An enrolled member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, Ann Marie Bledsoe Downes is the Chief Administrative Officer of Ho-Chunk, Inc. She brings extensive experience in tribal affairs, law, and public policy, along with a deep commitment to advancing Native communities.

Ann Marie most recently served as Principal Deputy Solicitor at the U.S. Department of the Interior under the Biden-Harris Administration, where she also held the role of Deputy Solicitor for Indian Affairs. Prior to her time in Washington, she was Executive Vice President of Community Impact and Engagement at Ho-Chunk, Inc., leading initiatives that directly benefited the Winnebago community.

Her career includes serving as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Economic Development for Indian Affairs and as Interim Director of the Bureau of Indian Education during the Obama Administration. She has also held leadership roles as Executive Director of the Indian Legal Program at Arizona State University, President of Little Priest Tribal College, and as Tribal Affairs Advisor to the Governor of Arizona.

Ann Marie holds a B.A. from Wayne State College and a J.D. from Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law. She is passionate about creating opportunities that strengthen tribal sovereignty, education, and economic growth.