She Rises Collective: Indigenous Women in Business

February 11, 2026 – Indigenous women entrepreneurs in Wisconsin are uniting in leadership and empowerment thanks to an organization called She Rises Collective: Indigenous Women in Business.

She Rises Collective was founded to address the persistent gaps Indigenous women face in entrepreneurship, access to capital and culturally grounded business support.

Community For Indigenous Women Business Owners

Rooted in Indigenous values and community accountability, She Rises Collective was created as a space where Indigenous women can build businesses without having to disconnect from their identities, responsibilities or communities.

Their mission is to support Indigenous women entrepreneurs through education, mentorship, resources, and community-based programming that strengthens economic sovereignty, leadership, and collective well-being.

Executive Director Margaret Ellis said the most important part of the organization is the community and inner knowing. Everything they do is built around relationships, trust, and shared responsibility.

“Our work is not transactional—it is relational. We center Indigenous women’s voices, lived experiences, and cultural knowledge, and we design programming with the community, not for it,” she said.

She Rises Collective is supporting women and girls through business bootcamps, mentorship, workshops and leadership development that are culturally relevant and accessible. They help women move ideas into action and intentionally model intergenerational leadership by creating spaces where women of all ages and walks of life can see Indigenous women leading, owning businesses, and shaping economic futures rooted in their values.

For Ellis, this work is about more than business—it’s about restoring decision-making power, honoring roles as leaders and caregivers, and building economic systems that support families and communities, not just profit.

Ellis said many of the women coming to She Rises Collective feel isolated, unsure, or disconnected from traditional business practices. Through their programs, the women gain not only practical skills, but a sense of belonging and self-worth.

“Before She Rises, I didn’t see myself as a business owner. I just knew I had something to offer my community,” said a She Rises participant. “Now I have the tools, the confidence, and the support to build something that reflects who I am.”

The Women’s Fund Impact

Support from the Women’s Fund has allowed She Rises Collective to expand programming, compensate Indigenous facilitators and allies, and reduce barriers for women who otherwise might not have access to business education or mentorship or who are simply intimidated by non-Indigenous space due to racial trauma.

“As Executive Director, I want to show our fellow Indigenous women that there are allies out there and safe spaces to share their gifts, ideas and businesses,” said Ellis.

How Local Support Helps Their Mission

Community members can support She Rises Collective by attending events, sharing their work, partnering with the organization, mentoring participants, and investing in Indigenous women-owned businesses. Financial support, advocacy, and simply amplifying Indigenous women’s stories all play a role in sustaining this work.