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In this episode of IMPACT: Women in Leadership, host Mary Ann speaks with Rachel Heckel, CEO of Sault Tribe Inc. (STI), the business arm of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. Rachel’s leadership is rooted in building high-performing teams, scaling new ventures, and establishing a thriving government contracting practice that delivers mission-critical solutions for federal clients.

Rachel shares her path to leadership, including one of her proudest accomplishments: receiving commendations from both the County of Los Angeles and the Chief of the Cherokee Nation for leading an emergency shelter initiative that connected over 8,000 unaccompanied immigrant children with safe, stable homes. She reflects on the skills, resilience, and values that have guided her from that defining experience to her current role as CEO.

Together, Mary Ann and Rachel explore the challenges and opportunities of federal contracting, the importance of balancing innovation with reliability, and what it means to lead an organization that both drives business growth and honors tribal legacy. Rachel also offers inspiration for women leaders striving to break new ground in complex, high-stakes industries.

This episode is a powerful look at transformational leadership, purpose-driven impact, and the future of federal solutions under the vision of a remarkable woman CEO.

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IMPACT: Women in Leadership with Mary Ann Brown features conversations with trailblazing women shaping the future of business, government, and innovation.

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