Lillian Sparks Robinson

A member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, Lillian Sparks Robinson has worked in Washington, D.C. for over 20 years, devoting her career to supporting the educational pursuits of Native American students, protecting the rights of indigenous people, and empowering tribal communities. Lillian is the CEO and founder of Wopila Consulting, LLC, a firm specializing in policy, advocacy, organizational development and government contracting. In 2010, Lillian was appointed by President Obama, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, to serve as the Commissioner for the Administration for Native Americans. In this role, she worked on programs and policy impacting Native languages and education, social development, and economic development for American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities. Prior to her service at ANA, Lillian served as the Executive Director of the National Indian Education Association (NIEA), where she worked extensively on education policy and appropriations impacting American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian students. A former staff attorney at the National Congress of American Indians and a respected policy and legislative strategist, Lillian has worked in a bipartisan manner to advocate on issues related to appropriations, small business, economic development, education, and culturally related issues.

In addition to being a nationally recognized and sought-after public speaker, Lillian has received numerous awards and recognition, including being named as one of seven young Native American Leaders by USA Today Magazine, one of “40 Under 40” from the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (2011), and American Indian Woman of the Year (2010). Lillian serves on the Board of Directors for the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (Vice- Chair), Native Forward Scholars Fund (Vice-Chair), Native Edge Finance CDFI, American Indian Cancer Foundation, and the American Indian Science and Engineering Society. Most recently, Lillian was appointed by Mayor Brandon Scott to serve on the Commission for Women for Baltimore City. An alumni of Morgan State University and Georgetown University Law Center, Lillian resides in her hometown of Baltimore, MD with her husband Corey, and son Connor (10).