Yazzie
Board Member @ Natives Rising | International Speaker & Operations and ESG Expert | Advancing Indigenous Tech & Inclusive Workplaces | NASA Keynote Speaker | Ex-Google Ethics & Compliance Leader
Matthew J. Yazzie is the Strategic Director and Senior Facilitator at Collective – A DEI Lab, where he focuses on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. With seventeen years of experience as an organizational and behavioral scientist, he brings a wealth of knowledge to his role. Yazzie is also an advocate for Indigenous issues in the tech industry, often participating in events and discussions that highlight the intersection of technology and Indigenous communities. His educational background includes studies at Stanford University.1
Highlights
Colonization has created a complex relationship between Indigenous peoples, Federal and tribal governments, and the land. Romanticizing Indigenous stewardship does little to address the real issues impacting Native communities or to untangle the systemic challenges that have deeply harmed Indigenous peoples.
My path to Stanford University, Google, and Silicon Valley would have been much more difficult without the financial support of the coal mining and power station industries in my community. Two seemingly opposite truths can coexist: I feel sadness at the collapse of an industry* that provided for me and the hurt to the local economy for many Native families, yet I’m also relieved that future generations won’t live with the harmful effects of burning coal.
Moving forward requires acknowledging these complexities, learning how to have difficult conversations, and working toward solutions that honor both our past and our future. 🌱🪶
#Indigenous
*The San Juan Generating Station’s four smoke stacks fall in unison upon implosion on Saturday, August 24, 2024, north of Waterflow, New Mexico. Photo by Curtis Ray Benally / Special to the Tri-City Record.
Early in my career, I had the unique opportunity to interact with senior executives at Google, including Susan Wojcicki, as part of my responsibilities. Despite her demanding schedule and ample support, Susan personally handled her correspondence with me — something quite rare given her level of responsibility.
I’ll never forget a moment at Charlie's Café when she recognized me by name and took a few minutes to chat about non-work topics. I was just starting out as a legal assistant, but in that moment, she made me feel valued.
Susan had a remarkable way of making everyone around her feel important. Her kindness and genuine approach left a lasting impression on me, and I'm sure on many others as well. She will be remembered fondly.
