Carla Fredericks

Carla Fredericks is the CEO of The Christensen Fund and a seasoned leader in sustainable economic development, human rights, business, finance, Indigenous Peoples law, and Federal Indian law.

Carla’s career focus has been the realization of Indigenous Peoples human rights. She has served in several capacities, including providing core support to the UN Special Rapporteur on Rights of Indigenous Peoples for the entirety of her two terms, serving as of counsel to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in bringing their opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline to international fora and financial institutions, assisting the Maya peoples of Southern Belize in implementing the affirmation of their land rights, and developing a model for Indigenous-driven consent processes and remedy.

Carla is a graduate of the University of Colorado and Columbia Law School. She is Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Mashantucket Pequot (Western) Endowment Trust and is a member of the Indigenous Peoples Advisory Group to the Decolonizing Wealth Project. She is a proud, enrolled citizen of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation of North Dakota.

Carla is also a gourmet cook and her free time is spent making memories with her husband and son as they enjoy sports, outdoor activities, and time with each other.