Leadership

Stacey Ecoffey, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Native American Affairs and Commissioner, Administration for Native Americans

October 2016

Stacey Ecoffey was appointed as the acting commissioner of ANA in October 2016 under authority of the Native American Programs Act. In this role, Ecoffey will oversee ANA’s discretionary funding programs, serve as an advocate for Native Americans, and coordinate activities within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop policies, programs, and budgets affecting Native Americans.

She also serves as ACF’s first-ever deputy assistant secretary for Native American affairs affirming the government-to-government relationship between ACF and American Indians and Alaska Natives. Her duties include serving as the principal point of contact for ACF offices to provide advice, opinion, and review of policies affecting Indian tribes; chairing the ACF Native American Affairs Council; and representing ACF as a liaison to the White House Council on Native American Affairs to advise on government-wide policies and initiatives.

Prior to her appointment at ACF, she served as principal advisor for tribal affairs in HHS’ Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs supporting the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, and the Director of Intergovernmental and External Affairs on Tribal issues. She focuses on consultation, communication, and outreach to Tribal governments.

Ecoffey will maintain her principal advisor position at HHS while serving at ACF in dual roles as ANA’s Acting Commissioner and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Native American Affairs.

Ecoffey is an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, born and raised on the Pine Ridge Reservation. She attended Colorado State University where she earned a degree in Cultural Anthropology. She also received a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Boston College. Ecoffey has been recognized for more than 15 years of experience working with Tribal governments. In 2012, she was awarded the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development “40 under 40” award. In 2014, she received a National Impact Award from the National Indian Health Board. Most recently, in 2015, Stacey received HHS’ highest honor, the HHS Secretary’s Award for Distinguished Service.

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