CentrAL INC! | Central Alabama Business Journal November/December 2024 | Page 22

POARCH CREEK INDIANS
STEPHANIE A . BRYAN
Tribal Chair and CEO
POARCH CREEK INDIANS
As Tribal Chair and CEO of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians , Stephanie A . Bryan ’ s focus is on protecting the Tribe ’ s interests and enhancing her people ’ s quality of life . The Tribe has created more than 9,000 direct job opportunities and reinvested in over 40 businesses across a range of industries from gaming to hospitality , aerospace , manufacturing and government services .
WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT the future and the opportunities that it presents for our Tribe and the communities that we serve . We anticipate that we will be able to expand and continue to diversify our business portfolio . That will help us to continue to improve the quality of life for the communities in which we live and work , including helping to improve education and healthcare – especially in rural areas .
WE ’ VE LEARNED THE HARD WAY THAT to overcome challenges , we have to be both resilient and unified as a people . We have made it through real periods of abject poverty and adversity by helping each other . These experiences have taught us the importance of standing together , staying true to our values and investing in the future .
THE TOOLS OF OUR TRADE are the relationships we ’ ve built with leaders across Alabama . These relationships have allowed us to play a more important role in the State , particularly in efforts to help families and communities in times of need .
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I AM PROUD OF our Tribe ’ s genuine passion to make a positive difference in the lives of others . That work began at our home in Atmore , but it has expanded to other communities . When I see the positive outcomes we have had in helping others succeed , I feel truly blessed and proud . I am consistently reminded of the significance of our collective efforts .
YOU WOULD NEVER GUESS how far our Tribe has come in the last fifty years . I wish the generations that struggled so hard could see what we have been able to do because of the example they set . We are a people who work hard , care about others , and have had a deep and lasting commitment to maintaining our identity , becoming self-sufficient and protecting our right to self-govern .
WE VALUE our long-standing tradition of giving back to the community , supporting initiatives that strengthen education , healthcare and cultural preservation .
I HOPE WOMEN WILL continue to pursue opportunities to lead and make a difference . In the pursuit of becoming a stronger leader and a better individual , it is important to value the quality of humility . Humble leaders are willing to acknowledge their mistakes , embrace vulnerability , work with full transparency and be part of a team .
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