100% Indigenous Owned and Operated

Building Bridges & Delivering Value

Advisory • Research • Policy Guidance • Planning & Implementation • Communications • Diversity and Inclusion • Cultural Consulting • Video Production & Live Streaming Services

Indigenous and Focused!

We provide exemplary advisory, research, policy, planning, communications and media services.

We also work with corporations regarding diversity and inclusion initiatives, cultural sensitivity training and Tribal engagement/facilitation.

We’d love to find out more about your project and how we might help you achieve your goals! 

  • Corporate Engagement

  • Trade

  • Infrastructure

  • Advocacy

  • Federal Policy

  • Energy

  • Diversity and Inclusion

  • Tribal Relations

  • Economic Development

  • Corporate Relations

  • Community Engagement

  • Agriculture

  • Health

  • Int'l Tribal Delegation Coordination

  • Diversity and Inclusion

About Us.

Davis Strategy Group is a consulting and business services firm that is 100% Native American owned and operated by Gary (Cherokee Nation) and Carmen Davis (Makah, Chippewa Cree and Yakama).

Focused on Impact

Over the last 30 years, Carmen and Gary Davis have successfully worked with a Tribal Nations and indigenous business and community focused projects across the United States and Canada.

Their work has ranged from grass roots community initiatives to assisting tribes in identifying economic development opportunities both domestically and abroad. Through their work they have fostered decades of relationships, knowledge and experience and have worked with many visionary indigenous leaders and innovative Tribal enterprises. Those cumulative experiences led to the birth of Davis Strategy Group and over the years navigating an array of projects, across a wide range of sectors in Indian Country

Additionally, Mr. Davis has over 10 years of demonstrated leadership serving as the chief executive officer of two prominent national indigenous economic development organizations. He has effectively advocated for Tribal and indigenous businesses and sovereign rights on Capitol Hill, at the White House and across various federal agencies.

Today, Davis Strategy Group has evolved into a group of highly accomplished indigenous professionals who provide our clients with nuanced business acumen, strategic guidance and vital insights and perspectives to help them succeed.

We look forward to working with you.

We’re always excited by new challenges and finding solutions for our clients.

We’d love to find out more about your project and how we can help you achieve your goals! 

DSG Services

Strategic Planning and implementation

The Oxford Dictionary defines strategy as: “A plan of action designed to achieve a long-term or overall aim”. We help our clients achieve their goals. We help indigenous communities develop plans, policies, protocols and proper infrastructure for tribal governance, economic development, master plans, tourism and eco-solutions and more. Developing good laws and policies doesn’t mean much without good follow through. We offer clients a comprehensive package of services for translating their plans into action. From cutting edge techniques for data gathering, analysis, and modeling, to workshops and training sessions - we help get projects moving.

Advisory

Our advisory services are focused on empowering tribal nations through strategic guidance and assisting clients with customized solutions to achieve maximum impact when engaging with indigenous communities. Our team of experienced indigenous professionals partner with tribal communities, government agencies, and private sector organizations to navigate the complexities of policy, governance, and economic development, while honoring the rich cultural heritage of American Indian communities. By fostering meaningful collaborations and leveraging our deep understanding of tribal dynamics, we aim to strengthen sovereignty, enhance self-determination, and support sustainable growth for a brighter, more resilient future.

Diversity & Inclusion/Cultural Consulting

Our team is dedicated to enhancing diversity and inclusion initiatives within organizations through customized cultural sensitivity training and strategic guidance. Our expert team works closely with businesses, government agencies, and educational institutions to foster inclusive environments that honor the rich cultural heritage of American Indian communities. By cultivating a deeper understanding of indigenous perspectives, values, and traditions, we empower organizations to create meaningful connections, promote equitable opportunities, and contribute to the ongoing resilience and success of American Indian communities in a diverse and interconnected world.

Research

Our research team collaborates with tribal nations, academic institutions, and policymakers to conduct comprehensive and culturally sensitive research, providing valuable insights to inform decision-making and drive positive change. By integrating traditional knowledge with contemporary research methodologies, we strive to empower American Indian communities and contribute to the development of sustainable, equitable, and culturally relevant solutions for a thriving future."

Legal Framework Development

Our experts transform policy ideas into draft laws and regulations for tribal governments to consider and adopt. Our legal framework competencies include: drafting legislation and regulations, analyzing existing laws and providing best practices and models. In order to deliver the best possible results for our clients, we work closely with government officials, lawmakers, tribal counsels and our team of federal Indian law experts to carefully shape our recommendations.

Policy Guidance

We assist our clients with indigenous policy matters by providing tailored, culturally sensitive and evidence-based analysis that looks outside the box for innovative solutions. We work with tribal nations, government agencies, and other stakeholders to formulate policy that promotes self-determination, strengthens tribal sovereignty, and enhances economic opportunities, while preserving the unique traditions and cultural heritage of American Indian communities. Our expert indigenous policy experts start with your goals and make recommendations grounded in the spirit of sovereignty that help you achieve those goals.

Communications

We specialize in delivering culturally nuanced and impactful communications services to tribal nations, government agencies, and businesses. Our team of skilled professionals, rooted in indigenous traditions and values, excels in developing tailored messaging, public relations strategies, and content creation that effectively resonate with diverse audiences. By bridging the gap between contemporary communication and the rich cultural heritage of American Indian communities, we empower our clients to forge lasting connections, foster mutual understanding, and amplify their unique stories in an increasingly interconnected world.

Video Production

We are dedicated to providing exceptional video production services that honor and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of indigenous communities. Our team of talented professionals expertly crafts captivating visual narratives that resonate with diverse audiences. By blending authentic storytelling with state-of-the-art technology, we empower tribal nations, government agencies, and businesses to share their unique stories, foster cultural appreciation, and enhance visibility for American Indian perspectives in today's interconnected world.

Live Streaming Services

Our expert team leverages cutting-edge technology and innovative approaches to deliver seamless, high-quality live streaming experiences that captivate and engage diverse audiences. By amplifying the voices and events of American Indian nations, government agencies, and businesses, we foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for the rich heritage and contributions of indigenous communities in our ever-evolving digital world.

Our Principals

  • President & Co-Founder

    Carmen Davis, an enrolled member of the Makah Nation, and of the Chippewa Cree and Yakama Tribes, has over 24 years of service to Indian Country.

    Mrs. Davis is continuously committed to leading initiatives that have a positive and lasting impact on Native communities across North America. Her decades of experience and service to Indian Country as an entrepreneur have resulted in her successfully establishing, operating and growing several businesses in multiple fields of endeavor.

    Mrs. Davis is President and Co-Founder of Davis Strategy Group (DSG), a consulting, business services and media production firm with an array of tribal, corporate and private industry clients. She is equal parts a strategic visionary and behind-the-scenes implementor, essential in guiding and overseeing every process of brand development, business expansion, nation-to-nation relationship building and more. Amongst her many accomplishments with DSG, she has helped to facilitate multiple strategic partnerships between tribal entities and corporations, led international tribal business delegations abroad and produced a multi-day national virtual broadcast.

    No stranger to massive productions, Mrs. Davis coordinated logistics and managed all aspects of the multi-faceted, “Reach the Rez” project – which still stands as the single largest national effort of outreach aimed at positively impacting Indian Country over the span of five years. Carmen proudly helped raise over $1.3 million philanthropically for this unprecedented project aimed at serving tribal communities. The Reach the Rez effort began in 2005 and with a crew of ten staff, traveled 54,000 miles in its first year; successfully providing motivational and inspirational programs to over 350 indigenous communities across North America by its conclusion.

    Mrs. Davis recently helped launch, and is Vice President of, IndigiStudios, a 100% owned and operated indigenous film and production company focused on a slate of theatrical, episodic, and documentary projects, all centered around the company’s mission of reclaiming the indigenous narrative in film and television. Mrs. Davis oversees the daily operations of IndigiStudios and manages its production slate.

    Carmen was named in 2009 as one of the first recipients of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development’s prestigious, “40 Under 40” award which recognizes up and coming community and business leaders from across Indian Country.

    A highly regarded keynote speaker in Indian Country, Carmen has delivered speeches on tribal, corporate and event stages ranging from PNC Bank to the Navajo Nation to the “Native Women’s Business Summit”.

  • CEO & Co-Founder

    Mr. Davis has been a notable figure in Indian Country for over 30 years. First recognized for his considerable achievements in music, film and television with eight award winning albums and starring roles in such films as, The Indian in The Cupboard (Paramount Pictures) and appearances on television programs such as, House of Cards (Netflix) and numerous inspirational concert tours which took him to nearly every tribal nation in the United States.

    His accomplishments as a seasoned entrepreneur evolved into tribal economic development in 2007 when he became Vice-President of U.S. Native Affairs for the Triple Five Group (owners of the Mall of America) and then co-chair of the National Indian Gaming Association’s, American Indian Business Network. In 2011 he was asked to join the board of directors of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development and soon after was asked to lead the organization as its president and CEO overseeing their annual Reservation Economic Summit (RES) in Las Vegas, multiple federal programs and initiatives related to business across Indian Country.

    Mr. Davis has twice testified before the U.S. Senate and is astute at policy matters related to Indian Country. He is a relentless advocate for tribal sovereignty and has considerable experience building bridges on Capitol Hill. His effectiveness in working with federal agencies to advance business in Indian Country has been substantiated by his twice being appointed an ambassador for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Minorities in Energy (2015) and Equity in Energy (2020) initiatives as well as his appointment to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Council on Underserved Communities (2016).

    He is an accomplished international speaker having delivered the featured keynote speech at the World Indigenous Business Forum in Guatemala City, Guatemala and delivered remarks at Hannover Messe, the world’s largest trade fair for industrial technology, in Hannover, Germany.

    He’s a recipient of the prestigious Sevenstar Award from the Cherokee Nation Historical Society and received the Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency National Director Special Recognition Award in 2015.

    Recently, Mr. Davis was recognized by Scholastic Books in their publication “Native American Heroes” and in 2021 he will be part of an animated indigenous cartoon series for children on Netflix.

Meet the Team

  • Mika Leonard (Miami Tribe)

    Sr. ADVISOR - STRATEGY / PUBLIC AFFAIRS

    Mika Leonard is an enrolled member of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma and brings more than 15 years of experience working with tribal communities and the federal government.

    LEADERSHIP

    Mika began her career in Washington, D.C. with the Department of Interior’s Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development, where she saw firsthand the pervasive joblessness and lack of opportunity within many Indian Country economies. While in D.C she worked for several federal contractors supporting the defense and intelligence sectors. She has worked extensively with members of congress and federal agencies in advancing tribal initiatives vital to protecting tribal sovereignty. She then returned to working directly in Indian Country as the Business Development Director for the Miami Tribe’s government contracting 8(a) company. Upon relocation to Denver, Colorado, Leonard served as the Director of Sales and Marketing at the Native American Bank, the only national American Indian owned community development bank in the country. She has successfully managed public relations efforts and stakeholder engagement initiatives across a variety of sectors. For over five years Mika served as the Chief Operations Officer of the Native American Financial Services Association (“NAFSA”). She currently serves on the Miami Nation Enterprises Board of Directors.

    PERSONAL

    Mika and her husband Ryan live in Denver, Colorado with their daughter Olive.

    EDUCATION

    Miami University, Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics

  • Clifton Cottrell, PhD (Cherokee Nation)

    RESEARCH AND POLICY

    Clifton Cottrell is an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation specializing in public policy, infrastructure, and economic development. He has worked for and with tribal, local, state, and federal governments and agencies in public and private sector capacities. Dr. Cottrell holds a JD from Baylor University School of Law and a PhD in Policy Studies from the University of Maryland, where he focused on federal Indian policy and development in the energy and environmental sectors.

    LEADERSHIP

    Prior to joining Davis Strategy Group, Dr. Cottrell served as the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Native Americans Studies at the University of Oklahoma. While a fellow at OU, he co-led the submission of more than $6 million in grant proposals for projects advancing energy infrastructure and food security in Indian Country. He has taught courses on tribal economic development, tribal sovereignty, and federal Indian law and policy. Dr. Cottrell has published scholarly works on tribal sovereignty, the integration of tribal communities into large infrastructure projects, and tribal community planning. He is a member of the Association for Economic Research of Indigenous Peoples, Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management, and the Native American and Indigenous Studies Association.

    Before completing his doctorate, Dr. Cottrell held positions with prominent non-profit organizations supporting economic development in Indian Country, including as the Director of Policy and Research at the Native American Financial Services Association (NAFSA) and as the Director of Business Development at the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED). After performing statistical, qualitative, and legal analysis on a variety of economic and sovereign concerns in Indian Country, he wrote extensively for NAFSA’s website and national publications on financial issues, tribal sovereignty, and reservation economic development. Dr. Cottrell drafted legislative amendments to major federal laws and helped prepare amicus briefs to the U.S. Supreme Court on the economic development issues faced by remote tribal communities. At NCAIED, he coordinated grant proposals totaling more than $100 million to bring renewable energy and telecommunications infrastructure to Indian Country. He also created a comprehensive database of public and private foundations to link tribal economic development opportunities with available non-profit and government funding programs.

    PERSONAL

    Dr. Cottrell currently resides in north central Oklahoma with his wife, Nicole, and two daughters, Annabelle and Charlotte. He spends much of his free time restoring a hobby farm, mastering traditional Cherokee weaponry, and supporting his girls’ love of horse riding.

    EDUCATION

    University of Maryland, PhD in Policy Studies

    Baylor University School of Law, Juris Doctor

    University of Texas at Austin, Master of Public Affairs

    University of the Ozarks, Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science

  • Blake Trueblood, Esq. (Choctaw Nation)

    ADVISOR

    Blake Trueblood is an enrolled member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and has over a sixteen-year track record of success as an advocate, litigator, counselor, and entrepreneur. Blake previously served as General Counsel for a family of litigation finance and claims management companies assisting plaintiffs and law firms in personal injury, product liability, disaster recovery and mass tort practices. Blake was also previously the co-founder and Managing Partner of a Florida-based law firm that represented claimants in personal injury, sexual harassment, discrimination, and commercial claims. Blake has represented both individuals and businesses as claimants, and is a trusted counselor to entrepreneurs, Native American tribes, and media and entertainment personalities. Blake has been a regular commentator on the topics of Tribal economic development.

    LEADERSHIP

    In addition to his in-house and law firm leadership, Blake served as the Director of Business Development for the National Center for American Indian Economic Development, where he was instrumental in leading numerous programs on innovative opportunities for enterprise development in underserved Native American communities. Blake was also appointed Chief of Staff and General Counsel of a leading national trade association for tribal economic development.

    COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

    Blake has made significant contributions to his local community and the larger Native American community nationally with pro bono work on behalf of minority-owned start-up businesses and tribal economic development organizations. Blake also mentors young entrepreneurs and lawyers in navigating the path to the next level of success.

    PERSONAL

    Blake was born in the midwest but raised most of his life by a single mom in Lakeland, Florida. He now splits his time between Los Angeles, CA, Washington, DC and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he has a home with his significant other Maria, their daughter Amber, and his dog Bella, a chihuahua-beagle mix.

    Blake is an avid hiker and runner, and a widely respected practitioner and instructor of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Blake attained the rank of black belt in 2015 , earning his second degree in 2021.

    EDUCATION

    Washington University School of Law, Juris Doctor

    H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship at Nova Southeastern University, Master’s in Business Administration, with Concentration in Entrepreneurship

    Florida State University, Bachelor’s in Business Management

  • Edward Gehres, III, Esq.

    ADVISOR

    Ed Gehres has over 25 years of experience as an advocate, trial lawyer, and organizational leader. Ed began his career as a political organizer and strategist for civil liberties and education organizations, and was drawn to trial practice and litigation strategy because of a desire to affect change on multiple levels – in the courts, in the legislature, and in public affairs strategy. Ed has also advocated on economic development, food sovereignty, and community development needs for Native American communities throughout the United States.

    LEADERSHIP

    Throughout his career, Ed has been recognized as a leader and an innovator in building firms and organizations. Most recently, Ed led the development of the legal department at a Miami-based investment platform as it grew from a handful of start-ups to over 50 portfolio companies in a dozen countries. Ed has been a partner and practice group leader at an American Lawyer 100 firm and led the practice group at a nationally-known boutique firm that was named Law Firm of the Year in its specialty by US News & World Report. Ed also has experience as General Counsel of organizations from their start-up phase through full-diversification and later-stage equity raises.

    COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

    Ed has devoted time, energy, and advocacy to issues and organizations serving those who need a voice in law and policy. He co-founded the Maryland Down Syndrome Advocacy Coalition, helped the Down Syndrome Network of Montgomery County achieve 501(c)(3) status, and served on the Board of Directors of the ARC of Montgomery County.

    PERSONAL

    Ed grew up in the Midwest and is proud to call Detroit his home town. Ed is the grandson of coal miners and assembly line workers, and brings this work ethic along with the empathy of his father’s ministry in the Presbyterian Church and the curiosity of his mother’s work as an educator and non-profit leader to his client representations today. Ed moved to Washington, DC to work on civil rights, civil liberties, and education issues, and was inspired to study law after being told his draft of a new bill on education equality wouldn’t be shown to a potential sponsoring Congressman because he was not a lawyer. A version of the bill was eventually made law, but by then Ed was off ensuring that no barriers remained to his work as an advocate.

    EDUCATION

    University of Virginia School of Law, Juris Doctor

    George Washington University, Graduate School of Political Management, Master of Arts

    University of Michigan, Bachelor of Arts

“We want to note our satisfaction with the standard of service, offered to us by your qualified and efficient team, your values focusing on providing the utmost levels of customer satisfaction. You provide elite services to us and it is obvious how passionate you are about your work given the high level of professional service you deliver.”

Roxie Schescke - President, Indian Eyes, LLC

“Amazing at bringing people together and getting things done. So, if you want to get something accomplished, If you have a special project or effort that you want to move forward, these are the people you need to bring in.”

Chairman Mark N. Fox - Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation

“Working with Davis Strategy Group was an overwhelmingly positive experience that made a significant impact on some of our business decisions.  Any organization seeking an agency that values cultural sensitivity and delivers exceptional results should consider Davis Strategy Group.”

Sandy Fowler-Jones - Director of Communications and Public Relations, Swedish Match North America

Current and Previous Clients Include:

Stony Nakoda Nation

And many more!