NACA Executive Director

Karen J. Atkinson Executive Director

Karen J. Atkinson is Mandan, Hidatsa, and Tsimshian and serves as the Executive Director of the Native American Contractors Association, in Washington, D.C. Ms. Atkinson has extensive experience as a legal and policy advisor on federal Indian law and tribal economic development. Ms. Atkinson has served as Deputy Director of the National Park Service where she developed an Environmental Leadership Program and a Green Energy Parks Program. She also served as Senior Counsel to United States Senate Indian Affairs Committee where she advised senators on energy policy and natural resource issues.

Ms. Atkinson has experience in energy planning and development, and business consulting for tribal governments and companies that want to work with tribes. She has focused on creating public/private partnerships that increase economic development opportunities in tribal communities. She has provided advice on how to form tribal business entities, on how to create tribal business partnerships, and on financing options and tax incentives for projects in Indian Country.

Ms. Atkinson earned her law degree from the University of New Mexico and her BA in political science and public policy from Stanford University.