Nancy Egan - A WCS Success Story

Nancy Egan is a member of the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Reservation. On April 17, 2008, Nancy was elected as the Tribal Chairwoman of the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Indian Reservation. Ms Egan made history being duly elected to this position as the first female leader among the Tribes. She accepted the responsibility and accountability knowing fully the risk and hardship it takes to be a committed leader in the midst of trials and temptations. Her ancestor is Chief Egan, War Chief of the 1878 Paiute-Bannock War. Dedication and commitment to the people of Duck Valley Indian Reservation is a priority. Nancy is a committed leader, educator, and a firm believer in her community and working together. Her aspirations are to encourage leadership within the Tribes and to prepare the path for the younger generations to become future leaders in tribal and state governments. It takes analysis, implementation, and action to continually move forward in a positive direction.

Nancy was an employee of the Tribes and the United States Department of Agriculture as the Food Distribution Director. Her main responsibility was distributing food to all eligible low-income households living on the reservation. In line with her commitment to community and working together, Nancy has gained lots of experience and knowledge in her leadership roles as President of the National Association Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, serving 102 programs while working with 256 Tribes throughout the nation. Nancy has served as the President of the Western Association for four terms working with 35 Tribes in six states including Alaska. Nancy attended the Women's Campaign School at Yale University, in New Haven, Connecticut in preparation for her educational and tribal leadership role. While in attendance, she was mentored by political leaders and educators from throughout the United States. Nancy has worked with non-profit organizations such as the Women of Color Alliance, Boise, Idaho serving a three-year term as President. It was a means of sharing knowledge and gifts to others, and more so to make a difference on the reservation, IRO (Internalized Racist Oppression) changed my life. I know now I must make a difference in me first, before I can make a difference in someone else's life and I have done that."

Nancy holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. Currently, she is pursuing a Master's Degree in Business Administration/Public Administration. Nancy is working on a part-time business in financial consultation. She loves to write and is writing a book based on experiences of this journey in life. She has received numerous awards including:

Bachelor of Science in Business Management, University of Phoenix, 2007
Service Award Funding Methodology Group-USDA, 2007
Women Making History Award, Boise State University, 2007
President of National Association Food Distribution Program 2007-2008
President of Western Association Food Distribution Program 2001 - 2008
Leadership Award Group/Individual by USDA Secretary of Agriculture - October 2008