Whittier College alumnus and advocate for Native Americans Erik Stegman ’04 was recently named Executive Director of the Center for Native American Youth (CNAY) at the Aspen Institute.
Stegman brings his extensive background in advocacy and policy development to his role as Executive Director where he will be responsible for working with The Aspen Institute, CNAY's Board of Advisors, and the staff on developing policies and meaningful partnerships with tribal governments and organizations that could improve the health, safety, and overall well-being of Native American youth.
Prior to his role as Executive director, Stegman served as majority counsel for the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs where he helped lead the Stand Against Violence and Empower Native Women Act, which was signed into law as part of the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization of 2013. Among his other leadership roles include, his role as national board of directors for the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network for seven years and his role as policy advisor to Assistant Deputy Secretary Kevin Jennings at the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools.
Stegman received a B.A in sociology from Whittier College and later earned a master's degree in American Indian Studies from UCLA, and a Juris Doctorate from UCLA School of Law.
